These covers are replacements for two Danuu covers I purchased 4 years ago for my kayaks which are stored outside year around.  The old covers began to tear with minor provocation.  These covers are designed to me used with the kayak sitting up right which means the cockpit becomes a sink for snow and rain.  Being from Maine I originally placed inverted lobster pots in the seats to counter this but later used sticks placed lengthwise across the cockpit to form a tent the precipitation could slide off although this solution also has its issues.  Most recently I have been storing the kayaks upside down but am now worried about water collecting  in the skeg well.  There is probably a good reason why the manufacturer does not place the opening along the side so that the boats could be stored on their sides  resolving both of these issues.