HELP! Transport - Shrink wrap or not to shrink wrap... That is the question.

SerenityNow!

SerenityNow!

New Member
Oct 1, 2019
2
Boat Info
2003 460 Sundancer
Engines
Diesels of some sort, ask my Husband.
Hello all! My Husband and I are having a 2003 460 transported from the east coast to AZ and need some advice about shrink wrapping. Our last boat was a 380 and it didn't go nearly as far and was completely trashed when it arrived. We've had people tell us to shrink wrap the whole thing, just the cockpit and not to do it at all. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
 
It all depends on who installs the wrap -
My experience was awful with the 2003 460DA, the entire thing shredded and had superficial damage that was a pain to get right.
Personally, I wouldn't wrap it again.
I would recommend using C&J Transport though - Call Jim 772-201-3444
 
I had our boat brought up in May 12 years ago from Huntington Beach CA. to Tacoma WA.
I-5 straight shot and I had the big internal debate to wrap or not... I chose not to wrap based upon the weather report and the cost of a detail vs. wrap. It made it here in great shape with one small splash of rain in Northern Cali. All cushions and anything not bolted down were stored in the salon...
 
Congratulations on buying that 460. It is one fine looking boat! Do a search. There are several threads talking about it. I believe FrankW talked a time or two about this. Again, I would suggest using the search function. Good luck. GOD bless. JC
 
I wouldn't shrink wrap the whole thing. I would remove everything in the cockpit you can. shrink wrap or cover the dash, cabin door and pay for a detail when you get to the destination. I would also want the boat facing forward... A lot of times they are backwards on the trailer
 
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All's Well said:
It all depends on who installs the wrap -
My experience was awful with the 2003 460DA, the entire thing shredded and had superficial damage that was a pain to get right.
Personally, I wouldn't wrap it again.
I would recommend using C&J Transport though - Call Jim 772-201-3444
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+1 For C&J. I used them last year and they were great.

Ask Jim whether you should shrink or not. He will probably tell you not to because if something comes loose it will tear up the boat and they will rip it all off, but follow his guidance. Knows his stuff.
 
Serenity, where are you in AZ? We have a condo in Sun City West and boat as frequently as possible on Lake Pleasant on our 13' Whaler.
 
Ours was moved from Pensacola Beach, FL to Lake Lanier, GA with no shrink wrap. Boat was loaded backwards on the trailer and the tractor had “under cab exhaust.” Even though it traveled through some rain, not a spec of dirt, soot, or grime....
5C9DC86B-61C3-4CA2-9BA8-E529DCB35332.jpeg

Chris Holmes of US Boat Transport did a fine job!

Bennett
 
We had a bad experience with our 40 years ago but still decided to wrap our 48. I would agree that it all depends on who does the work. We moved ours from Sommers Point, NJ to Bayport, MN and I cant imagine how much more dirt would have been in the cockpit if it wasn't wrapped
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If you don't shrink wrap on a haul that distance, you will spend the next 2 years cleaning diesel soot out of every nook and cranny on the boat. If the hauler runs into rain, and he may well at this time off year, add oily road grime to your clean up job.
 
I had my 340da shipped from Lake Mead NV to MA and I had it “shrink wrapped” in NV and they did and awful job and it came off in the first 500m. The boat was facing FWD but the amount of crap that was on it once it go here was tremendous. Lots of asphalt spots smeared on the bow from driving through road construction. If you can get it wrapped properly then I think that is the way to go.
 
Moved mine from Maryland to Seattle, and it was wrapped. The wrap lasted until the driver got to Oregon, heading over the last mountain pass, and the wrap finally let go and shredded. The driver was good enough to remove all of it, I think flapping shrink wrap can do some damage to gelcoat, so I was happy that he was watching for it. Even having just one last state to cross, the boat was still a mess when it arrived, and I paid a detailer to do her thing, it took her about 2 days. I can't imagine what it would have looked like had it come all the way across country unwrapped.

Mine was shipped backwards on the trailer, so it was essentially a big dirt scoop once the wrap came off. Everything important was stored below, except for the canvas frame.
 
Does anyone know what the difference is between a boat shrink wrapped at the factory and your local guy?

I see factory shrink boats all the time that are built in Florida on a trailer up here in Michigan and they always look perfect.
 
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Maybe different, but we have heavy equipment transported a lot. It's usually tarped pretty tight. Not sure why boats don't transport protected.
 
I had ours cockpit wrapped in Michigan City on Lake Michigan for a trip to NH. The wrap held up nicely. The tape was a BITCH to remove and get the adhesive remains off.

My transporter Miles Marine was happy with the wrap and said that colored hulls get scuffed if the wrap covers the hull.
 

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I would have it wrapped but I’d go out of my way to find the best shrinkwrap person I could find to do it and let them know that the boat would be making an over the road trip.
 
THANK YOU!!! All so much for taking the time to share your experiences with us! She does have to be loaded on the trailer backwards so I was thinking at least wrap the cockpit but I've had numerous people tell me I'll probably rip off on the way and then I've wasted $800.
Jeremygavin said:
I had my 340da shipped from Lake Mead NV to MA and I had it “shrink wrapped” in NV and they did and awful job and it came off in the first 500m. The boat was facing FWD but the amount of crap that was on it once it go here was tremendous. Lots of asphalt spots smeared on the bow from driving through road construction. If you can get it wrapped properly then I think that is the way to go.
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Who did the wrap at Lake Mead? If it wasn't awesome I'll bet it was the same idiot that 'helped' me with my last 380 I moved from there to Lake Pleasant.
 
SerenityNow! said:
THANK YOU!!! All so much for taking the time to share your experiences with us! She does have to be loaded on the trailer backwards so I was thinking at least wrap the cockpit but I've had numerous people tell me I'll probably rip off on the way and then I've wasted $800.

Who did the wrap at Lake Mead? If it wasn't awesome I'll bet it was the same idiot that 'helped' me with my last 380 I moved from there to Lake Pleasant.
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I am not sure. The broker who sold the boat set it up.
 
Shrink wrapped our previous boat for its 1000 mile journey. They did it just under the rub rail and did an excellent job. Boat showed up perfect....cut off the shrink wrap, put the props on and in the water she went.

We received our current boat recently after a 1300 mile travel. Shipper didn't want any shrink on it, and unfortunately I obliged them. Boat showed up with have the bugs between MI and TX on it - it took 3 days and some serious elbows to get the boat and road crap off it.

I'll not ship a boat again that isn't wrapped.

Oh, and both boats made the journey stern first.
 
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