I snapped this pic a few years ago in our neighbor's yard, after a particularly severe March windstorm. For several months we'd been listening to a telltale flap-flap-flap any time it breezed up, so I wasn't surprised that this tarp had finally managed to free itself. The whole thing was way too big for the boat, so it was hard to tie down properly. And there were lots of pockets to catch the breeze.

boat cover blown off

A bad boat cover could damage your boat more than not covering it at all.



Boat covering is a fall ritual in colder parts of the country, and there are many opinions about the best way to do it. There isn't one right answer for everyone, but here are a few pointers that will help you keep your boat covered and your neighborhood quiet this winter.

1. Choose your fabric

There are three standard fabrics used for boat covers: canvas, a standard-issue hardware store plastic tarp, and shrink wrap. Each has its advantages and disadvantages; read How To Cover Your Boat for more detail. What you choose will depend on your boat's size, how much you can invest up front, and how long and severe your winters are.

2. Frame It

Without a proper framework to support it, any cover will collect water and eventually leak. Make sure the frame is sturdy enough to carry a snow load, and pitched high enough in the middle to shed rain or snow. Frames are usually made out of wood or aluminum tubing and can be disassembled for storage during the summer. Make sure to mark the pieces before you take it apart in the spring, so it doesn't turn into a jigsaw puzzle.

3. Tie One On

How you secure your cover is very important. Tying it off to a trailer upright will work fine, but don't use boat stands as a cover anchor; a wind-filled cover could manage to pull that stand free over the course of the winter. When you tie the cover to itself underneath the boat, make sure it's tight; otherwise the whole thing can slip sideways.

And here's one final tip: If you can't afford a good cover, consider building a partial one (just over the cockpit, or hatch, or wherever water may be able to get into the boat). Or maybe you shouldn't cover the boat at all this year. Because as the photo reminds us, a bad cover could do more damage than no cover at all.

For more detail, read How To Cover Your Boat and Protect Your Paint Job When Covering Your Boat.

Written by: Carol Cronin
Carol Cronin has published several novels about the Olympics, sailing, hurricanes, time travel, and old schooners. She spends as much time on the water as possible, in a variety of boats, though most have sails.