6 Reinforced Boat Cover Clips That Challenge Harsh Weather

I’ve seen it a hundred times. A boat owner spends a fortune on a custom-fit cover, secures it with the cheap plastic clips that came in the box, and wakes up after a squall to find it shredded or blown into the next slip. Your boat cover is your vessel’s first line of defense against the elements, but it’s only as strong as its weakest link. And more often than not, that weak link is the clip meant to hold it all together.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Why Standard Tarp Clips Fail in High Winds

Standard tarp clips are a point of failure waiting to happen. They are typically designed for static loads, like holding down a stationary tarp over a woodpile. They rely on simple friction from two smooth plastic pads, which is fine until the wind introduces dynamic force.

High wind doesn’t just pull on a cover; it lifts, twists, and creates a violent flapping motion. This constant, rapid shifting, or "worrying," easily works a standard clip loose. The smooth jaws slip, the simple locking mechanism pops open, or the low-grade plastic, weakened by UV exposure, simply shatters under the strain.

These failures create a cascade effect. Once one clip lets go, the wind gets underneath that section of the cover, turning it into a sail. This puts an impossible load on the remaining clips, which then fail in rapid succession. A reinforced clip, by contrast, is designed specifically to combat this dynamic load with mechanical grip and robust materials.

T.W. Evans Cordage Tarp Grabbers: Top Grip

When you need to grab a wide section of fabric away from a grommet, the T.W. Evans Tarp Grabber is a fantastic tool. Its design is all about maximizing surface area. The wide, serrated jaws distribute the clamping force, reducing the risk of tearing the material at a single stress point.

The magic is in the sliding lock mechanism. You position the jaws and then slide a collar down, which forces the jaws together with immense pressure. This creates a secure hold that’s incredibly resistant to the shearing force of a flapping tarp.

Think of this clip as your go-to for reinforcing a long, straight edge of your cover that’s catching the wind. It’s not for delicate work, but for raw holding power across a few inches of material, it’s tough to beat. The durable, UV-resistant nylon construction means it won’t get brittle and fail after one season in the sun.

CARPPO Heavy Duty Clips: Alligator-Mouth Design

The CARPPO clip is all about the bite. Its defining feature is an "alligator-mouth" design with interlocking teeth. This is a fundamental upgrade from friction-based clips because it creates a mechanical lock with the fabric. The material gets pressed into the teeth, making it physically difficult for it to slip out, even when wet and under load.

These clips often feature a thumb-screw locking mechanism. This is a huge advantage because it gives you adjustable tension. You can tighten it down for a bulldog grip on heavy-duty canvas or ease it off slightly for older, more fragile materials, preventing you from crushing or tearing the fibers.

This is the clip I reach for when I need to secure a critical corner or a spot on a thick, reinforced hem. The focused, mechanical grip is perfect for points that bear a significant and direct pulling force. The ability to dial in the tension means you have precise control over how it holds.

SHBC Lock Grip Clips for Extreme Weather Hold

When you’re anticipating a serious storm, you need a clip designed for the worst-case scenario. The SHBC Lock Grip and similar designs are engineered for exactly that. They use a powerful locking mechanism, often a cam or lever, that multiplies your clamping force.

The design is simple but brutally effective. Once you clamp it down, it stays clamped. The harder the wind pulls on the line, the more the cam can dig in, effectively tightening its grip under load. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it solution for the most vulnerable parts of your cover.

These clips are built from heavy-duty, impact-resistant polymers that can handle the repeated shock of violent flapping without fatiguing. They are not subtle, and they are not adjustable in the same way a screw-type is. Their purpose is singular: to provide an unbreakable hold when everything else is likely to fail.

Kotap Adjustable Clips: Versatile Tension Control

Sometimes, maximum force isn’t the answer. For older covers, lightweight materials, or situations where you just need to eliminate a bit of slack, a clip with finesse is better. The Kotap adjustable clip provides just that, offering excellent hold without the risk of damaging the fabric.

Its design typically uses a sliding ring or collar that you move to increase or decrease pressure. This allows you to fine-tune the tension perfectly. You can make it just tight enough to stop a flap without putting a dangerous amount of stress on the cover’s material or stitching.

I find these clips invaluable for custom applications. For example, if you have a spot where water pools, you can use a Kotap clip to create a new, temporary tie-down point to encourage runoff, all without the fear of ripping a hole in your expensive cover. It’s about control, not just brute strength.

Camco Tarp & Cover Grippers: Simple & Reliable

Every boat or RV needs a bag of Camco grippers stashed away. They are the reliable, no-frills workhorse of the clip world. You’ll find them everywhere because the design is simple, proven, and effective for a wide range of everyday applications.

They generally feature a simple hinged clamp with serrated jaws and a positive locking mechanism. There are no complex parts to break or jam. They are made from durable, weather-resistant plastic and provide a solid grip that’s more than adequate for moderate conditions or for adding extra security points to your existing setup.

While they may not have the extreme holding power of a specialized storm clip, their value is in their reliability and versatility. They are perfect for securing gear under a tarp, adding a midpoint hold-down to a long section of cover, or as a quick-fix solution when another clip fails. They are the dependable all-rounders.

Nite Ize CamJam XT: Securing Your Cover Lines

Here’s a critical piece of the puzzle that most people overlook: even the world’s best clip is useless if the line attached to it is slack. The Nite Ize CamJam XT isn’t a tarp clip itself, but a tensioning device for your ropes and cords. It’s the component that keeps the entire system taut.

Instead of fumbling with taut-line hitches in the dark, you simply thread your rope through the cam mechanism and pull. The cam locks the rope in place, holding the tension perfectly. To release, you just flick the cam lever. It turns a frustrating task into a five-second job.

Using a CamJam XT ensures that your cover remains drum-tight. This prevents the initial flapping that leads to clip failure and material fatigue. By pairing a set of high-quality clips with a reliable tensioning system like this, you’re not just securing your cover; you’re creating an integrated system that actively resists wind and weather. This is the key to making your clips last.

Choosing the Right Clip for Your Boat Cover

There is no single "best" clip. The right choice depends entirely on your specific boat, cover material, and weather exposure. Thinking through a few key factors will lead you to the best solution, which is often a mix of different clip types.

Start by assessing your needs with these points in mind:

• Material: For thick, heavy canvas, you need a clip with a strong, mechanical bite like the CARPPO. For older, more fragile covers, an adjustable-tension clip like the Kotap is a safer bet.
• Location on Cover: Use high-strength locking clips (SHBC) on corners and leading edges that face the prevailing wind. Use general-purpose clips (Camco) or surface-area grabbers (T.W. Evans) for less critical mid-sections.
• Exposure: A boat on an exposed mooring needs a more robust setup than one in a sheltered slip. If you face high winds regularly, investing in extreme weather clips and a tensioning system like the CamJam XT is non-negotiable.

Don’t think of it as choosing one clip. Think of it as building a system. Use a powerful locking clip on the windward corner, an adjustable one to create a runoff point, and a few all-rounders to eliminate slack along the sides. A thoughtful, hybrid approach is what separates a secure cover from a torn one.

Ultimately, your boat cover clips are cheap insurance. Spending a little extra on the right set of reinforced clips today can save you from the massive headache and expense of a failed cover and potential water damage tomorrow. Stop trusting the flimsy standard-issue hardware and invest in a system built to win the fight against harsh weather.