Should i shrink wrap my sailboat

This is an easy method to debunk as the covers that come with your boat are great for a sudden rainstorm or just for a few days to cover your boat for non-usage. Most of the time, these covers are ventilated for airflow purposes which is awful for long term storage as mildew can easily begin to grow and form. Shrink wrapping Not too many negatives to talk about here other than maybe the cost of shrink wrapping your boat. Of course, there is a decent cost associated with shrink wrapping your boat; however, there is always a hefty fee with storing your boat at a yard, and mildew removal is also very expensive.

Shrink wrap is made to shrink when heat is applied to it. Shrink is probably the industry leader in shrink wrapping products, and you can find out more about their products at dr-shrink. Here is an example of how the shrink wrap is sold:. As you heat the shrink wrap, it shrinks and creates a seal which is much tighter than any boat cover can provide. One disadvantage to regular boat covers is that they can fill with water or ice and leak or pool into the boat.

A cover can also be effected by the wind and other elements. Shrink wrap is strong and seals tight so the elements do not have any effect on it when installed correctly. When a boat sits outside for long periods of time, the exterior can become dried out and start to fade.

This might result in you having to get the boat professional detailed or buffed to restore the exterior. This process can be more expensive than just shrink wrapping the boat in the first place. The answer is — not many! The main disadvantage of having your boat shrink wrapped is the cost. Properly shrink wrapping a boat will start for around several hundred dollars, and will go up depending on the size and shape of the boat.

If you want to need to rent indoor storage for your boat over the winter, you will be paying a monthly storage fee that could easily add up to the cost of shrink wrapping. If you store your boat outside using the snap covers or mooring cover, this could cause several issues as well.

Some of these covers also do not keep the boat very clean or seal the boat up completely. Covers can also fill with water, snow or ice as we mentioned above.

This water can leak into the boat. A worst case scenario would be for the cover to tear. Then you would have to replace a very expensive cover as well.

Shrink wrap it generally installed and left on over the course of the entire winter. It is then cut-off in the spring or summer when you are ready to use the boat. So it's not a do-it-yourself project for many, though you can do it. There are disadvantages to shrink wrap, some quite large. Many of the disadvantages can be mitigated with proper installation, and most of the risks and downsides of shrink are caused by improper installation.

Correct installation adds to the price, one of the cons. No discussion on the pros and cons of boat shrink wrap is complete without looking at other options for covering your boat. Shrink wrap works well for most wintery regions, but there are other considerations when choosing your boat cover. These include your budget, the prevailing winds and expected weather and storms, the size of your boat, and where and how you'll be storing it.

Almost any permanent cover you buy for your boat will be a custom purchase tailored to your sailboat. Holes for standing rigging, stanchions, radar arches, and other off deck items are cut into it.

Canvas covers have their own set of pros and cons to consider, and one might be more appropriate for you. Off the shelf plastic tarpaulins tied down with ropes is a very popular budget alternative.

The absolute cheapest and worst way this is done is just wrapping tarps over a boat's open areas and tying it down at the corners.

For small boats, a tarp and rope cover can work. Once a boat gets big enough to consider leaving the rig up for the winter it is a less desirable alternative. If you must use tarps, consider building a frame over the boat to tie the tarp too. It will minimize chafe, allow for tighter attachment of the tarp, and provide some protection against snow buildup if you can slope the top. If your boat is small enough or you can afford it, indoor storage makes any cover unnecessary.

It can be very expensive if it's anything but your own garage or barn, but nothing will keep your boat cleaner and safer for the winter.