"Stan (the Man)" wrote
Some tell me it's a waste of money. They say the winter weather will not
damage the boat. Others say the snow and ice will damage it. I live on
Long Island.

As long as you don't live in France, you should be okay
http://blizzard.zmm.com/glace/Slide3.JPG

Seriously I'd try to avoid leaving it out in the weather, but I'd look into
a reusable cover. But that's just me. (My $20 tarp from Harbor Freight Tools
is doing a fine job: http://blizzard.zmm.com/glace/g20_on_ice.jpg)