I am with the cover-haters here too. Not only is it more trouble than its worth, I just don't like the look of an ugly covered pool in the backyard. The "water front" look of a pool in the yard, even when the water is 40 degrees, is better than a covered.... monster. I will sometimes use one of those bubble wrap thermal covers during the heaviest leaf period, but even that is a huge PITA to deal with when using a net and leaf-vac for a couple of weeks is so much easier.