Shrink Wrap vs. Winter Cover

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tcontic

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I have a 2001 Sea Ray 230 BR. I'm debating using the winter cover that came with the boat, seems to be in great shape, or shrink wrap.
Shrink wrap for my boat would cost about $300 per year. Boat will be stored outside for about four winter months.

Thank you in advance for your advice,
Tom
 
Dam* Shrink wrapping is expensive in your neck of the woods! Aound here, you're looking rb2@gr5t about $200 or less for that size boat.
 
I'm not happy about spending $300 /year but I want to make sure the boat is well protected during the winter months.

The cover seems to fit well, covers the entire boat including swim platform.
 
Is it a custom made Fisher cover? If so, it is MUCH better than shrink wrap. It allows air flow which prevents mold and mildew from forming. I have used one for seven years.
 
Is the cover adequately supported and are you able to get to the boat to brush it off any time we get snow, esp the heavy wet snow. Are you sure heavy rains won't pool in the cover, especially since on land it will not sit at the same angle as it will in the water. Those are the issues. The shrink wrap is taut and slippery enough that the snow slides off and you won't have to bother brushing it off.

Is the boat kept at your house, or is the yard close to home?

Granted snow on LI is no sure thing, but, we do get major storms every few years. A foot of wet snow might be enough to damage the cover, pull the snaps out etc.
 
I'm not sure of the manufacturer of the cover but it seems to be a custom as it fits nicely from bow to stern including covering the large swim platform.

It secures with straps not snaps and has a rope around the entire cover that I pulled tought and tied off.

I supported the cover at the center with 2x4 that pitch the cover to allow runoff.

The boat is stored at my brother in laws house about 15 minutes from home, so it's always accessible.

Tom
 
Sounds like the cover I have for my bow rider - I got it from Overton's and it's "custom" for a given model and year. Has those same straps you are talking about but I put snaps in mine and use it in the summer. I think that would be fine, but, again, you (or your BIL) will have to get out there and keep the snow off if we get a heavy one. If we get one of those 18" jobs with the snow-rain-snow-rain bit, might have to clean it off several times during the storm. The straps would probably hold but you could split a seam or something. On the other hand, you might get lucky if it's in a windy spot and the wind will mostly keep it clear.

I had been using a 2*4 frame and poly tarps the last few years and that worked fine. I had made the frame very tall to improve the chances of snow falling off - steeper angles. This year I shrink wrapped but that was because a friend has the stuff to do it so the price was right.

At $300 a pop, you might think about buying the heat gun and doing it yourself. I think they run around $600. I know there are 3 or 4 guys on my canal who all chipped in on one and work together to do all their boats. There are a few tricks to setting up the banding but on a smaller boat, it's not rocket science. Having seen it done once I believe I could do it myself now.
 
If you want to sleep well at night, I would invest in a shrink wrap gun. Last year I purchased a 36' Carver and was charged $800.00 to shrink wrap it. This fall I purchased the shrink wrap equipment and did it myself. If you watch the video a couple of times, like they say to do, you will be an expert shortly. I picked up a couple of other boats and made my money back. Good luck.
 
two options, as far as I am concerned. If it is a "winter" cover, and you can access it easy enough, to keep the heavy snow off of it, go for the cover.

Other wise, I suggest shrink wrapping it, but do it yourself. If you are somewhat handy, you and a friend could do it in a easy day, just make sure it is not windy. The initial outlay will cost more, but in the long run it will save you money.
 
quote:
Originally posted by tcontic

Click to expand...
Hi Tom,
I'm new at boating and have a 2005 26' Regal. I checked buying a cover vs. shrink wrap. The cover will cost about $500. The payback is about 2 to 3 yrs. I'm having it shrink wrapped this year but will buy a cover for it next summer.

Hamster
 
I bought a 60 x 40 hay tarp in 2000 for $125. It covers the hay once it's loaded on the truck and is extremely heavy duty. I've covered our 250 DA every year with a 2 x 4 spine down the middle with enough pitch that the snow doesn't build up. I can get out and into it to play anytime I get the urge. The tarp is still in great shape and I'm sure it will last at least 2 - 3 more years. I put the mooring cover on underneath this and it allows the boat to breath without any moisture build up. Any time the wind blows there is great ventilation. Shrink wrap is a great way to go, but it seems expensive to me. I guess if you have a new $150,000+ boat, it's a small price to pay. Ours are all depreciated!!
 
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