Transport and shrink wrap?

[captlou]

I’m having my new 28 Cutwater transported by triple axle trailer from Idaho to Florida/2,500 miles. This will happen within a week. The question is, to shrink wrap or not? I’m getting mixed opinions...any suggestions?

 

[Catch22]

Its a safe guard for the investment you are making......considering the weather patterns we are having.....the elements encountered in route and security of the enclosed accessories ......it is something I would consider well worth it. If the shrink is intact upon delivery, you can assume the product will be as it was when you paid for its delivery. Inspect and OK that it is as you expect on arrival. It helps in determining responsibility for anything that is not ship shape.

 

[johnniethek]

The older I get, the more important peace of mind is.

Hauling a boat all the way across the country involves many risks. Removing the risk of scarred gel coat, windshields, other parts of your boat make me think it's worth the shrink wrap. Of course, costs come into play here. If it's about $500 or less to get it shrink-wrapped, I would go for it.

 

[captlou]

The cost doesn’t come into play, but I’m wondering if the shrink wrap will withstand 2,500 miles @ 60-70mph?

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

When I transported my new to me R29 from Maine to North Carolina. The advice, from a very experienced hauler, was... no wrap. He said that he’s usually ripping it off after the first day, if you do wrap, suggest you ensure the person wrapping understands that it’s for a cross country haul and not storage.

 

[BaylorU]

No brainer...shrink it, but make sure you pay the relatively small upgrade and go to 9mil plastic.
Some shippers might even require it to be 9mil, and if it’s not they might remove it.
I towed mine about 3000 miles with 9mil averaging 70mph and it didn’t tear a millimeter.
Ken

 

[captlou]

I appreciate that bit of info. More conveniencing ever. Thanx!

 

[ethanbarnett]

So approximately what does it cost to shrink wrap and pay a transport company?

 

[ixlr8]

All the boats Ranger ships to my dealer are shrink wrapped, my dealer hates it and wants them to stop. The reason he gives is that Ranger doesn't tape the shrink wrap to the boat and after traveling 3000 miles, the shrink wrap has flapped in the wind enough to scratch the gel coat. Now the dealer has to pay to have the boat buffed out to get rid of the scratch marks before delivery. If you do have the boat shrink wrapped, I suggest having the shrink wrap edge taped to the boat to prevent any possibility of scratching.

 

[Catch22]

Does your local dealer want the shrink edge taped or for the boat to be shipped unwrapped? Difficult to image he would prefer detailing an entire boat after all the bugs and road rash of a 3000 mile cross country trip.

 

[captlou]

After reviewing sever comments thus far, I’m getting 50/50 results. Keep in mind cutwater and Ranger tugs aren’t aerodynamically designed vessels. Between solar panels, split bow handrails, mast, and visors, this configuration present potential stress points for shrink wrap.

 

[ixlr8]

Does your local dealer want the shrink edge taped or for the boat to be shipped unwrapped? Difficult to image he would prefer detailing an entire boat after all the bugs and road rash of a 3000 mile cross country trip.

His preference would be to have shrink wrap taped at the edge, but if that is not done he would prefer no shrink wrap. At least that is what he told me. He said washing a boat is easier/cheaper than buffing out scratches in the gel coat.