Can You Leave Your Jet Ski Cover On When Towing?

There seems to be a split among the personal watercraft community with varying opinions on using covers when towing. I did find a correlation with the more experienced riders having a single viewpoint, which is the following.

For most makes and models, you can keep a jet ski cover fitted when towing short distances to and from the boat ramp. It’s recommended that you remove the cover if you’re going on to the highway as the speeds could have the cover come off and potentially cause an accident. Only use manufacturers covers as aftermarket and cheap alternatives typically fall off easily.

In this article, I’ll discuss further whether or not you keep the jet ski cover fitted or take it off before leaving home.

Let’s begin.

Jet Ski Covers and Towing

There are a few topics that lit up any Facebook group and one of those is the use of jet ski covers. While many agree that you should have one and keep it fitted when you’re storing your pride and joy, it’s a mixed bag of responses when it comes to using at speed.

Some guys claim that they have towed with their covers attached for 5+ years without a problem. I’d agree with these folk actually! Others disagree and claim that theirs has falling off at high speeds.

I guess this really depends on the situation

Highway Towing

At these higher speeds, you can be sure that some air is going to creep undernear your jet ski cover and add some pressure to the underside. This is where your velcro or clips will really be tested.

One tip I can give you is to use an additional ratchet strap running across the seat and right under the hull. Should the cover actually falll off, it will still be caught and present losing it, damaging it – or worst still – having it strike a motorcyclist or another vehicle.

Residential Streets

On residential streets I see no problem in using the jet ski cover, however you’re probably only going to drive for 10 minutes anyway. Save yourself some space and just leave the cover at home. Makes sense to me?

Then again you might be doing something before or after you go for a jet ski ride, including stopping somewhere to eat and you may want to keep that UV light away from that seat of yours. In that case, it’s wise to have a cover fitted but I’d also be looking at some security device too as the theft of jet ski covers does happen and it’s frustrating.

Your Tow Vehicle

The height of your tow vehicle does impact whether air can get underneat your cover and blow it off. Those with large 4x4s (with no open tray) will find that their tow vehicle creates a slip stream so they’ll have less of an issue than compared to a hatchback.

That said – this doesn’t completely eliminate the airflow. You’ll still find some air comes in from underneath the tow vehicle and rises up at the drawbar of the jet ski trailer.

In Summary

If you’re new to this and aren’t quite sure, then I’d just leave the cover at home to begin with as you’ll have one less thing to worry about. And if you did one to use one, remember to stick with the brand names such as SeaDoo, Yamaha and Kawasaki. Their covers are generally well-built and can handle some draft.

You can certainly leave the cover on year-round but take it off occasionally to let it air out. Many people leave theirs on at the dock without a problem at all.