We just put one on this weekend. I don't know if we're going to be removing it in the spring to find a broken antenna, but I can give you our experience for what it's worth. The cover is very lightweight. Our pod is the 171 so one of the smallest ones. The covers are made to accommodate an 18+ foot model. So ours fits relatively loosely.
Knowing that we could possibly damage the antenna, I was on top of a pretty tall ladder, pretty much laying on the roof protecting the thing with my body as my husband slowly pulled the cover over the pod. I should have had someone getting the whole thing on video. I'm sure it looked like something Stan and Ollie would have done (and if you're too young to know who Stan and Ollie are... look them up on youtube. Find out what classic physical comedy is.)
Judging by the way the thing lays on the pod and how much give it has, I think we're going to be OK.