Shrink wrap offers an excellent protective barrier from external forces, and it's not as hard to apply as you might think.
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To begin, you should understand what shrink wrap is and how it pertains to the protection of your boat.
Essentially, a boat wrap is a tough, tight barrier that encompasses your watercraft like an external skin. It can be used for temporary or longterm storage, and it's great for boats because it naturally adjusts to the irregular shape.
Before you begin the process, do the following:
- Apply tape over your fuel vents. If you're not sure where those are, contact your local boat dealer or boat manufacturer.
- Apply foam padding, tape, or other protective barriers to all sharp objects.
- Be careful to prevent the film from dragging on the floor, which could produce static electricity that will attract dust and dirt and prevent proper welding.
- Place the film on the boat and heat-weld around the perimeter band.
- Employ the use of belly bands. These bands do the job of keeping the boat wrap taut as they pull the cover down tightly and hold it into place. With this added assistance, you can wrap the remainder of the boat.
Installation of belly bands is simple:
- Cut a slit at the lowest point of the shrink wrap.
- Knot an additional band on the perimeter band.
- Run the additional band under the belly of the boat to the other side.
- Repeat the process, placing belly bands every 3 to 5 feet along the length of your boat.
- Seal all of the pleats in the cover, taking care not to forget the bow and stern.
- Apply heat from the bottom of the cover at one end. Never begin in the middle.
- Use the heat gun to guide the shrinking process to the other end of the boat, up to the rub rail. Because you started at the bottom, the heat will rise and help the wrap shrink quicker.
- Wrap the top.
- Remove the tape from the fuel vent.
- After the shrink wrap has been completed, install vents and doors.
Do you have other tips that can help boat owners apply shrink wrap for optimal protection? Share your tricks at our Duncan Seawall, Dock and Boat Lift Facebook Page!
