Shrink Wrapping Boat

[jogator1]

I am from Florida and have a question about shrink wrapping a boat. Do you use this technique only with boats that are going to be kept outside for the winter? If my boat was going to be kept under a post and beam barn that was exposed on all sides but had a roof do I still need to shrink wrap my boat? What about if my boat is kept in a garage with no heat? Thank you for your responses.

[Pineedles]

We always winterized our Penn Yan and stored in an open shed without shrink wrapping (wasn't available back in the 60's). But we did sprinkle mothballs in the engine compartment and on the upholstery to keep the rodents out and prevent them from building nests. It worked quite well, but with today's I/O drives not sure if you can access areas the little critters might get into.

[Dave R]

I only have my boat warpped to shed snow. If you have a roof over the boat, there's not much of a reason to do it. Next year, mine will be under a roof.

[LIforrelaxin]

I would never shrink wrap a boat. Although if you are going to keep it outside you need to do something. My advice is to build a frame to put up in the boat that will create a good pitch when you toss a Heavy duty tarp over it. Then tie the tarp down. With a big enough tarp you cover the boat just like shrink wraping does, and the best part is if you by a good quality tarp and you build a frame that is easily assembled and disassembled you can use it for many years.

but as Dave says if you have roof over the boat there is also no reason to shrink wrap the boat...Just make sure the engine is winterized.....

[jetskier]

Just to clarify the point...the rationale for shrinkwrapping a boat is to prevent water from getting into the boat and causing damage due to freezing.

My boat is stored by Thurston's inside. Some manufacturers actually recommend against shrinkwrapping in that it can abrade the hull. This is especially of concern with colored hulls.

Hope this helps,
Jetskier:cool:

[Island-Ho]

Have you ever considered where all that plastic goes every spring? It's tough to reuse it after it has shrunk. I store my boats outside, but I made an easily assembled frame to support a heavy duty tarp which I reuse every year. So far my oldest one is on it's 6th winter season. It's also less expensive to set up in the first place. Of course it does involve some work on your part, which some people can't or won't do.

[GWC...]

Have you ever considered where all that plastic goes every spring? It's tough to reuse it after it has shrunk.

It's recycled.

The blue is better than the white for that purpose, so think blue... ;)

[LIforrelaxin]

Have you ever considered where all that plastic goes every spring? It's tough to reuse it after it has shrunk.

Island, you bring up a good point....The shrink wrap is recyclable though, one Marina I know of that is recycling it is Winnisquam Marine. There is a brief article on the program here:

http://www.nrra.net/Sept-Oct%20Newsletter%2006.pdf

unfortunatly it is not supper informative

[RLW]

I cut my used shrink wrapping into sizes that I can re-use in covering wood piles etc. The weight of the plastic is great as it doesn't tear easly. :)

[Pineedles]

Come on people! Your psycho-warming earth theories are smothering the real threat, socialism in America. The thought of each person "can make a difference", is fine, but it can be carried to far! If you don't recommend SW then fine, just don't evoke the SAVE THE EARTH edict.

[upthesaukee]

When I brought my boat to Irwin's in Alton to be winterized, I believe the sign there said they were a recycling center for used shrinkwrap, as is any place (I think that is what the sign said) that does shrinkwrapping. Seems that if you put it on, you have to take it back. Kinda like a "ship in the bottle" return bill!!!!:)

[Paugus Bay Resident]

Most marinas in the area are now participating in a recycling program.