How much snow can shrink wrap hold?

JPF

New Member
Jan 18, 2019
1
Boat Info
1989 Sea Ray 268
Engines
454
Hello everyone, first post. I have a 1989 Sea Ray 268 on a trailer, covered with shrink wrap. Located off Lake Erie on Catawba Island, Ohio. We are expecting 8-10 inches of snow over the weekend. Just how much snow can shrink wrap hold? Should I be concerned? I'm about an hour away and could make the trip on Monday if needed to clear it off.
 
I imagine the integrity of the shrink wrap is very much a function of how it was installed. Did you have a pro do it and did they setup some supports in key areas? If an experienced pro did the job I wouldn't think twice about it. Let it snow....

And if you're going to have temps like us in Michigan this weekend (pretty darn cold) that snow is going to be light and easily blown around. 10" of light fluffy stuff is better than 4" of the heavy nasty.
 
Current forecast as of this morning is 3-7" for CI with very strong winds and cold temps. I wouldn't worry too much unless there is a break in the shrink wrap. If you have a break and the boat is out in the open then it's game over with the forecast winds. What's unusual about this storm is that the 35-45 mph winds will be out of the northeast. We generally don't get northeasterlies here til May. Crazy weather.
 
Current forecast as of this morning is 3-7" for CI with very strong winds and cold temps. I wouldn't worry too much unless there is a break in the shrink wrap. If you have a break and the boat is out in the open then it's game over with the forecast winds. What's unusual about this storm is that the 35-45 mph winds will be out of the northeast. We generally don't get northeasterlies here til May. Crazy weather.

Are you suggesting Ohio weather forecasters have the ability to predict the weather greater than 12 hours ahead?

A Michigan forecast for 3-7" generally means a light dusting. Or an ice storm. Or thunder snow. It can be hard to interpret at times.
 
Are you suggesting Ohio weather forecasters have the ability to predict the weather greater than 12 hours ahead?

A Michigan forecast for 3-7" generally means a light dusting. Or an ice storm. Or thunder snow. It can be hard to interpret at times.

Sounds like Michigan weather forecasters and Ohio weather forecasters have much in common.
 
Are you suggesting Ohio weather forecasters have the ability to predict the weather greater than 12 hours ahead?

A Michigan forecast for 3-7" generally means a light dusting. Or an ice storm. Or thunder snow. It can be hard to interpret at times.
They're probably as accurate as the Michigan forecasters. Having lived here for about 12 yrs; what's unusual about Catawba Island is that many times the storms will split and go either to the north or south of us. FYI Catawba is a derivation of an Indian word and means split winds. While the storms might deviate the winds generally do not - hence my point about the 35-45 mph winds shredding the shrink wrap if there's an opening.
 
tiara in the snow 01.JPG
There could be a thread on the various ways owners cover their boats. Some are pretty hilarious. I may get my camera out after a couple of good winter wind storms.
 
I imagine the integrity of the shrink wrap is very much a function of how it was installed. Did you have a pro do it and did they setup some supports in key areas? If an experienced pro did the job I wouldn't think twice about it. Let it snow....

This is on the mark. I've done my own shrink wrap for several years now. The support structure, angles in the cover, and span that will hold the weight are all factors. If you have good support and good angles you will be fine. Shrink wrap gets really slippery and the snow can just slide off with the right angles and support.

I would definately recommend checking on it if you can. We are expecting 6-10", so I am going to check on mine. With a broom you can easily push the snow off if needed to help the process.

Also, if you used blue shrink wrap, the dark color will help the melting process.
 
So glad i left Cleveland in January '86. Best boating in the world on the Chesapeake and aint seen measurable snow in 5 years, a cockpit / mooring cover works for winter here.
 
So glad i left Cleveland in January '86. Best boating in the world on the Chesapeake and aint seen measurable snow in 5 years, a cockpit / mooring cover works for winter here.
The kids and I look forward to winter (not so much the wife) we love snowmobiling. Winter is our favorite time of year.
 

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