Question about Anti-Pooling Poles

[stever40]

I installed my anti-pooling poles tonight and have a quick question. When the mooring cover is snugged and secured the poles look like they are pushing pretty hard on the cover. Are any of you using a piece of foam or towel on tope of the pole to reduce the stress point from the pole?

 

[octavio3311]

My poles have a "spreader" attached to the top so they don't poke thru. Yours are just straight poles with nothing spreading the load?
I did notice some unwanted pressure on the window frame area - so I sliced a noodle down the middle and now place it on the windshield frame.

 

[Bill D]

I also noodle the windshield, although not as well as some. I just go over the front part where the movable piece and fixed pieces meet up. I thought the poles were pushing up on the cover a lot the first time I installed them too. I even tried switching them around to see if they were wrong, but it seems that's the way they are supposed to fit.

You should have a plastic piece on the top of each pole where the straps attach, but I've never used anything else to spread the pressure.

 

[stever40]

I did the noodle over the windshield (found that advice here) and do have the plastic caps (about 4" in dia).

Just seems like a small area with a large cover without double backing on the cover. I can see why I was told to have them out when towing.

 

[ToddW850]

Yeah, I agree with you @stever40 . Does look like a lot of pressure on top of the pole on mine as well. I will say, my last cover held strong in those spots until the end. The cover did not deteriorate any quicker at the poles than anywhere else (like the cleats). My old cover actually started tearing at the cleats before the area of the anti-pooling poles.