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With every shipment an installation DVD is included.
The Blanket may be installed
in water with weeds either in the dormant stage or during full growth.
A day with little to no wind is ideal for installing the Blanket.
The Blankets are 10 feet wide by whatever length the customer requires
- normally 30 or 40 feet. The longer the Blanket, the harder it is for
the user to handle.
Before the blanket is ready for installation the transverse weights must be purchased. Nine weight tubes are sewn into the blanket with one end sewn shut. The blanket calls for 9 - 3/8 inch rebar (metal bar), 10 feet long. Total weight around 40 lbs.
From a cost point of view we recommend purchasing the 3/8" rebar weights at your local building supply store. While it comes normally in 20 foot lengths, most suppliers will cut it for you. The cost will range from about $4.00 to $6.00 per 20 foot length. Our experience with the home improvement stores , like The Home Depot, is that they only carry 1/2" rebar; buying this doubles the cost and weight! Rubber end caps are supplied to cover the rebar ends to prevent damage or injury from possible sharp edges of the rebar. Of course , we can supply the correct rebar, if you wish. They are shipped in 5 foot tubes and must be assembled before they are installed. Purchasing the rebar from us is much more costly then purchasing locally.
Installation Instructions
1. Remove the blanket from its shipping container and unfold it in a open area. The blanket comes pleated with the weight channels clipped together on both sides.
2. Install rebar caps on both ends of the 10 foot rebar and then insert the steel rods into the tubes integral with the plastic sheet. Being careful not to tear the plastic. Keep them all together so the blanket remains pleated. Once the rebar is in place tighten the cable ties on the open end to secure the rebar. Then snip off the excess tie material.
3. Pick up the bundle of ribs and walk over to your boat. Lay the ribs on the stern of a boat with the plastic hanging overboard, remove side clips.
4. The shore line rope, attached to the outermost handle, may be held by a person on shore or secured to something on the shore.
5. Attached to the innermost rope handle is the buoy line to be attached to the buoy when the blanket is fully deployed.
6. Move the boat away from the shore while playing out the blanket.
7. When the last rib is about to release, hold the line attached to the rope handle and pull the blanket as tight as possible before releasing it to the substrate.
8. Adjust the float attachment so that the float stays in close proximity to the blanket.
9. When the blanket has settled, pull in on the shore line stretching the blanket reasonably tight.
Note 1. In the case
of installation away from the shore or along side of a dock the installation
process is best accomplished using two boats with two people on at least
one of the boats.
Maintenance
When the Blanket is removed (at least annually) it should be cleaned, dried and stored out of the sunlight. This removal prevents excessive accumulation
of silt on the blanket which can re-ignite the growth of weeds and/or make
difficult removal of the blanket. Removal is best accomplished by reversing
the installation procedure, and accordion pleating the blanket on the stern
of the boat. Do not drag the Blanket in from shore as underwater obstacles can damage it.
Caution
Never leave blanket
in direct sunlight as it will absorb the sun's energy and burn any vegetation under the blanket. |
