Shrink wrap. Is there a cheap alternative.

[finding41]

I had the idea of wrapping one of my boats this year. I don't want to pay $14/ foot so I was thinking of using 6 mill vapor barrier poly.
I tried a little test on a set of pliers in a vice on the bench and it didn't go as I had hoped.
So Is ther a off the shelf plastic that one can use to wrap there own boat out there? (Other than buying a roll of the real stuff.)
Here is how the pliers turned out with the 6 mill... It shrunk but not like I wanted it to. (Am I missing something simple?)

 

[Apex]

if you don't want to use shrink wrap, then tarp or cover instead. actual shirnk wrap can be had fairly cheap, but there is a steep learning curve, ask Panta Rhei.

 

[bletso]

Try looking at these videos at Jamestown http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...er_att_name0~UserType^user_att_value0~NewUser

It's really not hat hard. It lasts far better than standard plastic tarps.

 

[Samaral]

Finding41,

6 mil Poly film it is not shrinkable. To have the shrink wrap effect, you have to use shrink film.
On my boat what I did it is to have a winter cover custom made. It did cost me around 3K the canvas and the frame. I have being using for 5 years and it is still in very good shape.

 

[woodster]

how long is your boat at 14.00 a foot that's not bad for a 30 ft boat and a roll of good poly will cost about 50 to 100 dollars just sitting in the box the price seems reasonable to me if that is an installed price

 

[dlochner]

Finding41,

6 mil Poly film it is not shrinkable. To have the shrink wrap effect, you have to use shrink film.
On my boat what I did it is to have a winter cover custom made. It did cost me around 3K the canvas and the frame. I have being using for 5 years and it is still in very good shape.

While the up front costs are high, around $3K a custom fitted canvas cover with a frame is the way to go. Especially in northern areas, you can start working on the boat in March, by April you'll be in shirt sleeves while everyone around you is bundled up.

I've had 2 covers made by 2 different companies, Custom Canvass in Niagara Falls and Fairclough in Connecticut. Different approaches, both work.

With care, the covers can last 10 years or more. In the long run cheaper than shrink wrap and way less plastic waste.

Unfortunately it is probably too late in the season to order one for this year. Fairclough typically offers a substantial discount if you order in late winter for fall delivery.

 

[Daveinet]

Window heat shrink film?

 

[Rich Stidger]

Ditto on the custom cover. If you plan on keeping your boat for a while, the savings will more than offset the cost of shrink wrap. I had a cover made by Fairclough in Essex, CT and I have just installed it for the 17th season. I have a 40 foot sailboat and the cover cost about $4K in 1998. Shrink wrap for my friends 44 foot boat is about $1K each year, mine would be a little bit less. So I had about a 5 year payback and now have $10K+ in my pocket.

I don't know of any other plastic that will hold up to winter snow loads like real shrink-wrap.

 

[Ron20324]

Alot of marinas now have special recycling for used shrink-wrap.

 

[kito]

Is there an advantage to shrink wrapping over a properly installed poly tarp? At least the tarp would allow some air circulation.

 

[Ian McGain]

Greenhouse poly, available in four and six mil, clear or white and will last multiple years. If interested go to owner mods for Hunter 30s (older models)

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

When you pay $14 a foot it's not the materials that cost much. It only costs about $100-150 in materials for my 31 foot boat. And that is for the more expensive clear shrink wrap and building a door to get on and off since we liveaboard. Labor is what drives that cost up. If you are able to do the job yourself it would be considerably cheaper.

But that does take some skill, a torch and some marinas may not allow you to do it. Technically in Boston, we have to get a permit from the local fire department too. But I don't think any of the DIYers get the permit.

 

[Bob S]

Rich,

Your cover looks great for 17 years. I'm going on 7 seasons with my Fairclough but it needs a good cleaning. Just like the annoying streaks running down the side of my nicely buffed and waxed hull, I get them on the canvas. Once covered it's not an easy task to get up there to wash?

 

[Rich Stidger]

Rich,

Your cover looks great for 17 years. I'm going on 7 seasons with my Fairclough but it needs a good cleaning. Just like the annoying streaks running down the side of my nicely buffed and waxed hull, I get them on the canvas. Once covered it's not an easy task to get up there to wash?

Bob,

I must confess- the picture I posted was the best photo I have of the cover but it was taken in 2003, 11 years ago. However, the cover really looks the same today as then. Yes it is a bit dirtier, but really not bad. And I have had additional zippers added to accommodate my wind generator that is not shown in this picture. I have also added a few small patches and I have restitched a couple zippers. With some continued annual care I expect this cover to last another 5+ years. For instance, after the cover comes off in 2015, I plan to restitch all the zippers as I have experienced thread failure at the zippers for the last 2 years. I have also started adding a second string of the wood strips to take more snow load with less strain on the cover itself.

Below is a picture of one zipper that I re-stitched this fall and a current picture of my cover from a week ago.

 

[joker460]

I just use Klover Klamps and Kover Klips with a standard poly tarp. Tarp lasts for 3 seasons and costs $136. That means I'll have paid $4k in 29 years time.

 

[Rich Stidger]

I just use Klover Klamps and Kover Klips with a standard poly tarp. Tarp lasts for 3 seasons and costs $136. That means I'll have paid $4k in 29 years time.

As long as the poly tarp holds up to the wind and snow, that is great. Love the price! Around my neck of the woods, I see a lot of poly tarps that are in shreds in the spring. Yours looks nice and taut so as long as it is padded for chafing I wold expect it to perform as you describe.

 

[RichH]

On smaller boats, if youre careful and 'well planned', buy your own shrink-wrap and 'heat gun', you can use that cover over and over many years. All you need to apply is the 'shrink wrap' TAPE and wee bit of additional shrink wrap for any 'repairs'.

 

[Daveinet]

But that does take some skill, a torch and some marinas may not allow you to do it. Technically in Boston, we have to get a permit from the local fire department too. But I don't think any of the DIYers get the permit.

Why can't you use a paint stripper gun?

 

[bffatcat]

winter covers

Would someone be kind enough to explain the difference between a heavy poly tarp, padded edges properly installed and a shrink wrap job.

 

[Dave602]

I was fortunate to have a cover come with my boat when I bought it. I love it. Keeps it warm and clean. One similar at the boat show was about $2,500.