Shrink wrap and storing outside duirng an Iowa winter

mikebaker1975 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 07, 2011 8:36 pm

Can anyone help me with the pros/cons of storing outside and getting a boat shrink wrapped? In years previous to this I've stored in a building during the offseason.

Is it really okay? Any concern about trailer or fiberglass that is exposed?

Paul I. · **Posted:** Fri Oct 07, 2011 9:02 pm

I Live just out side of Boston. The amount of rain & snow is not so important, its how you build the frame so it sheds them off.

For the past 10 years, the boat goes in the drive way. I first winterize it, cover it and than jack the trailer up. No problem in doing this outside. But before you rap it, you MUST first build a frame. It must be strong, and pitched high enough to let the rain & snow run off. There can not be low spots were the rain can pool up. Most frames are built from strapping & 2x3 or 4s. I used 2" PCV with 2x4s. I reuse the PVC from year to year. The first year I cut it to fit, now I just put it all together.

Walt · **Posted:** Fri Oct 07, 2011 9:20 pm

Mike,
We get comparable amounts of winter, and have comparable aged boats. I don't shrink wrap, or build a "lean-to". I do winterize, spray some lysol throughout, open all the doors/hatches, and drop in a few dryer sheets for good measure. I then make sure the boat is level port/stbd, and crank the bow up as high as possible (a 2"x? under the jack is sufficient); then I put a standard tarp over the trailering cover. Seems to work fine. I check after a heavy snow, and broom off as needed to keep stress off the cover/poles. If you are under cover, then won't be an issue for you. I also recommend (if exposed to the sun) turning the boat 180 deg from the direction it faces in the summer. The idea being to even out the sun/weathering along the gelcoat. My BILs boat looks heavily oxidized on the one side because of that.

Paul I. · **Posted:** Fri Oct 07, 2011 10:51 pm

Walt brings up a good point about the sun. But if it is shrink wrapped, is should cover at least 2 feet below the gunnel, in some places to the keel depending on how its done.

Walt · **Posted:** Sat Oct 08, 2011 8:38 am

yup, I thought of that because Mike's FW is about the same color as my BILs crown. I like the thought of shrink wrap, but assume its somewhat expensive, and don't usually see it here. Regardless which way you go, I do suggest if your boat is stored exposed to the sun... summer or winter, that it be rotated periodically.

LouC · **Posted:** Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:33 am

More boats here are shrink wrapped because inside storage here is expensive and hard to find. If it's done right, it holds up to snow and ice very well, they have to build a frame to support it and it has to be vented or else you can get a lot of condensation and mildew. That's the main points with any kind of cover. On my old bow rider I have a custom canvas cover that I built a frame for kind of like a convertible top frame. It holds up pretty well to snow loads and after the initial expense it is cheaper than shrink wrapping it every season. I'd say most newer boats here are shrink wrapped each winter.

Walt · **Posted:** Sat Oct 08, 2011 10:37 am

I stand corrected!

I did a little surfing this morning, and found it wouldn't be a difficult DIY project (as viewed on youtube), and the material, albeit 125 ft rolls, are not that expensive at about $150 for 5 boats/seasons worth, that comes to the price of a new tarp every winter.

As LouC stated- support and ventilation are big! Maybe I'll try it next season.

EDIT- I did just get a price from a local marina for $12.99/ft, so about $275.... that's a little pricey for me, but is that in line with others elsewhere?

mikebaker1975 · **Posted:** Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:09 pm

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I was out and about today and stopped by my local marina and checked out a couple boats they had wrapped. The wrap did extend quite a ways down the side and it had a vent on top to allow it to breathe. It also looked like they had built a structure of some kind under the wrap to bolster support.

Good point on the sun...that was one thing I hadn't thought about.

On the plus side we go up to the farm quite often during the winter so I'll be able to check it frequently.

powellcrazy · **Posted:** Sun Oct 09, 2011 11:15 am

Around here, dealers charge $12-15 / foot. I think I could do it for $10/ft and make a profit... So far I have only done it for myself. Costs are more than just a roll of shrink wrap. Tools to do job; ladders, propane bottle, heat gun, strapping, framework, vents, ect...

I wrap my own boat, I also reuse wrap at least 2 seasons (so that cuts cost in half), also I can wrap as far down, or even include trailer....

Go to http://www.dr-shrink.com this is were I buy my supplies, they also have videos on how to.

As mentioned above, make a sturdy frame, with the pitch I use (may be a little extreem) but not a 1/2" of snow will ever build up. I also add a zipper door on boat so I can get in and work on off season projects.

Here is a photo and link to other photos of my wrap projects.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/579601573iyUCPY?vhost=home-and-garden

Here is a thread that may give some more info
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8373

As for storing indoors vs. Out, IMHO, you should be preping for long term storage the same regardless. If heat were to go out, better have motor drained! All other "winterization" / long term storage items, such as fluid changes, grease / inspect u-joints and gimbal bearing. Fogging motor, I am sure there are more I am not recalling right now.

I have stored our boat inside/heated, "pros" are clear... "Cons" cost

Shrink wrap, "pros" cheap, fits very tight to boat to not chafe gel coat in wind vs tarp. Water proof, keep boat dry.
"Cons" high cost if you have someone do it, takes a little time if you do it yourself. Start up costs with equipment.

powellcrazy · **Posted:** Thu Oct 13, 2011 8:19 pm

I found a couple links that some may find of use

http://blog.boattrader.com/2011/10/how-to-shrink-wrap-a-boat.html

http://youtu.be/-BMzlaj34WY

Saturday went upto the lake and winterized the camp trailer and wrapped. Did see one boat out on the water, pulling a tube. Water temps have to be in the low 50's :shock:

nighttime lows are upper 20's - low 30's.....

www.iFourWinns.com

Shrink wrap and storing outside duirng an Iowa winter

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