This is our third in a series of winter storage tips to help you protect your boat during the harsh winter months.

Winter Boat Storage Tip #3: Don’t let pockets of rainwater collect on your boat cover.

Your boat cover should be properly supported to prevent rainwater from collecting in puddles on top of the cover. These puddles collect dirt and promote the growth of mildew. Eventually these stagnant pools of rainwater can cause the thread and cover material to rot.

Support your boat cover with a support frame from a marine store or a homemade PVC boat cover frame. Make sure there are no pockets where rainwater can collect. Put a tuck in the cover or reinforce the frame where necessary. You can even use life jackets or seat cushions to keep the cover from sagging in specific areas.