Six Points To Ponder Prior To Shrink Wrapping Your Boat As A Part Of Your Winter Storage

Posted on: 11 July 2016

If you own a boat, summer always seems to quickly come and go. There never seems to be enough time to be on the water as much as you want. Before you know it, you will be making plans to place your boat back in storage for the winter. Depending on where you live and the type of boat storage you are planning to use, you may want to consider shrink wrapping your boat prior to putting it up. If you are trying to decide if this is right for your boat, here are a few things that you may want to consider. 

Shrink wrapping is more than plastic wrap

When you have your boat shrink wrapped, your installer will build a skeleton or a support structure using support poles and strapping lines. Once these are properly in place, they will then cover your boat with a polyethylene plastic and then use heat to create a tight, water-proof seal. When this is done properly, it will help to protect your boat from ice, snow, wind, rain, and harmful UV rays throughout the winter.

Shrink wrapping will protect your paint and fiberglass

When you uncover your boat in the spring, you always hope to find it in the same shape it was in when you put it up for the winter. Unfortunately, if it is not properly covered or placed in an inside boat storage unit, this may not be the case.

Canvas, vinyl, or any other types of covers that can move or blow in the wind all have the potential to scratch or mar the paint on your vessel and can even possibly damage the fiberglass of your hull. Shrink wrapping will eliminate the potential movement that other types of covers may have. This will reduce the amount of potential damage that may take place over the winter. 

Shrink wrapping will reduce the weight of ice and snow

Unlike canvas covers, which have the potential to sag under the weight of ice and snow, shrink wrap will remain in place. When properly installed, shrink wrap will cause ice and snow to slide off of your covered boat faster, which will eliminate the need for you to go out and remove this material by hand.

Shrink wrapping can reduce mold and mildew damage

One of the downsides of owning a boat is that mold and mildew are always present. When you combine these spores, a little moisture, and a food source, which is basically any organic material on your boat, mold and mildew will flourish.

Although it is important to ensure that there is proper ventilation to allow fresh air into your boat, shrink wrapping helps control the amount of moisture your boat is exposed to during the winter months. Adding vents will help to eliminate condensation or the moisture needed by mold and mildew. Always make sure that you remove anything that mold and mildew may grow in over the winter. This includes any organic materials such as things made from leather, fabric, or canvas.

Shrink wrapping can prevent unwelcome guests from wintering on your boat

When the weather gets cold, most warm-blooded mammals are looking for somewhere nice and dry to spend the cold winter months. These include:

  • Mice 
  • Rats
  • Squirrels
  • Skunks
  • Possums
  • Raccoons and others

Unfortunately, if creatures can find a way in, this place may be your boat, and if left to their own devices, they can cause a considerable amount of damage over the winter. When your boat is properly shrink wrapped, there is less of a chance of any type of creature spending the winter season on board.

Shrink wrapping is not cheap

Unfortunately, one of the downsides of shrink wrapping is the cost. It is not cheap when you compare it to buying a canvas or any other type of cover. The cost of shrink wrapping will vary based on several components. These include:

  • Where you live
  • The size of your boat
  • Who performs the work
  • Extra venting, mildew protection, and more

If you choose to shrink wrap your boat prior to placing it in storage for the winter, ask your local marine dealership for recommendations of company that perform this service in your area. They will be able to give you recommendations as to who to use. For more tips, contact a company like Sentry Mini-Storage Inc.  

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