Viking 20 Boat Cover Guide: Sizes, Materials & Prices

Introduction: Why Your Viking 20 Deserves a Bespoke Cover

The Viking 20 is one of the most recognisable river cruisers on UK waterways. Built with a 20ft hull and a generous 7ft 6in beam, it strikes an ideal balance between manageable size and comfortable cruising space, making it a favourite on the Thames, the Grand Union Canal, and the Norfolk Broads. That wide beam is part of what makes the Viking 20 such a pleasure to own — but it also means off-the-shelf universal covers rarely fit properly. Gaps at the bow, loose material flapping over the cockpit sides, and pooling water are common complaints from owners who have tried generic covers. A bespoke cover tailored to your Viking 20's exact dimensions eliminates these issues entirely. At UK Boat Covers, bespoke Viking 20 covers start from £869 for marine PVC fabric and from £979 for premium Acrylic, with no VAT added to the final price — a saving of 20% compared with VAT-registered manufacturers. Whether you are looking for full canopy coverage, a simple tonneau for winter storage, or a cockpit cover for day-to-day use, this guide covers everything you need to know about protecting your Viking 20.

Why Choose a Bespoke Cover for the Viking 20?

The Viking 20's hull design features a pronounced sheer line that runs from a raised bow down to a lower cockpit stern. This curve, combined with the 7ft 6in beam and the positioning of the windscreen and grab rails, means that a standard "20ft cover" bought online will almost certainly have excess material at the sides and be either too tight or too loose along the centreline. A cover that does not follow the sheer line correctly will pool rainwater, which accelerates UV degradation of both the cover itself and the gel coat below. Our bespoke covers are patterned from a physical template — either your old cover or a paper pattern we make from measurements — ensuring every seam, every cutout around fittings, and every securing strap is in exactly the right position for your specific boat. Owners who switch from universal to bespoke covers consistently report that the new cover fits drumhead tight, stays put in wind, and lasts significantly longer as a result. See our Viking 20 model page for full specifications and cover options.

The postal copy service is particularly popular with Viking 20 owners: post your old worn cover to us, and we use it as the pattern for the new one. There is no need to drive the boat to a canvas workshop and no risk of measurement errors.

Cover Types Available for the Viking 20

The Viking 20's versatile deck layout makes it suitable for several different cover configurations depending on how and when you use the boat. A full boat canopy — covering the entire deck from bow to stern — provides the most comprehensive weather protection and is the best choice for owners who leave their boat on a mooring through the winter or in an exposed location. A tonneau cover protects the cockpit and forward deck without enclosing the full superstructure, making it easier to fit and remove for day trips, and is usually the most popular choice for owners on the Thames and Grand Union Canal who use the boat regularly through the season. A dedicated cockpit cover focuses protection on the helm and seating area, leaving the foredeck open — useful when the boat is covered under a fixed canopy or carport. For Viking 20s stored ashore on a trailer, a heavy-duty winter storage cover that wraps over the gunwales and laces underneath the hull gives the best all-round protection against frost, bird droppings, and UV during the lay-up season.

• Full Boat Canopy — Complete weather protection for moored or stored boats
• Tonneau Cover — Cockpit and deck coverage for regular use
• Cockpit Cover — Targeted cockpit protection for daily mooring
• Spray Hood — Windscreen and helm protection underway
• — Full-wrap seasonal protection

Best Materials for Viking 20 Covers

Choosing between PVC and Acrylic fabric is the most important material decision you will make for your Viking 20 cover. Marine-grade PVC is the traditional choice: it is fully waterproof, highly resistant to abrasion, and priced from £869 for a Viking 20. The downside of PVC is that it does not breathe — on a warm day, moisture can condense underneath the cover and encourage mildew on upholstery and woodwork. For boats kept on open moorings on the Thames or the Broads where rain is the primary concern, PVC is an excellent choice. Acrylic fabric — the same material used in quality awnings and marine hoods — is solution-dyed for outstanding UV resistance and is woven loosely enough to allow limited moisture vapour transmission, greatly reducing condensation. Premium Acrylic covers for the Viking 20 start from £979. Acrylic is the better choice for boats that are used regularly throughout the season and may benefit from a cover that does not trap heat. Both fabrics are available in a range of colours to match your boat's livery. We recommend Acrylic for southern canal and river boating where UV is a significant factor, and PVC for northern canals or exposed tidal moorings where rain and spray are the dominant concern.

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

Measuring Your Viking 20 for a New Cover

If you choose to provide measurements rather than sending an old cover, the key dimensions for a Viking 20 tonneau or canopy are: the overall cover length from the bow fitting point to the stern cleat (typically 18ft 6in to 19ft 6in of usable deck rather than the full 20ft hull length), the maximum beam at the widest point of the covering area (up to 7ft 6in), the height from the deck to the top of the windscreen frame (usually 2ft to 2ft 6in on the Viking 20), and the distance from the centreline to any fittings — cleats, fairleads, or ventilators — that will need cutouts. Measuring accurately at six or eight points along the centreline rather than just at bow and stern will reveal the sheer curvature and help ensure the finished cover lies flat rather than bridging. For most Viking 20 owners, the easiest and most reliable approach remains the postal copy service: send us your old cover and we handle all the templating. Need help? See our size guide or use our postal copy service to skip measuring entirely.

Viking 20 Cover Prices

Cover prices for the Viking 20 vary by type and fabric, spanning £363 to £979 depending on what you need:

• Cockpit cover — from £363 (PVC). Protects the helm and seating area only.
• Tonneau cover — from £389 (PVC). Covers the cockpit and forward deck for regular mooring.
• Full boat canopy — from £869 (PVC), from £979 (Acrylic). Complete deck-to-deck weather protection.
• — from £595 (PVC). Full-wrap protection for boats stored ashore or on a mooring.

All prices include UK-wide tracked delivery and carry no VAT — a 20% saving compared with VAT-registered suppliers. The exact price for your cover depends on the cover type, fabric chosen, and the number of cutouts and fixings required. Covers for boats with complex deck furniture, a large windscreen surround, or multiple fairleads take slightly longer to pattern and cut, which is reflected in the quote. We do not charge for a quote, so there is no commitment involved in contacting Ryan to discuss your requirements. Compared with generic universal covers sold online for £250–£400, a bespoke cover at £363–£979 may appear similar or higher at first glance, but its longer service life (8–15 years versus 2–4 for a universal cover) and the elimination of damage caused by ill-fitting covers make it substantially better value over time. View full price list | Request a personalised quote

How to Fit a Cover on Your Viking 20

A well-made bespoke cover for the Viking 20 should go on cleanly with two people in around ten minutes. Start at the bow, securing the front loops or D-rings to the bow cleat or forestay fitting. Work aft along each side, pulling the cover snug against the rubbing strake and clipping or lacing each side fixing as you go. The Viking 20's windscreen can be a sticking point — make sure the cutout is aligned before attempting to pull the cover down over it. Once the cover is positioned, tension the stern fixings and check the centreline seam for alignment. The cover should lie flat with no large areas of pooling between securing points; add additional tie-down points if you identify sagging sections after fitting. Ensure any ventilation grommets or zipped access panels are open when the boat is unattended to prevent condensation buildup below the cover. Never leave a cover fitted loosely — a slack cover in wind will abrade against the gel coat and fittings and shorten the life of both the cover and the deck.

Caring for Your Viking 20 Cover

Regular care significantly extends the life of any marine cover. Hose the cover down with fresh water after saltwater use or after periods of heavy rain to remove salt and organic matter. At least once a season, wash the cover with a mild soap solution (avoid harsh detergents that strip water-resistant coatings), rinse thoroughly, and allow to dry completely before folding and stowing. Pay particular attention to the fold lines where repeated flexing can eventually cause delamination or cracking in PVC covers — store the cover rolled rather than sharply folded where possible. UV is the primary cause of degradation in both PVC and Acrylic fabrics; reproofing Acrylic covers with a silicone-based treatment every two or three seasons restores water beading and extends service life. At the end of the season, inspect all seams and stitching for wear and address minor repairs promptly — a small repair now costs far less than a new cover. On the Thames and Broads, bird droppings are a particular hazard as the acids in droppings attack both fabric coatings and underlying GRP; remove them promptly with a damp cloth. More tips: Cleaning guide |

Our Postal Copy Service for Viking 20 Owners

The postal copy service is the simplest way for Viking 20 owners anywhere in the UK to get a perfect replacement cover without needing to visit our Oxfordshire workshop. The process is straightforward: pack your old cover carefully (it does not need to be clean, just dry), and post it to UK Boat Covers, 84 Queen's Road, Carterton, Oxfordshire OX18 3YD. We lay the old cover flat, use it as a precise cutting pattern, and make the new cover in your chosen fabric — PVC or Acrylic, in a colour of your choice. The new cover is dispatched via tracked courier within 6 working days and we return the old cover with it so you have a spare. Because the new cover is cut from the exact same template as the original, every fixing point, every cutout, and every seam is in the same position as the cover your Viking 20 was designed around. This service is particularly valuable for owners of older Viking 20s where the original factory measurements may no longer be available, or where a previous owner has made modifications to the deck layout. Viking 20 owners in Oxford, Reading, London, and the Thames Valley can also arrange a local cover service through our Oxford area team.

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