Choose How Your Door Opens
Boathouse curtains conceal your boathouse opening while offering you options on entering and exiting the location. AKON offers static or fixed tarps, sliding curtains on a track, and roll-up dock tarps that meet your specific requirements in the site.
If you have room at the side, an appropriate design would be the sliding curtain for regular access. When there is a tight side space, select the roll-up tarp. A fixed tarp is complimentary if you plan to keep the opening covered for longer periods.
Begin assessing the opening size, mounting points, and determine how often you operate your boat. Then make your choice depending on the type of view you prefer; clear vinyl for visible view or an opaque vinyl with an obscured view if you want privacy.
Compare Three Boathouse Curtain Styles
Plan For Your Opening
Check Your Supports
Plan and match the mounting hardware to robust posts or beams around your boathouse opening.
Compare Your Cost
Make price estimates on the same size and material. Then verify the necessary hardware for each style.
Keep Access Clear
When the opening is active, provide some room for the boat, lift, and curtain.
Choose Your View
As stated earlier, a clear vinyl provides a more open view. While the opaque vinyl conceals the view and provides more privacy for your boathouse.
Find Your Best Curtain Style
Start With How You Use The Door
- Daily boat trips: compare sliding and roll-up styles.
- Seasonal closure: start with a static tarp.
- Little side space: check room for a roll-up tarp above.
- Sloped side opening: send a sketch for a custom shape tarp.
Check Before You Choose
- How much room must stay clear for the boat?
- Where can the track or tarp fasten to the frame?
- Can you reach the fasteners or pull cord from the dock?
- How will you secure the curtain when open and closed?
Material Options
18 oz Reinforced Vinyl (standard)
20 mil Clear PVC For Clarity
Available in Multiple Colors
Strong Materials
Choose Clear Or Opaque Vinyl
Vinyl Choices For A Boat House
When choosing the type of vinyl, we offer two versions for your preference. The opaque vinyl obstructs the view inside the boathouse adding more privacy. On the other hand, the clear vinyl allows you to view and see through the covered opening. The panel with the clear view combines a viewing strip with opaque sections.
When your preference is having more privacy for the boathouse opening, the opaque vinyl is the best choice. It provides a blocked view of your boat and stored gear when the curtain is closed. This choice is optimal and a good starting point for openings that face nearby docks or located in shared areas.
If viewing the lake view is a prerequisite, prefer the clear vinyl. This is suitable for side walls and covered walkways and applicable if you want to see the water through the closed curtain. Consider both views and the inside and outside of your boathouse.
Select a vision panel when your preference is to incorporate both types. Set the clear section at a useful viewing height, with the opaque vinyl located above and below it. You may assess the setting of the panel height from the dock and from your typical seating location.
Each curtain style has its own material selection. Prior to making your order, inquire initially about the available vinyl, colors, and clear-panel layout suited for your opening. We can assist you in your choice by sending us some photos if preferred.
Plan Your Boat House Door Opening
Allow Room For The Curtain
Different curtain styles require different space specifications. If the sliding design is preferred, side space is needed for the folds. On the other hand, if a roll-up tarp is considered, it needs space above the entrance for its raised roll. A fixed or stationary tarp needs a place for release and storage.
Measure the boat at its widest and tallest aspects. Incorporate the canopy, rails, and lift position. Determine where the curtain could possibly capture a gear or block a walkway and send some photos of this concern to us.
Plan For Wind And Water
There are some circumstances that need to be considered such as wind that moves across an open lake that can put some strain on a large curtain. Confer regarding anchors and on how to properly guard the curtain prior to ordering. Assess both the closed and storage position.
Inform us if changes occur in the water levels or if the opening encounters salt spray. Verify the bottom clearance and your chosen hardware required for the site. Consider keeping the curtain and pull cords free from moving boats and lift parts.
Keep Your Boat Door Curtain Taunt
Anchor Your Boathouse Curtains For Less Flapping
Some precautions about certain outcomes when wind is the issue. Wind can cause loose curtain material to flutter and tug at its edges. We recommend securing both the top and vertical sides of each curtain when it is closed. Maintain the curtain material tight and secured making sure that there are no loose folds. This will lower the movement and wear. To achieve this, both vertical sides should be attached. Whatever curtain style you choose, you can request for grommets on the vertical edges. This will enable you to attach the curtain to your structure. Refer to this page for ideas on grommet attachments - Tarp Attachment Ideas.
Common Applications
We came up with examples to assist you in choosing the curtain that will match the way you utilize your boathouse. The examples contain which aspect is of primary concern for each opening.
Rarely Opened Side Bays
For side bays that are seldom opened, begin with the static tarp. This design is appropriate when you need the panel to be in a fixed position. Determine the approach on how to reach the fastener.
Frequent Boat Trips
For recurring boat trips, we suggest the sliding curtain design. Inspect where the folds will assemble to avoid obstruction on the path where the boat will pass.
Tight Side Space
In case of a tight side space, we recommend a roll-up tarp which keeps the side area open. Determine the needed space on top of the entrance for the raised roll.
Covered Dock Walkways
For covered dock walkways, we suggest clear vinyl. This provides the view along a sheltered walkway. Inspect the edge gaps and the area on the roof where the rain runs off.
Seasonal Boat Storage
In seasonal boat storage, a fixed cover is appropriate when the area is closed for a long period of time. Develop a plan on dismantling it, drying it, and putting the cover in a storage space.
Narrow Single Slips
For narrow single slips, examine and compare the clear opening with the widest and tallest parts of your boat. The lift and canopy should also be considered.
Shared Boat Houses
In shared boathouses, we developed a way to keep one slip accessible while the other slip stays covered by using separate curtain sections. Verify the layout and shared mounting points.
Kayak And Gear Sheds
For sheds that house kayak and gears, we propose the sliding curtain. This design gives wide access for long boats and paddles. You may choose the type of vinyl - clear for a visible view or an opaque vinyl for the needed privacy.
10 × 10 Ft Examples (USD)
One blue curtain or tarp, with 120 × 120 inch dimensions entered on each shopping page.
Static Tarp: $421.05
18 oz opaque vinyl, rectangle, grommets on all sides. No entrance or roll-up straps.
Sliding Curtain With Track: $472.44
18 oz opaque vinyl, straight wall-mounted track. No floor sweep, chain weight, or anchors.
Roll-Up Dock Tarp: $871.75
Non-insulated opaque vinyl with the grommets-and-straps option.
The quoted prices are for the products and do not include the finished installation process. These are recent price quotations and checked last September 22, 2026. The fixed or static design utilizes finished panel size, while the roll-up uses opening size. Completed sizes vary by style. Prior to ordering, make a thorough check of your options, shipping, taxes, and review the final total.
Five-Year Warranty
We offer a five-year warranty for our curtains.
You may request for the documented coverage and care instructions together with your order.
Choose With The Full Picture
- Confirm the material and finished size.
- Check the hardware and edge fasteners.
- Match the mounting plan to your posts and beam.
- Review the total price for your chosen options.
If you have difficulty evaluating the styles, we can provide assistance in helping you pick the most appropriate product. You may send your drawings and photos together with your quote request.
Pricing And Warranty
Common Questions About Boathouse Curtains
Which Boathouse Curtain Should I Choose?
Preference depends on the requirements of your boathouse. There are different variants you can choose from. For instance, we suggest a sliding curtain for standard use, but there should be room for the folds that gather at the side. The roll-up tarp version fits a tight side space provided there is some room at the top. A fixed or static tarp is ideal for an opening that is covered most of the time.
Can I Use Clear Vinyl?
For sure. The clear vinyl type allows you to view through the curtain plainly. The opaque variant provides more privacy. Kindly review and check the details on the material and vision-panel options shown on the shopping page of your preferred style.
Will A Curtain Keep Out All Wind And Rain?
Not totally. The curtain does not guarantee that it can block wind and rain. It covers the opening but gaps can still be present at the edges and mounting points. It is highly probable that wind-driven rain may enter those gaps. Kindly send us photos of the opening and the extent of its exposure so we can discuss the fit and edge fasteners.
Can I Use The Same Measurements For All Three Styles?
There are size guidelines for each style that needs to be followed. Use the same drawing to compare the styles and their corresponding sizes. Each type has its own specifications. Fixed or static tarps use panel dimensions. Sliding curtains, on the other hand, require space for track and folds that gather at the side. In the roll-up tarp design, the tarp utilizes opening dimensions and incorporates added material for overlap.
What If My Opening Has A Sloped Top?
In cases of an opening with a sloped top, begin with a standard shape tarp. Provide us with a drawing indicating both side heights, the width, and each mounting point. We recommend inquiring about the shapes and fasteners that are compatible with your opening prior to making an order.
What Should I Send For Help Choosing?
When you need assistance in choosing the correct type, provide us with the width, height, photos from both sides, and magnified images of the posts and beam. Inform us of the frequency the opening is used, where the boat lift sits, and whether the site encounters salt spray.
