Opinions wanted - shrink wrap or no shrink wrap?

bradsimpson301 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2017 3:37 pm

Happy winter, everybody! My H210 is at the fiberglass shop getting some dock rash fixed from this past summer. He should be done by the end of this coming week. I was intending on getting the boat shrink wrapped, but after looking at my calendar and seeing it's already the middle of January, I'm having second thoughts. My marina opens May 1st. Last year we had the boat in the water on May 9th. What do you think?

by bradsimpson301, on Flickr

chris268 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2017 4:13 pm

It's getting late, for sure. I have read on here that guys re-use their shrink wrap by making a small cut in one spot and then using tape to seal it the next year. One guy, I believe was on his 7th winter and would use the cut to access the inside to work on it still..... he said it was a little difficult to store during the summer, but it remained in "new" shape.....

Good luck!

Surface Interval · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2017 5:05 pm

Personally, I would cover it, even if it meant using a plastic tarp and several bungees. Keep the snow and rain out. Protect it from the sun and the interior will last many more years.

chris268 · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2017 5:49 pm

If I was leaving mine outside, I would at least cover it with a tarp too. I think I would invest in the shrink either this year or in the fall. I agree with Gary, the weather is hard on them, especially 6 months without being used

Surface Interval · **Posted:** Sun Jan 15, 2017 7:34 pm

If you look around you can find boats that are never covered during the boating season and neglected in the off-season. The interior can be trash in a year or two. Controlling excess moisture in the interior will significantly extend the life of the upholstery and any carpet. For older boats that have carpet over a plywood floor, the carpet can retain water causing the plywood floor to rot rather quickly. Many of the current or older boats still use plywood as a base to build the vinyl covered panels and seats. These parts will shed most water, but are not waterproof. Check this post from jsyphil in the UK:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13772&hilit=238+upholstery

Jsyphil did a great job creating new upholstery, but the old upholstery wasn't much more than a pattern for him to start with.

Even though not everyone has indoor storage, do what you can to protect your boat and it will last longer. Hope this helps.

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Jan 16, 2017 9:19 am

I agree with covering it. If you use a good quality tarp it will be re usable and you can use pvc pipe to build a support frame to keep it from caving in under snow loads. Since yiu have that tower you can tie your pvc pipe into it.
While shrink wrap is convenient it gets expensive if you don't re use it. It can also trap moisture if you don't vent it.
I don't wrap my boat because it is painted with Imron.
I use a custom cover supported with a wood frame and fiberglass bows. It holds up well to snow loads. The frame takes about an hr to set up. The cover is about 10 years old and is still in good shape.

Even though most of my cushions were re done about 15 years ago the wood was re used. All of it by last year was rotting but the vinyl was still good so I replaced the rotted wood with pressure treated ply. I used this for the large sun pad which I replaced about 9 years ago and it held up well.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fplh6p6z0q3aw ... 2.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1hnh7jv13t2lv ... r.JPG?dl=0

230 Mike · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2017 12:11 am

Without any question, cover it!

Sea Gar · **Posted:** Tue Jan 17, 2017 6:23 pm

Definitely cover it!!

www.iFourWinns.com

Opinions wanted - shrink wrap or no shrink wrap?

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