What do I have to do to get my boat ready prior to having it shrink wrapped?

* Be sure that all preparation for winterization has been done in advance.

* It's a good idea to remove any ropes, bumpers, life jackets, cushions, empty soda/beer cans, and any other items and store them elsewhere out of the elements. Nobody likes to deal with mold and mildew covered ropes & life vests. Stand seat cushions up to allow air circulation.

* Remove any outriggers/downriggers if possible. We charge an additional $25.00 per outrigger when we shrink wrap.

* Don't park your boat right up against a fence or under a bunch of trees that are dropping their leaves.  This just makes life miserable for you and for us, especially if your boat is just loaded with a muddy mess or leaves and other debris.

* It's a good idea to remove and properly store all canvas/plastic enclosures. This will again help to prevent mildew growth, and reduce the risk of damage during the shrink wrapping process. Also, the changes in temperature can cause your isinglass enclosures to become brittle more rapidly. If your boat is at a marina and you don't want to take the enclosures down prior to our covering your boat, we can take them down for a $30.00 fee.  We will roll them, put an elastic around them, and stand them on end.  We strongly urge you to pick them up and lay them out flat at home in a warm, dry place for winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 What does the price include?  The prices listed above include the frame, shrink wrap, and vents necessary to properly wrap your boat.   If you require some sort of special framing or want the cover installed a certain way, there may be an additional charge so please consult with us so this can be taken into consideration.  We also urge all boat owners to RECYCLE their shrink wrap each season. We offer a couple of different options to make it easy for you to do your part to reduce the waste.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What if I want to get into my boat after it's covered?   We offer 3 different sizes of zippered access doors for those of you who may want to get into your boat to perform work during the winter or simply get away from it all by setting up the portable TV on a milk crate and knocking back a few cold ones while watching the Pats on a Sunday.  The doors can be reused for usually 2-3 seasons before the zippers completely disintegrate.  If you remove the cover yourself in the Spring, simply cut around the perimeter of the door, leaving approximately 4" of shrink wrap all the way around.  Roll it up and store it for the next season.  It's much easier (and cost effective) if you have us install a door while we are covering your boat if you think there's any chance you would want to get into it at some point. 

 

 

 

 

 

Can the shrink wrap damage my boat?  If you have painted or re-gel coated hull sides, it is our policy to ONLY cover the boat to the rub rail and install foam blocks at intervals suitable for keeping the strapping material from coming in contact with the finished surface.  If your boat has colored gel coat (darker colors in particular) then there is a potential for the material to cause micro scratches from the material rubbing against the side.  These small scuffs are generally easy to buff out if they occur.   All customers requesting shrink wrap service are required to read and submit our waiver prior to our performing the work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 How long can I keep my boat covered?  Generally the shrink wrap material that we use on your boat will last 3 seasons, but deterioration and damage from the elements will most likely influence that one way or the other.  The plastic that we use for winter storage/long term storage is 7mil thickness and contains enough UV inhibitor to perform well for a good amount of time.  Please let us know if you are planning on storing your boat long term so we can take some additional measures to ensure that the cover will last.  If you notice over time that areas become damaged or seams become loose, we can come back (for a fee of course) and repair or reinforce the cover to help extend the life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do I keep out rodents/illegal aliens?  This is always a trick.  We cover your boat and make it all nice and weatherproof and some lousy good for nothing nut-hoarding squirrel decides it's a perfect spot to set up a squatter community for the winter.  There is no end to the list of damage that unwanted critters can cause.  The simplest if not most unpleasant thing to do is use good old fashioned moth balls. Those hanging cake like mothball packets that granny used to keep in her closet (which is why she always smelled like she was preserved) are probably the most practical, so if you want to provide one or two for us to set in place when we cover your boat, just let us know.  As for illegal aliens, our government hasn't been able to figure that one out for over 230 years, but I think I'd rely on a combination of the mothballs as well as a good old fashioned 12 gauge pump action.  INS hats and Clint Eastwood style cigarillos are available in our "Keep 'Em Out" Kit.

 

 

 

 

 

How do I get rid of the cover after I cut it off in the Spring?  We strongly urge all boaters to RECYCLE their old covers once they have been cut off.  There are numerous options available, all at a cost and all involving a little work on your part, but just keeping that material out of the landfill is another HUGE example of how boaters can help our environment.   With the programs in place now, the recycled shrink wrap is most likely going to come back to us as composite decking such as Trex.

This is the historic Poirier's Diner that was purchased and moved to Westminster Street in Providence for restoration.

The diner was wrapped to protect it from the elements while awaiting restoration.