Shrink Wrap

[JLR]

Thinking of not shrink wrapping up here in NY this winter. I have been doing it mindlessly for the past 20 years or so and frankly, my experience has been that the folks who do it do more damage than the shrink wrap does good (if any). Any thoughts on its necessity?

 

[jmencel]

Up here in Ontario about 25% of the boats in my Marina are shrink wrapped, about 50% are covered with a tarp, and the rest are left uncovered.

Shrink wrap works well in terms of keeping water (and ice) out, but as you will likely know, it does have a tendency to create conditions ripe for mold on a sunny day if there is not enough ventilation.

Leaving a boat uncovered can create problems with snow melting and then refreezing as ice on decks, scuppers, etc. I have done this before with sail boat ... and it is very hard on things. As water freezes it expands ... that's where the damage comes from. And it doesn't take much water to start causing problems.

I cover my boat with a 60 x 40 tarp. I build a frame out of 2x4's down the centre line and run plastic 1/2 inch conduit about every 18 inches from the centre line ridge pole out to the stanchions. By making sure the ridge pole is higher than the stanchions this puts a nice bow in the conduit and helps the snow slide off the tarp. For the aft deck I just tie some 2X4's from the bridge deck to the stern, which creates a frame with a steep surface to shed snow. In terms of costs, one can buy the tarp and things needed for the frame for about 1/2 the price of one shrink wrap job, and it can be used for many seasons, rather than just one.

 

[MikeP]

" the folks who do it do more damage than the shrink wrap does good (if any). Any thoughts on its necessity?"

It is as you noted - more harm then good. It's a great marketing effort but it causes mildew/mold problems and damages paint. The makers of both Imron and Awlgrip state that shrinkwrap can damage the paint.

At our marina in LI, folks spent weeks cleaning up the mold and other issues caused by shrink wrap. It was initially designed as a way to protect items for short term transit, NOT to protect things over months.

A sailing friend from the UK is constantly amused at our use of shrink wrap to "protect" boats because it doesn't...

 

[Canuck Dennis]

Shrink wrap is ok if it is put on when the boat is "dry" otherwise it does cause mould etc, the other issue re, damage, is usually the fault of installers who do not care. I have my 43 Hatt in Florida every spring wrapped and not removed till late Nov. So far, so good... most yards do not allow tarps in Florida due to high winds causing them to take off and cause damage to other boats.
My 2c...ymmv..

 

[Blaine Thorpe]

I have been shrinkwrapping my 36 for eight years now, and never had a problem with mold, mildew, etc. I do it myself and use pieces of swim noodles to protect areas that may rub or cause the film to tear.

I use three vents on each side and have a zipper door in the back. Maybe it stays clean as I am it in almost every weekend in the winter catching up on projects.

I think the tarps blow around too much, tear and rub on the boat.

I am getting ready to do it again.

Blaine

 

[Capt K]

I shrink wrapped the bridge the first year I bought our 1965 50' MY so I could do up the electronics, antennas, etc. I still have marks on my plexiglass windsihield. I have had winter covers made for the bridge and the aft deck that mimick the summer covers minus the eisenglass. It allows you to use the boat just as normal, as long as you're tied to the dock.

No damage caused by this method, either.

Capt K

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I have noticed that the local shrink wrap guy up here installs vents in the wrap. He cuts several holes and then shrinks a flap over them. The end result looks similar to our "clam shell" vents, only vertical instead of horizontal.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Ice makers and shrink wrap?? These guys are where everyone here buys their stuff:
http://www.uline.com/cls_16/Shrink-...rm=uline+shrink wrap&utm_campaign=Shrink+Wrap

Other than the labor part, I could never justify a one time deal. Ive always bought semi trailer tarps in white, custom sized for the Roamer with an A frame underneath. Great for working during the season when you should be working... on the boat that is. I just bought a new unit for the 58 this year. These are used (6 months) billboard tarps. Good for 10 years with advertising on them. The 40 X 60 was $288 plus shhipping. The custom sized one was $2500... do the math! ws

http://www.billboardtarps.com/pages/thank-you

 

[krush]

Bill, meet up with a sign person--u can get them billboard things for free often.

 

[Beckytek]

2 boats 12 years never shrink wrapped and no problems. Boat is clean as can be in spring. I tried it one time on a new boat and the wrappers left marks on hull where straps were. Never again. Ron

 

[True Grit]

I find it depends upon where you hang your shingle in part. In Boston we get a lot of snow and the freeze thaw cycles will wreak havoc with you boat if you do not have protection. I personally do not like to shrink wrap but there is limited indoor storage for large boats in my area. If done correctly, it will not do damage. My 2 cts.

 

[spartonboat1]

Admiral and I made a custom canvas that surrounds the aft deck, covers the bridge windows fwd and side, and covers the salon from trunk seat back to tying into the window covers from gunnel to gunnel. She did all the sewing, with a Sailrite, incl zippers to zip sections together and I installed all the snaps (now an expert) to snap it all down or together. I throw four heavy lines over the top tied at/below the keel (tight!), and run two heavy lines, each side, from fwd spring cleat back to the aft mooring cleat, running through tunnels in the canvas at the gunnel. One year I did not tie the over the top lines good and tight, and tore the top canvas off- some laying in the yard.

Looks great installed, seems to work well. Saves wear and tear on the white canvas and strata glass. We remove the anchor light mast store it aft. Been through 70mph winds and -20 temps and still going. We did do some repairs this years, wear holes, etc., improved the fit in a couple places. I now install small dia ropes from the salon top hand rails to the exterior handrails to stop snow from accumulating.

Maybe describing it is showing off, but its been in use about 5-6 yrs min. P.s., tried tarps over a frame and blew all and basically a total PITA.

 

[JLR]

My damage has come, not from mold but from structural type damage in the process--bimini supports left to rub on my fiberglass or windshield all winter, my radar dome (on my brow) used as a step and crushed, a number of loud speakers smashed, antenna supports ripped out etc. While this sounds like cowboy stuff, it is likely not--just the process of shrink wrapping a rather large boat each year. The only concern I have about my 56 is ice freezing and thawing in the window channels or some other crevice.

 

[Walter P]

Very timely thread. Tomorow I planned to shrink wrap my bridge and aft deck but after reading this thread, I am reconsidering. The last 6 years have not been wrapped and other than a normal spring washing, I had no damage except that the flying bridge enclosure including the isenglass is exposed to the weather. The fact is that it's all exposed to the weather during the hot summer as well and as most know, summer conditions here in NJ are probably more destructive to soft enclosures and painted finishes than the winter due to the higher levels of UV. I think I will remove the bridge enclosure, clean it well and store it until spring. In it's place I will attempt to create a suitable cover using the original SS frames and shrink wrap with vents.

Years ago I had one of my 43 DC's shrink wrapped by a very reputable yard and they really messed up my boat. The entire boat was just awlgripped by a Hatteras dealer and it had all new canvas including the bridge and aft deck. Well I was away when they did the job and when I returned it was all covered.... right over the isenglass and everything else. When we uncovered it in the spring, the isenglass was all messed up like someone had washed it with 80 grit sandpaper. The yard refused to assume any liability and I let it go and paid a canvas guy to replace it all, but I learned never to let anyone do anything on any of my boats if I'm not there. By the way, some of the new awlgrip was bubbled where the shrink wrap contacted it.

The above info is/will hopefully save someone else the same nightmare.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I agree that shrink wrap does not agree with Awlgrip or Imron. I don't think it breathes well enough.

Several years ago I had a cloth cover made for Blue Note. The canvas maker also made the wooden supports for it. It was expensive, even counting that the canvas shop's granddaughter is also one of my godchildren and we get a discount from them. It still cost a lot. But....

..I have never had a problem with the boat for all the seasons I've used the cover. Basically I get it washed clean before he sets up the frame, and he then puts the cover on- it's in three pieces, with some vents and a zippered door on the back that you can get it from the swim deck- and everything has always stayed dry and tight inside. I do keep a fan running, and I keep all the cabinets open and some moisture absorbers in the boat. The docking plug is out, and all the soft goods are off the boat.

Last year we had record snows here- her launch date was actually put off for nearly two weeks because of them. But when the cover came off, she was dry, clean and snug. I haven't saved any money- the cost of the cover was considerable and getting it put on and taken off is about $200 each- but I like the idea of not using plastic, and the canvas man stores it for me when it isn't on the boat.

The material that he used is a combination of polyester and cotton, so it will breathe. The cover extends all the way down to below the waterline, and it is fixed in place with a drawcord that goes all the way around, plus belly straps that hold it on. The three segments, fore, middle and aft, are zippered together and so far no water has come through any of it. And all the paint looks fine.

 

[spartonboat1]

I



The material that he used is a combination of polyester and cotton, so it will breathe. The cover extends all the way down to below the waterline, and it is fixed in place with a drawcord that goes all the way around, plus belly straps that hold it on. The three segments, fore, middle and aft, are zippered together and so far no water has come through any of it. And all the paint looks fine.

I know the high effort that went into our custom canvas. Yours sounds a very serious cover, indeed! Esp. if it goes all the way down to below the waterline, basically almost to the chine it sounds like.