Freeman 17 Boat Cover Guide: Sizes, Materials & Prices

Introduction: Why Your Freeman 17 Deserves a Bespoke Cover

Welcome, fellow boating enthusiasts, especially those proud owners of the classic Freeman 17! This comprehensive guide is tailored specifically for you, detailing everything you need to know about choosing the perfect boat cover to protect your cherished vessel. Your Freeman 17, with its distinctive 17ft length and 6ft 10in beam, is a familiar sight gracing the serene waters of the Grand Union Canal, River Nene, and River Great Ouse. Protecting it from the elements, whether moored or stored, is paramount for its longevity and your enjoyment. At UK Boat Covers, a family-run business based in Carterton, Oxfordshire, we understand the unique needs of this iconic boat. We craft bespoke covers that offer unparalleled protection and a perfect fit. Covers for your Freeman 17 start from just £759 for durable PVC and £924 for premium Acrylic, ensuring your investment is well-guarded.

Why Choose a Bespoke Cover for the Freeman 17?

The Freeman 17's distinctive charm lies in its unique lines, from its classic hull shape to its well-designed deck layout and 6ft 10in beam. This individuality makes a bespoke cover not just a luxury, but a necessity. Generic, off-the-shelf covers simply cannot conform to these specific contours, leading to poor fit, water pooling, fabric stress, and ultimately, inadequate protection. A bespoke cover from UK Boat Covers ensures every curve, every grab rail, and every window is perfectly accommodated, creating a taut, secure barrier against the elements. Our unique postal copy service allows us to replicate your old cover precisely in new, high-quality marine fabric, guaranteeing a fit that's as unique as your Freeman 17, eliminating any guesswork or compromise.

See our Freeman 17 model page for full specifications and cover options.

Cover Types Available for the Freeman 17

For your Freeman 17, UK Boat Covers offers a range of bespoke cover types, each designed to meet specific protection needs on inland waterways like the Grand Union Canal or River Nene. A robust canopy cover offers comprehensive shelter for the entire cockpit, ideal for both mooring and short-term storage, keeping the interior dry and clean. Tonneau covers are excellent for sealing off the cockpit area when the boat is not in use, offering sleek protection. For those seeking targeted coverage, custom spray hoods can protect the helm and forward seating areas, while full winter covers provide ultimate, long-term protection against harsh weather, ensuring your Freeman 17 remains pristine throughout the off-season. Each is precisely tailored to your boat's specific dimensions.

• Full Boat Canopy - Complete weather protection
• Tonneau Cover - Cockpit and deck coverage
• Cockpit Cover - Targeted cockpit protection
• Spray Hood - Windscreen and helm shield
• - Seasonal protection

Best Materials for Freeman 17 Covers

Choosing the right material for your Freeman 17 cover is crucial for its longevity and performance on inland waterways. We offer two primary marine-grade options: PVC and Acrylic. Our PVC marine fabric is exceptionally tough, 100% waterproof, and highly resistant to abrasion, making it an excellent choice for general protection on the Grand Union Canal, River Nene, or River Great Ouse. It offers a great balance of durability and cost-effectiveness. For superior breathability and UV resistance, Acrylic fabric is the premium choice. While highly water-repellent, Acrylic allows air circulation, reducing condensation and mildew risk, particularly important for prolonged storage. Acrylic also boasts a longer lifespan under constant sun exposure, maintaining its colour and integrity for years, though PVC offers excellent value and resilience for typical UK inland conditions.

Compare materials in detail: Our fabrics page | Material comparison guide

Measuring Your Freeman 17 for a New Cover

Accurate measurements are fundamental to a perfectly fitting cover for your Freeman 17. While the boat has a standard 17ft length and 6ft 10in beam, variations can exist, particularly with modifications. To measure your Freeman 17, begin by measuring the overall length from bow to stern, ensuring you account for any bow pulpits or swim platforms. Next, measure the maximum beam width, typically at the widest point of the hull. Additionally, measuring heights from the rub rail to the top of any windscreens or fittings is crucial. However, the simplest and most accurate method for Freeman 17 owners is our postal copy service. By sending us your existing, albeit tired, cover, we can precisely replicate its dimensions and contours, eliminating any potential for measuring errors and guaranteeing a flawless, bespoke fit.

Need help? See our size guide or use our postal copy service to skip measuring entirely.

Freeman 17 Cover Prices

Investing in a bespoke cover for your Freeman 17 represents excellent value, especially when considering the significant savings and quality from UK Boat Covers. Our PVC covers for the Freeman 17 start from just £759, offering robust, waterproof protection. For those seeking enhanced durability and breathability, our premium Acrylic covers begin at £924. These prices are incredibly competitive, especially when you factor in our unique offering: we charge no VAT, effectively saving you 20% compared to many competitors. The price for your specific Freeman 17 cover will depend on the chosen material and any bespoke features, but our commitment to direct, transparent pricing ensures you receive superior quality without hidden costs. Compared to generic covers that offer poor protection, a custom cover is an investment that truly pays off.

View full price list | Request a personalised quote

How to Fit a Cover on Your Freeman 17

Properly fitting your new bespoke cover onto your Freeman 17 is crucial for optimal protection and longevity. Start by carefully draping the cover over the boat, aligning the bow and stern sections. Pay close attention to specific features of the Freeman 17, such as the windscreen position and any grab rails, ensuring the cover settles smoothly over these contours. Our covers are designed to accommodate these elements perfectly. Next, secure all fastening points evenly, working from the centre outwards, to create a taut fit. This prevents flapping in the wind and reduces stress on the fabric. Ensure there are no large pockets where water can pool, as this can stretch the material and compromise waterproofing. For inland waterways like the Grand Union Canal, good ventilation is also key to prevent condensation, so ensure any vents are unobstructed.

Caring for Your Freeman 17 Cover

Maintaining your Freeman 17 boat cover is straightforward and essential for maximising its lifespan, especially given the varying conditions on the Grand Union Canal, River Nene, and River Great Ouse. Regularly remove leaves, dirt, and bird droppings with a soft brush or low-pressure hose to prevent staining and mould growth. For a deeper clean, use a mild soap and warm water, scrubbing gently with a soft brush, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid harsh chemicals, which can damage the fabric's waterproofing and UV resistance. Periodically re-treat the cover with a suitable waterproofing spray, especially for Acrylic fabrics, to maintain its protective qualities. During winter storage, ensure the cover is completely dry before stowing to prevent mildew. With proper care, your bespoke UK Boat Covers cover will protect your Freeman 17 for many seasons.

More tips: Cleaning guide |

Our Postal Copy Service for Freeman 17 Owners

Our unique postal copy service offers the ultimate convenience and guaranteed fit for your Freeman 17, eliminating the need to transport your boat to our workshop in Carterton, Oxfordshire. The process is incredibly simple: you just need to package up your existing, old Freeman 17 cover and post it to us. Once received, our skilled team uses your old cover as a precise pattern, meticulously replicating its dimensions and intricate contours onto new, high-quality marine-grade PVC or Acrylic fabric. This ensures a perfect, custom-tailored fit for your specific Freeman 17, accommodating any past modifications. Best of all, we pride ourselves on our efficiency, dispatching your brand-new, perfectly fitting cover within just 6 working days, ready to protect your boat on the Grand Union Canal or River Nene without delay.

1. Post your old cover to UK Boat Covers, Carterton, Oxfordshire
2. We create a perfect copy using your old cover as a template
3. Choose PVC or Acrylic marine-grade fabric
4. Receive within 6 days via tracked UK delivery

Learn more about our postal service