I was also warned about the velcro effect. Being that I just got them and only been to the lake once I don't see it fair to comment on how big of a problem it is. I will say that when we removed and installed them my crew and I did it as a team to ensure they wouldn't touch the ground. I don't leave my boat rigged up so I don't know about the water collection issue but mine has two large mesh panels on the bottom for drainage, but I could see where there could be a pocket of water depending on the angle the boat is stored at.