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Author Topic:   Mills cover on 16 Dauntless

ocuyler posted 09-09-2003 11:10 AM ET (US)
Does anyone have images of a Mills trailering cover on a Dauntless with a bowrail? I was curious if it fits under or over the rail and how it fits and rides at Interstate speeds.
Any comments?
Otto
Marlin posted 09-09-2003 12:52 PM ET (US)
Otto,
I have a Mills cover on my 2003 160 Dauntless. The cover is beautifully made, and fits perfectly, with reinforcing patches in all the right places.
The cover fits over the bowrail, and comes down to just below the gunwale all the way around the boat, except for a semicircular cutout directly in front of the motor which exposes most of the splashwell. There's a drawstring in the edge that I snug up and tie off to the stern eyes. The cover also has 13 small bungee cord loops every 30" or so around the edge; the intent here is to pull the loops over some stainless hooks (provided) that you screw into the underside of the gunwale (on the outside, just below the rub-rail). Drilling 26 holes on my 2-day-old boat was not a lot of fun.
I generally trailer with the cover on, to keep road grit and gravel etc. out of the boat. Also, it makes it convenient to carry large but light items (beach chairs, etc.) in the boat without losing them either to the wind or sticky fingers at rest stops. In addition to the drawstring and loops, I add 7 longer bungees that go from tiedown loops on the cover down to the trailer frame. This seems to do a pretty good job of preventing any ballooning at speed.
Minor complaints about the Mills cover- Although the workmanship overall is outstanding, I do seem to get a lot of loose threads hanging down from the edge. There's no risk of the cover coming apart or anything, but it can be unsightly and they can snag on the bungee hooks. Also, I'll probably have a local canvas shop add reinforcement patches to the sides of the cover where the bimini top meets the hull. The lower end of the poles seem to chafe on the cover at that spot.
Sorry, I don't have any pictures handy of the boat while covered. Kinda boring, you know? Hope this info helps.
-Bob
ocuyler posted 09-09-2003 05:17 PM ET (US)
Bob,
Thanks very much for the information. It's exactly what I wanted to know. We have the same boat and year. I got the 115 4s and love it. We trailer 2-1/2 hours each way each weekend in the summer and the bugs are a pain...
I appreciate your prompt reply.
Otto
P.S. Interestingly, I drilled 3 holes in the 1 month old boat for a Airmar transducer and promptly broke off the first screw. Nice...

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Author	Topic: Mills cover on 16 Dauntless
ocuyler	posted 09-09-2003 11:10 AM ET (US) Does anyone have images of a Mills trailering cover on a Dauntless with a bowrail? I was curious if it fits under or over the rail and how it fits and rides at Interstate speeds. Any comments? Otto
Marlin	posted 09-09-2003 12:52 PM ET (US) Otto, I have a Mills cover on my 2003 160 Dauntless. The cover is beautifully made, and fits perfectly, with reinforcing patches in all the right places. The cover fits over the bowrail, and comes down to just below the gunwale all the way around the boat, except for a semicircular cutout directly in front of the motor which exposes most of the splashwell. There's a drawstring in the edge that I snug up and tie off to the stern eyes. The cover also has 13 small bungee cord loops every 30" or so around the edge; the intent here is to pull the loops over some stainless hooks (provided) that you screw into the underside of the gunwale (on the outside, just below the rub-rail). Drilling 26 holes on my 2-day-old boat was not a lot of fun. I generally trailer with the cover on, to keep road grit and gravel etc. out of the boat. Also, it makes it convenient to carry large but light items (beach chairs, etc.) in the boat without losing them either to the wind or sticky fingers at rest stops. In addition to the drawstring and loops, I add 7 longer bungees that go from tiedown loops on the cover down to the trailer frame. This seems to do a pretty good job of preventing any ballooning at speed. Minor complaints about the Mills cover- Although the workmanship overall is outstanding, I do seem to get a lot of loose threads hanging down from the edge. There's no risk of the cover coming apart or anything, but it can be unsightly and they can snag on the bungee hooks. Also, I'll probably have a local canvas shop add reinforcement patches to the sides of the cover where the bimini top meets the hull. The lower end of the poles seem to chafe on the cover at that spot. Sorry, I don't have any pictures handy of the boat while covered. Kinda boring, you know? Hope this info helps. -Bob
ocuyler	posted 09-09-2003 05:17 PM ET (US) Bob, Thanks very much for the information. It's exactly what I wanted to know. We have the same boat and year. I got the 115 4s and love it. We trailer 2-1/2 hours each way each weekend in the summer and the bugs are a pain... I appreciate your prompt reply. Otto P.S. Interestingly, I drilled 3 holes in the 1 month old boat for a Airmar transducer and promptly broke off the first screw. Nice...