Boat winterizing Tarpaulin, also called shrink wrap or shrinkwrap, is a heavy-duty plastic material that is professionally stretched over a boat and sealed to form a protective cocoon around the vessel while in storage during the off-season. Shrink wrap creates an airtight barrier that shields the boat from weather elements like rain, snow, sun exposure, and wind.
Protection
Shrink wrap establishes a complete protective envelope around the entire boat hull, deck, superstructure, and trailer for maximum shielding.
Low Maintenance
Once applied, boat winterizing tarpaulin becomes a passive protective layer requiring no further upkeep over the winter storage period.
Convenience
It allows boats to be stored outside rather than undertaking the hassle and expense of indoor storage.
Benefits of using boat winterizing tarpaulin
There are several key benefits that boat owners enjoy from using professional boat winterizing tarpaulin each off-season:
Mold and mildew prevention
The airtight seal created by shrink wrap eliminates opportunities for mold and mildew to grow. These fungal microbes thrive in damp, oxygen-rich environments which the anaerobic conditions inside the shrink-wrapped cocoon do not allow.
Insect and rodent deterrence
Boat winterizing tarpaulin sheet makes the vessel an unfavorable habitat for insects looking to lay eggs or for rodents seeking shelter. The wrapped boat emits no food or resource attractants.
Oxidation protection
The oxygen-free interior environment defended by shrink wrap helps slow oxidation processes that can cause damage to metal components left exposed over many months.
Dust and dirt exclusion
Tightly enclosing the boat shields it from the accumulation of dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants that normally settle during storage.
Outside storage viability
Shrinkwrapping allows boats to overwinter safely outdoors even in colder climates rather than paying for indoor storage space.
Weather protection
Shrink wrap forms an impenetrable barrier against weathering effects like rain, snow, ice, sun exposure, and wind which can heavily damage unprotected boat surfaces over the winter. The plastic sheeting defends against UV rays that cause gel coat fading as well as deterioration from moisture.
How does boat winterizing tarpaulin work?
The process of installing boat winterizing Clear Tarpaulin, or shrink wrap, involves carefully stretching a large sheet of recyclable plastic film tightly around the vessel and sealing it in place. Here are the typical steps:
Material selection
The boat wrapping company will measure the boat and select the appropriately sized sheet of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) plastic to envelop it.
Laying the plastic
Workers lay out the sheet around the boat, trailer, motors, etc., and begin stretching it taut using an air-assisted shrink-wrapping machine.
Sealing
As the plastic is pulled tight, seal strips are applied using an infrared heating tool welder along the boat seam. This dense, reinforced strip fuses the plastic completely closed.
Shrinking
Next, the intense beams of infrared heat from the welding tool are passed over the entire surface of the plastic multiple times, causing it to shrink tightly to the boat's contours.
Inspecting
The professional wrappers do a final inspection, checking for any flaws or missed spots in the seal. Small repairs are made using patching strips as needed.
Trimming
Excess plastic is cut away cleanly so the shrink-wrapped boat presents a tailored, seamless appearance when complete.
Boat preparation
The boat is given a thorough cleaning, any loose items are secured, and surfaces are treated with a rust preventative if needed. Open hatches and windows are also sealed shut.
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