Shrink wrapping?

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Warren

I will be ending my first year with my O'Day 23 and was curious about having the boat shrink wrapped. It seems almost all of the power boats have it done, while very few sailboats. I will be storing the boat at my home and we can get some serious snow during a Long Island winter. Any advise pro or con.
 
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Jay Tracy

Shrink wrapping O'Day 23

Don't waste the money. Make a wood frame for the mast so it doesn't rest on the cabin top, etc. and put a tarp over everything. Worked fine for my OD23. The second year I made a pvc frame to give the tarp a little more pitch and keep it off the stantions. That worked even better. Frame cost about $30. I got three years out of the tarp and the frame will last for ever. Don't seal the boat up tight. You just want to keep the snow and winter rail off the boat but let the air circulate. Contact me off list and I will sent you pictures of the wood and pvc frames (jst4785@rcn.com) Jay Tracy
 
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Mike

Shrink wrapping can be done right

I have the yard shrink wrap my O'day 23 every fall. They do a nice job, using scrap wood to make a modest frame and leaving the ends open at the bow and stern pulpits. Plenty of air circulates underneath. That being said, I have them do it because I don't have the time to design and make my own frame for a tarp covering. I would love to have a frame I can use so I save the $200 plus they charge for the shrink wrap every fall. I am going to contact Jay in Warwick myself to get pictures of his frame to see if its something I am capable of building myself.
 
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web

I think shrikwrap is the way to go

I'm on a tight budget (just got done being a student and all) but even so I think shrikwrapping is the way to go. More likely to toss big snow off, and much more likely to survive a big windstorm than a tarp is. Please make sure your yard recycles all that plastic, though. If not you can have it done pretty easily. Its a lot of plastic to waste. Justin - O'day Owners' Wb
 
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Ben Bishop

Texas? Sail in Texas?

Gimme a break. Some people do not want to live in Texas. Even if we could sail year round. Next time do us all a favor-resist!
 
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M. G.

Get a tarp

I shrank wrapped (mast-up) for a few years and it works very well. It is wise to install vents which can be purchased from your shrink wrap distributor. However, the annual expense even if you do it yourself gets to be a bit pricy in the long run. I had a custom fit tarp made for mast- up storage. The initial expense ($1500) was steep but the tarp when cared for will last for as long as ten years and is way easier to install than shrink wrap. It keeps the boat just as dry and there is no need to discard anything in the spring. That said I see many, many sailboats with only the cockpit covered and the owners are pretty particular about their boats. Good luck.
 
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Warren

SHRINKWRAP RIP OFF!!!

Shrinkwrap is a big rip off..... A big blue (or green) tarp will do the job. Use the mast as a ridge pole and "lace" lines over the mast at the cockpit area to support the tarp. One of the big reasons to use a tarp is that it still allows for good air flow through the boat. I've been using a tarp for over 30 years, no problems. A cheap tarp will last 2-3 years. Good Luck!
 
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Bob Todd

I'm with Warren on this one...

I use tarps and make a wood frame with pine strapping. Cost is minimal, tarps reuseable, and keeps things dry enough while allowing for circulation. Shrink-wrap is expensive, unsightly, and adds a tremendous amount of unnecessary plastic to our landfills. Most shrink wrappers do not recycle, they just throw the waste in the nearest dumpster. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an environmental nazi, but I just don't relish the thought of spending $25. on something that'll be tossed in the spring. Cheers, Bob
 
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