How to Remove Shrink Wrap From Boats
Removing shrink wrap from a boat is no more difficult than removing shrink wrap from any other package. You need to cut it carefully to avoid damaging what's beneath the shrink wrap. Fortunately, there are specialized knives (called rigger's knives) that make it easy to slide along one surface while cutting another, because of the shape of their blade. With the right tools, removing the shrink wrap from your boat doesn't need to eat up time you could be spending on the water.
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Instructions
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Slip the point of the marlinespike (the spike on the back of the knife) of the rigger's knife into the shrink wrap near the stern (the back end) of the boat, over the cockpit area, so that you don't damage the boat. Withdraw the marlinespike and slip the blade of the rigger's knife into the hole with the sharp edge of the blade pointing toward the front of the boat. The rigger's knife has a "sheepfoot" blade shape; the sharp edge is straight, and the back of the blade, unsharpened, curves down to the sharp edge like the curved edge of a countertop.
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Move the rigger's knife toward the front of the boat, cutting the shrink wrap as you move. The wrap is stretched tightly and will split easily.
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When you reach for the front of the cockpit, lift the rigger's knife so that the curved part of the blade near the point is resting on the surface of the boat. Since the sharp edge is still pointing forward, rather than downward, maintain contact between the surface of the boat and the unsharpened, curved part of the blade while keeping the edge moving forward to cut through the shrink wrap.
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When you reach the front of the boat, return to the point on the shrink wrap where you began your cut. Cut toward the rear of the boat until you reach the transom. Just as you did when you came to the forward point of the cockpit, press down with the unsharpened back of the blade and press forward with the sharpened edge, continuing across the top of the transom and downward.
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Pull the remains of the shrink wrap away from the boat from the front and deposit the wrap in a trash can. If your boat is trailered, you may have to trim around the front roller of the trailer and remove those bits of shrink wrap as you launch the boat.
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Tips & Warnings
If your boat is shrink wrapped over frames, remove the frames after you remove the shrink wrap.
If the shrink wrap is equipped with vents, cut the vents from the shrink wrap before disposing of the shrink wrap.
A rigger's knife has both a sharp edge and a sharp spike. Use appropriate caution.
