How to protect 18' pontoon boat for the NY winter?

Would an ordinary waterproof cover be enough or should it be more elaborately contructed for snow/ice runoff?

Suggestions appreciated.

Thanks in advance

SZHow to protect 18' pontoon boat for the NY winter?
covered storage, tarps or covers wouldn't hold up, even a carport would work if you put a boat cover on the boat
a garage would do itHow to protect 18' pontoon boat for the NY winter?
To realy protect it you need to get it out of the water.For lack of a building to store it in,a well fitted tarp,canvas not plastic is the best bet.
If stored outside, a well fitted cover should be sufficient. Remove excessive snow buildup. The weight will cause the cover to sag and hold water. You might consider some planks or plywood across, and then cover.



Be certain to drain any water from the shaft. It can crack. Run the engine until fuel in the engine is consumed. This can be done while immersing the prop and shaft in a can of water, such as a garbage can. Maybe the oil should be drained. It will need to be changed anyway in the Spring, (unless it uses a mixture).

Get rid of fuel left over and not use it next Spring.

This is what I would do.How to protect 18' pontoon boat for the NY winter?
The engine needs to be winterized if its a outboard or a inboard per manufactures standards if you are going to store outdoors I would have it shrink wrapped, I always have my boat winterized by a reputable dealer because he is libel for damages, A improper winterization can cause serious problems and be very costly Please protect your investment make the right choice
Put the outboard inside if possible. A cover is good for the weather, but remove the excesive snoww.
I'm on Lk Superior's SW shore and I cover my 32ft. Trojan with fly-bridge with a silver plastisized meshed tarp that's 50ft.X30ft. I place a 2X4 spliced beam from the top front of the FB down to the pulpit railing with 2 "V" frame supports under the 2X4 beam.

The grommet's on these tarps are too weak and tear out so I use locking "tie-down" clamps every 3-4ft at the bottom. Fill 1gal plastic jugs half way with water and tie to the clamps. This will hold the tarp down well in a semi-protected area.

So build yourself a support frame strong enough to hold the snow loads. Good luck, REEL DEAL TOO