Bruce’s vs Mac the verdict

[RobertGary1]

After having the mac cover for 6 months and having had a number of Bruce’s covers for 25 years I think I have a verdict. 

The mac cover feels much less substantial and it does not have the button snaps to keep the cover from slipping around. However in every functional way it does the job. 

Bruces is nice but more than double the price and in my experience the quality has dropped a lot recently. My last cover shredded in 2 years and Bruce’s said it’s normal  

Bruce has formal customer support. You call and someone answers, quick email turn around. I think mac is one guy so the communication is slower.

So i think I’m now going mac. 

[DCarlton]

I went through 2-3 of the aforementioned covers, and ended up taking an old one down to a marine upholstery shop in San Diego to have a new one fabricated (hoping for a longer service life).  They used the old one as a template and added a few more features.  It's held up for so many years, I'd have to look up the date when I bought it.  I'll probably go that route again if/when I need a new one.  

[A64Pilot]

Probably Sunbrella which comes in different grades, Seamark is I believe the highest and is completely waterproof, other grades are not, Seamark is stiffer though and less cloth like feel.

It’s common to get 10 years or more out of a Bimini in the Caribbean if it’s Sunbrella, there are many knock offs most are not as good.

Oh and darker colors will last longer in strong sunlight than lighter ones.

Be sure to specify Goretx or PTFE thread, costs more, but polyester thread even UV resistant will rot out long before the sunbrella will, but the gore-tex or PTFE won’t. This is important, if you don’t in five years or so the thread will fall apart, and you’ll have to have the cover re-sewn.

People who make sails or Bimini’s will know exactly what your talking about. It costs more but is worth it.

We cruised our sailboat for a few years in the Caribbean.

Edited April 2, 2022 by A64Pilot

[GeeBee]

I admit that I keep my boat under a covered dock, but my dark blue Sunbrella, from the Bimini tops to the cockpit covers is 24 years old and it looks great. I just clean it once a year with clear water, perhaps a little Woolite and then treat is with 303 water repellant. So a Sunbrella cockpit cover for an airplane would be very durable. The problem I would worry about is without a liner, Sunbrella could be a little harsh on plexiglass, particularly after it picks up dirt and pollen, because it is a porous fabric. You can get Sunbrella with a waterproof backing which might be a thought.

 

[PeteMc]

I have a friend that decided to give the Mac cover a try and came to the same conclusion.  Not as well made as the Bruce, but it fits pretty well and he can buy 3 for the cost of the 1 Bruce.  So if gets more than a couple of years out of his Mac, he's ahead of the game.  And in time, hopefully Mac will keep tweaking their cover.

I got one of the last (if not the last) Planecover.com/Ground Tech covers with full on Sunbrella material and an excellent fit.  So I'm good for a while, but I'll probably look at the Mac when it eventually is time.

[Hank]

4 hours ago, PeteMc said:

I got one of the last (if not the last) Planecover.com/Ground Tech covers with full on Sunbrella material and an excellent fit.  So I'm good for a while, but I'll probably look at the Mac when it eventually is time.

I also have a Planecover from Jim before he retired. I'll look for someone who can use it as a template to make a replacement when the time comes.

[PeteMc]

23 minutes ago, Hank said:

I'll look for someone who can use it as a template to make a replacement when the time comes.

I  had a local sail/cover shop add a booty for my top ADS-B antenna.  Matched the material and did good craftsmanship (just made it bigger than I had asked for).  Discussed having him use this one as a copy down the road and he wasn't to anxious.  Said "you pilot's are too cheap!"  Guessing he's been reading the aviation sites!

 

[Will.iam]

On 4/3/2022 at 5:11 PM, PeteMc said:

I  had a local sail/cover shop add a booty for my top ADS-B antenna.  Matched the material and did good craftsmanship (just made it bigger than I had asked for).  Discussed having him use this one as a copy down the road and he wasn't to anxious.  Said "you pilot's are too cheap!"  Guessing he's been reading the aviation sites!

 

Did you tell him we have to be to afford all the aviation label markup. 

[RobertGary1]

18 hours ago, Will.iam said:

Did you tell him we have to be to afford all the aviation label markup. 

Idk. I got a quote for sunbrella for my boat at $1,500. I’m not sure aviation mark up is more than marine 

[Hank]

3 hours ago, RobertGary1 said:

Idk. I got a quote for sunbrella for my boat at $1,500. I’m not sure aviation mark up is more than marine 

My 1985 bass boat was quoted at 2 AMU for a Sunbrella cover . . .  I bought a different one from Wesr Marine for one sixth of that price.

[carusoam]

Inviting @Irmin to stop by…

He may be needing a plane cover…

This would be a good place to catch some ideas…

Best regards,

-a-

[Utah20Gflyer]

I've had a couple Bruces covers for a year now with zero noticable wear.  I couldn't imagine it failing in only another year.  I have no experience with Macs but would say I am very happy with the Bruce's covers and will likely add some wing covers next winter.