Abstract: A self-adjusting boat cover support pole in combination with a flexible boat cover. The support pole includes a tubular base leg having a spring disposed in its interior cavity adjacent its lower end. A first tubular extension leg is telescopically received in the base leg with its lower end contacting and upwardly biased by the spring while its upper end contracts and supports the boat cover. Additional tubular extension legs may be telescopically connected and adjustably locked at any desired position to give an appropriate overall length. The support pole holds the boat cover in a resiliently taut condition to facilitate attaching the cover to the boat hull, to eliminate water cupping, and to minimize the potential for tearing of the cover.