There are many different types of boat covers, from the kind that attach to the boat to offer shade protection to the protective storage kinds of boat covers. It's been said that a good boat cover can prevent up to half the damage caused by dust and weather conditions that an uncovered boat is likely to receive. Whatever types of boat covers you are considering purchasing, it is a good idea to think of not only the kind of boat you have, but also the weather conditions you and the boat are likely to encounter as well as how long the boat will be sitting unused.

Boat covers that completely cover the boat make the best protectors, but are sometimes difficult to find. Complete covers must also be the exact size to fit all the proportions of each individual boat such as the rails and mast. A custom boat cover may be the best way to go. Polyester and canvas are both good fabrics for boat covers, even for boats that will sit unused for long periods of time. You should look for the heaviest boat cover you can find for the long-term storage of your boat.

You should always keep weather conditions in mind when shopping for any kind of boat cover. If you want to protect your boat from fading as much as possible from ultraviolet rays, choose boat covers with UV protection. Waterproof boat covers are the best if your boat is likely to be exposed to rain. Water-resistant boat covers do not protect the boat from moisture damage as well as the waterproof ones.

Bimini top boat covers are fabric-covered canopies that attach onto the boat to provide protection from the sun while still letting the breeze blow in. Bimini boat covers are available in many different sizes to fit many different kinds of boats including fishing boats, ski-boats, v-hull runabouts and cuddy cabins. The fabric used in bimini boat covers is often nylon or marine-grade vinyl.

Some types of canopy boat covers are retractable and attach to the boat to allow for sun and rain protection. Other canopy boat covers need to be installed using a drill, but some models clamp onto the boat's freestanding wake board tower. Many boat covers are sold with a warranty ranging from one to five years.