Boat Storage Facts and Fiction

Boat storage facts and fiction.  Boat Storage in Muskoka and Lake of Bays, Ontario..what is the preferred method?  In my last article I send some time discussing boat storage with particular emphasis on shrink wrap storage and some of our customer coversations regarding this subject.  The subject of boat storage in general is quite complex and too large for just one or two articles.  I will be doing a series of article covering most aspects of the boat storage subject including inside storage and shrink wrap storage, proper winterization procedures, engine winterization and fall maintenance, hull washing,  biological problems, storage locations and hull maintenance.

In my last article I mentioned that I am with our experience here at the marina here in Huntsville we are a strong proponent of inside storage for all boats regardless of type and age.  Huntsville Marine has pioneered some of the shrink wrap procedures as we were a test centre for the new shrink warp proceedures back in the early 80's.  Literally we have provided shrink wrap services to 1000's of customers and are contiuing to offer this service today.  Shrink wrap was brought to the market by the plastic film manufacturers to increase their product offerings and generate additional business opportunities for themselves.  Marina's in general initially liked this product as it provided the opportunity for the marina to store a customers boat without incurring the cost of providing the proper building to house the boat over the winter months.  Initially the plastic film was cheap and transporting the waste plastic to landfill while labour intensive was not too expensive.  In those days the green movement was non existent and both the boat owner and marina utilizing shrink wrap products were not concerned with the tons of plastic wrap going to landfill each and every year.

Boat Storage processes changed over time as issues came forward with UV radiation deterioration problems associated with wrap came forward as well as mould issues.  More and more effort and emphasis was placed on ventelation and UV protective agents were added to the films.  The small engine repair shops became involved offering this service as the level of expertise in just appling the covering is limited they felt.  Boat owners looking to save afew dollars started to see their boats stored in fields, farmlands, backyards and beside highways or just about anywhere there was available open ground.  The major marinas knew of the assocated problems with boat wrap and many took steps to try and reduce these problems.  This was  refected in higher per foot charges for the major marina's in the storage business as they were providing a surperior service with more detail to the wrap procedure.  The cheap storage places...well that is another story...as the unhappy just moved up the road to the next place....you get what you pay for. 

Here we are in 2010 and still utilizing wrap processes.   While proceedures from the standpont of avaialble knowledge has improved...we still have problems associated with shrink wrap use if people are being honest.  One of the other major concerns with wrap film is the enviromental cost.  Shrink warp is made from oil based/natural gas base stocks.  The raw materials in themselves are transported over great distances to the manufacturer of the resins, then to the film maker, then to the distributor and then to the user.  Wraps are applied using propane torches.  this process creates a large substantial footprint!  The waste film and the utilized film are then recycled hopefully after use which involves more transportation and processing.  At the end of the day far too much of it ends up in landfill.  Lets be clear...shrink wrap is not environmental friendly or sound! 

If you spend a few minutes of your time and visit our website http://www.huntsvillemarine.com/  look under the service heading you will be able to access storage information not coverd here under Huntsville Marine Professional Boat Storage.  Huntsville Marine continues to offer shrink wrap service and will for the next couple of years.  It is our stated goal to be essentially out of this service by 2014.  We are highly recomending proper professional inside storage for all boats.  At least if you decide you want shrink wrap we will do best practices only!  If you choose to use the discounters and small engine repair shops...good luck!