$550.00 last season. $150.00 this season. Why? We did it ourself. A 3 hour project for 2 people. Never will I pay to have it done again. The results were superb since we had the correct tools (shrinkit heat gun). I estimate that the profit to shrink 50 boats in the fall would be about $400.00 per boat. Not a bad part time gig...
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Good Luck with that
I've had my own shrink wrap equipment for six years. There is opportunity to make money but many reasons to avoid this businesss. . You can't do it when it's windy (and it usually is in the fall) . You can't do it when it's raining. . Most marinas in my area do shrink wrap and won't appreciate a third party taking their business away. They require a certificate of insurance to work at their facility. What happens if you damage someone's fiberglass, gelcoat, stripes, sails or canvas? What happens if you manage to put the heat gun near the fuel vant and create a fire which affects the entire marina? . The frame materials is expensive for big boats. . In my yard the boats are stored inches apart and it's almost impossible to get the equipment between the boats aor reach high up on larger vessels. . Many yards charge an hourly fee to have vendors work at their facility . Many folks are not dependable to have their vessels hauled and ready when they say they will be. I do a few friends each year for free and scheduling is a problem more times than not. . Fuel and propane prices won't help your profit. . The boatyards are able to keep busy hauling boats, pressure washing and winterizing. They wait for the proper conditions and wrap boats between other jobs. . When a customer opens his vessel in spring time and it has mold and mildew due to inadequate ventilation are you responsible? . When blisters appear on gelcoat or painted surfaces under the wrap are you responsible to fix them? Ever wrapped a painted vessel? . Purchasing and shipping the plastic costs a lot if you don't have a wholesale supplier. Wholesale you can buy a 20' wide role for about a buck a foot which is 25% of the West Marine price. . If it was that easy more people would be doing it. Insurance, transportation labor and supplies may take a substantial cut out of your profit potential
I've had my own shrink wrap equipment for six years. There is opportunity to make money but many reasons to avoid this businesss. . You can't do it when it's windy (and it usually is in the fall) . You can't do it when it's raining. . Most marinas in my area do shrink wrap and won't appreciate a third party taking their business away. They require a certificate of insurance to work at their facility. What happens if you damage someone's fiberglass, gelcoat, stripes, sails or canvas? What happens if you manage to put the heat gun near the fuel vant and create a fire which affects the entire marina? . The frame materials is expensive for big boats. . In my yard the boats are stored inches apart and it's almost impossible to get the equipment between the boats aor reach high up on larger vessels. . Many yards charge an hourly fee to have vendors work at their facility . Many folks are not dependable to have their vessels hauled and ready when they say they will be. I do a few friends each year for free and scheduling is a problem more times than not. . Fuel and propane prices won't help your profit. . The boatyards are able to keep busy hauling boats, pressure washing and winterizing. They wait for the proper conditions and wrap boats between other jobs. . When a customer opens his vessel in spring time and it has mold and mildew due to inadequate ventilation are you responsible? . When blisters appear on gelcoat or painted surfaces under the wrap are you responsible to fix them? Ever wrapped a painted vessel? . Purchasing and shipping the plastic costs a lot if you don't have a wholesale supplier. Wholesale you can buy a 20' wide role for about a buck a foot which is 25% of the West Marine price. . If it was that easy more people would be doing it. Insurance, transportation labor and supplies may take a substantial cut out of your profit potential
Here's another viewpoint
I chuckle to myself every year when the shrinkwrap posts start appearing. It seems that DIY shrinkwrap time estimates are like commuting estimates, where nobody ever takes more than 59 minutes to drive to work. I guess its OK if you get help and you only have one boat to do. But after watching the process around my club every year here is what I see happening. The owner comes down by himself during the week and spends about 3 hours putting up the frame and tieing all the lines. Then on the weekend 3-4 owners get together as a team to put the plastic on their boats. This usually takes 2-3 hours per boat depending on the wind and temperature. Then its on to the next boat, and the next, making it a 8-10 hour day. The single biggest reason owners go back to tarping is because shrink wrapping takes too much time.
I chuckle to myself every year when the shrinkwrap posts start appearing. It seems that DIY shrinkwrap time estimates are like commuting estimates, where nobody ever takes more than 59 minutes to drive to work. I guess its OK if you get help and you only have one boat to do. But after watching the process around my club every year here is what I see happening. The owner comes down by himself during the week and spends about 3 hours putting up the frame and tieing all the lines. Then on the weekend 3-4 owners get together as a team to put the plastic on their boats. This usually takes 2-3 hours per boat depending on the wind and temperature. Then its on to the next boat, and the next, making it a 8-10 hour day. The single biggest reason owners go back to tarping is because shrink wrapping takes too much time.
What Shrink wrap your boat?
Do you mean you actually Shrink Wrap your boats with plastic and a heat gun? Wouldn't the plastic stick to the Fibroglass and be difficult to get off? Do you have pictures. I guess it would keep things fresh.
Do you mean you actually Shrink Wrap your boats with plastic and a heat gun? Wouldn't the plastic stick to the Fibroglass and be difficult to get off? Do you have pictures. I guess it would keep things fresh.
I'm not a rocket surgeon...but
Here is what you do... Allow 3 hours of a 36' saolboat 1. Buy Shrink wrap plastic. Measure first. 2. Get a "Shrink Wrap" heat gun. 3. Build a basic wood frame...duct tape helps. 4. Put the shrink over the frame and boat. 5. Tuck the wrap under the straps along the hull. I forgot to tell you about the plastic straps...they take about 15 mins to do. 6. Heat the shrink wrap with the gun...not too long on the same place...or you will set fire to your boat. Go home and watch hockey and drink beer. Wait for 6 months and then cut off the wrap and go sailing.
Here is what you do... Allow 3 hours of a 36' saolboat 1. Buy Shrink wrap plastic. Measure first. 2. Get a "Shrink Wrap" heat gun. 3. Build a basic wood frame...duct tape helps. 4. Put the shrink over the frame and boat. 5. Tuck the wrap under the straps along the hull. I forgot to tell you about the plastic straps...they take about 15 mins to do. 6. Heat the shrink wrap with the gun...not too long on the same place...or you will set fire to your boat. Go home and watch hockey and drink beer. Wait for 6 months and then cut off the wrap and go sailing.
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