Trojan Boat Forum

I don't shrink because I have boat stored in a closed shed. Since no wind / weather can get at it I just throw a light cover over it to keep the dirt/dust off.

I know a few people who reuse their shrink - normally they can get away with it for 2-3 years, but then it just becomes too patchy to hold up to the elements. One of the key things about shrinking is to not scratch or abrade the hull. Every time you slice the cover and then try to shrink it together again, you get a rough / hard spot at the new join, that can do more damage.

As I think Torcan said up here the shrink has to stand up to the elements including wind, rain, ice, and snow. If your environment is a bit less challenging you might get a bit more mileage out of a reuse.

The marina I am in now doesn't allow any shrink warp - unlike the previous place that did - and used to cost me about $300.

At least we can cover our own - so I went with a the Kover Klamp system. I was lucky cause I had a bunch of the clamps left over form when my Dad had a 34' Silverton back in the late 80's.

Only had to buy some conduit and some more klamps. And of course 1 big heavy duty tarp.

So far so good - I see a few places I would change for a little more support, and a tad bit better wrapping some of the junctions to prevent rips. We have had an easy winter here in Maine which helps. Took me about 10 hours to build the frame this year, but will hopefully save time next year.

I did see a guy with about a 42' sailboat direvtly in front of me use a wooden center rib and flexible PVC pipe to make a frame. Easier then bending all the conduit but not sure how reuseable.