Mac vs Bruce’s

[RobertGary1]

After more than 20 years of Bruce’s covers I tried my first Mac cover. I had a bad experience with my last 3 year old Bruce’s cover. 

Price- no comparison mac was 1/2 the price of Bruce’s.  Mac I paid $269 with tax  and shipping Bruce’s quote for same material same plane was $635  plus tax and shipping 

Quality- both used the same outer material sunbrella. Bruce’s has an inner liner which makes the cover seem more substantial. 

Fit- both seem to fit the same. Mac has more straps but Bruce’s has the snaps. I’m a big fan of the snaps but will see the Mac may be fine. Both cover the avionics access which is a big deal on mooneys. 

Service- Bruce’s has dedicated sales people and can generate quotes quick. Mac seems to be a very small operation. My cover was a couple weeks late due to an illness which suggests a small operation.  
 

Will see how mac holds up but since it’s the same material I’d expect the same lifespan. 1/2 the price really seems to favor Mac. 

[DCarlton]

I went through several of the covers you mention rather quickly then decided to have a marine upholstery and sail shop make a cover.  It's held up great for many years.  I'd have to look up when I bought it but it's been a long time.  Had to reinforce one area near the baggage door handle but that's it.  

[201er]

Had an AirplaneCover.com cover from Jim Cancil for 10 years. Had it refurbished only because he was retiring and figured I should get it in before he's closed. Replaced it with a Mac's cover a month ago only because the plane was repainted and felt like a new cover. That cover looked the same after 10 years as after 1.
 

Without being able to say how Mac's cover does in the long run, I can say what I like better:

Fully enclosed antenna

Extends farther on cowl and covers oil access door

Has soft windshield liner

 

The only thing I dislike compared to the old green cover is the straps and snaps are much thinner. I doubt they'll be able to hold up as well but we'll see. Green is AirplaneCover.com now retired and yellow is Mac's.

 

 

[Ragsf15e]

The soft inside of the Bruce’s is key for the windows and paint.  At least that’s my opinion.  My bruces looks used but it’s definitely holding up well!

[RobertGary1]

2 hours ago, Ragsf15e said:

The soft inside of the Bruce’s is key for the windows and paint.  At least that’s my opinion.  My bruces looks used but it’s definitely holding up well!

Mine always did until my last shredded at 3 years old. Sent it to Bruce’s and they said sorry we can sell you a new one. 

[carusoam]

Either way…

Get the zipped door….

Without it, you can’t remember if you finished the checklist and you think the master got left on….
 

Just having the door keeps your memory in shape… 
 

+1 for the soft lining for window contact…. Keep it extra clean, so it doesn’t pick up dirt and scratch the windows…

Nice to have the socks that cover the antennas… not letting any rain water under the cover…

and a bump for baggage area grip handle…

+1 for cowl nostril inserts, and a way to know they are still in place before you push the start button…

+1 for extending the front over the radio access panels…

+1 for getting the tail cover to keep the bird nest out in spring…

+1 for having some kind of fuel cap cover… ice frozen around the lever makes it really difficult to check the fuel level…

 

I’ve had a pair of Jim Cancil covers… both were perfect… one lived outdoors and got it’s seams re-sewn… and was still being used when my plane was sold a decade later…

Best regards,

-a-

[PeteMc]

6 hours ago, 201er said:

Had an AirplaneCover.com cover from Jim Cancil for 10 years. Had it refurbished only because he was retiring

I think I may have gotten the last or near the last cover from Jim.  Really like his work.

Luckily it will be a few years, but I'll have to check out the Mac covers.