Sea Hunt 196 Ultra — Quick-Reference Specs
- Boat Model: Sea Hunt 196 Ultra
- Cover Type: T-Top Mooring Cover
- LOA: 19' 7"
- Beam: 8' 1"
- Dry Weight: ~2,050 lbs
- Engine: Single outboard, max 150 HP (Yamaha F150)
- Fuel Capacity: 53 gallons
- Draft: 12 inches
- Deadrise: 16° at transom / 50° bow entry
- Hull Type: Modified-V with Vortex design, Carolina bow flare
Cover Features
- Fit: Custom-fitted for the Sea Hunt 196 Ultra folding T-top
- Attachment: Underside edges of stainless steel T-top frame
- T-Top Roof: Stays fully exposed
- Coverage: 85–90% of hull sides, fully enclosing the outboard engine
- Fabric Options: 9oz marine canvas (most popular) or Sunbrella
- Construction: Reinforced stitching at all stress points with stainless snaps
- Warranty: Multi-year warranty against UV and weather damage
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 | 29 lbs |
|---|
Install
Please watch the video below for installation instructions!
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, the cover is designed to attach with the T-top in its upright locked position. The folding T-top is a trailering and garage clearance feature, not a storage feature. When the T-top is upright, our cover attaches to the underside edges of the roof panel and drapes down from there. If you fold the T-top for garage storage, you would need to raise it back to the upright position before installing the cover. The stainless steel frame locks securely in the upright position and provides a rigid attachment platform for the cover.
Yes, the 12-inch draft means the 196 Ultra has a flatter hull bottom than deeper-draft offshore boats. Combined with the 16-degree modified-V deadrise, the hull profile is wider relative to its depth. Our cover pattern accounts for this geometry with panels that follow the gentle V-shape without excess fabric bunching at the keel. The shallower hull also means the boat sits lower on the trailer, giving the cover a tighter, more compact profile overall with less vertical fabric needed from gunwale to waterline.
At 2,050 pounds, the 196 Ultra is one of the lightest boats we cover. Our tie-down strap system is designed to secure the cover independently of boat weight — the straps run from the cover's lower hem down to the trailer frame on both sides. However, the light weight means it is especially important to make sure the boat itself is properly strapped to the trailer with its bow eye and transom tie-downs before covering. A well-secured boat on its single-axle trailer holds the cover stable even in sustained coastal wind.
Yes. The center console with its enclosed head compartment sits at deck level, well below the T-top frame where the cover attaches. The cover drapes over the console without contacting it, fully enclosing and protecting the console structure, head compartment door, and any mounted electronics from UV, rain, and debris. The T-top roof stays exposed for ventilation, which is especially important for boats with head compartments — the airflow prevents odor buildup inside the enclosed console space during storage.
The 196 Ultra's aggressive 50-degree bow entry creates a very narrow, sharp bow profile that widens dramatically as it moves aft thanks to the Carolina bow flare. Our cover's bow section is patterned to this specific geometry — tight and narrow at the tip where the entry angle is steepest, then progressively wider to follow the flare. This means the cover does not bunch or leave gaps at the bow rail. The flare also helps the cover shed water forward and off to the sides rather than pooling at the bow.
Both are fully enclosed. The Infinity stereo components are mounted on the console and helm area, protected under the cover's drape from the T-top frame. The 15-gallon livewell should be drained before covering — standing water generates bacteria and odor under a covered boat. With the livewell drained and the cover installed, both the stereo speakers and livewell are shielded from UV degradation, rain, salt spray, and debris. The raw water washdown fittings at the transom are also covered and protected from debris clogging.
The 196 Ultra is one of the easiest boats in our lineup to cover solo. At 19 feet 7 inches long with an 8-foot 1-inch beam, you can reach across the boat from either side without a ladder. The single-engine rear pouch is compact and manageable. Most owners get the routine down to 8-10 minutes after a few practice runs. The light weight and single-axle trailer also make it easy to position the boat for covering without needing to fight a heavy multi-axle rig.
A standard snap-on cover sits directly on the boat and rests against the windshield, console, and any mounted accessories, which causes scuffing and pressure marks over time. A T-top mooring cover attaches to the T-top frame overhead and hangs from that elevated point, keeping the fabric completely off all interior surfaces. The T-top roof stays open for ventilation. For a compact boat like the 196 Ultra with delicate features like the Infinity stereo, head compartment door, and electronics, the zero-contact drape prevents damage that direct-contact covers inevitably cause.
For a trailered boat that lives outdoors, Sunbrella is the stronger long-term investment. Its solution-dyed acrylic fibers resist UV fading and degradation better than any other marine fabric across years of direct sun exposure. Our 9-ounce marine canvas is also excellent and costs less, making it a smart choice if you store under a carport or partial shade. At the 196 Ultra's compact size, the cost difference between fabric options is smaller than on a 28-footer, so many owners opt for Sunbrella without a major price jump.
We need your model year, T-top type (the 196 Ultra uses a patent-pending stainless steel folding frame, but aftermarket replacements exist), approximate T-top roof dimensions, and engine make and horsepower. The 196 Ultra typically runs a Yamaha F150, but some owners have repowered with different engines that may have a different cowling size. Also mention any aftermarket additions to the T-top like rod holders, lights, or antenna mounts so we can verify clearance.
Sea Hunt 196 Ultra T-Top Boat Cover – Smart Protection for a Versatile Sub-20-Foot Fishing Platform
Your Sea Hunt 196 Ultra packs premium Ultra-series features into a nimble 19-foot 7-inch package — protect that investment with a custom-fitted T-top mooring cover designed specifically for this boat. The 196 Ultra features an 8-foot 1-inch beam, a fiberglass modified-vee hull with Vortex design and 16-degree deadrise, and the signature Carolina bow flare with 50-degree entry angle. Our cover fits over the patent-pending stainless steel folding T-top frame, center console with head compartment, and Yamaha F150 outboard (150HP) at the transom. Browse our full selection of T-top boat covers to see how we protect every style of T-top boat in the fleet.
Shallow-Draft Versatility and the Storage Protection It Needs
At 2,050 lbs dry with a 53-gallon fuel tank and just 12 inches of draft, the 196 Ultra is one of the most versatile sub-20-foot fishing boats you can buy. It accesses skinny backwater flats, runs comfortably in open water, and trailers easily on a single-axle setup. Our Sunbrella marine-grade fabric cover protects the Infinity stereo system, 15-gallon livewell, under-gunwale rod storage, and raw water washdown system from UV, rain, salt crystallization, and debris between trips. The 196 Ultra shares its Ultra-series DNA with larger models in the family — see our Sea Hunt 234 Ultra CC cover for a bigger sibling in the same lineup.
Folding T-Top Frame and Single-Engine Simplicity
The 196 Ultra’s patent-pending stainless steel folding T-top is a standout feature that allows the boat to fit in low-clearance garages and storage facilities. Our cover attaches to the T-top frame in its upright position, draping from the roof down over the cockpit and engine. The single Yamaha F150 outboard at the transom is fully enclosed by the cover’s rear fabric pouch, which extends past the transom as one continuous loose drape. At this compact size, the cover is easy for one person to install in about 10 minutes. If you own the same hull in a center console configuration without a T-top, check out the Sea Hunt 196 CC cover built for the non-T-top version. Available in navy, black, and charcoal gray.
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