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PostPosted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:56 pm 
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AGE < LOA

Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:53 pm
Posts: 739
So as I mentioned in the 338 thread I was going to tackle the shrinkwrap instead of hiring someone. After all, I'm only 30 so over the years I will save a ton of $$. I also wanted to make it so that I could lift the engine hatch to access the engine room. That's another bonus to the rail system - it easily allows you to do this. I just built a support for it so it wasn't taking the support strap force at an angle.
So I bought this on ebay for 600 shipped (actually the gf got it for me for my b-day)
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And I sourced my shrinkwrap locally. 28' wide x 100' 7 mil with the topcaps, vents and door all for 220. two years worth of material and some excess..
I talked to the "pros" from the vendor I sourced my mat'l from who had a mobile unit out at the marina the day I was going to shrink. Two guys were doing a ~27'er. They looked at me like I was nuts to try to do a 35' myself let alone my first time. I laughed. I told them I hear that kind of thing a lot :mrgreen: Anyway, on to the finished pics. It took some time but it never caught fire which the "pros" warned me about. It was actually a lot of fun. Instead of buying a $400 extension, I invested in a 12' folding ladder, something I've needed for my garage anyway.
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I knocked this out last friday as snow was forecasted for Saturday. Funny thing they did an episode of shinkwrapping on dirty jobs on wed night - after I had finished building my support structure.

Perfect - wrapped right down to the water line with the arch down. Without some bozos trampling all over my baby! I wrapped all the support "feet" in carpet.

So it turned out awesome! So nice that I'm going to do some side jobs when this wind dies down.
On another awesome note, got a call from the dealer and a bunch of warranty parts showed up today.

Next year I will wrap the boat right away and then winterize it. Makes it nice to keep it warm andthen work whenever you want.


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 1:19 pm 
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Sierra

Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:00 pm
Posts: 741
Location: East Coast
Nice going! It really looks like you did a terrific job and, of course, we'll be interested to hear how it holds up/what you might do differently next time. There is a lot to be said for doing a job like this yourself - no one will ever take as much care as you on your boat and to not have guys in work boots trampling over everything you work so hard to keep clean and scuff-free? Priceless.

Well done 8)

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PostPosted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 1:26 pm 
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AGE < LOA

Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:53 pm
Posts: 739
Thanks Sierra! The only thing I went back on, and you might see in the photo is some wrinkles up by the supports. It was dark and pretty late when i got it to where I could call it good for the impending snow. I went back after it dried and finished shrinking from the inside. I guess I might go ahead and order a 4' extension since I now have three boats lined up. I just got a call to do a 28' rinker.. word travels fast!


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PostPosted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:12 pm 
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email admin your custom rank

Joined: Tue May 16, 2006 8:11 am
Posts: 514
Location: Lombard, IL
Nice Work. I'm hoping to try the shrink wrap myself next year as well.
:D :D :D

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PostPosted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:45 pm 
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All Night Long
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Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:03 am
Posts: 1899
Location: Lake Washington, Seattle, WA
What's a wrap job run out there where you are at?

That's a great job... nice work! Wrap yours and start making some extra dough on the weekends... might just be able to cover your gas bill for the next summer!

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PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:37 pm 
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Whatever
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Joined: Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:39 am
Posts: 996
Location: Salt Lake, Utah
Nice job!!!

I too just bought all the stuff to shrink wrap my toys as well. This winter the boat got indoor heated storage, but will be the last, shrink wrap from now on. I was not as fortunate to get every wrinkle out. Did it in a bit of wind. Next time I will know better.

I am planning on doing a few side jobs to help pay for equipment. I got the 4' extension, totally worth having.

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I had the boat wrapped a couple years ago, and really liked it. Snow slid right off, cover is taught so wind will not chafe gel coat, ect....

going rate around here is $14/foot.

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PostPosted: Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:40 pm 
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AGE < LOA

Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:53 pm
Posts: 739
Very nice man! I'm going to show my buddy the pics of your camper. He'll want to do his! Can't tell if you put any vents in or not on the camper. I guess you probably dont need them probably not on the skis either..
It's pretty competitive here in md with all the shops, marinas so I am seeing around ten bucks/ft up until around 30 then it goes up to 12 something/ft. I heard there's a guy that had his done in our marina for 7 bucks a foot on a 30' but that might have been a "hook-up" price. Flybridges of course are extra. I had someone ask me to do it in Philly and being less competition - he was blown away by the pricing down here. 14 bucks a foot would be sweet, definitely do some side jobs! Did you buy the shrinkfast gun? If so where did you buy your extension? Drshrinkwrap looks like a pretty good deal for the extension.. I might just order it tomorrow.


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PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:31 am 
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Whatever
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Joined: Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:39 am
Posts: 996
Location: Salt Lake, Utah
I used 6 vents on the camper, and none on the jet skis. Jet skis I just used scraps from the 5th wheel and heat welded to make cover for them, so there is a couple "vents" built in.
I bought all my supplies, gun and 4' extension from dr-shrink. They have been awesome to work with!!
I would recommend them.

I have 2 and maybe a 3rd trailer lined up to shrink, but the weather turned. Have wait and see if things thaw or not. But I have them for next fall for sure.

Built a roll dispenser to hold roll of shrink wrap from collecting dirt, just need another ladder and I think I am ready.

Going to try out the white 6mil for smaller items like my skis.

I got the gun and did camp trailer in oct, got a late start to do much else this year, but next.....

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