When the boating season ends or it has simply come the time to store your boat for a period of time you must protect it from attack – especially from the elements. Good protection guarantees a longer life and less maintenance for your boat. To keep it in top condition and protect it from the elements, heat shrink wrap is the best solution. You can apply it yourself with a shrink wrapping heat gun that allows you to securely wrap your boat.

Advantages of heat shrink wrap

Boat with heat-shrinkable film

Unlike a conventional tarpaulin, the heat shrink wrap provides a perfect hermetic seal for your boat. This keeps it safe from the effect of air oxidation and from any foreign object that might otherwise sneak in. Dust, small animals and damp can all damage the integrity of your boat’s structure and interior during winter storage.

If your boat is left out in the open during the winter season, heat shrink wrap provides a strong barrier against the elements, be it rain or snow. By choosing a UV-treated film, you also combat the harmful effects of the sun.

The thickness of the wrap also helps to protect against impact damage, for example from debris blown by high winds.

Thanks to the heat shrink wrap, your boat is out of water and away from the air, which also means free from dust and condensation. However, it has both high and low level vents to allow good air circulation and thus avoid any mould during the storage period.

Wintering of ships

How heat shrink wrap works

It is best to rinse your boat, especially if you are sailing in salt water. You then remove items such as ropes, buoys and other removable accessories.

Position the film as required before heating it with a shrink-wrapping heat gun. As its name suggests, the wrap shrinks when heat is applied and stretches to fit. The different strips of film are welded together to form a firm and resistant wall.

Although a simple process, you need the correct tools specifically designed for this use and that is what Shrink-wrapping.express offers you.

Shrink Wrapping Express Solutions

Guilbert Express has developed different ranges of shrink-wrapping heat guns which allow you to work easily with polyethylene films of all thicknesses and even at different heights thanks to a system of interchangeablelances . You can choose between the Rafale, Hornet or Wizz ranges.

As always, Guilbert Express thinks about practicality by packing its shrink guns in a case that allows you to carry them easily, without fear of losing your accessories. In addition to your gun, its connecting hose and its regulator, you will have the space to slip in your protective gloves too. Note that the hoses are up to 10 meters long to guarantee you complete freedom of movement. However, versions of 20 metres and over are also available

The Rafale shrink gun collection offers you an ergonomic tool with an excellent grip. You connect it to its regulator and then to a 13 or 35 kilogram propane cylinder and it is ready to use.

Hornet-Wizz Combo Cat. No. 11910

The lighter Hornet range offers you 5 ‘one-click’ interchangeable lances. Its noise level has been lowered to a minimum for greater user comfort. If the layout of your boat makes certain areas harder to reach, you can purchase a Hornet gun extension that will make your job easier. Although the handle is of simple design, it is still incredibly ergonomic.

The Wizz heat shrink wrap gun is available in 6 versions, with a wide range of powers, but you can also choose from a host of lance lengths. This range has been specially developed by Guilbert Express for users who want an even lighter tool, but with the same high flame power, up to 150 kW..

Take the time to compare the Rafale, Hornet and Wizz ranges to choose the tool best suited to your boat or ship.