How do I choose what size shrink wrap to buy?

To determine the shrink wrap size that you need, measure from the center of your product, at the highest point, over the side and down at least 8” below where you want the bottom of the shrink wrap cover to be.

For example, on a powerboat with arch: measure from the center of the arch to down below the rub rail. Then double that figure, and add 1 foot for the shrink wrap weld hems, wherein you will tuck the shrink wrap under the perimeter band and heat weld it to create a 6 inch hem (one on each side of the boat/project, so the weld is continuous around the perimeter if possible). The following chart should be a helpful place to begin, but definitely measure before placing your shrink wrap order.

Guidelines to help you determine the best shrink wrap thickness to use for your boat or project is detailed in footnote ** at the bottom of the followoing chart.

Determining Shrink Wrap Size And Venting For Your Boat Cover *
Shrink Wrap Film Width, Thickness ***	Boat Length	Boat Beam	Minimum # of Vents**	-- Notes --
12' wide Shrink Wrap	Length 0'-16'	Beam up to 7'	4 vents	Works well for finishing boats & boats with low windshields
14' wide Shrink Wrap	Length 14'-19'	Beam up to 8'	4 vents	Great for runabouts with full windshields
17' wide Shrink Wrap	Length 17'-24'	Beam up to 8.5'	6 vents	Excellent for pontoon boats and cuddy cabin cruisers
18' wide Shrink Wrap			6 vents
20' wide Shrink Wrap	Length 25'-29'	Beam up to 8.5'	6 vents	Good for express cruisers
22' wide Shrink Wrap			8 vents
24' wide Shrink Wrap	Length 25'-29'	Beam up to 9'	8 vents	Superb for express cruisers with arches or small fly bridges
26' wide Shrink Wrap	Length 28'-31'	Beam up to 10'	8 vents	Very little waste on wider and taller fly bridge boats under 32'
28' wide Shrink Wrap
32' wide Shrink Wrap	Length 30'-38'	Beam up to 11'	10 vents	Super for wide and tall fly bridge boats with an arch
36' wide Shrink Wrap
40' wide Shrink Wrap	Length 44'-60'	Beam up to 16'	12 vents	Covers very large boats with arches and bridges with one piece of wrap
50' wide Shrink Wrap				Covers huge projects with one piece of wrap

* Shrink Wrap Sizes are approximate - each boat must be measured to assure that the proper size shrink wrap is used.

** Shrink Wrap Vents: It is recommended that 1 out of 4 vents be Solar Vents, 1 out of 4 vents be Wind Vents, and 2 out of 4 vents be Passive Vents. Always over-ventilate! (Shrink wrap does not breathe, so ventilation is very important.)

*** Shrink wrap thickness - determining what shrink wrap thickness to use:

6 mil shrink wrap - Small Boat Shrink Wrap - our thinnest shrink wrap and is used on smaller items such as small boats, shed frames, pallets and machinery that will be stored rather than transported. It can hold 256 pounds per square foot. 6 mil thick shrink wrap generally works well on boats up to 19’ in a mild climate without heavy snow load.
7 mil shrink wrap is the standard Boat Shrink Wrap - it is the best minimum thickness for shrink wrapping most boats in snow load areas. It is also great for light construction jobs and medium sized machinery that will be transported. This is a more "forgiving" shrink wrap than the 6 mil, and will not "melt through" as easily, making it more ideal for do-it-yourself-shrink-wrappers. 7 mil thick shrink wrap works well on boats from 10’-40’ in length, in more severe weather conditions that would include high winds and heavy snow load.
8 mil / 8.5 mil shrink wrap - Big Boat Shrink Wrap - an excellent thickness for covering large boats, shrink wrapping large building frames, and for shrink wrapping large equipment with sharp protrusions for transportation or storage. 8 mil - 8.5 mil thick shrink wrap is the standard for big boats (40' plus in length) and industrial applications where there is a longer span between supports, or extreme weather conditions - scaffolding, large equipment, boats being shipped on deck to Europe, etc.
9 mil shrink wrap is very durable and works well for making containments and shrink wrapping scaffolding. Using 9 mil flame retardant shrink wrap has an added safety benefit on job sites.
10 mil shrink wrap is a versatile thickness for heavy duty shrink wrap applications, and is excellent for shrink wrapping large products for on deck ocean freight, and for covering odd shaped machinery for storage or transportation.
12 mil shrink wrap is our thickest shrink wrap and is only available with Flame Retardant additives. All of our premium Flame Retardant Shrink Wrap meets, or exceeds, NFPA 701 specifications for extinguishing itself. 12 Mil Flame Retardant Shrink Wrap is required for some scaffolding jobs and always on government bids where people will be working under the material.