Saw these great- looking boats at the marina earlier and learned that the fantastic colors and graphics of the hull were done with vinyl boat wraps. Since I have been thinking about adding some graphics to my boat, it got me thinking, what’s the difference between painting a boat vs. wrapping it.
There are certain differences between boat wrap and boat paint. Boat wraps are a kind of protection for the hull that is made of vinyl. At times, they are also called as vinyl wraps. The outstanding characteristic of boat wraps is their design and color variations. These make them fairly attractive options.
On the other hand, boat paint is the traditional way of finishing a boat hull. A lot of boaters would also say that boat paint will always remain as the long-term solution for a boat. However, there are always two sides to the coin. While the traditional method of finishing the hull is painting it. Newer boaters would say that wrapping their boat is a more ideal solution since it offers many benefits.
Are there advantages in using a boat wrap vs. paint?
Many boaters would attest to the benefits of boat wrap. This may also be the reason why if you go to a marina, you will see a lot of boats would have those complex designs on their hulls, instead of the usual single or solid-color paints. Here are some of the advantages of making use of a boat wrap.
1. It is durable
Perhaps one of the primary reasons for boat owners to choose boat wraps instead of boat paint is the former’s durability. Fixing vinyl wraps is fast and easier compared to fixing boat paint. If a part of the vessel gets damaged, you only need to fix that particular area, and you don’t need to re-wrap the entire boat.
Another advantage is that vinyl resists fading, so you can enjoy a nice-looking boat for a long time. For as long as there’s no damage to your vessel, you are assured of a nice-looking boat that you can be proud of whenever it’s on water. According to SpeedPro, high-quality vinyl can last a boat for seven years, with the caveat that it must be applied by a professional. The duration is said to be as long as some marine paint jobs (which cost higher than high-quality vinyl).
2. It is less expensive
Aside from durability, another attractive thing about boat wraps is their cost. Compared to boat paints, boat wraps would only cost a third of what a marine boat painting would. This would also be an ideal option for those who own fleets of boats. Business entities could also benefit from it, especially if they need to put the same design or graphics on several vessels.
3. It is easily customized
The possibilities are endless when it comes to designing boat wraps. You can easily put your favorite image, logo, text, or anything that you fancy as your wrap’s design. Before even being applied or installed on the boat, you already know what the boat would look like. Compare this to hand-painting the hull of a vessel, and you will be on your toes as to when it’s going to be completed.
Whether for personal use or business use, nothing could make it more customizable and convenient than boat wraps. This is one area where it has shown a lot of promise compared to boat painting.
4. It is fast to install
Try to compare how long it would take to paint the entire hull of a boat as compared to installing boat wraps, and you will see the difference. If you want to paint your boat, you need to take it out of the water. Next, it will be brought to the shipyard where you can expect it to sit for several weeks before the painting job is completed.
On the other hand, if you go with the boat wrapping method, it will only take a few days. The better part is that if you change your mind and you want to change the vinyl wrap, you can do so without causing a considerable delay on your projected schedule.
5. It is easy to maintain
According to some boat owners, as enunciated in The Hull Truth, wraps are easier to maintain as compared to paint. Some boat owners would sell their boats and wrap them to keep them looking new. However, boat-buyers would still need to look beneath the wrap to see the actual condition of the hull.
Are there various types of boat wraps?
There are several types of boat wraps. Some wraps will cover the interior. These interior wraps are often used by fishing vessels. This helps protect and maintain the interiors of the boat from the water. Those who fish at sea are clearly in need of this since seawater is highly corrosive. Without ample protection, it can easily damage the boat’s interiors.
If there is an interior boat wrap, there is also an exterior boat wrap. This helps in protecting the entire hull. It functions like marine paint as well. You can opt for either a single solid color wrap or one with full graphic design. Either way will be okay, although businesses may want to make the boat’s hull a part of their advertisement campaign.
If you want to accent some parts of your boat so that only a part of it is covered, then a partial exterior wrap would be appropriate. This will leave a part of your hull exposed while the other part beautifully wrapped.
What is the best brand of vinyl wrap?
According to Boat Coat, probably one of the best brands of vinyl wrap out there is 3M. This is said to create a stunning finish when used on a boat. The site also mentioned that the vinyl is the one that could reach a lifespan of 7 years. This is almost equivalent to the lifespan of a regular marine paint job. While there may be cheaper alternatives, I wouldn’t recommend it as it will only cause you headaches because of poor quality.
Are there factors that affect the lifespan of the boat wrap?
As per the opinions of many boat owners, the longevity of a boat wrap would depend on the environmental factors. The rate of exposure of the wrap to certain elements is the one that could affect its wear and tear.
For instance, a boat wrap that is kept in a lift somewhere in Florida will deteriorate faster than a wrap that is stored in northern climates. If it is stored in a covered shed, then you can expect the wrap to last for years.
Another factor that would affect the longevity of the wrap is the position of the surface where it was installed. If the wrap is on a vertical surface, such as the sides of the hull, then it could last much longer. However, if it is installed on a horizontal surface, then it would also deteriorate faster.
So which is better, boat wrap or boat paint?
The answer to this question would greatly depend on a couple of factors. First, what would be your reason for wrapping or painting the boat? If it is for aesthetic purposes, then nothing could beat boat wraps since you would be able to include fancy designs for your boat. This is a bit difficult to do with boat paint.
Another factor to consider is your budget. If you are looking for something affordable that can provide protection for your boat just until you can save some money, then a boat wrap would be ideal as well. On the other hand, if money is not a problem, as per boaters, the long-term solution would be boat paint.
While there are glaring differences between a boat paint and a boat wrap. The most important thing to remember is that there are options available to help you keep your boat looking sharp for years to come.
