How Much Do Boat Wraps Cost?

Wrapping your boat with vinyl sheets is a quick and effective way to protect and refresh its look to reflect your style or brand. Plus, you do a great favor to the environment when you wrap rather than paint your marine vessel. Wrapping a boat is also significantly cheaper than painting it.

How much boat wraps cost depends on the boat size, boat type, quality of the wrap sheet, and wrap material design. A basic vinyl boat wrap costs around $100 per linear foot. An average boat wrap costs about $150 per foot. Wrapping a boat costs only a third of what a marine painting job does.

That beautiful vessel you admire is likely clad in high-quality vinyl sheets rather than expensive marine paint. Boat wraps have become popular because they check the right boxes for boat owners. Read on to find out how much you can expect to spend to wrap your boat.

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How Much Does It Cost To Wrap a Boat?

Boat wraps protect and decorate your vessel’s surface. They’re an excellent way to transform your boat’s look without affecting its original paint, which can help you maintain a high resale value for the vessel.

Vinyl wraps come as adhesive-backed sheets or films that stick to the boat. They’re available in various colors, graphics, and textures to meet any boat owner’s taste.

Various factors influence the cost of wrapping a boat, including:

Boat size: The larger the vessel, the more wrapping materials and labor you’ll need for the project. As a result, wrapping a speedboat would be cheaper than wrapping a yacht.
Boat type: Some marine vessels have mostly regular shapes while others have irregular shapes. Wrapping a boat with an irregular shape and complex design demands more time and expertise.
Wrap material quality: Vinyl boat wraps are available in standard and premium quality. Premium wraps cost more, but they last longer.

Wrap material design: Boat wraps are available in basic designs and custom designs. Custom designs are usually more expensive to purchase and require more expertise to install.
Boat’s condition: Wrapping a new boat is faster and easier than wrapping an old vessel. For example, an old boat may require extra work on repairs before the wrap can be applied to it.

A basic boat wrap job costs around $100 per linear foot for common side heights of 700 – 1350 mm (28 – 53 in). The cost includes the installation fee. In that case, your basic wrapping costs would look like this for various boat sizes:

A 14-ft (4 m) boat: $1,400
An 18-ft (5 m) boat: $1,800
A 21-ft (6 m) boat: $2,100

A 28-ft (9 m) boat: 2,800
A 35-ft (11 m) boat: $3,500

You should budget $150 per foot for an average boat wrap project. In that case, your costs would be like this for the common vessel sizes:

A 14-ft (4 m) boat: $2,100
An 18-ft (5 m) boat: $2,700
A 21-ft (6 m) boat: $3,150

A 28-ft (9 m) boat: 4,200
A 35-ft (11 m) boat: $5,250

Types of Boat Wraps

Boat wraps can vary by coverage and finishing. Wrap coverage options are:

Full wrap: The vinyl wrap is applied to the vessel’s entire outer surface.
Partial wrap: The wrap is applied to selected sections of the boat. The covered area may be a half or a quarter of the surface.
Spot wrap: The wrap is applied to small areas of the vessel’s exterior. Spot wraps are mostly for branding purposes, such as displaying a logo or a brand name.

The common boat wrap finishing options include:

Gloss
Matte

Satin
Metallic
Chrome

Carbon fiber

Benefits of Boat Wraps Over Paint Jobs

The following are the benefits of boat wraps over paint jobs:

Easy to reverse: You can wrap an old boat to give it a fresh look, or wrap a brand-new boat to protect its original paint. You can wrap or take off wraps from a boat repeatedly without affecting the underlying surface.

Boosts resale value: Wraps protect your vessel from scratches and damage caused by water and weather elements. As a result, they keep your boat in excellent condition, which can allow you to fetch a good price for the vessel in the resale market.
Eco-friendly: Boat wraps installation and removal don’t use harsh chemicals. In contrast, the process of preparing and spraying paints releases toxic fumes. Moreover, paints can peel or chip off and pollute water, endangering marine life.
Easy to customize: Wraps are more flexible than paint if you want to customize the look of your vessel. Wraps are easy and quick to take off and replace to match your style or brand. You can also easily replicate the same design with wraps in multiple vessels.

Less expensive: Protecting and decorating a boat with wraps is more economical than covering the vessel with marine paint. Vinyl boat wraps cost about a third of what you’d pay for marine paint, yet they’re more beautiful and can last as long as paint.
Easy to repair and maintain: Wraps have low repair maintenance requirements compared to paint. You can easily cut off and replace damaged areas of a vinyl wrap. In contrast, color matching can be difficult when you need to repaint a section of the hull.
Excellent for brand advertising: High-quality graphics on boat wraps are powerful at drawing people’s attention. As a result, boat wrap advertising is an effective form of brand marketing.

How Long Do Boat Wraps Last?

The durability of a boat wrap depends on the quality of the material, quality of installation, and maintenance. The standard vinyl boat wrap lasts 3-5 years. Premium wraps applied by a professional can last up to 7 years – that’s almost as long as expensive marine paints.

Premium wraps are built to withstand various harsh water elements for a long lifespan.

You can protect and extend the lifespan of your boat wrap with some simple actions, such as:

Keep the boat clean: A buildup of dirt and other particles can accelerate the degradation of the wrap. You should clean the boat regularly to prevent dirt accumulation and keep the vessel looking fresh.
Use the right cleaning products: A solution of mild soap and water is usually enough to give your boat a clean wash. Use a soft brush or rug for cleaning. Avoid using bleaches and other harsh chemicals as these can cause wraps to wear out quickly.
Avoid hitting the boat with high-pressure water: Splashing the boat with high-pressure water during cleaning may give it a cleaner wash, but that poses a risk. For example, repeated rounds of high-pressure water hitting the wrap can damage it.

Store the boat in a covered area: Keep the boat covered if not in use to protect it from harsh weather and environmental elements. For example, too much exposure to sunlight can cause the wrap to discolor because of the impact of ultraviolet rays.

How To Save Money on a Boat Wrap Project

Here are ways on how to save money on a boat wrap project:

Shop around for wrap materials: Prices of boat wraps on the same vary by vendors. Shop around for the best wrap prices.

Avoid custom designs: If you’re only looking to refresh your vessel’s look, go for simple product designs because they’re less expensive.
Install the wrap yourself: A professional wrapping service can add several hundred dollars to your costs. You can save money by wrapping the boat yourself.

How To Apply Boat Wraps

You can apply wraps to your boat yourself instead of hiring a professional if you have the time and skills to do the job. Follow these steps to prepare the boat for vinyl wrapping:

Remove the vessel from the water and tow it safely to a garage or other shaded area.
Let the boat dry in the shade.
Remove components and features such as logos, hooks, and handles to clear the areas you want to wrap.

Wash the boat to remove dirt, debris, and other particles that can prevent the vinyl wrap from sticking properly.

Follow these steps to apply vinyl wrap on the boat:

Remove the backing and secure the wrap into position with tape.

Gently apply the wrapping film to the boat.
Working your way through bends and contours, press down the film as you extend it to cover the areas you want to wrap.
Use your hand or a squeegee to remove wrinkles and smoothen the wrap.

You may also use a heat gun to remove air bubbles to achieve a smooth cover.
Trim out the excess wrap. It’s a good idea to apply a sealant to the edges.
Reinstall the components you removed to make way for the wrap.

Allow the boat to sit for a few days after wrapping it before getting it back to the water.

While these are the basic boat wrap installation steps, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s specific instructions.

How To Choose the Right Boat Wrap Installation Professional

The quality of the installation affects the look and durability of the wrap. If you’re unsure of the task’s demand, reach out to an expert.

If you decide to let a professional wrap your boat, it’s important to select the right person. These are a few factors to consider when selecting a boat wrap installer:

Experience: There are different boat sizes and designs. Choose a boat wrap installer familiar with your boat type and wrap material.
Compare quotes: Obtain quotes from several professionals and compare them. While you may be tempted to go with the lowest price to save money, remember cheap can be expensive if you consider quality.

Summary

Boat wrap costs depend on factors such as the boat size, boat type, and quality and design of the wrapping material. You can wrap your vessel yourself, though you run the risk of making expensive mistakes if you’re unskilled in the job.

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Check out our article on: What Is the Correct Way To Measure the Overall Length of a Boat?