The Importance of Shrink Wrapping When Transporting A Boat

Shrink wrapping isn’t always necessary when shipping a boat, but it does offer an element of protection beyond a simple tarp or canvas cover. Many of our customers request that their boat be wrapped before shipping for this very reason, as well as other advantages, some of which we’ll go over in the paragraphs below. Most boat transport companies should offer shrink wrapping as a service before transport, which means you’ll have the option if you determine it’s necessary.

Advantages of Shrink Wrapping A Boat

A standard boat cover does offer some protection during the transport process, but it’s not to the level you’ll experience if you have it wrapped. Not only is shrink wrapping a method of waterproofing your boat before shipping, but it also protects it from rain, snow, and other elements that could occur along the way. Additionally, from the shipper’s perspective, shrink wrapping makes a boat easier to transport since it offers more stability that an unprotected boat or one that’s simply covered, both of which could be problematic in high winds and bad weather. It's highly recommended for shipping a boat domestically, and a necessity for shipping a boat overseas.

Shrink wrapping is also more secure than standard coverings in the sense that the boat is wrapped much tighter, whereas as a tarp or canvas cover can get snagged in the wind, or allow moisture inside. Most coverings that are designed for a specific boat have small openings designed to accommodate the various parts of the vessel. A shrink wrapped boat has virtually no way for water to get inside since it’s much tighter to the boat and can be easily wrapped around components that have tricky or nonstandard dimensions. If you’re at all concerned about leaks through your boat covering, shrink wrapping may be the way to go.

A-1 Auto Transport is an experienced, affordable, and professional boat shipper with a long history of transporting boats of all kinds. We take pride in our high quality service and can handle a wide variety of shipments, from the smallest fishing boats to large yachts. Call us today at 1-888-230-9116 to learn about our transport and shrink wrapping services, or if you’d like to get started with a FREE price quote right away! All estimates are 100% FREE of charge and are given in real time by a certified transport agent.

Trust the Professionals

While many people can and do shrink wrap their boats themselves, it’s a job that’s best left to professionals. It does typically come with an additional cost to standard transport fees, but if you feel it’s necessary, an experienced shipper can likely do the job quicker and better. If a boat is not properly wrapped before being transported, it can cause a litany of problems for the driver. You can imagine the issues that would arise if there is loose plastic flopping about on the road or in the wind during a long delivery. Not only does it cause delays to your shipment, but it can also be a hazard on the road, for both the driver of the transport carrier, as well as others on the road.

Shrink Wrapping For Storage

Some boat owners like to shrink wrap their boats for storage, particularly in areas that experience a lot of rain or cold weather during winter months. This is a valid reason to wrap your boat for the reasons mentioned above as it adds some protection, not just from bad weather, but also general moisture that can accumulate if a boat is left in storage over a long period of time. We recommend that a boat in storage be shrink wrapped for no more than six months, just to make sure that there is no deterioration in the wrap.