We cover our boat with a PVC framework: essentially ladder sections tied to the toe rail and push/pull pits. Then PVC ribs spaced at about 24" over the horizontal mast and clipped to the ladder sections, secured with (please take a seat) duct tape! The first few years I tailored a "Mah-den's tahp" (AKA those cheapo blue ones) to be a real cover. That material only lasts a few years before abrasion takes its pound of flesh. SO . . . two years ago, as I was walking thru Marden's (AKA Mah-den's) I spied a Sunbrella wannabe for $4.99/yard. About $125, two weekends and 60 pounds of cloth later, I have a beautiful winter cover, Pacific Blue (the correct color for a sailboat anything). Some might be thinking "PVC! Are you nuts! How strong can THAT be???" Go ahead, I'll wait. . . . . OK, the PVC frame has easily taken many hundreds of pounds of built up ice and snow. So much that if I was any brighter, I'd be embarrassed to admit that I had let it go that long. I mean, this is MAINE! The snow aint gonna move itself! And if it stays, and starts to melt and collects on a pretty blue, waterproof cover which causes bigger places for the water to collect . . . . Well, you get the picture. Inside it looked like bleachers at a Willie Neslon concert. Took an hour and all the strength in my legs to get the stuff off.