Shetland Alaska 500 Boat Cover Guide: Sizes, Materials & Prices

Introduction: Why Your Shetland Alaska 500 Deserves a Bespoke Cover

Welcome, fellow boating enthusiasts, to your essential guide for protecting your cherished Shetland Alaska 500. This venerable craft, with its distinctive 16ft 6in length and 6ft 6in beam, is a familiar sight gracing the serene Canals, tranquil Rivers, and picturesque Broads across the UK. At UK Boat Covers, we understand that a boat of this pedigree deserves more than a generic sheet; it demands a precisely tailored, durable cover designed specifically for its unique contours. Investing in a bespoke cover not only safeguards your Alaska 500 from the elements but also preserves its aesthetic appeal and value for years to come. Whether you're mooring, trailering, or storing, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about securing the perfect fit. Our custom covers for the Shetland Alaska 500 start from just £814 for PVC and £924 for Acrylic, offering unparalleled protection.

Why Choose a Bespoke Cover for the Shetland Alaska 500?

For a boat as characterful as the Shetland Alaska 500, a universal cover simply won't suffice. Its unique hull shape, often featuring a distinctive cabin profile and specific deck fittings, means off-the-shelf options will inevitably be ill-fitting, creating areas for water pooling, wind intrusion, and premature wear. With a substantial 6ft 6in beam, a generic cover might struggle to drape correctly or secure properly, leaving vulnerable sections exposed. A bespoke cover, however, is crafted to every curve and contour, accommodating your specific windscreen, grab rails, and cleats. This precision ensures comprehensive protection, superior aesthetics, and a significantly longer lifespan for both the cover and your boat. Our postal copy service is specifically designed to eliminate these fitment issues, guaranteeing a perfect replica of your existing cover, or a new design tailored precisely to your boat’s dimensions.

See our Shetland Alaska 500 model page for full specifications and cover options.

Cover Types Available for the Shetland Alaska 500

Protecting your Shetland Alaska 500 on the Canals, Rivers, and Broads requires a cover suited to its typical usage. For general mooring and trailering, a full canopy cover is ideal, providing comprehensive protection to the entire boat while allowing easy access to the cockpit. Tonneau covers are excellent for securing the cockpit area when not in use, offering robust weather protection and deterring casual access. For specific areas, bespoke cockpit covers can shield your helm and seating, while a custom spray hood provides essential protection from splashes and sun during navigation. During colder months, a heavy-duty winter cover is paramount, ensuring your Alaska 500 remains dry and shielded from harsh conditions, preventing frost damage and mildew build-up. We craft all these options to perfectly fit your 16ft 6in x 6ft 6in vessel.

• 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 Shetland Alaska 500 Covers

Choosing the right material for your Shetland Alaska 500 cover is crucial for its longevity and performance, especially given its typical inland waterway environment. Our PVC marine fabric, available from £814, offers exceptional waterproofing and durability. It’s highly resistant to mould and UV, making it a robust choice for year-round protection on Canals and Rivers where persistent damp and algae can be an issue. Alternatively, our premium Acrylic fabric, starting from £924, provides superior breathability, preventing condensation build-up and is renowned for its excellent colour fastness and UV resistance. Acrylic is softer and more fabric-like, ideal for those seeking a more premium feel and longer lifespan with proper care. Both materials are marine-grade, but Acrylic offers enhanced breathability, which can be beneficial in humid canal environments, while PVC offers maximum protection against heavy downpours.

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

Measuring Your Shetland Alaska 500 for a New Cover

Accurate sizing is paramount for a perfectly fitting cover on your Shetland Alaska 500. While its standard length of 16ft 6in and beam of 6ft 6in provide a good starting point, specific measurements are vital for a bespoke fit. You'll need to measure the overall length from bow to stern, the maximum beam, and key heights from the gunwale to the top of the windscreen, cabin, or any other fixed fittings. Don't forget to account for any grab rails, cleats, or fishing rod holders. While we provide detailed guides for self-measurement, the easiest and most accurate method for your Alaska 500 is undoubtedly our postal copy service. By sending us your old cover, we precisely replicate its fit and dimensions, ensuring your new cover is a flawless, tailored replacement, eliminating any potential for measuring errors.

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

Shetland Alaska 500 Cover Prices

Investing in a bespoke cover for your Shetland Alaska 500 represents exceptional value. Our custom covers start from £814 for durable PVC fabric and £924 for premium Acrylic, offering a cost-effective alternative to generic solutions. The price reflects the exact dimensions of your 16ft 6in x 6ft 6in boat, the chosen material, and any specific customisations like cut-outs for fittings. Importantly, as a family-run business, UK Boat Covers does not charge VAT, saving you a substantial 20% compared to many competitors – a significant financial advantage that adds real value to your purchase. This makes our bespoke covers not just a superior product but also a smarter financial decision. You receive a perfectly fitting, UK-made cover crafted with care, often for a similar or better price than ill-fitting, mass-produced alternatives, delivered with an impressive 6-day turnaround.

View full price list | Request a personalised quote

How to Fit a Cover on Your Shetland Alaska 500

Properly fitting your new cover on the Shetland Alaska 500 ensures maximum protection and longevity. Begin by carefully unfolding the cover over the bow, gradually working your way towards the stern, ensuring it’s centred. The 6ft 6in beam means it should drape smoothly over the sides. Pay particular attention to securing all fastenings around the gunwales, making sure they are taut but not overly strained. Use support poles or an existing frame to create a tent-like structure, especially in the cockpit area, to prevent water pooling on the cover – crucial for inland waterways prone to rain. Ensure the cover is high enough to allow for adequate ventilation, preventing moisture and mildew build-up, especially around the windscreen and cabin. Properly fitted, your bespoke cover will snugly follow the lines of your 16ft 6in Alaska 500.

Caring for Your Shetland Alaska 500 Cover

To maximise the lifespan of your Shetland Alaska 500 boat cover, especially with its exposure to the unique conditions of Canals and Rivers, regular maintenance is key. Clean your cover seasonally, or more often if you notice algae or grime accumulating, using a mild soap and warm water solution. Avoid harsh chemicals, which can damage the fabric and its waterproofing. For Acrylic covers, reapplying a UV protectant annually will help maintain its colour and integrity. Always ensure the cover is completely dry before long-term storage to prevent mould and mildew, which can thrive in damp canal environments. Inspect fastenings and stitching periodically for wear and tear, addressing any issues promptly. With diligent care, your bespoke cover will provide many years of reliable protection for your 16ft 6in x 6ft 6in Shetland Alaska 500 before considering replacement.

More tips: Cleaning guide |

Our Postal Copy Service for Shetland Alaska 500 Owners

Our unique postal copy service offers the ultimate convenience and guaranteed perfect fit for your Shetland Alaska 500, no matter where you are in the UK. The process is straightforward: simply send us your old boat cover, even if it's damaged or worn. Upon arrival at our Carterton workshop, our skilled team, led by Ryan, meticulously uses your old cover as a precise template. We then expertly craft a brand-new, bespoke cover for your 16ft 6in x 6ft 6in Shetland Alaska 500 using your chosen marine-grade PVC or Acrylic fabric. This method ensures an exact fit that accommodates all your boat’s specific features, eliminating the need for complex measurements or transporting your vessel. Once complete, your new cover is dispatched to you within just 6 working days, providing a hassle-free, perfectly tailored solution.

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