Shrink wrapping a boat for winter can be beneficial to protect it during times of low use. It also helps to keep the boat well-maintained and damage-free. But how much does it cost to shrink wrap a boat?
Typically, the price to wrap a boat varies between states; you can expect it to be around $10-25 per foot, depending on the size and type of your boat.
Cost to Have a Boat Shrink Wrapped
As mentioned, the cost to put a wrap on a boat is around $15-20 per foot, which means it can easily be a couple of hundred dollars in total.
You might think, why have my boat shrink wrapped when a cover is enough, money-wise? Even though it might be true, boat covers don’t offer as much protection, especially from the sun, as shrink wrapping does.
For a 20ft boat, expect to pay an average cost of $350 at the least, not to mention the potential costs for extras.
| Wrapping features | Average cost |
| Entrance addition | $30 – $45 |
| Anti-moisture bags | $6 – $8 for each bag |
| Mold-protection vent | $4 – $5 per vent |
| Anti-mold spray | $45 – $55 |
| Extra fee of shrink wrapping in the water | $100 – $150 |
| Removing glass panels and enclosures | $150 to $300 |
| Wrapping for a wide beam boat | Extra 20 – 30% cost |
| Wrap removal | $50 to $80 |
To make the most out of your investment, it’s best to get in touch with more than one boat shrink wrap service to get the best quotes and ask for discounts of the total shrink wrap a boat cost if there are any.
Cost Influencing Factors
It is due to many factors that the cost of wrapping a boat varies. Let’s break them down.
- Type of The Boat
Most companies have their service charged per foot whereas others demand a flat rate. However, some boats, like a pontoon boat, typically cost less to shrink wrap than others, regardless of the charging means.
| Type of boat | Cost per foot |
| Power boat | $12 – $25 |
| Sailboat | $12 – $25 |
| Pontoon boat | $ 8 – $15 |
- Size of The Beam
A 20 footer obviously has a smaller beam than that of a 50-foot boat, explaining why the bigger the boat, the pricier it gets per foot. Specifically, you may have to spend an additional cost of up to 20-30%.
- Amenity on The Boat
Some boats come with a flybridge or a mast, which can also be shrink wrapped. Since they need more materials to be done, expect to pay an extra 2-3 dollars per foot.
Even if you take the mast down, its bottom still needs to be covered with vinyl wrap; if the boat doesn’t have a mast, it would help cut down the cost a little.
Also, some businesses would offer to store the boat canvas and glass panels for you, contributing to the increase of the overall cost. You should add around 8 dollars per one.
- Other Extras
If you decide to winterize and shrink wrap a boat on the water, expect to pay $100-150 extra. In addition, adding vents to prevent mold build-up within the boat interior costs around $4 for each vent.
Sometimes professionals also advise you to spray anti-mold solution, which is a good idea to keep the boat mold-free in the winter months when it is ideal for mildew and fungus to grow.
FAQs
How long does it take to shrink wrap a boat?
If you’re having your 25 foot boat shrink-wrapped by a company, it takes about 2 to 4 hours to get done, whereas doing it yourself can take up even more time.
How long does shrink wrap on a boat last?
It depends on the material used to shrink-wrap your mobile boat. If installed properly, it should easily last you 6 months to a year.
Should the boat come in contact with rain or snow, the wrap will wear out more quickly. The same applies to the wrap thickness; obviously, a thicker wrap lasts longer than a thinner one.
Is shrink wrapping a boat a good idea?
Shrink wrapping is a great idea to maintain the boat in good shape if you don’t plan to use it for the next months; otherwise, covering your boat is good enough to keep things in place for a short period.
But imagine it like this: instead of struggling to find an expensive facility to store your 28 foot boat throughout the winter, you can now have the boat laid up anywhere without worrying about the potential damages it may encounter.
Shrink wrapping clearly outweighs other storing methods in terms of protection efficiency. Sure, it may cost more, but in the long run, investing in shrink wrapping in the first place would never be a waste.
Can you do it yourself instead?
Having a smaller size boat, like a 18 foot or a 17 foot would make it a lot easier to shrink wrap. To wrap a bass boat or a 21 foot boat, it’s best to let the professionals deal with it since these kinds of boats usually come with extra amenities, which can make shrink wrapping a hassle if you’re an amateur.
The process of shrink-wrapping your boat can be challenging yet doable if you put your mind to it. You may need some experience with other DIY projects to feel what you’re doing to work with the equipment.
Additionally, the expense for tools may cost somewhat a lot in the first place, but if you plan to wrap over a few boats with other boaters, an upfront investment in a boat shrink wrap kit can bring the cost close to zero over time.
That said, having the boat shrink-wrapped by a professional is more cost-efficient.
Conclusion
How much does it cost to shrink wrap a boat? You should have the answer by now! Consider the factors mentioned before having your boat shrink wrapped to save up extras on the total cost.
In addition, ask for at least 3 different quotes to get the best price if you decide to have it done by a professional. Otherwise, if you’re inclined to do it yourself, you’ll get better shrink wrapping each winter and might even round the cost down significantly. Good luck!
Ten years of enjoying countless trips on boats never made me love them any less! So I am here to put all those experiences into good use for other boaters who want to have a safe and fun trip with their friends and families.