"Woven Banding Method" versus "Tape Method"
Woven Banding Method: This is when we bring the shrink wrap cover down over the rub rail/toe rail by approximately 6 inches and secure it to a woven banding "perimeter band" that runs around the entire circumferance of the boat. The shrink wrap is then heat welded to this perimeter band and several "belly bands" of the same woven banding material are attached to the perimeter band on one side of the vessel and then fed under the keel and secured to the perimeter band on the opposite side of the vessel. These "belly bands" hold the shrink wrap cover secure to the vessel during the storage period. To reduce the potential for damage to the finish of your vessel, once the shrink wrap cover has been installed, we use closed cell foam blocks backed with double sided adhesive tape that attaches to the shrink wrap cover behind the perimeter and belly bands at appropriate intervals to make sure that these bands and the shrink wrap cover do not touch the finished surface.
Pros: With the heavy winds, potential for heavy snow load, and cold temperatures that we experience in New England during the winter storage period, the nylon bands hold the cover securely and tightly over the boat whereas tape will sometimes not adhere properly in the cold and may lift off in heavy wind or during severe weather events. A heavy snow load my pull the bands taut but will not collapse the cover. The foam blocking helps to reduce the potential for damage to your finish that could be caused by the perimeter and belly bands that secure the cover to the boat.
Cons: There is the potential that the foam blocking shifts or falls out during severe weather events despite our having taped them in place. There is also the potential for dust and dirt particles to be trapped between the foam block and the finished surface and cause micro scuffing to the finish.
Tape Method: The "Tape Method" only works when there is a metal or rubber rail to attach to without touching the finished hull sides. This method involves first wiping the rub rail with acetone to remove wax & dirt, bringing the shrink wrap cover down to the rail and securing it to the rail with two layers of Preservation Tape which is a specialty tape that does not leave an adhesive residue when it is removed. As this method is more labor intensive and requires the use of more expensive tape in a larger quantity, an additional charge of $5.00 per foot will apply. This method also is very weather sensitive in that we need an absolutely calm day to install the cover and therefore cannot guarantee a service date as this must be left to our discretion.
Pros: The cover is neat in appearance an there is nothing in contact with the hull sides that can cause damage to the finish. The hull sides, in most cases, may be accessed at any time for maintenance without having to alter the cover.
Cons: This method offers NO security in the event that the tape pulls away from the rub-rail due to cold or a severe weather event. With the high winds that we experience, along with cold temperatures and moisture, the tape may not stick. If a small segment of the tape begins to lift from the rub rail, the wind may compromise the cover and potentially cause damage to the boat as a result. This method would only be suggested for smaller boats or boats that are sheltered from the wind. We cannot offer any guarantee of durability of a cover that has been taped to the rub-rail. We will NOT tape the plastic to the hull sides as this may cause damage to the finish.