Wrapping your boat with a vinyl wrap helps to protect the boat’s exterior. You can even choose a wrap that gives your boat a new look.
This being said, most vinyl boat wraps are a clear layer that keeps out any harmful UV rays and it prevents fading and oxidation of the hull.
But boat wraps aren’t cheap. In this guide, we find out how much money you need to spend to wrap your boat and how to save yourself some cash.
How Much Does It Cost To Wrap A Boat?
Most boat shrink wraps cost between $300 and $500. However, the exact price for a professional vinyl boat wrap depends on the size of your boat and the wrap company.
Boat wrap providers usually charge according to the boat length and your boat’s side height.
If you have a large boat, then you can expect to pay significantly more than $500 for a shrink-wrap job. Smaller boats can be vinyl-wrapped for a minimum of $300.
Is It Cheaper To Wrap Or Paint A Boat?
Wrapping a boat is usually a lot cheaper than painting it. The standard marine painting of a boat costs almost three times as much as a vinyl wrap.
However, a painted boat often has a more traditional look than a shrink-wrapped boat.
How Long Do Boat Wraps Last?
While vinyl boat wraps aren’t cheap, they can last between 3 and 7 years. The exact lifespan of your vinyl wrap depends on whether your boat stays in saltwater or freshwater most of the time.
A freshwater boat wrap lasts between 5 and 7 years, while a saltwater wrap only lasts between 3 and five years.
These times depend on the vinyl quality and your boat maintenance.
How Long Does It Take To Wrap A Boat?
If you have your boat professionally vinyl-wrapped, then you can expect this job to take between 2 and 3 days.
This being said, it can take a few days longer if you choose to wrap a boat yourself.
How To Save Money On Your Boat Wrap
Although wrapping your boat professionally can be expensive, there are a few clever ways how you can save money on your boat wrap.
Do The Boat Vinyl Wrap Yourself
One of the most effective ways to save on your professional vinyl boat wrap is to simply do it yourself.
Applying a vinyl wrap to the hull of a boat is similar to a car. There are a number of YouTube videos that explain how to vinyl wrap your boat.
The advantage of doing the boat wrap yourself is that you only need the vinyl wrap of your choice and some time for the application.
Usually, boat wrap vinyl comes with instructions on how you can stick the shrink up to the boat surface without any wrinkles or bubbles.
Another great benefit of shrink-wrapping a boat yourself is that you can choose the pattern and colors that you like without any additional costs.
Compare Prices
Another effective way of saving money on a professional boat wrapping job is simply by comparing prices.
Wrapping companies charge for the material and their labor, so try to get a few different quotes for these two elements.
If you want to have an unusual color, pattern or wrap, then you can also buy the vinyl yourself and only use a professional boat wrap business for the labor.
Pros Of Wrapping A Boat
Shrink-wrapping your boat with vinyl is almost a must-have because it has so many fantastic benefits.
A Wrap Protects Your Boat’s Hull
A vinyl boat wrap helps to protect the original gel coat or paint finish of your boat. It means your boat is safe from UV damage and minor scratches.
A Vinyl Wrap Is Cheaper Than Paint
Another great benefit of vinyl-wrapping your boat is that it’s affordable and much cheaper than getting your boat painted.
A Wrap Doesn’t Damage The Original Boat Finish
If you ever wanted to remove the wrap and return your boat back to the original finish, then the wrap won’t damage the original gel coat or paint underneath.
A Vinyl Wrap Creates A Different Look
A vinyl boat wrap allows you to give your boat a unique appearance. You can apply a logo, individual color highlights or a unique pattern.
This makes your boat stand out from the crowd, and it’s much cheaper than a creative paint job.
A Vinyl Wrap For A Business Is Tax Deductible
If you run a business and get a vinyl boat wrap with your company name or logo, then you can deduct the wrap as well as the boat from your taxes.
This allows you to choose a design that makes your business visible everywhere you go with your boat.
A Vinyl Boat Wrap Is Environmentally Friendly
Compared to spraying marine paint, applying a vinyl wrap to your boat is much safer for the environment.
Disadvantages Of Wrapping A Boat
While wrapping your boat has a number of great benefits, there are also a few drawbacks you should consider before you get your boat professionally shrink-wrapped.
A Professional Vinyl Wrap Is Expensive
When you opt to get your boat wrapped professionally, then you are looking at between $60 and $150 per foot of boat.
This varies depending on the overall size of your boat, the color, design and wrapping company.
A Vinyl Boat Wrap Is Similar To Paint
A good quality boat wrap can last up to seven years and beyond. Just remember that a wrap is there to protect your boat from scratches and any minor damage to the hull.
If you compare the high costs of painting a boat with the wrapping costs, then you can expect a much lower annual cost.
Final Thoughts
A boat wrap can set you back up to $500 and more, depending on your boat size and the quality of the wrap. However, you can also wrap your boat yourself and save some cash.
