Go Big!
Why pay the high cost of a custom paint job when you can get the hottest thing to hit the water since 4-stroke outboards - a boat wrap.
August 2007
| Captain Joe Ternylia
Written by Florida Sport Fishing
Looking to turn heads?
Interested in standing out from the crowd? Why pay the high cost of a custom paint job when you can get the hottest thing to hit the water since 4-stroke outboards – a boat wrap.
Who hasn't watched a televised SKA event or the Redfish Tour and thought to themselves, “Wow, that boat wrap looks awesome! We all have, because eye-catchy boat graphics bring a whole new dimension to our sport which no one seems to mind. A few short years ago, only one or two boats competing in any given tournament were proudly displaying their sponsorship logos. Today, many tournaments across the country require the entire fleet display their “team colors.” That's okay with us because other than the fact that they look awesome, there are other benefits to having your boat wrapped.
For starters, let's get this straight. What is a boat wrap?
Well, basically, it's a floating billboard. A boat wrap is laminated vinyl on which a computer designed high-resolution photorealistic image has been printed with a specialized ink. (The ink is applied directly to the vinyl and the laminate provides the protective outer shell). The adhesive backed vinyl is then applied to the boat by skilled professionals in either a single or multi-piece process.
Boat wraps instantly set the vessel apart from the competition and quickly get you noticed! Whether you are a professional angler who wants to promote your valued sponsors and/or your own company, or a weekend warrior who just wants to stand out from the crowd, boat wraps provide a vibrant alternative to custom paint jobs.
Big name fishing tournament directors, such as the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series founder Joe Mercurio, know how to attract corporate sponsors. He explained why boat wraps are coveted for his series. “The Professional Tarpon Tournament Series resembles NASCAR because all participating teams fish in the same small area. Boat wraps allow easy recognition of a specific team when they hook up, as well as provide a great way for the team and the tournament to promote our sponsors
Boat wraps all start with a design team who works closely with the boat owner to create a signature boat graphic. The image can be chosen from a nearly endless supply of stock imagery – including art from renowned marine artists - or can be a custom one-of-kind design. This sort of versatility is exactly what boat owners and sponsors like the most about boat wraps - they can create anything they want for their boat wrap from the most basic to the most elaborate designs.
Upon completion of the approved artwork, using exclusive 3M technology - a process which incorporates special software, quality printing inks, superior vinyl materials and laminates that exceed industry standards – the boat wrap is created on what boils down to a giant sticker. The “sticker” is conformed to meet the vessels profile and is installed on the boat in under a day at your place or theirs, and at a fraction of the cost of a custom airbrush job.
Of course, installing large-format graphics for marine applications requires special considerations due to the harsh environments a boat encounters. Ultraviolet rays from the sun, abrasive salt spray, potential docking and boat ramp damage, submerged material and high speeds are just some of the harsh elements boat wraps must be able to endure. This is why surface preparation is critical.
According to industry leaders, the initial cleaning and prepping of the boat's hull impacts the boat wrap's long-term success. Most manufacturers suggest a meticulous wiping with isopropyl alcohol after the boat has been thoroughly cleaned with soap and water, and any leftover residue has been removed. This ensures a neutralized surface and maximizes vinyl receptivity.
Once the hull has been properly prepped, the vinyl graphic is applied in a temperature controlled environment. Stretching the graphic to smooth over the contours in the hull is required to adhere the vinyl to the boat's surface. In areas with tight contours, applied heat in combination with a squeegee is used to properly bond the vinyl to the hull. Finally, after the graphics have been applied and the vinyl meticulously smoothed out over the hull's concave surfaces, a heat gun is used at approximately 200° F to aide in the bonding of the vinyl in complex areas. This insures long life for your new custom boat wrap.
Whether you are looking for an all new look or updating an existing graphic, boat wraps can be applied on almost any hull with little or no preparation work, other than a thorough cleaning, of course. No scraping, painting or clear-coating is required which is exactly why you and your boat can be back on the water the very next day.
Why stop at just your boat. How do you tow your favorite pastime? Shouldn't that have a custom graphic too? Broaden your impact beyond the water and turn heads everywhere you go with a custom truck wrap. I mean, come on. Go big or don't go at all!