Tuff Skynz

Son has a new 200 SHO and wanted a Tuff Skynz cover. I spoke with the dealer in our area to see if he could order one. He recommended against it. Said motors will run 30 degrees hotter even when vented. Said that it causes all kinds of issues. Went as far to add that motor manufacturers have reached out to Tuff Skynz to stop production. Anyone have any feedback on this? Would like to hear from individuals that run these covers.

Ive had one on my Merc 115 since 2014,...no problemo,..
and it looks like new,...

Good to hear

i have had on 3 different motors 150hp and up, no problems.

got one on a 95 200 xri and like it a lot, the screen over the vents makes it about impossible for mud daubers to get in.

That’s good news. Now maybe I can find a used one.

I have a new (July 2020) Yamaha SHO 250 and have a Tuff Skinz on it. I have never had a warning buzzer due to overheating or any other performance issue due to heat that I can tell. My biggest worry is mud daubers building a nest and jumping the timing belt, that is a guaranteed ruined motor. I don’t see how a motor could run hotter with the mesh on the Tuff Skinz. I fish in 40 degree weather and 100 degree weather, ambient air temp should effect the temp of the motor if that logic is true. As long as you are not blocking any of the air ports on the motor and your water pump is good I don’t see any issues. Until motor manufacturers build a mud dauber proof motor like the old 2 strokes were, I say protect it with something like a Tuff Skinz.

You can order direct form Tuff Skinz.

The salesman is pulling your chain. First, the motor will not over heat with a cowling cover on it...even a non vented cover. It may choke out of oxygen for the fuel mixture and run like [censored]...but it ain’t gonna overheat. The only cooling for the motor is the water pump and water passages around the cylinder head. Any further cooling from air ventilation is simply additional cooling, until the thermostat reaches operational temp.

I have heard that Yamaha doesn’t license the SHO, VMax, Yamaha, etc. nothing with their likeness or branding. Maybe he is just avoiding that conversation with you. Yamaha has a storage cover with the motors graphics on it, but it is non-ventilated and not designed to be left on the motor. It is what my Skeeter came with. It still wouldn’t prevent insects from making mud nests in it, as it fits loosely around the bottom.

With as many new Skeeters with “Fun-N-Sun” covers on them running the lakes, I bet that it doesn’t hurt the motor a single bit. I doubt they’d be one of the largest Skeeter/Yamaha dealers around if they were purposely damaging brand new SHO’s!

I’m thinking all you that responded are probably right. I’ve seen too many boats with be it Yamaha, Mercury, etc. and never ahead anyone say bad about Skynz covers. I did see Skynz web and will order one very soon. Planning on calling because they only list up to 2020 SHO’s. Ours is a ‘21, but I really don’t see any change in the cowling design. Thanks for sharing.

just be sure and not cover the pee drain,...

Be sure it super tight. Mine scuffed the lower cowling... Haven't used it since... Dan

I use one built by Outdoor Covers of America and it has never ran hot.

It is super tight and has not scratched it anywhere but it has protected it from scratches from limbs etc. many times.

I saw a guy at the boat ramp that had a Stars and Stripes cover made by Outer Envy. Anybody have pros and cons vs tuff skinz?