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

 

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

+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.

 

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

 

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....

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

 

I always see new boats wrapped.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Wrap the boat!!!!!!!

I did not on a trip from Tarpon Springs Fl to Lake Lanier GA. The truck lost a wheel bearing and I have spent the last 2 years getting wheel bearing grease off the boat. Some of it is in the diamond non skid and likely never come out.

 

I have known friends who have moved boats wrapped and not wrapped - I would wrap it.

 

All the new boats I have seen being shipped over the road are wrapped. So it is necessary but depends on hiring a wrapper with shipping experience to insure a good outcome. Our son trailered a brand new car from Michigan to California. The car was covered with fresh tar from road construction by the end of its journey. I can not image the cost of cleaning a boat that was exposed to similar conditions.

 

I had mine wrapped. My broker insisted I do it and I’m glad he did as it was my first experience as well. It was a much shorter trip and there was so much road grime and disgusting grease and oil on it that there’s no way I’d consider any other option. Find a reputable installer and enjoy the money well spent.

 

Here is a new boat being prepped for delivery from the factory. Typical of what we see. Wrapped tightly just below the rub rail.