Shrink Wrap?
- Thread starter scfinch
- Start date
It's definately doable at a significant savings. I reviewed the Dr. Shrink CD several times before I did it the first time. It takes me several hrs to do my 34 ' fly bridge boat. I was able to borrow the heat gun from a friend. Don't try it on a windy day!
Greg,
Your way too handy for a doctor
I am thinking of just shrinking the bridge. IMHO the shrink wrap puts to much stress on my bow rails.
I figure if I give the boat a good wax all should clean up nice in the spring.
Walter
Your way too handy for a doctor
I am thinking of just shrinking the bridge. IMHO the shrink wrap puts to much stress on my bow rails.
I figure if I give the boat a good wax all should clean up nice in the spring.
Walter
Hey Guys,
I wanted to chime in on this one...
It seems a lot of people are opting for the "PVC Frame and Tarp" method. This allows you to get back into the boat just in case.I'm going to take a serious look at this next year verses paying a marina $$$ to shrink-wrap it.
Of course I realize many factors play into this such as:
In the water
On a trailer(like my Wellcraft 27 ft.)
On the Marina's Property
A good PVC and Tarp system seems to be a good answer for people like me who store it on private property.
TJ
I wanted to chime in on this one...
It seems a lot of people are opting for the "PVC Frame and Tarp" method. This allows you to get back into the boat just in case.I'm going to take a serious look at this next year verses paying a marina $$$ to shrink-wrap it.
Of course I realize many factors play into this such as:
In the water
On a trailer(like my Wellcraft 27 ft.)
On the Marina's Property
A good PVC and Tarp system seems to be a good answer for people like me who store it on private property.
TJ
I have always reused the shrink wrap for 3-4 years before it's time to get a new one. I always have had a zipper door as well.
When you remove it just cut the bottom line and attach extensions to each end. Pull it over the transom and roll it to the pulpit. Fold into a neat mattress. In the fall, go to the pulpit with the shrink wrap mattress and unfold on top of the ridge pole. Then place the bow end over the pulpit and unroll it to the stern, pulling it tight along the way. Stretch it over the transom and tie the bottom line extensions together. Be sure to secure the port and starboard side under the boat in a few places.
When you remove it just cut the bottom line and attach extensions to each end. Pull it over the transom and roll it to the pulpit. Fold into a neat mattress. In the fall, go to the pulpit with the shrink wrap mattress and unfold on top of the ridge pole. Then place the bow end over the pulpit and unroll it to the stern, pulling it tight along the way. Stretch it over the transom and tie the bottom line extensions together. Be sure to secure the port and starboard side under the boat in a few places.
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2007
- RO Number
- 26934
- Messages
- 72
wated to put my 2 cents worth. I amd new to this but tried the pvc frame and tarp last weekend. It didn't take long to put up the frame but tarp another srory. The one I bought had cuts from the shipping cover being cut at the store. Once I got the tarp on took some adjusting to get a decent fit. Pulled it tight around the side of the boat like a boat cover then used severl ties on the side to keep wind from puilling it up and out. I think it will do pretty well . We'll see when the wind and 30 below hit this winter
Young Again
Member
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2007
- RO Number
- 28769
- Messages
- 35
My first year to try and reuse the shrink - I hope it's as easy as you say.
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2007
- RO Number
- 26934
- Messages
- 72
Greg
I did go with blue because it was what the prevoius owner used and stood pretty well here but am watching close as it is in the yard. Also nothing else available locally. First sign it isn't working I'll get the other on the way
Gene
I did go with blue because it was what the prevoius owner used and stood pretty well here but am watching close as it is in the yard. Also nothing else available locally. First sign it isn't working I'll get the other on the way
Gene
B
blouderback
Guest
I've used a brown/silver tarp for the last 3 years, and it still looks good as new.
Scfinch,
I just order everything to shrinkwrap my boats, yes boats, boat a new one before I sold the old one, so I have two to deal with. It cost me $789 to buy everything, including the heat gun, that was $350 of it. I also had to buy 2 different widths of shrink wrap, because it was to wasteful to use the 24 wide roll on the pontoon boat. With the 17' wide roll, I have enough to do 4-6 boats depending on thier lenght. With the 24' wide roll I have enough to do the other boat 3 times. I have a couple of friends that want me to do thier boats, I will charge them, so I can offset the cost of the gun. I was looking at $500 to pay some to wrap the 2 boats, so by next year I will be ahead of the game.
I just order everything to shrinkwrap my boats, yes boats, boat a new one before I sold the old one, so I have two to deal with. It cost me $789 to buy everything, including the heat gun, that was $350 of it. I also had to buy 2 different widths of shrink wrap, because it was to wasteful to use the 24 wide roll on the pontoon boat. With the 17' wide roll, I have enough to do 4-6 boats depending on thier lenght. With the 24' wide roll I have enough to do the other boat 3 times. I have a couple of friends that want me to do thier boats, I will charge them, so I can offset the cost of the gun. I was looking at $500 to pay some to wrap the 2 boats, so by next year I will be ahead of the game.
Ok, yesterday the shrink wrap gun and materials came. First off all, the shrink wrap is heavy!!!! The first roll 24'x120', is over 100lbs, the second roll 17x115 is still heavy!
The Heat gun takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, not to hard.
The DVD that comes with it, is really a CD, and the picture is small, but you really do need to watch it twice.
The supplies and material were all of good quality.
You need to make or buy a stand to put the roll of wrap on, I made it out of two stands that I have in the work shop, for supporting wood when working on the table saw, or chop saw, and a 7' piece of conduit.
The video, and directions say not to work in winds over 10MPH. (they are right, it makes it tough, do not ask how I know)
It was a little windy so I needed help holding the wrap in place until I got it tack in.
With a 25' Poonton boat, it took me about 2.5 hours, but I still have to shrink the material on the top, It started raining and I stop working. I figure another 30 minutes.
My biggest mistake was not covering sharp areas with bubble wrap, card board or a wad of excess shrink wrap. The bimini frame poked 2 holes in the wrap. Easy to fix, but i should have padded them.
The key to a good job, it a real tight frame from the nylon straping. (Even if I was goin to use traps i would consider using the nylon strapping and making a frame out of that. I think it would do a better job, and much easier to store. I used two 2X4's and a bunch of strap for the frame.
If anyone has any questions let me know and I will to answer them.
The Heat gun takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, not to hard.
The DVD that comes with it, is really a CD, and the picture is small, but you really do need to watch it twice.
The supplies and material were all of good quality.
You need to make or buy a stand to put the roll of wrap on, I made it out of two stands that I have in the work shop, for supporting wood when working on the table saw, or chop saw, and a 7' piece of conduit.
The video, and directions say not to work in winds over 10MPH. (they are right, it makes it tough, do not ask how I know)
It was a little windy so I needed help holding the wrap in place until I got it tack in.
With a 25' Poonton boat, it took me about 2.5 hours, but I still have to shrink the material on the top, It started raining and I stop working. I figure another 30 minutes.
My biggest mistake was not covering sharp areas with bubble wrap, card board or a wad of excess shrink wrap. The bimini frame poked 2 holes in the wrap. Easy to fix, but i should have padded them.
The key to a good job, it a real tight frame from the nylon straping. (Even if I was goin to use traps i would consider using the nylon strapping and making a frame out of that. I think it would do a better job, and much easier to store. I used two 2X4's and a bunch of strap for the frame.
If anyone has any questions let me know and I will to answer them.
This year I am trying the frame and silver tarp. A friend and I started to lay out a frame last weekend. Using 1 1/2 pvc. doing on the fly even though we planned out before hand. It definitely takes two people. Could use a third hand. Next weekend going to put together and put the tarp on.(silver tarp) Doing this on a 36 Chris craft express. The costs were about the same this year as shrink but hoping the tarp will last 3-4 yrs. Anyhing to save a few $$$$. I will need for fuel.
triplethrees
Member
- Joined
- Sep 18, 2007
- RO Number
- 28602
- Messages
- 4
NPh, i am a new boater and have a couple of questions. Frst of all what is PVC? Second can you give me some additional info on where i can go to get more info on the heat gun via internet if possible. My boat is already out of the water and i have not winterized at all. I will probably have someone do it initally and then try it on my own next year. Skeptic about doing this on my own? What do you think? Thanks.
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2004
- RO Number
- 13885
- Messages
- 2,976
Walter
I only have done the Bridge and cockpit to transom - it works well - i will do it again this year
they are talking about PVC Pipe- the kind you get from a plumbing supply or HD
If Rommer joins this he has pics of the great job he did on his boat with PVC & canvas