Duracraft 1518 BFS Specifications
- Length Overall (LOA): 15'6"
- Beam: 5'6"
- Dry Weight: ~350 lbs
- Engine: Single outboard, 50 HP max
- Fuel Capacity: 6 gallons (portable)
- Draft: ~8"
- Hull Type: Flat/modified-V aluminum, ~10° deadrise
Cover Features
- Fabric Options: 9oz solution-dyed marine fabric or premium Sunbrella acrylic
- Coverage Type: Center console cover encloses entire hull including engine; single continuous canopy
- Construction: Reinforced stitching, hem cord at rubrail, adjustable tie-down straps
- Durability: Solution-dyed fabric (5-7 years); Sunbrella acrylic (8-10 years)
- Fit: Custom-fitted to 15'6" Duracraft 1518 BFS specifications
- Protection: UV-resistant, water-repellent, weatherproof
Additional information
Choose Your Cover Fabric
7 oz. Polyester — Our entry-level marine cover fabric, woven from 100% polyester fiber at a 7 oz. per linear yard weight. This lighter option keeps the cover manageable for solo handling while still delivering reliable protection against sun, rain, and debris. Backed by a 3-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black.
9 oz. Polyester — Step up to our heavy-duty polyester, engineered at 9 oz. per linear yard for boats that face tougher conditions or extended outdoor storage. The denser weave adds an extra layer of defense against abrasion and weather without adding unnecessary bulk. Protected by a 5-year fabric warranty. Ships in Navy or Black.
Sunbrella® — For boaters who want the best, our Sunbrella covers use 100% solution-dyed acrylic — the same fabric trusted by marine professionals worldwide. Naturally resistant to fading, mold, and water damage, Sunbrella holds its color and integrity season after season. Covered by a 6-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black, Smoke, or Marine Blue.
Both polyester options feature solution-dyed construction, where pigment is infused into each fiber during production rather than applied to the surface afterward. This process locks color deep into the material, preventing any dye transfer to your boat’s gel coat or finish. The result is a cover that stays vibrant without bleeding or rubbing off. Our polyester is also designed to breathe — it allows moisture trapped underneath to vent out naturally, reducing the risk of mildew and keeping your boat dry. The fabric holds its form without sagging or stretching over time, stays lightweight enough for one person to handle, and stands up to prolonged UV exposure and harsh marine weather.
*The warranty periods above are provided by the fabric manufacturer and cover the material itself. For details on what’s included in the warranty for your completed cover, please see our warranty page.
7 oz. Polyester — Our entry-level marine cover fabric, woven from 100% polyester fiber at a 7 oz. per linear yard weight. This lighter option keeps the cover manageable for solo handling while still delivering reliable protection against sun, rain, and debris. Backed by a 3-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black.
9 oz. Polyester — Step up to our heavy-duty polyester, engineered at 9 oz. per linear yard for boats that face tougher conditions or extended outdoor storage. The denser weave adds an extra layer of defense against abrasion and weather without adding unnecessary bulk. Protected by a 5-year fabric warranty. Ships in Navy or Black.
Sunbrella® — For boaters who want the best, our Sunbrella covers use 100% solution-dyed acrylic — the same fabric trusted by marine professionals worldwide. Naturally resistant to fading, mold, and water damage, Sunbrella holds its color and integrity season after season. Covered by a 6-year fabric warranty. Ships in Black, Smoke, or Marine Blue.
Both polyester options feature solution-dyed construction, where pigment is infused into each fiber during production rather than applied to the surface afterward. This process locks color deep into the material, preventing any dye transfer to your boat’s gel coat or finish. The result is a cover that stays vibrant without bleeding or rubbing off. Our polyester is also designed to breathe — it allows moisture trapped underneath to vent out naturally, reducing the risk of mildew and keeping your boat dry. The fabric holds its form without sagging or stretching over time, stays lightweight enough for one person to handle, and stands up to prolonged UV exposure and harsh marine weather.
*The warranty periods above are provided by the fabric manufacturer and cover the material itself. For details on what’s included in the warranty for your completed cover, please see our warranty page.
| Weight | 20 lbs |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 9oz Polyester |
Install
Please watch the video below for installation instructions!
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Frequently Asked Questions
The standard Duracraft 1518 BFS cover uses 9oz solution-dyed marine fabric — a heavy-duty polyester weave that resists UV fading, mildew, and water penetration for 5 to 7 years. A premium Sunbrella acrylic upgrade is also available, rated for 8 to 10 years of service. Both options are solution-dyed, meaning pigment is embedded into the fiber during manufacturing rather than applied to the surface, delivering superior long-term fade resistance.
The cover creates a single tent-like shape that peaks at the center console — the tallest point on the Duracraft 1518 BFS — and slopes smoothly down to the gunwales on all sides. The outboard engine is fully enclosed inside the cover with no secondary bump or exposed sections. The result is one continuous canopy that seals the entire boat from console to waterline.
One person can install the Duracraft 1518 BFS cover in under five minutes. Drape the cover over the center console, pull the fabric down to the gunwales on all sides, and secure the adjustable strap-and-buckle tie-downs along the rubrail. A hem cord provides a continuous perimeter seal. No tools or additional hardware needed.
No — please remove the cover before towing your Duracraft 1518 BFS. Our covers are not designed to be trailered: towing with the cover on can cause severe damage to the cover and voids the warranty. The cover is designed for storage only — on a trailer, boat lift, dry stack, or jet dock — and comes off in minutes at the ramp.
Yes. The Duracraft 1518 BFS cover creates a complete barrier over the entire boat, shielding helm electronics, fishfinder, any mounted accessories, seat cushions, and rod holders from UV exposure, rain, pollen, bird droppings, and wind-blown debris. Breathable fabric construction prevents condensation from forming underneath — especially important for aluminum hulls.
Your Duracraft 1518 BFS cover is backed by our manufacturer's warranty for the original purchaser. Materials and workmanship — stitching, straps, buckles, zippers, and other hardware — are covered for 1 year from the purchase date. Fabric is covered for 3 years on 7oz, 5 years on black or navy 9oz, and 6 years on Sunbrella. Covered defects are repaired or replaced after you contact us for a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. The warranty does not cover improper use, accident or negligence, unauthorized modifications, improper care, mold or mildew, incorrectly placed orders, theft or loss, or acts of God — and traveling with the cover on or using it in the water voids the warranty. See our Warranty page for full details.
The Duracraft 1518 BFS cover is water-resistant with a durable water repellent (DWR) finish that causes rain and spray to bead and roll off the surface. It is designed to be breathable rather than fully waterproof, allowing moisture and humidity trapped underneath to escape — preventing mildew growth and condensation damage inside the boat.
The cover fits all standard production years of the Duracraft 1518 BFS center console. Duracraft's aluminum hull dimensions for the 1518 BFS have remained consistent across production runs, so the cover provides a precise fit regardless of model year.
The Duracraft 1518 BFS cover is available in 9oz solution-dyed polyester in Navy or Black, 7oz polyester in Black, or premium Sunbrella acrylic in Marine Blue, Black, or Smoke. Choose your fabric and color in the order options above.
Shipping is a $30 flat rate per cover within the continental United States. Because every cover is custom-made to order, please allow 1–3 weeks for your Duracraft 1518 BFS cover to be made and shipped — you'll receive tracking information as soon as it leaves our facility.
⏱️ Current lead time: 1–3 weeks — every cover is custom-made for your boat.
Questions about fit? Call (561) 677-2628
Questions about fit? Call (561) 677-2628
Duracraft 1518 BFS Center Console Boat Cover — Aluminum Tough, All-Season Shield
The Duracraft 1518 BFS is a 15-foot-6-inch aluminum center console built for one purpose: putting freshwater anglers on fish without fuss, fanfare, or a five-figure price tag. Manufactured by Duracraft in Monticello, Arkansas, the 1518 BFS — Bass Fishing Special — carries forward a tradition of rugged, no-nonsense aluminum boat building that has earned a loyal following across Southern lakes, rivers, and reservoirs for decades. At 15’6″ LOA with a 5’6″ beam, a dry weight around 350 lbs, a maximum rating of 50 HP, a portable 6-gallon fuel tank, a flat/modified-V aluminum hull with approximately 10-degree deadrise, and a shallow 8-inch draft, this boat launches fast, runs skinny, and gets into backwater spots that heavier fiberglass hulls simply cannot reach. Our custom-fitted center console cover for the Duracraft 1518 BFS is pattern-cut to the exact dimensions of this lightweight aluminum platform, creating a single tent-like canopy that peaks at the center console and slopes down to the gunwales in every direction — fully enclosing the console, deck, seating, and outboard engine beneath one continuous protective shell. Whether your 1518 BFS sits on a trailer between weekend trips or stays at a lakeside dock, this cover shields every surface from UV exposure, rain, pollen, and debris. Pair your cover with our boat shade kits for additional on-water sun protection during long days on the water.
Tailored to the 1518 BFS’s Compact Aluminum Deck Layout
The Duracraft 1518 BFS packs a surprisingly functional fishing layout into a compact 15’6″ aluminum hull, and our cover is cut to match every angle of that design. The cover creates a single continuous canopy that peaks at the center console — the highest point on the boat — and slopes smoothly down to the gunwales on all sides, wrapping around the bow, beam, and stern in one unbroken shape. The outboard engine at the transom is fully enclosed inside the cover, with no secondary bump or gap — just a clean, tent-like silhouette from console peak to waterline. The forward casting deck, center console with helm station, any pedestal seating, rod holders, livewells, and the entire transom area including the engine are all sealed beneath the canopy. A hem cord runs along the rubrail to create a continuous perimeter seal, and adjustable strap-and-buckle tie-downs lock the cover firmly in place. One person can complete the full installation in under five minutes — drape the cover over the console, pull it down to the gunwales on all sides, cinch the straps, and walk away. The lightweight 350-lb hull makes this boat a dedicated trailering platform. Remove the cover before towing — it’s designed for storage, not highway travel. If you fish a slightly larger Duracraft aluminum hull, check out the Duracraft 17 center console cover built for the next size up in the lineup.
Protection That Matches Duracraft’s Built-to-Last Aluminum Construction
Duracraft has built its reputation on aluminum boats that take a beating and keep running — hulls that bounce off stumps, drag across gravel ramps, and shrug off the kind of abuse that would crack a gel coat. The 1518 BFS carries that same toughness in its welded aluminum construction, and the cover protecting it needs to be equally resilient. Our 9oz solution-dyed marine fabric delivers 5 to 7 years of UV resistance, water repellency, and mildew protection with double-stitched seams and UV-resistant thread at every junction. For anglers who want the longest possible service life from their cover, the premium Sunbrella acrylic option extends durability to 8 to 10 years with the same breathable, solution-dyed construction that prevents moisture and condensation from building up underneath — an important consideration for aluminum hulls where trapped moisture can accelerate oxidation over time. Every cover ships with our warranty (1 year on materials and workmanship, plus 3–6 years on the fabric). For another proven small center console cover in this size class, take a look at the Hightide 16 center console cover designed for a similarly compact freshwater platform.