Had something similar happen last winter—thought those standard covers were good enough, but nope. Wind got underneath and nearly tore the whole thing off overnight. Now I've switched to a heavier tarp with extra ties and check it religiously whenever the weather looks rough. Probably overkill, but better safe than sorry... boilers aren't cheap to fix if things freeze up.
Had a similar issue a few years back—thought I was being clever by using bungee cords to secure the tarp. Worked great until one particularly nasty storm snapped them like rubber bands. Found pieces scattered all over the yard for weeks afterward, lol. Now I use heavy-duty ratchet straps and anchor them down tight. Might seem excessive, but after paying for boiler repairs once, I'm not taking any chances...
Ratchet straps are solid, but honestly, if you're dealing with storms strong enough to snap bungees, a tarp might not cut it long-term. Maybe consider building a simple wooden shelter or enclosure instead? Bit more upfront work, but saves headaches down the line...
Ratchet straps definitely have their place, but yeah, if you're seeing bungees snap regularly, that's a sign to upgrade your setup. A simple wooden shelter can make a huge difference—built one myself last year after losing a tarp in a nasty windstorm. Bit of sweat and sawdust upfront, but haven't had to worry since. You're on the right track thinking long-term...good luck with it!
Ratchet straps are handy, but yeah, they're more of a temporary fix. I built a basic lean-to shelter from scrap lumber last fall—nothing fancy, just enough to keep the weather off. Took a weekend and some patience, but it's held up surprisingly well. Worth considering if you're watching your budget...
