Anyone who lives in the snow belt should probably cover their boat for the winter. So far this year we have had a cumulative 20" of snow interspersed with heavy rain. Anyone north of Albany, can expect a cumulative 6 feet or more. The Vermont shore of Lake Champlain has already had 5 feet and winter is not yet officially started. The problem with snow is partial melting and freezing. This subjects woodwork and aged fiberglass to much more stress than the equivalent heavy rainfall. Rain will run through the scuppers, snow will not. It doesn't matter if the boat cover is canvas, shrink wrap, or blue tarps. Anything will do if it keeps the snow off the deck. Larry Z

FWIW, I once flew up to Valdez Alaska to inspect a 36' Grand Banks for possible purchase. What I saw was probably the second worst condition Grand Banks I have ever seen, and I have seen literally, hundreds. In Valdez, the 36' GB had been subjected to about 10 years of winters there, which I was told, consisted of about 30 feet, not inches, of snow each year and constantly alternated between freezing and thawing. What I saw was teak trim that had literally fallen off the boat, having been forced off the house with fasteners pulled out by the freezing forces. In addition, much of the exterior paint had come off in sheets as had much of the veneer of the plywood house sides, also due to the freezing forces. The interior paint and plywood veneer was pretty much the same, falling off. So much of the plywood veneers had come off in places that I estimated only an eighth inch more or less, of plywood remained. The boat was literally worthless, IMHO, and I even refused the owner's offer of paying $5,000 for it if he delivered it to Oak Harbor on her own bottom. The worst condition was a 42' Grand Banks that had been hauled to Florida from California with the flying bridge dismantled. It had been blocked in the back yard with the flying bridge set on timbers on the ground. Nothing was done with it for quite a few years. The video of it showed massive rotting of the F/B and throughout the boat, inside and outside, with mold and mildew very thick. The boat could not be economically refurbished, IMHO, even by a DIY. So, I guess my point is this, if in snow country; protect the boat, wood or fiberglass. Constant freezing and thawing can do tremendous damage. If in mildew country, protect the boat as well. It is truly sad to see boats like these, neglected and devoured by the elements. Good luck, Bob Lowe >>>>Anyone who lives in the snow belt should probably cover their boat for the winter. So far this year we have had a cumulative 20" of snow interspersed with heavy rain. Anyone north of Albany, can expect a cumulative 6 feet or more. The Vermont shore of Lake Champlain has already had 5 feet and winter is not yet officially started. The problem with snow is partial melting and freezing. This subjects woodwork and aged fiberglass to much more stress than the equivalent heavy rainfall. Rain will run through the scuppers, snow will not. It doesn't matter if the boat cover is canvas, shrink wrap, or blue tarps. Anything will do if it keeps the snow off the deck.<<<<