Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

[smokeonthewater]

I really can't afford to get a storage cover made and the cost of having the boat wrapped is insane.... I've done some reading and it looks like I can get the supplies to wrap it 3 times over with a door and plenty of vents for a little over $250...... I am absolutely NOT going to spend $300-$500 on a propane heat gun....

I'm thinking a $30 electric heat gun or a $20 propane weed burner or both....




Anyone have any input on the subject?

 

[mickms]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

I was thinking of doing the same myself but after reading a little more about the process I'm leaning against it. I expect it will take a few fails before I figure out how the right blocking and structure to set up under the wrap, so that means probably doing it wrong 2-3 times that could cost anything from just wasting the wrap material on a do-over, to having it fail during severe weather and not being able to try a do-over until boat is full of snow, or, worst of all, some screw up that permanently damages the boat!

Now, if I had watched a professional wrap the boat without any problem through a prior season, then I might change my mind and try to just copy what they did.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

watch these 5 videos
http://www.bigshrink.com/Shrink-Wrap-Video_c_1.html

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

Never done it before but found your link very educational! Thanks for sharing and I would love to see and hear about your finished project, if you do it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

Sorry, won't work. Been there, done that.

what's the problem? Too hot? Not hot enough? What? You tried both?

 

[mickms]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

Great videos. Remarkable that you can't let this stuff touch the ground so it stays pristine. One of those things that's probably easy if you have a couple helpers, but next to impossible if your working with just the Mrs. to lend a hand.

 

[brielly]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

Buy some 2X4's, build some A-frames and get one or long pieces to run the length of the boat. Buy a tarp $60 or so and put it over the structure. I also get some electrical conduit less than $1 each to help create the structure. I do this every year for under $100. As long as its tall enough rain/snow rolls right off and you're good to go. As others have stated if you do the shrink wrap wrong it will end up being much more money.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

Thanks but I AM going to shrink it.... Question is about the heat source.... I will probably be 1000 miles away from my boat this winter and I'm not going to trust it to a tarp.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

Never seen a weed burner so I googled it and certainly looks like it would work, that thing threw alot of heat, the one I saw was called a Weed Dragon and it threw a flame 2' long.

It actually looked alot like the ones we use at work and we shrink 27 boats a day but those have a trigger that you can blast it.

I am not doubting Bubba just saying it looks like it would work, the electric heat gun not so much.

http://www.eweedcontrol.com/#

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

yeah, well I never expected it to work as well as the shrinkfast gun but I kinda figured it'd get the job done..... bubba, what model of weed burner did you use?

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

Wow, that weed burner looks crazy. I wonder if it wouldn't create to much heat and burn right through the plastic though?

 

[zopperman]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

That weed burner looks like it would be a fun toy. What about a vietnam style flame thrower?

I looked on the internet a bit for you, and it seems that a lot of people wound up splitting the cost of the real "heat gun" Could that be a plausible option?

And by electric heat gun do you mean like one you use to shrink wrap tubes for wiring?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

I don't have anyone to split it with....

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

Thanks but I AM going to shrink it.... Question is about the heat source.... I will probably be 1000 miles away from my boat this winter and I'm not going to trust it to a tarp.

Can I buy a ticket to watch this?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

sure but why don't you start with reading my build thread in my signature.... I'm no fool and I'm afraid you might be very disappointed with the lack of entertainment you see

 

[zopperman]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

sure but why don't you start with reading my build thread in my signature.... I'm no fool and I'm afraid you might be very disappointed with the lack of entertainment you see

Yep, I have confidence in you. (not sarcastic)

Good luck.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

thanks, zopp

we shrink 27 boats a day

SOOOO do you do all sizes and types? Looking at the boat in my sig do you have any suggestions for me about the structure under my wrap?


I'm thinking an upright just behind the windshield that goes a little above the arch and another that goes through the forward hatch (would set on the step that leads to the v berth) on the bow that goes to about windshield height. I think that would keep snow sliding off instead of weighing down the plastic between the railing and causing a pooling issue.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

I am with Bennington so they are all pontoons and I don't do that, I only watch as I walk by so I can't offer any tips, I melt aluminum.

I know they use 2x2 s with carpet on the ends so they don't damage the carpet or poke through the wrap.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

I just wanna watch you try to shrink wrap with the weed burner.

I'm no fool and I'm afraid you might be very disappointed with the lack of entertainment you see

Well, if that's the case... you should know you need the correct tool for the job. Especially if someone with experience advises against improvising.

The initial cost of the propane gun is high, but probably well worth it. Divide that cost over the number of years it will be used and the cost comes down dramatically. Heck, you could even start wrapping other peoples boats to help pay for the gun... and the more experience you get, the better you become.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Yeah ok so I'm gonna shrink wrap my own boat this year.

I am with Bennington so they are all pontoons and I don't do that, I only watch as I walk by so I can't offer any tips, I melt aluminum.

I know they use 2x2 s with carpet on the ends so they don't damage the carpet or poke through the wrap.

Also, make a plywood base on the upright 2x4. Seen a few 2x4's (on the forum sites) punch a hole in the fiberglass deck (if it's thin), due to weight load of a heavy snow on the 5.25 square inches a std "2x4" has.