Shrink wrapping details?

[azambella]

Can anyone comment on the cost of shrink wrapping for the winter?

DIY vs. Service???

Anyone near Salem, MA that does this???

Thanks for any input that you can offer

Z

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Are you storing in a yard? They might not want owners firing off blowtorches or allow outside contractors. Ive been told that it takes the pro's about four hours to wrap a boat

 

[Timm R Oday25]

I've been working every fall for several years shrink wrapping boats . Most 25 foot boats or less can be wrapped in 40 minutes or less .
Several things to consider , do you need acess during the winter to complete projects ? A zippered door can be installed ,usually for 60 to 100 bucks .
Some folks use one way vents when they wrap boats ,some do not . I would suggest it .
We've noticed that boats that are stored facing east to west tend to accumulate more condesation than those stored north to south.
A properly wrapped boat will not have the condesation running onto the boat itself .
In our area the going rate is between 12 to 15 dollars a foot . I hope this helps

 

[capta]

I thought it a really great idea when I lived aboard through the winter after I bought Skipping Stone. However, whether through incompetence or by mistake, he got the torch too close to the dodger isinglass and warped a section of that panel on the dodger.
As for doing it yourself, it might be something best left to the professionals.

 

[dLj]

I would not shrink wrap my boat. If I wanted it covered every winter, I would get a frame and custom canvas made and cover it that way. Certainly costs more upfront but in my opinion is well worth the cost over the long run.

dj

 

[azambella]

Thank you all for your input

Most apreciated

 

[Tally Ho]

A bit off topic, but I purchased a canvas cover for my O’Day 322 the first year I had her (about 10 or 12 years now). No frame needed for this cover. Uses the boom for support and jib halyard to support the front section.

Cover is still holding up fine, wear and tear excepted. I think I paid around $2,400 for it…so at 10 years, my cost is down to $240 a year. Well less than the $600-$800 per year to shrink wrap (and so much better for the environment).

I have seen people do their own shrink wrapping. My marina allows it. But by the time you buy the propane gun, shrink wrap, vents, zippered door, and then extra stuff cause you will probably screw something up, might be cheaper to pay someone.

But I still like the canvas cover. Keeps the rain, snow and sleet off the boat, but has plenty of ventilation.

Greg

 

[dLj]

Greg,

Great you didn't need a frame, that sure helps keep the initial cost down.

Do you have a zippered door in that cover so you can get in and out of the boat while the cover is on? How well does it withstand snow storms?

My brother had his Bristol with frame and cover and during the winter we could go do projects on his boat. Helped with staying warm inside also. His boat was also on the Great Lakes.

dj

 

[Tally Ho]

Greg,

Great you didn't need a frame, that sure helps keep the initial cost down.

Do you have a zippered door in that cover so you can get in and out of the boat while the cover is on? How well does it withstand snow storms?

My brother had his Bristol with frame and cover and during the winter we could go do projects on his boat. Helped with staying warm inside also. His boat was also on the Great Lakes.

dj

There are several places to get in the boat…

I usually unzip the “seam” on the transom…where the over is split to accommodate the back stay. There are also zippered seams on either side near the cockpit. Pretty easy to unzip the seam and climb aboard.

Mine was made in 3 sections…bow, center and stern…that zip together. Makes getting the cover on the boat easier and installing it a one-person job.

Greg

 

[azambella]

Any chance you know the brand of the canvas cover? Approx $2400 is appealing....

 

[Tally Ho]

I bought it 12 years ago…but the name of the outfit was/is the Canvas Store
( I think that this is the link...https://thecanvasstore.com/)

I ordered mine during the Chicago Boat show…so probably got a discount.

Greg

 

[quadrille38]

have been reading the conversation and wanted to second that if you can find a canvas cover you will be better off over the long haul. I’m on my 4th custom made cover over two different boats. They typically will last at least 10 years if not longer. So over the long haul they end up being a better investment.
Like Gregs, mine is made in three sections with zippered connections and a zippered door at the transom.

I used to put it on myself working alone and it took about an hour. As I’ve gotten older and the boats gotten bigger I’ve taken advantage of a terrific service our canvas company offers. They put it on in the fall and in the spring they take it off, inspect it, fold it and store in for me. I moved to a condo and don’t have room to store it any more. On and off only requires i call a couple of weeks in advance to get on their schedule.

And if you have a Hunter with the arch here is what it looks like