Roffey, Spareparts is right on the money with the swimming pool cover idea. Go online to National Pool Wholesalers in Florida. Buy their gold, oval shaped 20x14 above ground WINTER cover. It should cost you around $50-60. (Since it's a pool cover there is an extra 4' of cover all around to fit down the sides of the swimming pool, so the actual size of a 20x14 is really 28x22) It comes with a steel cable that you weave through the grommet holes and trailer frame and then cinch tightly to secure it to the boat. For a longer lasting cover, do like Spare said and build a frame out of wood or pipe to go from the front of the boat to the stern to make a tent so that snow will slide off and not put too much weight on the cover. Also, a neat little trick is to go to Harbor Freight and buy a pair of their cheap foam knee pads. (less than $10) Put one on each corner of your windshield between the windshield and the cover and they will protect the cover from the sharp corner of the windshield.

If you should decide to not use a cover, just remember that this is a BOAT that you are covering. It's made to get wet. You will not harm it by not covering it... HOWEVER, you will harm any vinyl seats, fishing gear, etc, etc, etc, that you leave out and exposed, so it's always a good idea to cover the boat. If you should leave it uncovered, like Randleman said, MAKE SURE that the front is of the boat is higher than the rear, (so any water drains out) and that the stern drain plug is removed and that there are no debris cloging the drain hole. Just remember that if you leave it uncovered, the first thing you're going to have to do come springtime is completely powerwash the boat, cause it WILL be filthy from the rain, snow and dust that will accumulate on it over the winter.

most of the time i see rotten stringers on a boat, its from them sitting uncovered and filling with rain water, most alternator and starter damage i repair on I/Os are caused from water sitting in the boat. I've done four oil pan replacements in the last three months, all from water sitting in a boat. we refer to water damage from being left uncovered as sinking while on the trailer. #1 rule of boating(as told to me by a submariner) keep water out of the people holder!

I'm using a 12x24 oval pool cover. Works well, i use the ratchet and cable it comes with to cinch it down. I split pool noodles and wrapped my rail and windshield to prevent it rubbing through. Total investment, $45 for the cover on Ebay and 6 noodles for $1 each from 5below... $51 covered.

Titan, that's a great idea about the pool noodles... Much better than my knee pads from Harbor Freight. Thanks for the idea.!!!!:clap:

No problem... They fit real tight, the pool cover flaps some, but the slack is good for some water retention without tearing. I usually get the water out within a couple days.

Bungee cords - simple, cheap, and keeps the tarp on .

If your tarp has grommets, just hook the bungee onto the tarp, then onto the trailer for a snug fit.

Wind can blow, no matter, tarp stays on.

I'm a " freak " about keeping my V21 protected and this works great.

Why don't you build an Igloo around it Lol!!!

Unfortunately, you may find that a large amount of snow, coupled with a good stiff wind, may be more than your bungee cords can handle. I cannot count the number of times that I've had to replace a bungee that ripped through the rubber and out of the hole. Get a steel cable and weave it through the holes in the tarp, then around the trailer, then on to the next hole, etc etc. It's a little more work, but well worth it.... also, it prevents the cover from sagging and allowing water/ice/snow to build up and puddle...ultimately ripping your tarp from the added weight.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l1.../wellcover.jpg

This is how I used to do it before I started using a center beam from bow to stern. Now my tarp has a center peak that helps shed snow and water much better, but you get the idea about the cable weaved thru the holes and around the trailer. See how it tucks the tarp nice and flat against the sides of the hull and provides a better seal against the wind and elements? That's what you're striving for.

OK for whoever follows this post …
I bought the above ground pool cover for my boat for $119.
The cover is to keep leaves out of the pool but lets the water in, it porous.. I am thinking the folks who gave me this advice have not used it or were just having a little fun with the new guy…As I had said earlier I had pools for 20 years and never used a cover.. now I know why. You got me this time… I’ll know next time. Go to my local marina and buy a cover or at least ask the experts.
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