[Gerry Zagorski]

The cheap poly tarps are a real PITA and sometimes do more harm then good. They usually only last one season and your need to be very careful about how you secure it to the boat because it can be very abrasive. If the tarp lays directly on the boat say in the corner or on your outboards and rubs against them because of the wind, it can scratch the gel coat or the paint on your motors or t top.

For that reason it's best to use PVC or wood to make a frame on top of your boat to keep the tarp off of it and where it make contacts with the boat put a towel or something under it.

You also have to secure it very tightly to the boat or it will either rip or be gone due to the wind.

IMHO I would either shrink wrap, get a cover made specifically for your boat or get everything you can off the boat (seats, cushions, bolsters etc) and don't cover it. If you think about it your boat is exposed to the elements March through November any way so why bother covering it for 3 months. The snow is not going to bother it...