Shrink Wrapping

aero3113

Do you guys leave your canvas up or take it down when you have the boat shrink wrapped? I always used a tarp on my 242 and left the canvas up. Not sure if I should do that with the 330 and shrink wrap?

raybo3

Mine comes off.

Spyderweb

Mine has always come off.  Just looking at other wrapped boats, I think it generally does.  I’d be a little concerned about that heat gun anywhere’s near my isinglass.

Willhound

Definitely off. Also a good chance to clean and treat it.

Ian

Always off, even now when boat stored inside. MarineMat up, canvas off and cockpit/storage cover put on and all other taken home and washed and stored flat.

DanD2

I take mine off. Bimini is rolled up and put in the boots. I stuff dryer sheets in the middle and on the ends to keep bugs out. The rest of the canvas is stored in my v-berth. I layer beach towels in between each piece.

aero3113

How about the engine hatch? Does anyone leave theirs open over the winter?

Liberty44140

I dont, the blower vents seem to keep things dry, bilge is always bone dry... but I am in indoor cold storage

Willhound

Closed. Less chance of critters getting in and probably not a good idea to leave that weight on the actuator all winter.

aero3113

I’m scheduled for tomorrow to get shrink wrapped. I removed the canvas and TV antenna, do I leave the post for the TV antenna or unscrew it from the arch?

PickleRick

Just out of curiosity are you going to store your boat in the same spot every year in your back yard?  What do you pay yearly for shrink wrapping?

I don't know if you have a strict hoa or not but locally a metal rv garage that would fit over your boat would run about 8 to 9000 assembled.  I keep cats for critters

Mine keeps dry under the garage, mooring cover keeps dust out of cockpit and i can access all winter for repairs/upgrades.   

If power goes out in the house we go to the boat and run everything off of one of my inverter generators

reneechris14

The post will be fine

reneechris14

or $2300 from cover guy with a Fisher cover. Me I go for $135 ocean state trap leaves more money for fuel.lol

aero3113

Thanks @reneechris14

@PickleRick , since this is my first winter with the boat I’m going to shrink this year and think about other options. I’ve thought about a Fisher cover, I’d rather not have a huge structure built for the boat (although it would be nice). 

I’ve read that there are ways you can reuse the wrap for many years, will try that first. I tarped my 242, so I can try that also. See the below link on reusing the shrink wrap.

https://www.boatus.com/magazine/trailering/2013/february/reusing-shrinkwrap.asp

aero3113

That are charging me $390 with a door to shrink it.

Cableguy Greg

aero3113 said:

That are charging me $390 with a door to shrink it.

That’s a good price. I have a Fisher cover and I love it. 

Dream_Inn

if you can't do the indoor storage, a custom cover is the way to go.  I've never had any issues with mold/mildew.  I keep damp rid in there thru the winter.  The dark color also keeps it warm in there for me to work on things thru the winter, or just chill out once in a while

Here's a pic of my 310 I used to own with the fisher cover.  Making the frame for both boats was a relatively simple task.  Both covers have more than paid for themselves.  The best part is I wax my boat in the fall, and have to do nothing but put the plug in after removing cover for spring.  That's it.  While everyone else is cleaning, I'm enjoying!

rasbury

Great suggestion Al...

aero3113

All wrapped for winter!

GMSLITHO

Looks like you have some projects planed with the door installed

aero3113

GMSLITHO said:

Looks like you have some projects planed with the door installed

Yes, being that she’s new to me I have a lot I want  to go over and upgrade through the winter.

PickleRick

Nothing beats the feeling of winter upgrades/maintenance. The itchy feeling on your arms from cut and/or ground fiberglass that wont go away no matter how many times you shower.  Peeling 4200/5200 off your hands for days.  That first beer on board on a warm spring day makes all that winter work worth while. 

It's 75 here today...i really should be boating and not wrenching/playing on the internet. 

GMSLITHO

My first season with mine I did the same actually ended up cutting out the door and attached a plastic tarp so I wouldn’t have to keep crawling in and out