Shrink-wrapping— Yes or no?

christo15

christo15

New Member
Oct 15, 2013
275
Stamford, CT "Ponus Yacht Club"
Boat Info
2002 320 DA Sea Ray, Garmin 741xs
Engines
350 Mercruisers V-drives
Shrink-wrapping has always been something I do very reluctantly. The question is do you REALLY need it. Boats are meant to be outside... so what does the shrink wrap really do? I know for sure it doesn't keep the boat clean.

Don't get me wrong, I understand it does have a purpose, but is it worth it?

Just something I've always wondered. Thanks.
 
Boats don't like the outside when water permeates into all those small places, freezes, thaws, and refreezes and repeats as nature finds necessary! Shrink wrap protects like no canvas and traditional boat cover can from water, elements, critters, etc.
 
MExcelsior said:
Boats don't like the outside when water permeates into all those small places, freezes, thaws, and refreezes and repeats as nature finds necessary! Shrink wrap protects like no canvas and traditional boat cover can from water, elements, critters, etc.
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I agree. But lets just say you but the cockpit cover on, shrink wrap the arch, and leave it be? I'm just thinking out loud here..
 
Being on the South Sore of Long Island my winters are similar to yours, though you probably get snow more frequently and slightly more of it. I ask myself the same question evey year about wrapping and every year I have the marina do it. As you say, shrink wrapping cetainly doesn't keep the boat clean. But what it does do in our climate is protect all of your through deck fittings on all of your horizontal surfaces (and some vertical ones too) from being exposed to the constant freeze and thaw cycle that we see while being covered in snow and ice. I really don't want to have water leaking through my windshield frame, any of my bow rail stanchion screw holes, hatch cover, windlass, cleats or the two rails that are on the bow deck just to save $1000 a year. I do it grudgingly, but I do it.

christo15 said:
I agree. But lets just say you but the cockpit cover on, shrink wrap the arch, and leave it be? I'm just thinking out loud here..
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Look at your boat deck and count the penetrations for hardware (bow rails, cleats, window bases, hatches, antennas, lights, etc., etc.)

Now think about water and or snow lying in the smallest of cracks and crevasses in these areas. Over the 5-6 month layup that water will freeze (expand) and thaw many, many times.

This is the perfect recipe for developing leaks and causing expensive damage to a boat.


***Bmac...we were typing at the same time!***
 
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I agree with all of the above but I'll add this. Would you leave your car outside all winter and not wash it?

I wash my boat before it's wrapped up and in the spring I just have a light layer of dust on it. No black streaks, no UV, no water, no ice, and no wind constantly howling away and tearing my canvas up.
 
I wish I had this year. My tarp ripped in the last storm and now I have to wait until everything thaws to see what needs cleaned up/dried out. I have a regular canvas cover on it also but it doesn't keep it very dry.
 
How much weight in snow can your boat take before it collapses?
 
I don't believe in shrink wrap, too expensive and I like my method better. I can get in (when it warms up) and do some work, then cover her up again.
 

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As long as you use some vents, shrink is a good way to go. It you put the boat away clean, it comes out pretty clean, too. The wrap is relatively inexpensive for what you get - a strong support system, trailerable, easy shedding of rain and snow, does not flap against the hull leaving marks (like a loose fitting tarp can)... And the best part - someone else does it for you.

I use a 3'x6' zipper door in my shrink wrap - doesn't get much easier than that for access. I'm also on the third year of reusing my shrink wrap. I obviously paid less, but at normal rates that equates to about $90 per year for a 26' boat.
 
Another option is to learn how to shrink wrap yourself if you are allowed at your location. The shrink, gun, strapping, door, buckles and tape cost about the same (potentially less) than hiring it done for one year! The benefit is that there usually is enough materials for two years depending on the boat! My costs for my 07 310 run about $150.00 per year and 2-3 hours of my time!
 
Carver370 said:
I agree with all of the above but I'll add this. Would you leave your car outside all winter and not wash it?
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Not just a car, how about a classic fiberglass Corvette? Would you leave that out uncovered for the entire winter?

Anyone who doesn't think shrink wrap keeps the boat clean, see how dirty something gets sitting out in the open for the entire winter: car, boat, patio set.
 
I think a big factor should be the type of boat you have and your geographic location. Remember the first thing everyone does when they take the shrink wrap off, the boat gets washed and waxed.
 
Look into inside storage if available in your area. After running the numbers to shrink wrap my boat I found it was around $100 to $200 difference to store inside versus outside.
 
I agree with the need for shrink wrap on a boat like mine. It's just frustrating because on my Grady I didn't do a thing. Kept up the isinglass and all. Just trying to figure out the best/most affordable option. Thanks for all the feedback. It's interesting to see what everyone does! :thumbsup:
 
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