Extend Your Boat’s Cover Life With the Best Boat Cover Support Pole
Cleaning dirt and debris from your boat cover is challenging, especially for people just starting the boating experience. This is where a quality boat cover support pole enters the scene. It protects your boat by blocking water accumulation and debris build-up, keeping it safe so you can have a fun boating experience throughout the year, no matter the weather. We’ve curated all the best cover support poles on the market to help you keep your boat pristine. During our research, we found one product that stood out from the rest – the Vico Marine Support Pole. It’s incredibly durable and easy to install.
Our Top Picks
The Best Boat Cover Support Pole
Best Overall
If you’re looking for a strong and tough support pole that can bear up to 170 pounds of weight, the Vico Marine Support Pole is for you. Built with stainless steel and a die-cast collar, this boat cover support pole has a ribbed profile that firmly keeps the cover in place during heavy rain and winds. Capable of handling the weight of the snow, it’s well-protected and doesn’t get mold or mildew when exposed to external elements. Featuring a boat cover support pole cap at the base that works to secure the pole with a locking wingnut, you won’t have to worry about finding it submerged. The top cap also has a unique feature, which simplifies the installation. All of these features and its durable build make this the best overall product on our list.
Pros
- Uses premium anodized aluminum
- Bears 170 pounds of weight
- Easy to install
Cons
- Expensive compared to similar products
Best Longevity
With its well-engineered features and a pole that adjusts to the required height of your boat, the Better Boat Boat Cover Support Pole stands out from its competitors. It uses an easy-to-use telescoping pole that can adjust between 13.5 and 56 inches, and to add to its functionality, it features a supporting canvas. Better Boat poles also have a mushroom top and sturdy base that protect the boat cover from stress tearing and prevent the water from pooling. The poles have button snaps with rubber ends that make this item compatible with various boat styles and applications, such as pontoon cover support and canvas pole support. The material used in its manufacturing is marine-grade aluminum, which is resistant to rust and has good longevity.
Pros
- Compatible with various boat styles
- Resistant to corrosion
- Requires low maintenance
Cons
- Base of the pole is a bit small
Best Value
Safeguard your boat against water, snow, and other weather elements with the iCOVER Boat Cover Support Pole that can extend up to 54 inches. The material of the poles uses ABS PVC plastics that stand sturdy against strong winds and heavy rains, ensuring reliable protection. It is a lightweight pole that offers extended support to boat covers in dry and drenched conditions. There is a pedestal foot at the bottom to prevent the pole from falling off, and a broad plate is placed at the top to prevent external objects from piercing through the cover.
Pros
- Lightweight yet sturdy
- Height is adjustable
- Comes with a 12-month warranty
Cons
- Susceptible to falling in harsh weather
Buying Guide for Finding a Boat Cover Support Pole
When it comes to protecting your boat, investing in a high-quality cover is essential. However, even the best boat covers can sag and collect water without proper support, potentially leading to damage and wear. This is where boat cover support poles come into play. These essential accessories provide the necessary support to keep your boat cover taut, preventing water pooling, mildew formation, and fabric damage. We put together this buying guide to help you find the perfect support pole for your boat.
Brand and Durability
Selecting the right brand is directly proportional to durability. This is because purchasing from a well-known brand will ensure you’re getting what you paid for. To learn which brand is leading the market in terms of quality and price, you will have to go through product reviews and skim consumer comments to identify where they stand in the market. Based on the review, you can then decide whether you should invest in that product or not.
Ease of Use and Assembly
No one wants to spend time implementing a product that consumes too much time, and the same goes for installing and using a boat cover support pole. When you have shortlisted one, check its reviews to ensure that users were able to install it easily and didn’t face any difficulty in using it.
Material Composition
The quality of the materials used to make support poles should be of prime importance. Ideally, you should look for PVC, ABS plastic, aluminum, and stainless steel poles, as these materials resist harsh weather conditions and naturally deter destructive outdoor elements.
Other Features to Look For
In terms of features, the latest is always better! Look for the one that has the most modern innovations. Some products offer features highlighting protection while others have exclusive additions you won’t normally find in the market.
Also, look for qualities like telescoping, height-adjustability, and a cam-lock mechanism as they make your boating experience comfortable and fun.
Usage
Getting a pole compatible with the usage requirements is also an essential aspect of the purchase process. If you’re traveling in the snow season and looking for a support pole that can handle the thick snow, then you should get two or more sturdy poles. But if you need a pole just to prevent the rainwater from pooling, then a single pole would work just fine.
Cost
While this is an important consideration factor, a high price doesn’t always guarantee high quality when it comes to supporting poles. Some budget-friendly poles offer slight differences in performance, durability, and quality that may or may not meet your expectations. Therefore, when searching for a pole you should focus on getting the desired features that accommodate your boat cover’s needs.
You will also find kits that include accessories and tools. While they might cost more they will save you the trouble of looking for accessories elsewhere. Adjusting your budget to include more features will also give you a good deal on the product.
People Also Asked
Are support poles meant to last forever?
While it’s easy to assume that boat cover support poles will last a lifetime, this is not true. Weather interference like rain and strong UV rays can lead to a gradual deterioration of your support pole’s outer lining, and to promote best buying practices, you should always stay clear of brands that speak of this aspect.
Are boat cover support poles universal?
While some support poles are universal, others are not. If you’re looking for a universal size option, consider checking the product description before purchasing. Also, it may prove beneficial to take a quick look at the customer review section. Past buyer experiences can expose you to product information that may or may not praise the brand, and when it comes to your wallet, this can save you from wasting money on a potentially nonrefundable product.
How should I install and use my support pole?
This mainly depends on which type of support pole you have selected for your boat, as every brand has different functions, features, and requirements. To start, follow the step-by-step installation instructions on the packaging or product manual to ensure its correct assembly. If you want to strengthen it with additional security, you can purchase accessories and tools to add support. Some manufacturers provide these accessories with packaging to maintain the stability of the support pole, even in harsh weather. If you’re still confused, you can also go through a few YouTube video tutorials, and they’ll teach you how to assemble a boat cover pole system correctly.
How can I tell if my boat cover support pole needs replacement?
Generally speaking, you’ll know your support pole needs replacement if it shows signs of tear and wear. Another sign to look out for is rusting or other imperfections that remain even after cleaning with an appropriate cleanser or organic home treatment.