Island Spirit is safe in the #1 boatyard, Jolly Harbor Marina, where we will return Jan 4, 2026! Our dear friends, Steve and Maria, on the mothership IP485 SAVANNAH SKY https://savannah-sky.com/ sent us these great photos of our boat.
What’s the WHITE TAPE?
We have been using this protective white tape for well over 5 years. I have posted many photos of this and how well it works. I was introduced to it in Grenada when a mega yacht 150 footer was taping their varnish with it. I WAS SHOCKED. I asked why and what it was. They were prepping to cross the Atlantic and said they put this on when going to sea on passages as it protects the vanish. Of course my next question was….does it pull off cleanly? They said yes. That yacht team told me about NATIONAL MARINE company. They service the mega yacht industry, and if you see your yacht here, I will be impressed: https://nationalmarine.com/
How to Order this White Tape
The challenge to ordering this tape is that you need to establish a credit account with National Marine. This requires an application and a credit card. Once that is set up, then you can call in or email George and place an order. What you are ordering is: PROTECTIVE CAPRAIL TAPE, 6″ 8″ OR 12″
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- National Marine Suppliers
- https://nationalmarine.com/contact/
- 2800 South West 2nd Avenue,
Fort Lauderdale Florida 33315 U.S.A. - info@nationalmarine.com
- +1-954-764-097
- George Foley <gfoley@nationalmarine.com>
What to ORDER?
This white tape is PROTECTIVE CAPRAIL TAPE. It is made in 6, 8, 12 inch wide rolls I have used the 12″ wide to cover hatches and ports and I have used the 6″ or 8″ to cover the teak side cap rails. I think I will start using the 8″ roll for everything as it will be easier to handle. But then again the 12″ really covers the ports and hatches well. The cost is about $100 for 6″-8″ roll and maybe $150 for the 12″ Each roll is 400 feet long, so it will last a year or two. Remember, 100-150 foot yachts use this to tape their caprail varnish. Selling to us, the small boat industry, is not National Marine’s business focus. But I can not find it anywhere else. Do not use other product you find. This product is similar to the white tape on car hoods when they are delivered.
Does it pull off clean?
In the 5 years of using this, I only had one year it made a mess. That was the year I tried to find this product from ULINE. STUPID IDEA…..it looked the same but it was thinner, Well, I put it on in Brunswick GA and 6 months later it had fused to the varnish. Lucky it was just the hand rails. I had to use carbide scrapers and remove all. tape and varnish. SO, I only buy this from National Marine Suppliers now. You know they would not sell poor products to the mega yachts, so I trust them.
I have put this on in Puerto Rico for what was to be a 4 month break, but life and Covid happened and we did not return for 18 months. It pulled right off with no issue. Most times I leave this tape on from May to Dec in the tropics. I have used it in Brunswick GA, Stuart Fl,Fajardo, PR, and now Antigua. I think it is fantastic and a great way to keep the UV off the varnish.
A few Photos from May 2025 Antigua
Dear Friends help…
The wonderful asset to our Island Packet Yacht Owners Association is that everyone is so helpful and kind to each other. Anywhere you cruise you will bump into other IPY owners because there are 2,500 of us and WE ARE OUT CRUISING! Thanks to Steve and Maria of 485 Savannah Sky for sending us these photos of the current condition of our boat, Dec 2025. We will be there soon!
