Shrink Wrap question

[Scott21120]

I am looking for a torch for shrink wrapping, and am a little confused by the range of prices - I see prices any where from under $20 to over $200 for what appears to be simple extension wand with a bell housing and regulator. Any one able to clarify what exactly should be required?

 

[Derek Rowell]

Be careful...

I purchased the Dr. Shrink heat gun (around $300) several years ago. Most of the guns are around $600, so I am not sure where you get the prices you quote.You need a gun with a trigger so that you can control the heat in short bursts. The heat-shrink guns generate lots of heat and must be carefully controlled. Heat shrink film is not flame retardent and extreme care is necessary. I wouldn't consider any heat gun not made for the purpose.Here's a couple of links:Dr. Shrink: http://www.dr-shrink.comShrinkit: http://www.shrink-wrap-film.com

 

[Laurence]

Shrink Wrapping Is Fun!

You need a real good torch. $600 for used...$1200 for new.Build a wood frame over the boat. Secure it with plastic rope.Use the same plastic rope and tie a complete band around the hulljust a foot or so above the waterline. Place the shrink over the boat and secure it with the inder the "bellyband" that you tied around the hull.Pull the plastic tight to eliminate the slack and then shrink. Be sure touse some welders gloves. They are needed to press the warm plastic over the bellyband. Plastic and stick to itself and the glover are required to keep your hands from burning.Most important...get a serious heat gun. No blowtorch for plumbing willcut it. This job needs quick fast heat.Have Fun!

 

[Richard McDonald]

Dr. Shrink heat gun works real well..

Scott,I have been shrink wrapping my H37C for the last 4 years. I got all of the materials and heat gun from Dr. Shrink located in Michigan.The process is time consuming when wrapping with the mast up since you have to wrap in 2 sections (mast to bow and mast to stern) and heat weld the film sections down each side of the boat and also all of the standing rigging. It takes me 2 days with my wife (depending on wind conditions). First day to mount the 2x4 wood base structure (it's marked and re-used every year, stored in the garage rafters in the summer), run the plastic rope support, install the film, seam the film and do some limited shrinking (again wind dependent). Since the fall wind here in Milwaukee normally pickup from lunchtime on, I come back early morning when the wind is low to do the final shrinking.The process with the mast down is much easier and done in a day.Where is your boat slipped or moored? I am at McKinley south section L dock and winter at Milwaukee Marine up the KK river, which allows owner shrink wrapping. Be careful some yards do not allow it anymore, so you should check with your yard.You can contact me if you have any questions (rmcdonald(@)wi.rr.com)

 

[Leroy Thomas]

Get out of the shrinkwrap trap

Shrinkwrap is the most costly "monkey-see-monkey-do" trap in the world. Go to <dryazabonesystems.com> for a mast-down, weather-proof tarp built to give you 5 years without polishing anything above your waterline. Call 219-226-3312 for more details. I've had my 2 boats, a PY26 and a Catalina 25 drydocked next to my house for over 5 years now, and neither needed polishing this summer. The PY26 is in Michigan City. Ciao. Leroy Thomas -- "MIRACLES"

 

[jimq26]

Leroy - you are soooo right with that statement!

nm

 

[Mike]

Leroy, what is that website again?

Leroy: can you retype that website again please? Your post has an icon in the web address. thanks.

 

[Derek Rowell]

I "decoded" it...

It's "dryazabonesystems"http://www.dryazabonesystems.comI looked at their site - I don't get it. Looks like a heavyweight tarp - $1100 plus cost of accessories for my boat. At 5 years of life, that's about $220 per year, which is about twice what it costs me to shrink wrap it myself.

 

[Alan]

The only requisite...

...for that system is that the mast MUST be down. For those of us who store mast up this is not an option.

 

[Evan]

benefits of shrink warp vs nothing

Hi, what are the benefits of shrink wrap vs not thing? My boat is in toronto and we get a cold snowy winter.

 

[Bob Todd]

Sorry, but Dryasabone...

...doesn't look any better than a Job Lot tarp with webbing sewn onto it. I'll stick with shrink wrap. It's inexpensive, has a door, has vents, and keeps things nice and warm and dry.Cheers,Bob

 

[Droop]

I would not shrink warp

it can trap water and cause blisters. I have seen it happen on my friends boat.I would get a custom cover. They cost about 2Gs. If you don't have the cash mcover it the best you can with tarps.

 

[Bob Todd]

If done properly...

...shrinking will not cause blisters.Cheers,Bob

 

[Nereussailor]

I bought the Dr Shrink kit 5 years ago...

and have used it every year. I had a Mac 26S and it worked great. It cost me around a hundred and fifty bucks for everything that I needed to wrap the boat, after purchasing the torch kit. Always use the vents and a zippered door is a good thing if you want to check the boat in the middle of the winter. I used my door for three years before I bought a new one. Vents are pretty much a one time shot. the clips can be used again ane again. One year I was too late to get the webbing from Waste Marine before the snow was to come down so I purchased a roll of electric fence webbing from a farm supply store. it worked just as good as the webbing from Dr shrink.

 

[Warren 22]

Snake Oil

Shrink Wrapping is "Snake Oil"A large blue (or green) tarp is MUCH cheaper and better for the boat.Its important to let air flow through the boat.....shrink wrap is too tight. A blue tarp is best left somewhat open at both ends, so the air flows through.Good Luck!

 

[Joe Peterson]

Cheeper at Boatshrink.com

I used Dr. Shrink for years but try boatshrink.com, the prices are a little cheeper. It's not on the website but in one ad, use discount code ANV12 for a 10% discount. I think this is for the first order only but I've used it 3 times with no problem. Also, the items in red on the website are much less money than anywhere I've seen. The other prices are only slightly cheeper.

 

[John P12803]

a little more thought

I agree with the simple tarp. I prefer the heavy weight grey tarps. Actually, I typically use 2-4 tarps. -A small tarp over the companionway-A larger tarp over the pop-top (catalina 25)-A Large tarp from the mast to the stern rail-A large tarp from the mast to the bow (not always done)I read a bit this year that mentioned hanging your fenders over the sides of the boat and having the tarp fall just to the edge of the fenders. I have never done this, and my tarps always hit at the gunwales.Still, the best bet is to drop the mast and have one long complete tarp end-to-end. But not every body drops the mast, nor wants to. I will only do it if there is maintenance to be done on it.