Made to Measure Cratch Covers in Leicester

How to Order Cratch Covers from Leicester

Our postal copy service means Leicester 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

Frequently Asked Questions

Cratch Covers Prices for Leicester 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 Leicester boat owners mooring on the Grand Union 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 Grand Union Canal boat — most quotes are turned around within one working day.

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 Leicester boats mooring year-round on the Grand Union 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 Grand Union Canal near Leicester.

Boating on the Grand Union Canal near Leicester

Covers on boats moored along the Grand Union Canal near Leicester face a specific set of challenges. Canal corridors funnel wind along their length, which means even a firmly fitted cover can work loose at the eyelets or press studs over a winter season. We double-sew every seam and use heavy-duty stainless steel fixings precisely because canal-moored covers take constant, low-level stress rather than the occasional storm.

Many Leicester boaters use both the Grand Union Canal and River Soar throughout the season, moving between different mooring environments. A cover that performs on a sheltered canal stretch also needs to cope with more exposed river reaches — which is why we use the same heavyweight marine fabrics for every cover regardless of your primary mooring. Contact Ryan for advice on the right fabric for your specific mooring.