If you store your boat outside during the winter months, there are special precautions you should take to protect your boat and keep the boat cover in good shape. With the proper care, your marine boat cover should last for many seasons.

First off, avoid parking the boat under a tree. As snow falls off the branches, it will land on the boat cover, and the more snow that collects on the cover, the more damage it can cause. Also, in the spring, the sap from the tree can drip onto the cover, which means you will have to wash the cover or replace it if the sap damages the fabric.

Support the cover with a boat cover support, whether a homemade PVC frame or a ready-made frame from a supply store. The supports keep the boat cover from sagging under the weight of snow or rain, and they allow moisture to run off the cover instead of collecting in puddles. Make sure the pole supports are secure and the cover is tight to prevent pockets where rain could collect.

Never put a plastic tarp on top of the boat cover (except to protect the cover temporarily during painting, roofing, or other house and yard work). The tarp compromises the cover’s breathability, trapping moisture inside your boat, where it can cause major damage and mold growth.

Don’t just wait for the snow to melt off the cover. If the weather turns colder, the snow can start to melt, then turn into a heavy block of ice. If the weather turns warmer, the melted snow can turn into huge puddles of water that, if left to stand, can seep through the cover. Water that is left to collect on the cover will collect dirt and cause the cover fabric to rot. Make sure that rain and other water can easily run off the cover without getting stuck in folds or pockets.

Brush the snow off the boat cover every time it snows. Don’t let the snow build up over the winter. The weight of the snow can damage your cover. Clean off the snow with a broom or large brush.