Shrink Wrapping a Boat for Storage

INSTALL SUPPORT STRUCTURE ON YOUR BOAT

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE TRAINING VIDEO

Please view the training video at least twice before shrinkwrapping your boat. Follow all necessary safety precau¬tions when using a knife to cut strapping, saw wood and when climbing on any ladders.

BEFORE INSTALLING WRAP

1. Tape over fuel vents (contact your boat dealer for help in locating fuel vent).

2. Pad all sharp objects with foam padding, shrinkwrap, tape, etc.

3. Be sure that film does not drag on the ground or floor (static electricity in the film attracts dirt and dust which won’t allow the film to weld properly.)

SHRINKING

Once the film is on the boat (after you have heat-welded around the perimeter band) there are a few steps that can help in achieving a wrinkle-free, tight cover. You must install the belly bands immediately after heat weld¬ing around the perimeter band on the boat. These taut straps pull the slack from the wrap allowing it to become tighter when heated. The shrinking order is as follows: Seal all pleats in cover, including the bow and stern. Begin applying heat at the bottom of the cover near one end (never in the middle). Guide the shrinking with the heat gun (use it as if you were spray painting) to the other end of the boat, up to the rub rail. Starting at the bot¬tom of the cover allows the heat to rise and helps you shrink more quickly. Now you can shrink the top; be care¬ful not to put excess heat on the corners or sharp protruding objects. Avoiding these areas allows the shrinkwrap to maintain its full thickness at these points.

HOLE PATROL

When the cover is completely shrunk, you must check for burn or puncture holes in the cover. A hole in the shrinkwrap will not tear or rip, but will certainly allow the elements into the boat. The most effective method of repairing a hole or weak spot is to use shrinkwrap tape which is made of the same materials as the wrap itself. When shrinkwrap tape is applied to a hole, or to reinforce over a sharp object, it MUST be rubbed to remove air bubbles and activate the adhesives in the tape. The tape should also be lightly warmed using the gun so that the tape will adhere better.

REMOVE TAPE FROM FUEL VENT

VENTS AND DOORS

Vents and doors are installed after the cover is completely shrunk. They are not heated onto the cover at all. Vents are self-adhesive and the adhesive on them must be hand warmed and rubbed to have a complete seal. Doors are taped to the cover using either 2” or 4” shrinkwrap tape. The door is then unzipped and a hole cut underneath the zippered area.

ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF SHRINKWRAP!