Shetland Speedo Boat Cover Guide: Sizes, Materials & Prices

Introduction: Why Your Shetland Speedo Deserves a Bespoke Cover

Welcome, fellow boating enthusiasts, especially those proud owners of the versatile Shetland Speedo! If you’re navigating the tranquil Canals, meandering Rivers, or cruising the scenic Broads, you understand the importance of protecting your beloved 17ft vessel with its comfortable 6ft 6in beam. A high-quality boat cover isn't just an accessory; it's an essential shield against the unpredictable British weather, debris, and UV damage, ensuring your Speedo remains in pristine condition for years to come. This comprehensive guide from UK Boat Covers, your trusted family-run expert, will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the perfect bespoke cover for your Shetland Speedo, starting with our durable PVC options from just £869, or premium Acrylic from £979, all made right here in Carterton, Oxfordshire.

Why Choose a Bespoke Cover for the Shetland Speedo?

The Shetland Speedo, with its distinctive hull shape, specific deck layout, and a beam of 6ft 6in, presents unique challenges that off-the-shelf, universal covers simply cannot meet. These generic alternatives often fit poorly, leaving gaps for water ingress, flapping in the wind, and providing inadequate protection, ultimately shortening both the cover's and your boat's lifespan. A bespoke cover, however, is meticulously crafted to the exact contours of your Shetland Speedo, hugging every curve and providing a drum-tight fit that repels water and prevents pooling. Our specialised postal copy service ensures this perfect fit, by allowing us to replicate the precise dimensions of your existing cover, guaranteeing a tailor-made solution without you ever needing to bring your boat to our workshop.

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

Cover Types Available for the Shetland Speedo

For your Shetland Speedo, navigating inland waterways like Canals, Rivers, and the Broads, a range of cover types can significantly enhance your boating experience and protection. Canopy covers offer excellent all-weather protection for the cockpit area, providing shade and shelter for those longer journeys or overnight stays. Tonneau covers, on the other hand, are perfect for covering the open cockpit when not in use, keeping it dry and clean. Cockpit covers specifically protect the seating area, while spray hoods offer vital protection against splashes and wind during navigation. For winter storage or prolonged periods of inactivity, a full winter cover offers comprehensive protection, ensuring your Speedo is safeguarded against harsh elements, maintaining its condition until spring.

• 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 Speedo Covers

When choosing a material for your Shetland Speedo cover, the primary considerations are durability, waterproofing, and breathability, especially given its typical use on inland waterways. Our PVC marine fabric, available from £869, is an exceptionally robust, completely waterproof option, ideal for general protection against rain and debris, offering a long lifespan with proper care. For those seeking enhanced breathability and superior UV resistance, particularly if your boat is exposed to sun for extended periods, our Acrylic fabric, starting from £979, is an excellent choice. Acrylic, while still highly water repellent, allows air to circulate, reducing condensation and mildew buildup, which is a significant advantage for boats stored in humid environments often found near Canals and Rivers.

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

Measuring Your Shetland Speedo for a New Cover

Accurately measuring your Shetland Speedo for a new cover is paramount to achieving a perfect fit and ensuring maximum protection. While your boat is a standard 17ft in length with a 6ft 6in beam, precise measurements from specific points are crucial. We recommend measuring from the bow, over any windscreens or fittings, to the stern, and across the widest point of the beam, noting any protrusions like grab rails or cleats. However, for the most flawless fit, and to eliminate any potential measuring errors, our unique postal copy service is highly recommended. Simply send us your old cover, and we will use it as a template to craft a brand new, perfectly sized cover, ensuring every curve and angle of your Shetland Speedo is accommodated with precision.

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

Shetland Speedo Cover Prices

Investing in a bespoke cover for your Shetland Speedo offers unmatched value and protection, with our PVC marine fabric options starting from £869 and premium Acrylic covers from £979. The final price is influenced by factors such as material choice, the specific cover type (e.g., full winter cover versus a cockpit cover), and any additional custom features. A significant advantage of choosing UK Boat Covers is our no VAT policy, which effectively saves you a substantial 20% compared to competitors who charge VAT, making our high-quality bespoke covers incredibly competitive. This means you receive a superior, custom-made product, designed to perfectly fit your 17ft Speedo with its 6ft 6in beam, for a price that often rivals or even beats off-the-shelf alternatives, providing far greater longevity and protection.

View full price list | Request a personalised quote

How to Fit a Cover on Your Shetland Speedo

Properly fitting your new cover onto your Shetland Speedo is crucial for optimal protection and longevity. Begin by identifying the bow and stern of the cover, aligning it correctly with your boat's 17ft length. Carefully drape the cover over the deck, paying special attention to how it settles around your 6ft 6in beam, windscreen position, and any grab rails or unique cockpit layout features. Systematically work your way around, securing all straps and bungee cords firmly to prevent wind lift and flapping. Ensure the cover is taut but not overly stretched, creating a slight slope to encourage water run-off and prevent pooling, which is vital on Canals where rain is frequent. Good ventilation is also key; ensure airflow to prevent condensation build-up under the cover, protecting your Speedo's interior.

Caring for Your Shetland Speedo Cover

To maximise the lifespan of your Shetland Speedo boat cover, consistent care and maintenance are essential, especially given its exposure to varied conditions on Canals, Rivers, and Broads. Regularly clean your cover using a soft brush and mild soap, rinsing thoroughly to remove dirt, mildew, and bird droppings, which can degrade the fabric over time. Ensure the cover is completely dry before folding and storing to prevent mildew growth. For long-term winter storage, clean it thoroughly and store it in a dry, well-ventilated area. While our materials offer excellent UV resistance, prolonged exposure will eventually take its toll. With proper care, your bespoke cover should provide many years of service; however, if you notice significant fading, tears, or degraded waterproofing, it might be time to consider a replacement.

More tips: Cleaning guide |

Our Postal Copy Service for Shetland Speedo Owners

Our revolutionary postal copy service for Shetland Speedo owners offers unparalleled convenience and guarantees a perfect fit for your 17ft boat without the hassle of bringing it to our workshop. The process is straightforward: you simply post your old Shetland Speedo cover to us in Carterton, Oxfordshire. Upon arrival, our skilled team precisely copies its dimensions and intricate details, using it as a template to craft your brand-new, bespoke cover from your chosen marine-grade fabric. This ensures every curve and contour, specific to your 6ft 6in beam and deck layout, is accurately replicated. Once completed, usually within an impressive 6 working days from receipt of your old cover, we dispatch your perfectly fitting new cover directly back to you, ready for immediate use on your Speedo.

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