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

Winter Boat Storage Tip #1: Never cover your boat cover with a tarp or plastic sheet.

Why not? Because the boat cover is designed to “breathe,” or allow moisture to evaporate. With a tarp on top of the cover, the moisture becomes trapped beneath the cover, resulting in moisture damage and promoting the growth of mold and mildew.

Another reason not to cover the boat cover with a tarp is because tarps are tough to secure tightly enough to keep the wind from lofting the tarp. When the wind catches the tarp, it rubs on the boat cover and wears down the material, leaving thin spots and even holes.

A quality boat cover, on the other hand, is designed for a tight, secure fit. As long as the boat cover is installed correctly, the wind will not be able to tear at or destroy the cover.

The one exception to this rule is if you need to temporarily throw a tarp over the boat cover to protect it for a short period of time, for example, if you are painting the house or doing other home improvement projects near the boat or if you need to protect the boat cover from sap dripping from the trees (although it’s best to avoid parking your boat under trees that are known to drip sap).