MacGregorSailors.com

RobertB wrote:I have had good success with the following way to cover my the past two winters.

I raise the mast, lash a stout pole to the trailer ladder/boat bow, and tie a smaller pole to the aft mast support with a PVC tee setup on the base to spread the load in the motor well.
To these poles, I tie a ridge line. I lash two 7 foot by 30 foot tarps (such as these http://www.canopiesandtarps.com/tw07x30c.html) to this ridge with most of the overhang at the stern. The tarps overhange the lifelines on the side. I use the topping lift to provide an intermediate support to the ridge line midway between the mast and the stern.
I lash the bottom edges of the tarp to lines lines anchored to the trailer

I also add a 4x6 foot tarp at the stern to make sure the motor is covered and there is room to get into the boat via the stern ladder.

End result is a strong "tent" with a steep enough slope to shed snow. Also good air movement below the tarp, no tarp directly contacting the painted sides (I have one of the fast and good looking blue boats ), and good access to the topside of the boat. Materials to store off season are a few tarps (white reinforced ones), two poles, and a bunch of line - most of which stays on the boat. The only boat rigging exposed to the elements are the main halyard and the topping lift. Last winter I even left the genoa on the furler - and covered with a sock type canvas cover. Total cost of materials less than $70.

I also string X-mas lights up the mast.

Last, I keep a small ceramic heater on low to keep the inside of the boat above freezing and dry. I also add antifreeze to the freshwater system and fog the ETEC-60.