More Boat Storage...Facts and Fiction Continued

Shrink wrap boat storage in Huntsville Muskoka.  This is the third article on boat storage facts and fiction.  The first two articles have discussed in detail some of the concerns of shrink wrap type storage and processes. This article we will complete our discussion on winter wrap storage.  The assumption now is that the boat to be shrink wrapped stored is an 18' bow rider very common in Muskoka and Lake of Bays areas.  Just what is the right procedures?  Just what is the right procedure here in Muskoka?  Engine winterizing will be covered in a separate article later and we are assuming that a certified marine mechanic has winterized the engine before wrapping.  What should happen now and what should I check has been done?

In a professional situation, the 18' bow rider after winterization will be carefully either trailered or lifted into the shop for assessment before wrap.  The marina should be looking how dry the overall boat is with particular emphasis on storage areas.  A complete visual examination of all the storage areas, bilge, ski lockers, bow storage areas for clothing, towels, food, snacks and garbage.  These should all be removed and bagged for customer pickup at a later date.  We want the boat placed in controlled situation to limit confined moisture in high biological growth areas.  These areas are low ventilation zones, corners, seat cushion seams and undersides and carpets. Where possible the storage compartments should be blocked open during the storage period.  A good quality marine mould preventative agent should be applied as well to all of these restricted area before the wrap is applied.  Huntsville Marine uses a 3M product.  Lysol would not be considered adequate for the task as most other household products.  A very important step is the boat canvas.  If the canvas will be stored within the boat, all boat canvas must be handled correctly including drying if required and treatment with biological guard agents.  The tops should then be folded correctly and placed for storage in the cockpit area not in one of the storage lockers. Make sure all plastic windows are dry as possible and only soft folds with no corner folds on the clear portions.

A discussion must occur with the customer as to where the boat will be stored at the time the work order was detailed out with the boat owner.  We are going to assume that the customer is going to store the boat on his own property which is only a short distance away.  A frame to support the  plastic film must be built in  the interior of the 18' boat with sufficient height to allow for a steep slope.  This slope will allow the soon to appear snow to slide off and not build up on the protective wrap,  Normally two (2) to three (3) six foot poles are utilized with a wide base placed on the end of the pole that is place against the cockpit floor.  Next a top pole must be placed and connected across the support poles to complete the peak support.  Shrink wrap comes in a number of colours and thicknesses.  Huntsville Marine prefers blue as it tends to have superior snow shedding that the common white.  A minimum of 7 mil and 8 is recommended when available for the additional strenght and tear resistance provided.   At Huntsville Marine although it is more expensive we utilize a majority of 8 mil blue wrap.

The step that is often missed or not done to reduce costs is shielding of hull, windshield and wakeboard tower areas that will be indirect contact with the wrap.  A number of specialized material are commercially available for this task.  With out this step marking and chaffing can occur.  Huntsville Marine has a new wakeboard boat in last winter for storage inside this time that had been stored the previous year at a local competitive marina with significant chaffing damage all over the exterior finished surfaces of the tower.  First mistake was having a new boat wrapped and the second was buying wrap services strictly on price coupled with not knowing what to ask for.  The chaffing damage could not be removed. Under warp is extremely important for boats transported over distances.  One of the last important steps is proper venting.  A number of commercial venting options are available to limit moisture buildup under the warp.  More is better!

With the boat properly shrink wrapped the boat is transported under 80 kilometers per hour or less to the chosen storage location.  If possible the bow should face to the west as this aids in reducing snow load.  Stay out of long grass areas, away from nut and pine trees or other such area where the problem creatures live and will come to play on the warmer winter days.   Monitor the boat throughout the winter for snow loads especially if the nasty freezing rain arrives!  For additional information go to www.huntsvillemarine.com and view our section under service on Professional Boat Storage.  You may also email us at huntsmar@vianet.on.ca.