Shetland Speedwell Boat Cover Guide: Sizes, Materials & Prices

Introduction: Why Your Shetland Speedwell Deserves a Bespoke Cover

Welcome, fellow boating enthusiasts, to your ultimate guide for securing the perfect cover for your beloved Shetland Speedwell. This iconic 19ft vessel, with its comfortable 7ft beam, is a familiar and cherished sight across the UK's beautiful canals, serene rivers, and expansive broads. While your Speedwell offers endless joy on the water, protecting it from the unpredictable British weather is paramount. A high-quality, tailor-made boat cover isn't just an accessory; it's an essential investment for maintaining your boat's condition, preserving its interior, and extending its life. This guide, brought to you by UK Boat Covers, will walk you through everything you need to know to choose the best protection for your cherished craft. From understanding bespoke advantages to material choices and maintenance tips, we've got you covered. For specific pricing details on our custom-made covers, please contact us directly, as covers for the Shetland Speedwell start with a personalised quote.

Why Choose a Bespoke Cover for the Shetland Speedwell?

The Shetland Speedwell, with its distinctive lines, specific cockpit layout, and precise 7ft beam, simply demands a bespoke cover to ensure optimal protection. Universal or off-the-shelf covers, while seemingly a cheaper option, often prove to be a false economy; they rarely fit snugly, leading to wind flap, water pooling, accelerated wear, and ultimately, inadequate protection. Our bespoke approach acknowledges the unique hull shape and deck configuration of your 19ft Speedwell, crafting a cover that hugs every contour. This eliminates stress points and provides superior weather sealing. At UK Boat Covers, we achieve this perfect fit through our innovative postal copy service. By using your existing cover as a precise template, we guarantee a custom solution that perfectly mirrors your boat's dimensions, ensuring no part of your Shetland Speedwell is left exposed or poorly protected, preserving its condition for years of enjoyment on the waterways.

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

Cover Types Available for the Shetland Speedwell

For your Shetland Speedwell, a range of cover types are available, each designed for specific protection needs on the canals, rivers, and broads. Canopy covers offer comprehensive shelter, creating a usable, weatherproof space, ideal for extended trips or overnight stays, providing all-around protection from rain and sun. Tonneau covers are excellent for keeping the cockpit dry and clean when moored or trailered, offering a neat, streamlined appearance. Cockpit covers specifically protect the main seating and control area, preventing leaves, debris, and water from accumulating. Spray hoods provide essential protection against wind and spray while underway, enhancing comfort for those at the helm. Lastly, robust winter covers are indispensable for off-season storage, safeguarding your Speedwell from harsh elements, frost, and prolonged dampness. We can discuss your typical use on the inland waterways to recommend the perfect combination for your 19ft 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 Speedwell Covers

Choosing the right material for your Shetland Speedwell cover is crucial for its longevity and performance, particularly given its use on canals, rivers, and broads. We primarily offer two outstanding options: PVC marine fabric and Acrylic fabric. PVC marine fabric is exceptionally waterproof, highly durable, and more budget-friendly, making it an excellent choice for a robust winter cover or an all-weather solution where absolute dryness is the priority, though it offers less breathability. Acrylic fabric, conversely, offers superior breathability, excellent UV resistance, and a more canvas-like feel, making it perfect for canopy or cockpit covers where air circulation is important to prevent mildew, especially in humid inland waterway conditions. While both offer impressive lifespans, Acrylic often maintains its aesthetic appeal longer in sunny conditions. We can guide you on the best material combination to suit your Speedwell's specific needs, balancing waterproofing, UV protection, and breathability for optimal protection.

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

Measuring Your Shetland Speedwell for a New Cover

Accurate sizing is fundamental for a well-fitting Shetland Speedwell boat cover. While your boat is a standard 19ft length with a 7ft beam, bespoke covers require precise measurements to ensure a snug, protective fit. Typically, you'd measure the overall length from bow to stern (excluding pulpits or swim platforms if they are outside the cover area), the maximum beam width, and the height from the sheerline to the highest point where the cover needs to sit (e.g., windscreen or grab rail). For the Speedwell, pay particular attention to the windscreen's angle and any deck fittings. However, the simplest and most accurate method, eliminating potential measuring errors, is to utilise our unique postal copy service. By sending us your old cover, even if it's worn, we can replicate its exact dimensions and contours perfectly, guaranteeing a flawless fit without the need for you to take complex measurements on your 19ft vessel.

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

Shetland Speedwell Cover Prices

Investing in a bespoke cover for your Shetland Speedwell represents genuine value, significantly outweighing the short-term savings of a generic alternative. For precise pricing, we encourage you to contact us directly for a personalised quote, as costs vary based on the specific cover type, chosen material, and any custom features. What truly sets UK Boat Covers apart is that, as a family-run business, we don't charge VAT, meaning you automatically save a significant 20% compared to many competitors. This saving, combined with the superior fit and longevity of our tailor-made products, makes our bespoke covers a wise investment. While universal covers might seem cheaper initially, their poor fit often leads to premature wear and insufficient protection, costing you more in the long run. Our commitment is to provide the highest quality, perfectly fitted cover for your 19ft Shetland Speedwell, ensuring it's protected for years to come without the added tax burden.

View full price list | Request a personalised quote

How to Fit a Cover on Your Shetland Speedwell

Properly fitting your new Shetland Speedwell boat cover is crucial for its effectiveness and longevity. Begin by carefully spreading the cover over your 19ft vessel, aligning any specific cut-outs for the windscreen or grab rails first. Ensure the cover is centred on the boat, paying close attention to the bow and stern sections. Systematically attach all securing straps or bungee cords, starting from the middle and working towards the ends, ensuring even tension. For the Speedwell's cockpit area, ensure the cover is pulled taut to prevent any sagging where water might collect, particularly near the windscreen or against the 7ft beam. Utilise any support poles or framework under the cover to create a gentle slope, actively shedding rainwater. Always ensure adequate ventilation to prevent condensation and mildew, especially when stored for extended periods on canals or rivers. A snug, properly secured cover will protect your boat effectively through all weather conditions.

Caring for Your Shetland Speedwell Cover

Maintaining your Shetland Speedwell boat cover is key to maximising its lifespan and ensuring continuous protection for your 19ft vessel. Regular cleaning is essential; gently brush off loose dirt, leaves, and debris that accumulate, especially in canal and river environments. For a deeper clean, use a mild soap solution and a soft brush, then rinse thoroughly with fresh water, allowing the cover to air dry completely before folding or storing. Avoid harsh chemicals, as these can damage the fabric's waterproofing and UV resistance. Periodically check for any small tears or fraying, addressing them promptly to prevent larger damage. During winter storage, ensure the cover is completely dry, free of mildew, and stored in a cool, dry place. Proper care, like ensuring adequate ventilation when covering your Speedwell, will significantly extend your cover's life, keeping your boat pristine for many seasons on the broads and waterways.

More tips: Cleaning guide |

Our Postal Copy Service for Shetland Speedwell Owners

Our unique postal copy service is designed to provide Shetland Speedwell owners with a perfectly tailored boat cover, regardless of your location. The process is incredibly straightforward: simply package up your old Shetland Speedwell boat cover, even if it’s heavily worn or damaged, and post it to us at UK Boat Covers in Carterton, Oxfordshire. Once we receive it, our skilled team will use your old cover as the precise template, meticulously replicating its dimensions and intricate contours in brand-new, marine-grade fabric. This method guarantees a flawless, custom fit for your 19ft vessel, eliminating any guesswork or the need for complicated measurements on your part. Best of all, once crafted, your new cover will be dispatched back to you within an impressive 6 working days, ensuring your Shetland Speedwell is protected with minimal fuss and maximum accuracy.

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