Made to Measure Cratch Covers in Oxford

Year-Round Cover for Oxford Boats

The River Thames near Oxford is used year-round by boat owners who moor between the active cruising season and leave their boats on river moorings through the quieter months. A cover that was adequate for summer use often fails during Oxfordshire's wet and cold months — seams split, windows cloud and crack, and zips corrode when a cover is left under load for extended periods.

Our cratch covers are built specifically for the conditions your boat will face on the River Thames. We use double-sewn seams with anti-wick thread, UV-stable fabrics that won't bleach or become brittle over successive seasons, and heavy-duty YKK marine zips that resist corrosion. If your cruising takes you between the River Thames and Oxford Canal, your cover is also tested against a wider range of conditions — an argument for choosing the heavier PVC option, which handles both protected and exposed stretches without compromise.

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 Oxford boats mooring year-round on the River Thames, 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 river conditions like those on the River Thames near Oxford.

How to Order Cratch Covers from Oxford

Our postal copy service means Oxford 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 Oxford 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 Oxford boat owners mooring on the River Thames, 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 River Thames boat — most quotes are turned around within one working day.

Frequently Asked Questions