Shrink Wrap - Tips?

[mstailey]

Changed marinas this past season and just found out I can't get into the buildings here (to tall)

That being said, I'm going to have to be outside (it's going to be a long winter...) and have to go the shrink wrap route.

Any tips, tricks or what NOT to do with shrink wrap would be very much appreciated

As always, thanks to all for the expertise.

 

[sammidog]

Watch that you don't shrink too tight that you pull out your bow rail stanchions. Happens many times to novices.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Make sure you take some PLASTIC paint roller trays and weld them into the SR with the bottom cut out for vents. Too tight and youve got a mildew situation . Also, dont cover the fuel vents. ws

 

[ohiohatteras]

Have them to shrink it down to the waterline...otherwise you will have quite a mess to clean up on the hull where it ends in the spring. IMHO....do not full your tanks to the top either....when the temps start to rise, the tanks might burp out the vents and stain the hull.....to prevent moisture, I just add some isopropyl in the spring before the first start it up.
Also....not sure how to prevent this.....but the ONE TIME I had mine shrink wrapped, they held the torch in one spot too long and "heat stained" my paint.....and it was a major PITA to remove it. Never again will I shrink wrap!

 

[Scott Mather]

Never will have shrink wrap again, it is not worth the damage and clean up issues in the spring. Find a larger storage building, you will be much happier.

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

Be sure to lock the boat up. Shrink wrap will not keep out theives or homeless looking for a cozy mini condo to winter over (and enjoy your favorite spirits).

 

[Capt K]

The first year that I had my 50' my, I had the bridge wrapped so I could set up the electronics, etc. I still have rub marks on the windscreen.

Last winter, a friend with a 54 Bertie w/ a tower had the anodizing rubbed off the tower legs due to improper wrapping. The final estimate for this is over $30,000. A tower company in Ma will be dismantlingthe tower and fixing it.

Bottom line, I don't like shrink wrap. Also, it's a LOT of money to throw away every spring.

K

 

[MikeP]

TOTALLY agree with Scott - Shrink is a solution for which there is no problem. In fact, it only causes problems. From what I've seen in the Marina in NY where I used to be - I would NEVER shrink wrap a boat. Everything from mildew/mold to heat gun damage to rub damage from the wrap to damaged areas due to wrap blowing loose and abrading railings, destroying canvas, etc.

I have a good friend from England who was in the Merchant Navy and has taught sailing and Navigation his entire life. He visited us one winter and we walked down to the marina. When he saw the shrink-wrapped boats he couldn't stop laughing for 20 minutes. Finally, "Only in America..." was his comment, followed by, "Do they shrink wrap their houses?"

The guy next to me took 3 weeks to clean the mildew out of his boat and vowed "never again."

 

[krush]

Just make a gigantic canvas cover! I mean, all you care about is keeping the sun off right?