How Much Does it Cost to Shrink Wrap a Boat?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Shrink wrapping a boat is done to protect it during the harsh winters.  This shrink wrap will protect the boat from snow, ice, heavy winds and keep the boat warm when the sun is out.

Shrink wrapping can be done by the boatyard, a private service or on your own.

Boat Shrink Wrapped by Harlequeen, on Flickr
Boat Shrink Wrapped” (CC BY 2.0) by  Harlequeen

How much does it cost to shrink wrap a boat?

On average, plan on spending around $8 to as much as $18 per foot to have your boat shrink wrapped.  The length of the boat, the width of the plastic being used, the arches, t-tops and flybridges can all affect the price.  So on average, a boat that is 20 feet long can cost $160 to as much as $360 to be shrink wrapped.

We researched the quotes boat owners had paid in the United States and included our findings in the table below:

Size of BoatLocationPrice Paid (per foot)
20'Seaside Park, NJ$13
20'Pittsburgh, PA$11
23'Holbrook, NY$22
24'Seward, AK$24
26'Perry Hall, MD$11
28'Sarasota, FL$15
28'Tampa Bay, FL$9
32'Boston, MA$10
40'Newark, NJ$18

Forum members on this TheHullTruth.com forum thread claimed that they spent anywhere from $9 to as much $15 per foot.

Shrink wrapping a boat overview

Shrink wrap can come in various colors such as white, blue, and clear, but white tends to be the most popular color among most customers due to being the most acceptable looking.  A blue color, according to Scott’s Boat Service, can heat up better than white when the sun is out, shedding the snow better.  Clear, the most popular among sales, allows customers to view the boat while still wrapped.

During the shrink wrapping process, the boat frame will be prepared, the gas vents will be taped, the belly band will be installed and the boat will be wrapped.  After the boat has been wrapped, the exterior will be cleaned and inspected.

What are the extra costs?

Depending on the company, the boat owner may have to drop the canvas, bows and antennas before it can be wrapped.  Some companies can do this for you, however, additional fees can apply.

Boats that have a wider beam than average can plan on spending an additional 20 to 30 percent.

If an enclosure or glass panels have to be removed, this can cost an additional $150 to $300.

Stripping down a door after the boat has been wrapped can cost $10 to $20.

To have the wrap removed when it is time to place the boat back in the water, the costs can be around $50 to $80.

If they have to travel to the marina or your location, additional travel fees can apply.

Those who want to have the boat wrapped with tape instead of a strap can cost an additional $2 to $3 per foot.

How can I save money?

With any professional service, always get at least three quotes before deciding on one.  Most shrink wrapping companies will be more than happy to provide you a quote over the phone.  The only thing that they will need, most of the time, is the size of the boat and the make and model.

Consider shrink wrapping the boat on your own.  A roll of wrap that can last many years and can cost less than $200.


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