Shetland Saxon Boat Cover Guide: Sizes, Materials & Prices

Introduction: Why Your Shetland Saxon Deserves a Bespoke Cover

Welcome, fellow boat enthusiasts and proud owners of the iconic Shetland Saxon! If you cherish your 21-foot vessel, with its comfortable 7-foot 10-inch beam, navigating the serene canals, winding rivers, or the picturesque Broads, then you understand the importance of protection. At UK Boat Covers, a family-run business in Carterton, Oxfordshire, we specialise in crafting bespoke boat covers that are not just accessories, but vital guardians for your Saxon. A custom-fit cover ensures unparalleled protection against the unpredictable British weather, prolonged UV exposure, and environmental wear. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about securing the perfect cover for your beloved Saxon, with prices starting from just £1,089 for PVC and £1,199 for Acrylic. Let us help you preserve your investment for years to come.

Why Choose a Bespoke Cover for the Shetland Saxon?

The Shetland Saxon, with its distinctive cabin cruiser design and generous 7-foot 10-inch beam, presents unique challenges that generic, off-the-shelf covers simply cannot meet. Its specific hull shape, integrated windscreen, and varied deck layout mean a 'one-size-fits-all' cover will inevitably sag, chafe, or fail to provide comprehensive protection. Such ill-fitting covers allow water to pool, create mildew hotspots, and expose vulnerable areas to damaging UV rays, ultimately reducing your boat’s lifespan and resale value. A bespoke cover, crafted precisely to your Saxon’s contours, ensures a snug, taut fit, deflecting water, maintaining breathability, and safeguarding every inch. Our unique postal copy service means we can replicate your old cover perfectly, guaranteeing a flawless fit tailored to your specific boat, without you ever having to bring it to our workshop.

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

Cover Types Available for the Shetland Saxon

For your Shetland Saxon, navigating the varied conditions of canals, rivers, and the Broads, selecting the right type of cover is crucial. We offer a range of bespoke options tailored to your needs. Canopy covers are ideal for comprehensive cockpit protection, providing shelter from sun, rain, and wind during day trips or while moored, enhancing comfort and preserving interior fabrics. Tonneau covers offer streamlined protection, perfect for storage, trailering, or when you need a simple, quick-to-fit solution for the cockpit area. For long-term protection, especially over winter, a full winter cover offers robust defence against harsh elements. Additionally, dedicated cockpit covers and spray hoods can be custom-made to enhance your Saxon’s specific usability and protection needs, ensuring your boating experience remains comfortable and your vessel well-preserved throughout the year.

• 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 Saxon Covers

Choosing the right material for your Shetland Saxon's cover is paramount for longevity and performance, especially when operating on UK canals, rivers, and the Broads. We primarily offer two superb options: PVC marine fabric and Acrylic fabric. PVC is exceptionally robust, fully waterproof, and highly durable, making it an excellent choice for a hard-wearing winter cover or situations where maximum protection from heavy rain is needed. It offers fantastic value and a long lifespan. Acrylic, on the other hand, provides superior breathability, preventing condensation and mildew build-up, which is particularly beneficial in damp inland environments. It also boasts excellent UV resistance, colour fastness, and a more textile-like, luxurious finish, ideal for day-to-day use and prolonged sun exposure. While PVC is great for no-nonsense protection, Acrylic often offers a better balance of breathability, UV resistance, and aesthetic appeal for general, long-term use on inland waterways.

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

Measuring Your Shetland Saxon for a New Cover

Accurate measurements are the foundation of a perfect bespoke cover for your Shetland Saxon. While the boat typically measures 21 feet in length and 7 feet 10 inches in beam, precise measurements specific to *your* vessel are crucial. You'd typically need to measure the centerline length from bow to stern, the maximum beam width, and various heights to the deck, windscreen, and any existing grab rails or stanchions. However, we understand that this can be a complex and daunting task, prone to error. That's why our postal copy service is the ultimate solution for Shetland Saxon owners. By simply sending us your old cover, we can replicate its exact dimensions and contours perfectly, eliminating any guesswork or measuring inaccuracies on your part. This ensures a flawless, factory-like fit for your new cover, every time.

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

Shetland Saxon Cover Prices

Investing in a bespoke cover for your Shetland Saxon is a decision that offers long-term value, and at UK Boat Covers, we strive to make it accessible without compromising on quality. Our custom PVC covers for the Shetland Saxon start from an attractive £1,089, while our premium Acrylic options begin at £1,199. The final price can vary slightly depending on factors like specific cover type, additional features (e.g., windows, vents, access points), and overall complexity. What truly sets us apart, however, is our unique advantage: as a family-run business, we operate without VAT. This means you instantly save a significant 20% compared to many competitors, offering exceptional value. A bespoke cover, while a greater initial investment than a universal one, provides superior protection, lasts significantly longer, and perfectly preserves your Shetland Saxon, ultimately saving you money in maintenance and depreciation over time.

View full price list | Request a personalised quote

How to Fit a Cover on Your Shetland Saxon

Fitting your new bespoke cover onto your Shetland Saxon is straightforward, ensuring maximum protection and longevity. Begin by carefully unfolding the cover and positioning it centrally over your boat, aligning any specific cut-outs for the windscreen or grab rails unique to the Saxon’s design. Once roughly in place, systematically pull down the cover, securing all straps, bungee cords, or clips around the hull. It’s crucial to achieve an even tension across the entire cover to prevent flapping in the wind and to ensure water run-off. For the Saxon's typically flat cabin top and cockpit, we strongly recommend using support poles or frames underneath to create a gentle slope. This vital step prevents water pooling, which can stretch the fabric and lead to leaks. Finally, ensure any vents are unobstructed to allow air circulation, minimising condensation and mildew build-up, keeping your Saxon fresh and dry.

Caring for Your Shetland Saxon Cover

Proper care and regular maintenance are key to maximising the lifespan of your Shetland Saxon boat cover, ensuring it continues to protect your vessel for many seasons on the canals and rivers. We recommend cleaning your cover seasonally, or as needed, using a soft brush, mild soap (specifically formulated for marine fabrics), and plenty of fresh water. Avoid harsh chemicals or pressure washers, as these can damage the fabric and its protective coatings. For PVC covers, ensure they are thoroughly dried before folding for storage to prevent mildew. Acrylic covers, with their breathability, are more forgiving but still benefit from drying. Regularly inspect for any signs of wear, tear, or damage from bird droppings or algae common in canal environments. Addressing small repairs promptly can prevent them from becoming larger issues, ultimately extending your cover's life and safeguarding your Shetland Saxon for many more years of enjoyment.

More tips: Cleaning guide |

Our Postal Copy Service for Shetland Saxon Owners

Our unique postal copy service is specifically designed to make getting a perfect bespoke cover for your Shetland Saxon incredibly easy, no matter where you're moored in the UK. The process is simple: you carefully pack up your old Shetland Saxon boat cover and post it directly to us at UK Boat Covers in Carterton, Oxfordshire. Once it arrives, our skilled team, led by Ryan, meticulously uses your old cover as a precise template. We then expertly cut and craft your brand-new, marine-grade cover to the exact dimensions and unique contours of your original. Within an impressive 6 working days of receiving your old cover, your perfectly fitted, durable new cover is dispatched back to you. This service guarantees a flawless fit, eliminates the need for you to take complex measurements, and means you never have to bring your boat to us, offering unparalleled convenience for Shetland Saxon owners nationwide.

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