Shrink Wrapping?

[JimS123]

Back in the old days, "everybody" used canvas for winter covers. The "experts" said you couldn't use a plastic tarp because it would cause mildew. I personally have seen neighbors boats that looked awful when uncovered the next Spring. Canvas "breathes", while plastic doesn't.

So, today when they shrink wrap they put vents in it. Most do, but not all -so do the non-vented wraps cause mildew?

I'm asking because my buddy wants to leave his boat outside for the first time. Anybody have success with shrink wrap in a northern climate?

 

[shrew]

Re: Shrink Wrapping?

I shrinkwrap my boat in New England every year. I put vents in to promote air ciculation. The more vents teh better. I have a cabin, so I also leave the hatches open to promote airflow internally. I don'thave any issues. Every marina I drive past the majority of boats are shrinkwrapped.

 

[americaneagler77]

Re: Shrink Wrapping?

should use blue shrink wrap in the northeast, not white

 

[oops!]

Re: Shrink Wrapping?

on the coast use blue shrink wrap.....it can litterally rain inside the white wrap when the sun hits it.

years ago, when shrink had just came out.....we had a big problem with mold in the spring.....

then a few vents were placed in the boat.....and a few dry-eze. it stopped the mold.

you can buy vents or you can cut openings and tape covers over the openings.....you need at least one on each side of the boat....two is better.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Shrink Wrapping?

should use blue shrink wrap in the northeast, not white

They use white around here without any problem.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Shrink Wrapping?

They use white around here without any problem.

Same here

 

[Starman8]

Re: Shrink Wrapping?

If you shrink wrap, great.

Winter, true winter conditions up North require 3 things in order of importance:

1. DRY..........no water snow/water in the boat
2. Ventilation.............at least circulation
3. Vermin.............non-humans looking for a home.

I need to store outside this season to create one more car spot and reserve a spot for a possible shoalbanger rehab.

Yard location is shielded by pines from N/NW blows.

Built an internal ridgeboard system..............cheap

Covered with travel cover made from TOP GUN material.

Inside, every passage has a BOUNCE fabric softener sheet including the holes in seat bases.

Over the travel cover is a POLY cheapo tarp cross-twined Port to Star front to back to lock it down.

Go to HD and get some clothes Dryer duct and attach to splashwell and term it outside cover in screen for vent while prohibiting MICE

Twine all around the boat circular under the rubrail to seal the perimter.

Place a 2x4 after all this from the Jack you made by the windshield to the fore and the aft.

Put secondary cover over all, like a tent, and tie it all down.

 

[shrew]

Re: Shrink Wrapping?

should use blue shrink wrap in the northeast, not white

True the Blue is a thicker mil and is suggested where there are heavy snowloads. I use white as does about what appears to be 95% of the boats I see shrinkwrapped (not NOT ALL boats, just those that are shrinkwrapped) are also using white in southern New England. Standards will vary by location. As for the moisture, if there is proper ventilation it will not 'rain' inside the wrap. This is more a function of moisture and internal/external temperature variation than it is the color of the shrinkwrap. I've spent many hours working on the boat while it's wrapped and even moisture from breathing will not cause this condition if it's properly ventilated.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Shrink Wrapping?

blue isn't thicker... it's just blue.... It traps more heat and helps melt/shed snow and ice

you can get both blue and white in various thicknesses

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Shrink Wrapping?

I'm having mine wrapped come this weekend. Not sure what color it will be, but I have never seen blue wrap used at my club, only white.

I hope they use white, so when I need to be on the boat, it is brighter inside.

 

[PeteyDaMan]

Re: Shrink Wrapping?

Same here

X3 here