Hi,

I got so tired of opening to pea soup every year from using the black mesh tarp covers so I bought a sold winter "Hugger" cover and used it last winter. I live in western PA where it freezes, thaws, refreezes from Nov to April sometimes.

I was loathe to drill holes in the composite decking and so we used concrete blocks to hold it on the deck. That was a mistake too.

Good news was - when I opened this year the water was crystal clear! Unfortunately, there was only half a pool full of it. (We have a 16X32 AG with a 6.5' deep end) I guess we were lucky the sides didn't buckle.

Apparently the weight of the ice dropped the cover into the pool and forced the water up and over the edges. The ice also broke the skimmer cover into little pieces.

I contacted the California maker who was rather cynical about the "physics" of it all, admonishing me to keep the water drained off. Guess he doesn't have to worry about ice and the freeze/thaw cycle of northern winters. I do but I never thought to ask about it before buying. Expensive mistake.

I agree with "Waste" that if you get one, get one with a mesh insert. I'm contemplating "customizing" mine with one if I can. Wonder if there's any glue out there that can withstand high clorine/cold temperatures.

CoffeeBean