Orkney Orcadian Boat Cover Guide: Sizes, Materials & Prices

Introduction: Why Your Orkney Orcadian Deserves a Bespoke Cover

Welcome, fellow Orkney Orcadian enthusiasts! If you cherish your robust 17ft craft with its distinctive 6ft 6in beam, navigating the diverse UK waterways from coastal stretches to serene rivers and tranquil lakes, then you understand the importance of protecting your investment. This comprehensive guide from UK Boat Covers is dedicated to helping you choose the perfect bespoke cover for your Orcadian. A proper, tailor-made cover is not just an accessory; it's essential armour against the elements, safeguarding your boat's longevity and appearance, whether it's moored or trailered. We'll explore why a universal cover simply won't do for such a unique vessel and detail the superior protection offered by a custom solution. Our bespoke Orkney Orcadian boat covers start from a highly competitive £495 for durable PVC, and from £605 for premium Acrylic fabric.

Why Choose a Bespoke Cover for the Orkney Orcadian?

The Orkney Orcadian, with its unique hull shape, specific deck layout, and characteristic 6ft 6in beam, is a boat that truly demands a bespoke cover. Generic, off-the-shelf covers are designed for average dimensions, resulting in ill-fitting, flapping material that risks damage to your boat, poor water run-off, and accelerated wear to the cover itself. Such covers often fail to accommodate the Orcadian's specific bow shape, transom, or any installed accessories like windscreens or grab rails, leaving crucial areas exposed. A bespoke cover from UK Boat Covers, crafted to your Orcadian's exact specifications, ensures a snug fit, optimal protection, and a sleek appearance. Our unique postal copy service allows us to replicate the precise contours of your boat from your existing cover, guaranteeing a perfect, tailor-made fit without the need for complex measuring or you even needing to bring your boat to us.

See our Orkney Orcadian model page for full specifications and cover options.

Cover Types Available for the Orkney Orcadian

For your Orkney Orcadian, UK Boat Covers offers a range of bespoke cover types, each designed to meet specific protection needs across coastal waters, rivers, and lakes. Canopy covers are ideal for full protection when moored or stored, shielding the entire deck and cockpit from rain and UV. Tonneau covers, often covering the cockpit area, are perfect for keeping the interior dry and clean, particularly during trailering or short-term mooring on rivers and lakes. Cockpit covers provide a more minimalist solution, focusing solely on the open cockpit. Spray hoods offer excellent protection against sea spray and wind, crucial for coastal adventures, enhancing comfort while underway. Lastly, a robust winter cover provides maximum defence against harsh winter elements, ensuring your Orcadian remains pristine through the off-season, whether stored inland or by the coast.

• 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 Orkney Orcadian Covers

Choosing the right material for your Orkney Orcadian's cover is paramount, and at UK Boat Covers, we offer two excellent marine-grade options: PVC and Acrylic fabric. PVC is a highly durable, fully waterproof, and exceptionally tough option, offering fantastic value from £495. It’s superb for general protection, excellent in high-exposure coastal environments due to its resilience, and has a long lifespan with proper care. However, it's less breathable than acrylic. For superior breathability, UV resistance, and a more canvas-like aesthetic, Acrylic fabric, starting from £605, is an outstanding choice. Acrylic is highly fade-resistant, excellent for prolonged sun exposure on lakes and rivers, and maintains a comfortable microclimate underneath, reducing condensation. While very water-resistant, it's not absolutely impermeable like PVC. Your choice depends on your Orcadian's primary use and storage conditions.

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

Measuring Your Orkney Orcadian for a New Cover

Accurate sizing is critical for a perfectly fitting Orkney Orcadian cover. While your boat is a standard 17ft in length and 6ft 6in beam, specific measurements beyond these general dimensions ensure a flawless custom fit. If you are providing measurements, start with the overall length from bow to stern, then measure the maximum beam width, ensuring you account for any rubbing strakes or fittings. Additionally, measure the height from the sheer line to the highest point of your boat (e.g., windscreen, console, grab rail). For specific covers, measure the cockpit dimensions precisely. However, to completely eliminate measuring errors and ensure an absolutely perfect fit, our highly recommended postal copy service is invaluable. By sending us your old cover, we can replicate its exact dimensions and contours, guaranteeing a bespoke cover that fits your Orcadian flawlessly without the need for you to take complex measurements.

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

Orkney Orcadian Cover Prices

Investing in a bespoke cover for your Orkney Orcadian from UK Boat Covers is a smart decision for its longevity and resale value. Our transparent pricing structure makes quality accessible, with durable PVC covers starting from just £495 and premium Acrylic fabric options from £605. The final price depends on factors such as the chosen material, the specific type of cover (e.g., tonneau, full canopy), and any additional customisation or reinforcement required for your 17ft Orkney Orcadian. A significant advantage of choosing UK Boat Covers is that we are a small family-run business, meaning we operate with No VAT, effectively saving you 20% compared to competitors who must include it. This makes our bespoke solutions incredibly competitive, offering superior quality and a perfect fit for your specific 17ft 6ft 6in boat at a price often lower than a generic, ill-fitting alternative.

View full price list | Request a personalised quote

How to Fit a Cover on Your Orkney Orcadian

Fitting your new bespoke Orkney Orcadian cover is straightforward, ensuring maximum protection for your 17ft, 6ft 6in craft. Begin by laying the cover over the highest points of your boat, typically around the windscreen or console, and then progressively pull it down over the bow and stern. Ensure the cover's seams align with the Orcadian's hull lines for an even tension. Pay particular attention to securing all fastening points, whether they are shock cord, straps, or press studs, ensuring they are snug but not overly tight. To prevent water pooling, which can be an issue on any boat, particularly after heavy rain or during prolonged storage in coastal conditions, ensure the cover is adequately tensioned and consider using support poles or frames to create peaks. Proper ventilation is also key; ensure some airflow to prevent mould and mildew, especially around the cockpit area.

Caring for Your Orkney Orcadian Cover

Maintaining your Orkney Orcadian's bespoke cover is crucial for maximising its lifespan and ensuring continued protection on coastal waters, rivers, and lakes. Regular cleaning is essential; at least seasonally, and more often if stored in salty coastal environments or under trees. Use a mild soap solution and a soft brush, rinsing thoroughly with fresh water. Avoid harsh chemicals or pressure washers, which can damage the fabric's integrity or water-repellent coatings. For PVC covers, ensure they are completely dry before folding for storage to prevent mildew. Acrylic covers benefit from re-proofing occasionally to maintain water repellency. Protect your cover from sharp edges or abrasions on your 17ft Orcadian. During winter storage, ensure the cover is free of debris and properly supported to shed snow and ice. When signs of significant wear, tearing, or consistent leaks appear, it's time to consider a replacement to safeguard your boat.

More tips: Cleaning guide |

Our Postal Copy Service for Orkney Orcadian Owners

Our unique postal copy service for Orkney Orcadian owners makes acquiring a perfectly fitting bespoke cover incredibly easy and convenient, no matter where your 17ft boat is located in the UK. The process is simple and eliminates the hassle of taking complex measurements or bringing your boat to us. Firstly, you post your existing Orkney Orcadian boat cover, regardless of its condition, directly to our workshop in Carterton, Oxfordshire. Upon arrival, our skilled team, led by Ryan, meticulously uses your old cover as a precise template. We then cut and sew your new cover from marine-grade PVC or Acrylic fabric, replicating every contour and fitting point of your old cover, ensuring an absolutely perfect, bespoke fit for your 17ft, 6ft 6in Orcadian. Your brand new cover is then dispatched back to you within an impressive 6 working days, ready to protect your cherished boat.

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