| Shrink wrap can help protect and organize a | | | | machine. Special shrink wrap films exist to |
| gift fruit basket, but if your gift is a boat | | | | wrap boats. Films are heavy duty so that the |
| and not a fruit basket, do not fear. Boats | | | | boats can be stored during cold winters and |
| can be shrink wrapped too, using the same | | | | can be purchased in blue, white, or clear. |
| technology. | | | | Shrink wrap for boats can also protect a boat |
| | | | from prolonged periods in warm weather. A |
| Shrink wrap systems use a plastic film, | | | | special chemical in the polyethylene film |
| typically made of PVC, Polyolefin, or | | | | keeps them soft, flexible, and protects the |
| polyethylene. The plastic film is wrapped | | | | film from breaking down in UV light. Films |
| around an object to protect it from moisture, | | | | can be up to 35 feet long and can cost |
| dirt, and other hazards of travel or storage. | | | | between $100 and $400. Instructional videos |
| The plastic film is heated to conform to the | | | | are available for about $20. With the right |
| shape of the object. Shrink wrap systems may | | | | training and equipment, a boat can be |
| be small and inexpensive, used by a home | | | | shrink-wrapped in under 10 minutes. Simply |
| businessperson, or large, automated machines | | | | wrap the boat and walk along the boat with a |
| costing tens of thousands of dollars. DVDs, | | | | propane-powered heat gun to shrink the film. |
| CDs, videos, artwork, mailers, newspapers, | | | | A heat gun costs about $300. |
| and packages are commonly shrink wrapped | | | | |
| before transport. | | | | The same plastic used to shrink wrap a boat |
| | | | may also be used on RVs or cars for outdoor |
| Shrink wrapping a boat, however, presents | | | | storage, or on buildings to contain the dust, |
| unique challenges. A boat is large and cannot | | | | dirt, or asbestos during remodeling projects. |
| be fit through an automatic shrink wrap | | | | |