Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

[TrenchFisherman]

I want to put my boat away but want to know which is better? What is the going rate on wrapping a 23 foot boat? Also would the silver 6 mil. be the best option for a tarp? Thanks a lot!

 

[tommays]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

You need a 10 mil tarp to last the full winter i have had the thinner ones rip at really BAD times

Shrink wrap can seal to GOOD if its not vented and cause mold and rust problems



Tommays

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

The other problem with a tarp (from personal experience) if it's not real tight and can flap in the wind it may leave marks on your gelcoat as they can be a little abrasive over time.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

i use the blue tarps in Florida. the silver does not stand up to the uv rays. deteriorate twice as fast. blues last about 18 months, silver 9 months.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

I also use blue tarps with elastic cords ...never ropes. Ropes tend to loosen over time and really let the tarp flap in the wind.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

I used a tarp on my boat last winter to hold me over until I could sew my new boat cover. That was a big mistake.

Between the water damage and the scuffing of the tarp on the gelcoat I could have had two custom boat covers made for me.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

Shrink wrap is $7 - 10 per foot which is high. A tarp will cost less that $40 add in some good rope and a few boards and you are still way ahead of the money train.

Just be careful of your installation as stated above.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

i know this is tarp vs shrink wrap. but my 2 cents is for a semi custom fit highest quality cover ya can get. my dad used the tarps and all that led to was a spent boat. and i didn't want shrink wrap as i may want to look inside my boat in the winter + the mildew issure + around here ya got to take it somewhere to have it done. i'm on my second semi custom fit cover useing black rubber bungees to hold it taught. 1st one is still holding up but is showin signs of wear but still seems servicable.... got 3 winters out of it so far, in NE. roughly a hundie per year at that rate...
best covers i've had were oem covers. but that aint always an option.......

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

Blue tarps might be OK in Fla, but the first snow in NJ will have it ripped to pieces.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

Where and how do you guys keep your boat for blue tarps to rip to pieces and cause damage to your gel coats? Are you using some kind of frame over your boat like shown in this thread?

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=1;gtid=1179458

I live in the Montreal area of Quebec, Canada. We have tons of snow and is quite a bit colder than most of the USA. I have none of the issues you fellas have with my blue tarps. It has to be nice and snug with no possibily of wind getting in and "bungeed" (not ropes).

I keep a small pontoon boat at our cottage right off the windy side of our lake with this technique with no problems. I also keep a 16 ft bowrider off the side of my house using the same technique. Again no problems.

 

[Bill Adkins]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

It snows where we are so last year I had it shrink wrapped. They built a cool frame with 2/4's using a nylon banding strap bow to stern over the boards and side to side using the cleats to tie it to. So it looked like a circuis tent frame. Then the shrink wrap was placed over it. I think that frame with a good heavy duty tarp would weather the stroms we have. I'll let ya know come spring. The motor winters off the mountain out of the weather.
Bill

 

[asorum]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

Blue tarps are part of the landscape in Alaska, but they don't hold up well in the weather. I have seen shrink wrapping used in southeast Alaska, but they put in lots of vents. I would worry about mildew.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

People that use blue tarps need to leave the planet. Damn things look like crap. There the CHEAPEST of ALL the tarps made. The damn landscape is green, brown, or white. Harbor Freight will sell ya ANYTHING, ANY COLOR, ANY SIZE, in GREEN, BROWN, OR SILVER. Silver is heavy duty, and I have 3 boats in my yard covered now with silver. Blends in real nice. Blue tarps SHOULD BE OUTLAWED if they can be seen by anyone but the cheap owner....just my 2 cents, as I have to look at the wind shredded crap blue junk

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

I agree with asorum on the mildew. My experience with boat storage is that it has to breathe. Only a canvas (cotton, not plastic) tarp can breathe.........far as I know. Never saw a plastic one that could

Mark

 

[seven up]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

The lumber tarps used for covering the cargo hauled by tractor trailers will last for years. Bungee cords are great for keeping it on.


Safety First


Enjoy

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

Hey seven up, I really like your pic (logo). If those folks in the boat only knew.

Back when the Jaws movie came out I had to do some work in the ocean. The instructors at the school who were teaching us how to survive would get their jollies by throwing a few slides of a huge shark with a mouth full of nasty looking teeth in amongst the courses slides. They just thought that was really funny.....yeah right!

Needless to say they got our attention to the point that I didn't want to go and do what I was being trained to do.

Mark

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

Tarped mine totay ...... Pulled my windshields and built a frame from PVC and used a silver tarp.

Came out very good and my Son helped with the entire process.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Tarp vs. Shrink Wrap

Real nice looking frame. Ought to work just fine.

Mark