Made to Measure Cratch Covers in Chippenham

When to Order Cratch Covers in Chippenham

Spring is the busiest period for cratch covers orders from across South West, including Chippenham, as boat owners prepare for the cruising season. However, unlike many marine suppliers, we don't operate a seasonal queue — we carry stock of all standard marine fabrics year-round, and our six-working-day turnaround applies regardless of when you order. Ordering in autumn or winter, when you've finished using the boat for the season, is often the most practical approach: the cover is ready when the boat is laid up, and your boat is protected through the full off-season on the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Chippenham boaters who cruise between the Kennet & Avon Canal and River Avon often place orders at the end of the season when they've assessed which covers have worn during the year's cruising. We're happy to assess your existing covers by photograph — send photos to ryan@ukboatcovers.com and we can advise on whether repair or replacement is the better value option before you commit to posting anything.

Marine Fabrics & Materials

Cratch covers are exposed to the elements year-round at the bow of the boat. We use heavy-duty marine PVC or breathable acrylic canvas with welded or sewn window panels, UV-resistant thread, and heavy-duty YKK zips. All materials are chosen to handle both the wet of canal spray and the internal condensation that builds up in a lived-in cratch. We can add ventilation panels on request.

For Chippenham boats mooring year-round on the Kennet & Avon Canal, the choice between PVC and acrylic usually comes down to whether breathability (acrylic) or maximum waterproofing (PVC) is the priority — Ryan is happy to advise based on your specific mooring and how frequently you use the boat.

Read more about our fabric and materials choices, including which options work best for canal conditions like those on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Chippenham.

How to Order Cratch Covers from Chippenham

Our postal copy service means Chippenham boat owners don't need to visit our workshop in person. Here is how it works:

1. Step 1 — Post your cover: Post your existing cratch cover to our Carterton, Oxfordshire workshop. We use it as an exact template — no measuring from your boat is needed.
2. Step 2 — We make your cover: We build a bespoke copy using your old cover as a precise pattern, replacing any worn windows, broken zips, or failed fixings. You can request fabric colour changes at this stage.
3. Step 3 — Receive your cover: Your new cratch cover is dispatched by tracked courier within 6 working days, ready to fit back onto your cratch frame without any modifications.

Learn more about the postal copy service

Cratch Covers Prices for Chippenham Boat Owners

Cratch covers start from £329 — no VAT charged. The price depends on the size of the cratch frame, the number of windows and ventilation panels, and whether you need a door section. We can also repair existing cratch covers — window replacements start from £89 and zip repairs from £49. All new covers include UK-wide tracked delivery.

For Chippenham boat owners mooring on the Kennet & Avon Canal, our no-VAT pricing represents a saving of at least £66 on a starting-price cratch cover compared to a VAT-registered supplier — and often considerably more on larger or more complex covers.

View the full price list or contact Ryan for a personalised quote for your Kennet & Avon Canal boat — most quotes are turned around within one working day.

Frequently Asked Questions