Cost and Prep for Shrink Wrap?

[virginia boy]

Once again life and poor health have forced me to delay putting my boat in the water.

Instead of spending 200 dollars round trip taxi fare just to check the bilge etc, I plan to take both batteries home to keep them charged for the winter and shrink wrap the boat.

A few questions:
Will shrink wrapping keep all the water out? (Leaking stanchions, cap rails etc)
What's the going rate for shrink wrap in the Chesapeake Bay Area?
Any prep needed before calling shrink wrap peeps?
After shrink wrap can I then leave it all winter without worry? (Assuming no heavy snowfall)

Thanks, Eric

[GordMay]

How to Shrinkwrap a Boat ➥ How to Shrinkwrap a Boat | Shrink Wrap | Dr Shrink

[JPA Cate]

So sorry to hear of your health problems. They can sure ruin a year's plans!

Best wishes,

Ann

[rognvald]

Virginia Boy,
I will avoid answering your question since others in your area can give you a better answer, but will rather provide you with an alternative. If you are leaving your boat for the Winter and cannot check on it, shrink wrapping may not be the best or least expensive method of protection. Firstly, if you opt for shrink wrapping, do not allow them to shrink wrap over the stanchions but around them leaving them exposed. In two storms on Lake Michigan in the last five years, I had to replace 5 bent stanchions as a result of 60 plus mph winds blowing against the tarp/shrink wrap. They were bent over 45 degrees. Secondly, if you don't add sufficient vents, your boat will be prone to mildew and cannot breathe properly. Thirdly, if a "yard boy" does the job, (which is usually the case), there is the potential to cause damage from the heat to your fiberglass, trim, etc. And, lastly, here in Lake Michigan, the shrink wrap is frequently torn during storms and very few yards will notify you of the damage or bother to fix it. We kept our boat in Florida for 10 years and never had any damage. Here in Illinois ,as where you live, damage is a real potential during the Winter months. What we have done to prevent/minimize damage is to build a wood frame, similar to the roof of a house, and use heavy duty tarps that we cut to fit around the stanchions and over the hull that are attached with simple clothesline. Although no method is perfect (unless you want to spend $3K plus for a custom fitted tarp) this is more cost effective and, in my opinion, a better alternative to shrink wrapping. Total cost for a 34 foot boat under $200. and your framing may be re-used yearly. Hope this helps and gives you something else to consider. Good luck and keep the dream alive.

[virginia boy]

Thanks all.

[bletso]

We have had excellent results with shrink wrap. We did it ourselves from videos from Jamestown Distributors
Shrink Wrap Howto: Wrapping a Boat I

That is number one, from there you can do the other two. We used a regular heat gun and it has been on for over a year,

Protecting Vigah | SV Vigah / Blog
We have had a few hellish winds and rains, It has held up. The stuff is really tough.

If I was to get someone else to do it, I would demand some type of guarantee.

Dale

[Fiveslide]

If you will not have bilge pumps, pull a speed or depth transducer out so it will act as a drain.

[bletso]

Originally Posted by virginia boy

Will shrink wrapping keep all the water out? (Leaking stanchions, cap rails etc)
What's the going rate for shrink wrap in the Chesapeake Bay Area?
Any prep needed before calling shrink wrap peeps?
After shrink wrap can I then leave it all winter without worry? (Assuming no heavy snowfall)

What you have to remember is that you will pay many times over for inside damage due to leaks. My wrap keeps the inside dry. Make sure there is enough slope to allow water to run off. Water is very heavy.

[Opie91]

Shrink wrap done properly will keep your boat dry. As mentioned above make sure it has good ventilation. Make sure the cover is peaked right and you should have no snow or water load issues.

I shrunk wrapped boats for ten years and went right over the stanchoins all the time. Never had a single problem with them bending over.

My biggest issue with shrink wrap is the cost.