Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

[ricohman]

I brought home our new Islander 221 a couple days ago and the dealer had wrapped it for transport and storage. I will be storing it inside, but unheated.
The mechanic had told me many things about the boat and I believe he told me to cut a couple of holes in the wrap below the bow rail for ventilation.
If I cut a couple fist sized holes is that enough? What about the back of the boat?
Should I tape a few sheets of Bounce over the holes to discourage any mice who want to make the new boat a winter home?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

I like the periscope in the first pic.

since you are storing it inside, I'd vent it as much as possible--consider ever removing the shrink wrap? what purpose will it serve, inside? Moisture will cause more harm than dust.

I'd also uncover any vents such as fuel tank vents that are on the boat.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

I have thought about removing it since it was wrapped for the 2800km trip home. But the owner of the building recommended a cover or wrap since the building had a dirt floor. Seeing as I haven't bought a cover yet I thought I could store it in the wrap while I shop for a cover this winter.
The tank is empty, never had any fuel in it according to the dealer. And its never been in the water so it should be pretty dry inside.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

I store with the outdrive in the down position.Keeps the bellows from possible problems associated with being stretched and holding that form when you put it down in the spring.Also when outside it keeps the sun rays to a minimum,which shortens the life of the rubber.NOT sure if these reasons are old wives tale but that's why I store it that way.Shrink wraps have vents for that reason and I might be inclined to throw a couple cheap blue tarps on the ground, then park the boat on them. Moisture from the ground will work negatively on your new trailer.

 

[Don S]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

The white plastic and no vents = big time condensation under the plastic. Even with some vents you are going to have condensation.
The white plastic is great for transport, but not for winter storage. Especially if you live in a cold/humid area during the winter.

 

[wa_ssv197]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

could cut some vents and then tape screen to it to keep the rodents out.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

The white plastic and no vents = big time condensation under the plastic. Even with some vents you are going to have condensation.
The white plastic is great for transport, but not for winter storage. Especially if you live in a cold/humid area during the winter.

I live in Saskatchewan. Very cold in the winter but also very little humidity. But if you guys think this wrap is going to cause my new boat to rot then I will order a cover ASAP and cut it off.
I was at the local dealer today and they have 200 or so boats out back for wrapping and winter storage outside. Is it safe to wrap for outside storage then?
How will a dirt floor hurt the new trailer? My car hauler sits outside all year long and seems ok.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

yes the wrap is perfect for outside storage IF it has a proper support structure (yours does not) so that snow will fall off....

You need about 6 vents, you can get em here for cheap

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

Now that I have seen those passive vents I will go to the Home Depot and buy some plastic roof vents, cut some holes and tape them on. Should be fine for indooors.
I could cut screen and put in under the vets.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

Just buy some screen typically used on windows and doors, and some tuck tape (the red stuff used with vapor barrier) to hold it in place. Cut pieces of appropriate size and tape them in place.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

Warning

If sunlight comes thru the garage door windows or real windows you WILL get lots of condensation. We have 6 woody boats in unheated building in nothern N Y No covers Or problems. Covers ALWAYS CAUSE PROBLEMS. MOLD & water stains on any wood surface. Plastic also.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

Warning

If sunlight comes thru the garage door windows or real windows you WILL get lots of condensation. We have 6 woody boats in unheated building in nothern N Y No covers Or problems. Covers ALWAYS CAUSE PROBLEMS. MOLD & water stains on any wood surface. Plastic also.

At -40 condensation is pretty minimal. And I am now thinking of cutting it off and buying a cover. But that will take 2 weeks to get here anyway. I just noticed iboats has covers for sale somewhere on this site so I can check that out.

 

[Don S]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

I lived in Ketchikan Alaska, with white plastic, and outside storage, and if the sun hits it, it will be a rain forest inside, I don't care what kind of vents you try to put into it.
The cover you have is for shipping, not winter storage. Talk to the guys doing the shrink wrap in your area, they will explain why they use blue shrink wrap and lots of vents .

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

I hope the boat is ok for the two weeks (under the wrap) it will take to get a cover.
I am going to call the dealer tomorrow and see if they recommend cutting it off. I notice the local dealer is using white wrap but it is probably different that the transport wrap my new boat has on it.
I need a cover regardless. But I want to be careful this time and buy a quality cover that will stay on while trailering the boat.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

Steady or SLOWLY changing temperatures cause no problems.

Remember spring & fall days when it swings up & below 32 degrees F in the USA? That is the moisture producing days.

Worst is a 20 F night then the sun goes to a freaky 50 or 55 F & you raise the door. The warm wet air rolls in and coats everythimg with water. Leave the door open & water can run down vertical places. Then a loose cover is trouble. Moisture always go to anywhere there is less moisture.
A drop of water takes a lot longer to evaporate in confined spaces.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

When I dropped the boat off at the indoor storage I cut a hole in the plastic and there was some condensation under the plastic wrap. It wasn't dripping wet but there was moist air inside.
So I cut 8 more vents and covered them each with a sheet of Bounce (to keep the mice out). this should do until I get around to buying a cover.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

You have the ideal situation INDOOR STORAGE...I envy you. Now stop making a project out of this and remove the sauna suit and either leave it uncovered since it IS inside or throw a cheap tarp over it leaving part of it open Meaning front or back or both.Damn,I wish I had your problem.Charlie

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

You need moisture to get condensation. Any "container" that is not hermetically sealed will ingest moisture on the days that the boat is cooler than the surroundings, but not necessarily vent all the moisture on hot days.....it builds up. BTDT

Now we have moisture in the air inside the boat and we turn the sun on the cover as stated and you have a desert survival mechanism: Dig a hole in the ground, where you think moisture might be. Place a cup in the bottom of the hole and put a piece of plastic over the hole using the dirt you removed to seal the edges of the plastic. Put a rock on the plastic just above the can to make a V. In time your cup will be "running over".

If you do buy a tarp get a canvas tarp or one that is designed to breathe. Most plastic tarps don't do that and work against you even if you are indoors. The cool nights get the boat cold and then during the day the moisture in the air condenses on the interior because the mass of the boat warms slower than the mass of the air, even if you are indoors and certainly cold dry air contains less moisture so the problem is minimized on those days.....glass of iced tea sitting on the table and sweating kind of thing.

HTH,

Mark

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

Ask yourself: what are you trying to accomplish with cover? How do the benefits outweigh the harm?

To me, being inside and unheated, the only issue is dust if you leave it open. How hard is that to deal with?

Since you don't have wind, rain, snow and sunlight (the big stressers on covers) and all you need to address is dust, how about loose tarps? canvas or even bedsheets?

BTW the dirt floor won't hurt the trailer; it just naturally generates more moisture than a slab. The ones who are reall particular may suggest parking the tires on boards; can't hurt and not hard to do.

 

[alame]

Re: Cut vent holes in shrink wrap?

got my boat wrapped and stored in northern Ontario just like all the rest having been done this way for ever ..........no vents.......never heard of problems like what your describing or think you'll have