Microplus 502 Explorer Boat Cover Guide: Sizes, Materials & Prices

Introduction: Why Your Microplus 502 Explorer Deserves a Bespoke Cover

Welcome, Microplus 502 Explorer owners, to your definitive guide for securing the perfect boat cover! Your cherished vessel, with its practical 16ft 6in length and generous 6ft 6in beam, is a familiar sight navigating the tranquil Canals, meandering Rivers, and picturesque Broads of the UK. Protecting this inland cruiser from the elements is paramount, ensuring its longevity and maintaining its pristine condition, whether it's moored or in storage. A tailor-made cover isn't just an accessory; it's an investment in preserving your boating adventures. At UK Boat Covers, a family-run business based in Carterton, Oxfordshire, we specialise in crafting bespoke solutions designed precisely for your Microplus 502 Explorer. We understand the unique demands of these waterways, and our covers start at PVC from £869, with premium Acrylic options from £979, offering unparalleled protection.

Why Choose a Bespoke Cover for the Microplus 502 Explorer?

The Microplus 502 Explorer, with its distinctive hull design, specific deck layout, and ample 6ft 6in beam, simply cannot be adequately protected by a generic, 'one-size-fits-all' boat cover. Universal covers often sag, chafe, allow water pooling, and ultimately fail to offer the comprehensive protection your vessel deserves. Its unique cockpit configuration, often including a small cuddy or console, demands precision. A bespoke cover from UK Boat Covers is meticulously crafted to follow every contour, accommodating windscreens, grab rails, and deck fittings perfectly. This prevents unsightly wrinkles and ensures a snug, taut fit that sheds water and resists wind lift. Our innovative postal copy service means you don't even need to bring your boat to us; simply send us your old cover, and we'll use it to create a new one that fits flawlessly.

See our Microplus 502 Explorer model page for full specifications and cover options.

Cover Types Available for the Microplus 502 Explorer

For your Microplus 502 Explorer, a range of cover types can significantly enhance your boating experience and protection. Canopy covers provide essential shelter from sun and rain during use, ideal for longer days on the Broads. Tonneau covers offer a sleek, low-profile solution for securing the cockpit when moored or trailering, keeping it clean and dry. Cockpit covers are specifically designed to protect the main seating area, preventing water ingress and keeping cushions pristine. Spray hoods, often integrated with a canopy, offer vital protection from splashes and wind chill while underway on choppier rivers. Lastly, a robust winter cover is indispensable for off-season storage, providing comprehensive protection from severe weather and debris, ensuring your Microplus 502 Explorer remains in top condition year-round on the canals or during long-term mooring.

• 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 Microplus 502 Explorer Covers

Choosing the right material for your Microplus 502 Explorer cover is crucial for its longevity and performance. We offer two primary options: PVC marine fabric and premium Acrylic. PVC is an exceptionally durable, heavy-duty material, providing superior waterproofing and resistance to tears and abrasion, making it an excellent choice for the debris and varied conditions often found on canals and rivers. While highly waterproof, it is less breathable than Acrylic. Acrylic fabric, on the other hand, boasts outstanding UV resistance, breathability, and colourfastness, ideal for boats frequently exposed to sunlight on broader waterways or long-term outdoor storage. It's highly resistant to mildew and offers a more canvas-like aesthetic. Both materials are marine-grade, built to withstand harsh UK weather, but Acrylic offers slightly better breathability for extended periods.

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

Measuring Your Microplus 502 Explorer for a New Cover

Accurate measurement is key to a perfect fit for your Microplus 502 Explorer cover, though our postal copy service offers an effortless alternative. If measuring, you'll need its full 16ft 6in length from bow to stern, accounting for any bowsprits or swim platforms. The 6ft 6in beam measurement should be taken at its widest point. Additionally, consider the height from the sheer line to the highest point of any windscreen, console, or grab rail that the cover needs to clear. For comprehensive protection, measure around any fixtures like cleats, fishing rod holders, or pulpits. However, the simplest and most accurate method is our postal copy service; by sending your old cover, we eliminate all measuring errors, ensuring the new cover replicates the exact contours and dimensions of your Microplus 502 Explorer, guaranteeing a flawless fit.

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

Microplus 502 Explorer Cover Prices

Investing in a bespoke cover for your Microplus 502 Explorer offers exceptional value, and at UK Boat Covers, we make it even more accessible. Our PVC covers start from a competitive £869, while our premium Acrylic covers are available from £979. The final price can vary based on additional features, complexity of design, and specific customisations, but these base prices ensure you’re getting a high-quality, tailored product. What truly sets us apart, as a UK family-run business, is that we operate with **no VAT**, effectively saving you a significant 20% compared to competitors who must charge it. This means you're getting a superior, custom-made cover for often less than the cost of a lesser quality, generic alternative. This substantial saving, combined with our renowned 6-day turnaround, makes a bespoke Microplus 502 Explorer cover from Ryan at UK Boat Covers an unbeatable proposition for protecting your investment.

View full price list | Request a personalised quote

How to Fit a Cover on Your Microplus 502 Explorer

Properly fitting your new Microplus 502 Explorer cover is crucial for maximum protection and longevity. Begin by ensuring your boat's deck and any specific features like the windscreen, grab rails, or the unique cockpit layout are clean and free of sharp edges. Carefully drape the cover over the boat, aligning the bow and stern markers. Pay particular attention to how the cover settles around the 6ft 6in beam, ensuring even tension. Use support poles, especially in the cockpit area and cuddy, to create peaks and prevent water pooling, which is vital on the often-damp canals. Secure all straps firmly to attachment points around the hull, ensuring a snug fit without excessive strain. Proper tension will prevent wind flapping and chafing, while leaving small ventilation gaps where possible will help reduce condensation and mildew build-up beneath the cover.

Caring for Your Microplus 502 Explorer Cover

To maximise the lifespan of your Microplus 502 Explorer boat cover, especially with its use on canals and rivers, consistent maintenance is key. Regularly clean your cover to remove dirt, mildew, and pollutants that accumulate from the environment. For light cleaning, simply rinse with fresh water and use a soft brush. For tougher stains, use a mild soap specifically designed for marine fabrics, avoiding harsh detergents or bleach. Ensure the cover is completely dry before folding and storing to prevent mildew growth. During winter or periods of extended storage, ensure it's properly supported to avoid water pooling, which can stretch the fabric. Periodically check for any small tears or worn spots and repair them promptly to prevent them from worsening. With proper care, your bespoke Microplus 502 Explorer cover will provide many years of reliable protection.

More tips: Cleaning guide |

Our Postal Copy Service for Microplus 502 Explorer Owners

Our unique postal copy service offers Microplus 502 Explorer owners the ultimate convenience for obtaining a perfectly fitting new cover, without needing to bring your boat to our workshop in Carterton, Oxfordshire. The process is straightforward: simply package up your old Microplus 502 Explorer cover and post it to us. Once we receive it, our skilled team meticulously uses your old cover as a precise template to cut and craft a brand-new, marine-grade cover from your chosen material, perfectly replicating every dimension and contour. This ensures an exact, snug fit for your 16ft 6in by 6ft 6in vessel, accommodating all its unique features. We pride ourselves on efficiency, and once your new cover is complete, it's dispatched to you within just 6 working days, ready to provide superior protection.

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