[C320-list] Winter Cover Experience

[Rich Allen]

We are starting to shop for a winter cover for our 1995 C320 #265.  We are
located in Rochester, NY, which has the potential for significant snowfall
(though very little this year) as well as wind.  Our current cover came
with the boat when we bought it 2 and a half years ago.  We took delivery
of the boat in November after it was covered.  The cover uses the mast
stored horizontally on the deck as the ridge pole, and goes over the
lifelines covering the hull to the waterline.  The boat was positioned on
the east side of a boat shed, and a windy lake-effect storm dropped a lot
of show on the boat caving in the cover and bending a couple of
stanchions.  Not wanting to repeat that, I have added fir strips to form
ribs, and additional fir strips on top of the ribs parallel to the
mast/ridge pole.  The whole affair takes a lot of time to transport,
assemble and undue in the spring.  And to top it off, the cover is old and
it leaks, so I put a poly-tarp over top of it.

I think we can do better!

After some research I am finding a few options which I am hoping to hear
your feedback on, or other options if you have them.

North Shore (http://www.northshorecanvas.net/sailboat-winter-covers.html).
This uses TopGun fabric and tents over the boom.  A forum post from 2013
was positive.

TopShop (Quinte Canvas)  (https://www.topshop.on.ca/)

Fairclough (https://fairclough.com/)

The Canvas Store

Kinder Industries

What are your thoughts?  Also I am interested to hear if you take your rig
down every year, or store with the rig up and the pros and cons.  Our
current cover uses the mast as the ridge poll, which has some negatives.
Taking the mast down and putting back up costs over $500 each season, and
adds a lot of work.  Access to the instruments and wiring is possible,
though it is difficult.

Rich and Nan Allen
SV Destiny
1995 #265