A spring-biased support pole 10 for supporting a boat cover 40 over a boat during transport of the boat as well as docking of the boat. The support pole comprises a base 14 and a support rod system 100 connected to the base. The support rod system comprises at least two support rod sections 110, 120 that are telescopically connected to one another and a spring 20. The spring is positioned between the telescoping connection of a first support rod section and a second support rod section, such that the spring controls vertical movement of the second support rod section with respect to the first support rod section and provides a biasing force that is applied to the second support rod section and to the cover supported by the support pole.