vinyl wrap – Best Boat Report

Boat Wrap Price Guide Read this quick boat wrap price guide that will give you all of the information you need to make sure you pay the right amount for when you're wrapping your boat. Keyword(s): boat wrap price Did you know that there's a boat out there named The Codfather? If you have a goofy name you want plastered on your boat, or are simply looking for a new look, a vinyl boat wrap might be the best choice. Vinyl boat wraps are perfect for boaters who want to switch up their boat's look every so often and give it a sleek aesthetic. But what exactly is a boat wrap and how much does it cost? In the guide below, we'll get into what exactly boat wraps are and all the factors that go into determining a boat wrap's price! What Is a Vinyl Boat Wrap A vinyl boat wrap is a protective, pressure-sensitive piece of vinyl applied to the boat's exterior. Vinyl wraps are useful for several reasons. They're a very easy way to decorate a boat, especially if you want to use your boat's exterior as a marketing panel. Vinyl wraps are also nice if you want to maintain the hull's natural finish. Many people want to keep the white finish underneath for when they sell the boat. A vinyl wrap is an easy way to temporarily decorate the boat without lowering its resale value. If you want to change up your boat's design every few years, a vinyl wrap is the perfect choice. Traditional paintwork will be much more costly if you intend to have it redone every few years. A vinyl wrap, however, will be much cheaper, as you only need to peel off the old one and reapply a new one. How Long Does a Vinyl Wrap Last It's somewhat foggy as to the exact length of a vinyl wrap's life, but they tend to last anywhere from 3-8 years. The lifespan of a vinyl wrap, of course, depends on how well it's maintained. Vinyl wraps are prone to scratches and dents when docking, so it's advised to get a fender or soft bumper covers to drop down the sides to protect the vinyl. Many vinyl wrappers will provide customers with a repair kit to fix up any minor scratches, so you wouldn't have to worry too much about a minor mishap. The longevity of your vinyl wrap also depends on the quality of the material and installation. Getting seasoned professionals to wrap your boat is important if you want it to last more than 2 or 3 seasons. Vinyl Compared to a Paint Job Getting a vinyl wrap is typically a lot cheaper and faster than having your boat painted. Wraps usually cost about a third of a paint job. A lot of the cuts in cost come in the shortened labor time. A paint job can take significantly longer. The boat needs to be prepped with a primer before the actual painting can even begin. For vinyl wrapping, the hull only needs to be smooth and any imperfections sanded down before the vinyl can be quickly wrapped around the boat. After the air is squeezed out and the vinyl's tightly adhered to the boat, the job is done! This can mean a lot to boaters who want to get out on the water and start enjoying their boat, rather than waiting for a paint job to be finished. Furthermore, for charter yachts, time is money and they can make a lot more money if they aren't waiting around for the topsides to be sprayed on. The Deal with Vinyl Vinyl is also usually cheaper to repair than a paint job. As far as durability goes, it's hard to say which is better. Vinyl has been touted as being more UV resistant and less prone to fading than paint. As aforementioned, a vinyl wrap can last anywhere from 3-8 years. They will still require maintenance, but the repair process is often a lot simpler than color matching and redoing a paint job. Vinyl wraps are also fairly eco-friendly. They don't use any solvents or chemicals. The same can't always be said about traditional boat paints, which can sometimes endanger marine life. Vinyl wraps are also much more customizable than a paint job. The colors are often brighter, and you'll end up with a glossy shine. If you want a complicated paint job, it will cost more than a simple coat. However, there isn't a hugely significant cost difference between simple and complex vinyl wrap designs. A Boat Wrap's Price Guide When you look at a boat wraps price chart, the numbers can differ depending on the size of the boat and what type of design you're looking for. If you get one single color to mimic a paint job, for example, it will cost less than a more complex and customized design. The boat type and size will also affect your price. A larger boat naturally will cost more to wrap than a smaller boat. There are several different types of vinyl wraps. For instance, if you only get half of your boat wrapped, the cost will be about half of what a full wrap would cost. Many companies will charge by the foot. Although there's no unanimous agreement on an average boat wrap's price, it's not uncommon for a vinyl wrap for a 14-foot boat to start at around $1,400. An 18-foot boat might run you closer to $2,400. These prices usually include materials and installation. Simply getting materials for something like an 18-foot boat would probably be about $1,300. The additional $1,100 would be to account for the labor. Hiring a Professional vs. DIY While removing vinyl decals is something any boat owner can do on their own, vinyl wrapping is something you will want to leave to professionals. It's a skill that takes years of practice to excel at. Typically if you wrap your own boat, you will have to have it re-wrapped soon after because DIY boat wraps don't usually last very long. Professionals use special tools for wrapping boats, and they also are adept at smoothing out wrinkles or bubbles that may form during the wrapping process. Ultimately, hiring a professional is the better bet when it comes to vinyl boat wrapping. Weighing Your Options Vinyl wraps are perfect for giving your boat a fresh look, and they're very easy to customize. If you like the idea of being able to switch out one design for another in a couple of years, a vinyl wrap might be for you! A vinyl boat wrap's price is going to almost always be cheaper than a paint job. So if your concern is money, a vinyl wrap is going to give you the best bang for your buck! For more information on the best boating products and practices, check out the rest of our blog!