Bowrail - Shrinkwrap

Irie308

Well-Known Member
May 28, 2013
2,577
CT
Boat Info
2004 420 DB, GHS Hydraulic Lift
Garmin 8600/Garmin 1222 plus
AB Mares 10 VSX with 30 hp Tohatsu
Engines
Cummins 450C 8.3 L Turbocharged
I didn't worry about it on our 320, but after seeing how the wind abused our cover last winter i'm a little concerned. Have been told by a few dockmates how their shrinkwrap framing was tied to the bowrails and the forces cause some of their railing to come undone. Is this cause for concerns? I've never given it a second thought in the past.
 
I didn't worry about it on our 320, but after seeing how the wind abused our cover last winter i'm a little concerned. Have been told by a few dockmates how their shrinkwrap framing was tied to the bowrails and the forces cause some of their railing to come undone. Is this cause for concerns? I've never given it a second thought in the past.

That’s the way mine is always done and I’ve never had a problem.
My current boat goes to a boatyard where it is packed in enough that it is a little protected from wind on 3 sides but I used to store my old boat on my dock property which is a fairly short distance from open bay and subjected to much higher unprotected winds and never had a problem.
 
Leaking bow rail stanchion bases are a major PIA and can do lots of damage over time. I always hated when a boating guest would sit on mine. I understand the bigger boats have beefier rails etc. I guess I'm a bit anal about it but I would not like it. Curious about others input also.
 
I didn't worry about it on our 320, but after seeing how the wind abused our cover last winter i'm a little concerned. Have been told by a few dockmates how their shrinkwrap framing was tied to the bowrails and the forces cause some of their railing to come undone. Is this cause for concerns? I've never given it a second thought in the past.

I did not think the framing would move with the shrink wrap since the shrink wrap is just laying on top of it. If there is a proper peak then rain or snow should run off and not stress the framing supports.

-Kevin
 
We normally winter in the water, so generally we're exposed to the wind. The wind is my concern rather than the snow load. Last year my frame shifted and what held it from falling was the strapping which was mostly tied to the bowrail. We are out of the water this year but just wondering what best practice would be going forward. Since there are only 3 cleats on each gunnel I'm wondering if its common practice to go to the cleats.
 
Mine has always been tied to the bow rails. I really never thought twice about it. I think if they get the shrink wrap tight enough there shouldn’t be any movement of the frame at all. The plastic is holding everything in place
Did they wrap the boat while it was still in the water last year? I am curious if they did how they heated the wrap on the upper sections of the boat.
At the yard I am at they do all the large boats with a lift so they can hang over the boats and tighten up the shrink wrap.
 
Mine has always been tied to the bow rails. I really never thought twice about it. I think if they get the shrink wrap tight enough there shouldn’t be any movement of the frame at all. The plastic is holding everything in place
Did they wrap the boat while it was still in the water last year? I am curious if they did how they heated the wrap on the upper sections of the boat.
At the yard I am at they do all the large boats with a lift so they can hang over the boats and tighten up the shrink wrap.
They did, actually. It sure how they did the plastic up top but it was pretty tight until about mid feb
 
Not an expert of shrink wrapping by any means, but geometry and physics says a couple of extra binders secured to the bottom the uprights then to the cleats should secure the foundation/uprights from lateral movement.
As for the railings, if the shrink is taught and the straps are secured with no doubt of movement, you'd be surprised what she could withstand.

Edit: Without putting any stress on the rails what so ever.
 
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They did, actually. It sure how they did the plastic up top but it was pretty tight until about mid feb
Maybe the strap at the tub rail rode up a little and loosen the shrink wrap. Hopefully you have better luck this year.
 

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