Boat Shrink Wrapping: Worthwhile Investment Or Wasteful Expense?

Shrink wrapping your boat is a good idea if you want to protect it from the elements and keep it in top shape. It is especially useful if you live somewhere with harsh winters, as it can shield your boat from snow, ice, and freezing rain. Shrink wrapping provides a waterproof seal that prevents moisture buildup and keeps the interior dry and warm. This can save you from costly repairs due to water damage and mould. However, it is an annual expense that can cost several hundred dollars, and it may not be suitable for long-term storage or boats with certain types of paint. Additionally, it limits access to your boat during the winter, and improper installation can lead to damage.

Pros of shrink-wrapping: protection from snow, ice, rain, UV light, and winter grime

Shrink wrapping your boat offers excellent protection against snow, ice, rain, UV light, and winter grime. Here are some pros of shrink wrapping your boat:

Protection from Snow and Ice

If you live in an area with cold winters, snow and ice can be a concern for your boat. Shrink wrapping provides a tight cover that prevents snow and ice buildup. The framing under the shrink wrap can be set at a high angle, and the slipperiness of the plastic prevents accumulation. This is an advantage over tarp and canvas covers, which can lead to puddles or snow buildup. Proper framing and installation are key to ensuring that snow and ice stay off your boat.

Waterproof Protection from Rain

Shrink wrapping offers the best waterproof protection for your boat during the winter months. Unlike tarps that can only be tied in place and canvas covers that may leak, shrink wrap is plastic and provides a tight seal around your boat. This prevents moisture from getting in and keeps your boat dry.

Protection from UV Light

The polyethylene material used in shrink wrap is UV resistant. While it may not be suitable for long-term exposure, it can protect your boat from UV damage for a season. This is especially useful if you live in an area with constant sun exposure, as UV rays can cause discoloration, fading, and deterioration of your boat's gelcoat and interior upholstery.

Protection from Winter Grime

Shrink wrapping covers the entire boat, including the stanchions and overlapping the top of the hull. This creates a barrier that protects your boat from winter grime, dirt, and grit. By keeping your boat clean, you can maintain its aesthetic appeal and potentially avoid costly repairs in the future.

Overall, shrink wrapping your boat can be a worthwhile investment, especially if you live in an area with cold, snowy winters or constant sun exposure. It provides excellent protection from the elements and can help keep your boat in good condition.

Cons of shrink-wrapping: expensive, poor ventilation, difficult to DIY, and not suitable for long-term storage

Shrink-wrapping your boat is a good idea if you want to protect it from the elements, but it does come with some disadvantages. Here are some cons of shrink-wrapping:

Expensive

Shrink-wrapping can be expensive, especially if you have to pay professionals to do it. The cost of shrink-wrapping a boat depends on its size, but it can range from $300 to $700 or more. While the upfront cost of a permanent cover is higher, it is a one-time expense that will save you money in the long run.

Poor Ventilation

Another issue with shrink-wrapping is poor ventilation, which can lead to trapped moisture and the growth of mildew and mould. Polyethylene, the material used for shrink-wrapping, does not allow for airflow. To mitigate this problem, vents must be installed, adding to the overall cost.

Difficult to DIY

Shrink-wrapping a boat is a tricky job that requires skill and the right tools. It involves the use of flammable materials and a propane-fired heat gun, so it is not recommended for DIYers. Hiring professionals will ensure a tight and strong cover that can withstand wind and snow storms.

Not Suitable for Long-Term Storage

While shrink-wrapping is excellent for short-term protection, it may not be the best option for long-term storage. The polyethylene material is UV resistant, but prolonged exposure to the sun can cause it to degrade over time. If you're planning to store your boat for more than one season, you may need to replace the shrink wrap.

Tarps as an alternative: inexpensive but less protective and prone to loosening and flapping

Tarps are a less expensive alternative to shrink-wrapping your boat, but they offer less protection and are more prone to loosening and flapping in the wind.

Tarps are a good option for covering your boat when it's in storage. They protect it from thieves, the sun's rays, dirt, leaves, and debris, and animals. They are also significantly cheaper than custom covers, costing less than $100 for a heavy-duty tarp that can be used as a winter cover in many places.

However, tarps are not built for strength and require a gentle touch. They can easily be torn by sharp edges on your boat, such as the windshield frame corners or antenna mounts. To prevent this, you need to cover these sharp edges with towels, carpet remnants, or something else soft.

Another disadvantage of tarps is that they are prone to loosening and flapping in the wind. This can cause them to rub against the boat, leading to abrasion. Gaps between multiple tarps used to cover a large boat are also difficult to seal, leading to inevitable leaks. Tarps also cannot be tightened enough to prevent flapping and are more prone to failure in high winds and inclement weather.

To minimize these issues, it is important to measure your boat accurately before purchasing a tarp, adding an extra foot to your estimate to ensure full coverage. It is also crucial to properly secure the tarp with tie-downs, bungee cords, or buckets of sand. Additionally, consider using a pole or another object in the center of your boat to prevent water from pooling on the tarp and creating leaks. Finally, ensure that your tarp is ventilated to prevent the formation of mold and mildew.

Custom covers as an alternative: more expensive but longer-lasting and breathable

If you're looking for a longer-term solution for protecting your boat, custom covers are a great alternative to shrink-wrapping. While they do come with a higher upfront cost, custom covers will save you money in the long run as they are built to last for over a decade.

Custom covers are also a more environmentally friendly option, as they do not contribute to the large amounts of plastic waste generated by shrink-wrapping. Made from durable materials such as Sun-DURA® and Sunbrella®, custom covers are designed to withstand the elements and protect your boat from snow, ice, and winter grime. They can be tailored to your specific boat model and come with features like tie-down loops, draw ropes, and D-rings for added security.

One potential downside to custom covers is that they may require some maintenance and repairs between winters. Additionally, you will need to find a place to store the large amount of canvas and steel tubes when they are not in use. However, custom covers offer superior ventilation compared to shrink-wrapping, which can cause problems with trapped moisture and mildew due to a lack of airflow.

Overall, while custom covers require a larger upfront investment, they provide a longer-lasting, breathable, and environmentally friendly solution for protecting your boat.

When to consider shrink-wrapping: if your boat is outdoors in an area with snow and ice, or if you can't afford a canvas cover

Shrink-wrapping your boat is a good idea if your boat is outdoors in an area with snow and ice, or if you can't afford a canvas cover.

If you live somewhere with snow and ice during the long, dark non-sailing season, your boat will need a cover. Shrink-wrapping is a good option if you don't already own a canvas cover and your boat is staying in the elements for the winter.

Shrink-wrapping provides the best waterproof protection. It's plastic, so it doesn't need any special treatment to be water-resistant. It also shrinks tight, unlike tarps which can only be tied and secured in place. Canvas covers often have more breaks to go around stanchions and hardware, which can be leak points.

Good installation of shrink-wrap prevents precipitation buildup. The framing can be set at a high angle to keep ice and snow from accumulating. The slipperiness of the plastic also keeps ice and snow from building up too quickly. You shouldn't get puddles or snow buildup, both of which are hazards of tarp and canvas covers.

Shrink-wrapping is also a good option if you can't afford a canvas cover. The upfront cost of a permanent cover is high, but you won't be spending any more money to cover your boat for the next decade. However, shrink-wrapping is an annual expense and can be costly over time.

If your boat is outdoors in an area with snow and ice, or if you can't afford a canvas cover, shrink-wrapping is a good option to consider. It will protect your boat from the elements and provide a waterproof seal. However, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision, as there are also some disadvantages to shrink-wrapping, such as ventilation issues and the need for professional installation.

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