Shetland Cadet Boat Cover Guide: Sizes, Materials & Prices

Introduction: Why Your Shetland Cadet Deserves a Bespoke Cover

Welcome, fellow Shetland Cadet owners! If you cherish your 17-foot, 6-foot 6-inch beam vessel, whether cruising the tranquil canals, meandering rivers, or vast expanses of the Broads, you understand the importance of protection. This guide from UK Boat Covers, a family-run business based in Carterton, Oxfordshire, is dedicated to helping you choose the perfect bespoke cover for your beloved Cadet. A properly fitted cover is more than just an accessory; it's an investment in your boat's longevity and appearance, shielding it from the elements inherent to inland waterway life. We offer custom solutions to perfectly match your boat, with cover pricing for the Shetland Cadet starting from just £704 for robust PVC, or from £814 for premium acrylic fabrics.

Why Choose a Bespoke Cover for the Shetland Cadet?

The Shetland Cadet, with its distinctive hull shape, classic cabin-forward design, and generous 6-foot 6-inch beam, presents unique challenges that generic, off-the-shelf covers simply cannot meet. Universal covers often sag, chafe, and create water pooling, leading to damage and accelerated wear for both the cover and your boat. A bespoke cover, tailored specifically for your 17ft Cadet, respects every curve and fixture, from the windscreen to grab rails, ensuring a taut, secure fit that prevents water accumulation and provides optimal ventilation. Our unique postal copy service allows us to replicate the exact dimensions of your existing cover, guaranteeing a perfect, custom fit without you ever needing to bring your boat to our workshop.

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

Cover Types Available for the Shetland Cadet

For your Shetland Cadet, UK Boat Covers offers a comprehensive range of bespoke covers designed to meet every need on canals, rivers, and the Broads. Our popular canopy covers provide full cockpit enclosure, perfect for protection during mooring or adverse weather. Tonneau covers offer a sleek, low-profile option for covering the open cockpit area, while cockpit covers provide targeted protection for the helm and seating. Spray hoods are excellent for deflecting water while underway. For comprehensive year-round protection, particularly during lay-up, our robust winter covers are indispensable, offering superior defence against prolonged exposure. Each type is crafted to integrate seamlessly with your Cadet's specific design, enhancing both its protection and aesthetic.

• 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 Cadet Covers

Choosing the right material for your Shetland Cadet's cover is crucial, especially given its typical use on inland waterways. We primarily offer two outstanding marine-grade options: PVC and Acrylic. PVC is an incredibly robust, fully waterproof fabric, offering exceptional tear resistance and a long lifespan. It's an excellent, cost-effective choice for inland boats where absolute waterproofing is paramount and breathability, while still good, is less critical than on the open sea. Acrylic fabric, on the other hand, boasts superior breathability, preventing condensation and mildew buildup, while still offering excellent water repellency and UV resistance. It tends to hold its colour better over time. Both fabrics provide fantastic UV protection, but for typical canal and river use, PVC offers unparalleled durability and value, while Acrylic is ideal for those prioritising maximum breathability.

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

Measuring Your Shetland Cadet for a New Cover

Accurate measurement is key to a perfect fit for your 17-foot Shetland Cadet cover. While we primarily recommend our postal copy service for ultimate precision, if measuring from scratch, ensure you capture the boat's true length from bow to stern, and critically, the 6-foot 6-inch beam at its widest point. Also measure the height from the deck to any prominent features like the windscreen or cabin top. Remember to account for any railings, grab handles, or other fixtures that the cover will need to accommodate. The beauty of our postal copy service is that it completely eliminates the guesswork and potential for errors associated with manual measuring, ensuring your new cover precisely matches the contours of your existing one, guaranteeing a flawless fit every time.

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

Shetland Cadet Cover Prices

At UK Boat Covers, we believe in transparent pricing for your Shetland Cadet. Our bespoke covers start from £704 for high-quality PVC and from £814 for premium Acrylic fabric. These prices offer exceptional value, especially considering the bespoke fit and superior marine-grade materials. What truly sets us apart, as a small family-run business, is that we do not charge VAT, saving you a significant 20% compared to many competitors. While off-the-shelf covers may seem cheaper, they invariably compromise on fit and durability for your 17ft, 6ft 6in Cadet, ultimately costing more in repairs or premature replacement. Our bespoke covers represent a wise, long-term investment, guaranteeing a perfect fit and exceptional protection that universal alternatives simply cannot match.

View full price list | Request a personalised quote

How to Fit a Cover on Your Shetland Cadet

Fitting your new bespoke cover onto your Shetland Cadet requires a methodical approach to ensure optimal protection and longevity. Start by positioning the cover over the bow and stern, aligning any specific cut-outs for your windscreen or grab rails, which are common features on the Cadet. Gradually work your way around the 17ft length, securing all straps and fastenings evenly. It's crucial to pull the cover taut to eliminate any slack, which could otherwise lead to water pooling, especially over the wide 6ft 6in beam cockpit. Ensure adequate ventilation is maintained, perhaps using support poles to create a peak if necessary, allowing air circulation to prevent mildew. Properly tensioned, your cover will shed water effectively and remain secure in all conditions.

Caring for Your Shetland Cadet Cover

Proper maintenance is vital to maximise the lifespan of your Shetland Cadet boat cover, ensuring it continues to protect your boat for years on the canals, rivers, and Broads. Regular cleaning, at least twice a year, with a mild soap and warm water solution, will remove dirt, mildew, and pollutants that can degrade the fabric. Pay particular attention to areas prone to bird droppings. Ensure the cover is completely dry before folding and storing it for winter to prevent mould and mildew growth. Periodically inspect for any minor damage or wear, addressing small repairs promptly to prevent them from worsening. This diligent care will help maintain the fabric's UV resistance and waterproofing, prolonging its life considerably.

More tips: Cleaning guide |

Our Postal Copy Service for Shetland Cadet Owners

Our revolutionary postal copy service for your Shetland Cadet cover simplifies getting a perfect bespoke fit. The process is straightforward: simply post us your existing Shetland Cadet cover, regardless of its condition. Once it arrives at our workshop in Carterton, Oxfordshire, our skilled team meticulously uses your old cover as a pattern to craft an exact replica from brand-new, high-quality marine-grade fabric. This ensures every contour, every fixture, and every dimension of your 17ft, 6ft 6in Cadet is perfectly accommodated. The best part? We aim to dispatch your brand-new, custom-made cover within just 6 working days, saving you the hassle and expense of transporting your boat to us. It's the ultimate convenience for a guaranteed perfect fit.

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