Paint Protection During Hauling
 

I am upgrading my 32' Executioner and have just purchased a 2008 38' Lightning with 700's and No. 6 Drives. The Boat will have a 3000 mile journey to get to its new home and is running a Mitcher T custom paint job. I have been told that a Vinyl Wrap can be dangerous while hauling long distances due to the "flapping tarp effect" it can have. I have heard of a tape to use on the boat but don't know what it is? Does anyone have any recommendations on what I can use for transport paint protection ? I am fairly worried about any preventable damage. Thanks in advance.

I've had a couple of boats shrink wrapped for overseas transportation and both times, very happy.

With the custom paint job you'd want to be sure the wrap covers the entire paint and not just over the gunnels. The shrink wrap is so tight it shouldn't flap around at all. When you remove the wrap, the tape they use around the edges leaves a sticky adhesive mark on the fibreglass but polishes out fairly easily. My boats were left wrapped for 4 months so the sticky mark was a bit harder to remove. I'd expect if it was only on for a week it would come off more easily.

Congrats on the new ride!

RR

What about that clear spray they have for autos. You spray it on, then after your trip you peel it off.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...rd-Pro-Series/

I can tell you what not to do. Last year I had my boat towed from cali to new york with just the full cover. I'm still cleaning the boat. Road dirt and grim got into everywhere. I'm sure others will chime in. Good luck

There is a thin foam that is sticky on one side that you can put on the boat first and then shrink wrap over it. I'm sorry I don't know the name of the company that makes it but Formula uses it when they wrap new boats for shipping. I would call them and ask them about it. 260-724-9111. Ask for the TAG dept. Hope this helps you out, good luck.

I would invest in a towable full cover. My cover is felt lined and protects the paint from more than just road grime. I just pressure wash it off before removing when it gets dirty. I pulled it about 6,000 miles last year and at speeds up to 90 mph. I also put the cockpit cover on prior to the full cover. Cost around $4000.
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Where did you get it made Helt

Thank you all very much for the input it's much appreciated, I will defiantly look into all options. The boat will be hauled form Osage Beach MO to the Border at Blaine WA before I haul it up to the Thompson Okanagan where we live. I'll give a few boat dealers a call for any recommendations. Thanks again.

The boat is in Randy's backyard:
http://www.worldsbestboatcover.com/M...ts2/index.html
Have him make a travel cover for you before it leaves.

Forum member "offshoredrillin" is in the automobile clear-bra business. He has the ENTIRE sides of his 42' Cigarette wrapped in 3M vinyl. This is another option as well.

One of the most important parts of the equation is what's on the back of the truck that's towing it. It needs to have flaps that are 2" from the ground WHEN IT'S LOADED. Two inches will allow any rocks picked up to deflect and scurry across the ground. Any lower, and you risk the flap actually picking up rocks and flinging them at the boat.


See this thread for some awesome work from a company in MD:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...r-runners.html
Randy can make a similar cover for you at LOTO.

IF you foresee more long trailer trips with the boat and it's fancy paint, I'd invest in one of these trailer-able covers.

I think I know the boat!!!

When we shrink wrap it we will be laying down a layer of buble wrap to keep the shrink away from flapping on the paint. We have done this for many 1500+ mile trips. It will arrive intact!! See you next weekend.