FAQ

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO WRAP A BOAT or vehicle?

A. It depends on what you would like done.

There are a number of variables: design time, type of material (vinyl and lamination), printing, boat prep, old graphics removal, overall graphic coverage and complexity of installation. The size and type of the boat or vehicle also play a part in price. Any boat with more compound curves will be more difficult and expensive than a boat with less contours.

We work with all budgets and typically have a solution to make your budget work. Please give us a call or request a quote.

How can I justify the price of a wrap?

A. Boat or vehicle wraps are significantly less than a new gel coat or paint job. Painting simply cannot duplicate color change, restyle or digital print wraps. Vinyl wraps are actually protective of the factory surface, as well. An awesome looking boat feels fresh and new and always equals a better day on the water.

If you are using a boat wrap as signage or for marketing purposes, there is nothing that is more cost effective in terms of advertising dollars spent.

Is wrapping a boat the only service you provide?

A. Not at all. We are capable of wrapping anything or creating any kind of graphic or decal you need. If vinyl sticks to it, we do it - any kind of boat, PWC, trailers, tow vehicles, box trucks, fleet vehicles, toy haulers, RV’s, buses, bulk decals, reproduction graphics, you name it!

What is the difference between a full wrap and a partial wrap?

A. Everyone’s definition is a little different but here are some guidelines we go by. A full wrap, side or partial may or may not include the transom. We can also do spot graphics on your boat or vehicle.

how long will it take to wrap my boat?

A. How long it takes can vary widely from project to project. The wrap process varies based on the boat, materials, boat prep and environmental conditions. Some materials go on easier and faster than others. Sometimes boats have challenging and difficult areas to wrap. Certain designs take more time to make sure certain elements are aligned. Do we have to remove hardware, rub rail or old graphics? Was the boat delivered clean? During cold weather, we may require an additional day or two for the boat to come up to the appropriate temperature. We are meticulous every step of the way, because we do things right.

That being said, the entire process from conceptualization to install can take from 3 days to 3 weeks.

is there anything i need to do before i drop off my boat for installation?

A. We will communicate prior to drop off about hardware and old graphics removal. Please ensure your boat is clean and free of mud, dust, wax, oil, Armor All and grease prior to delivery in order to avoid any additional labor charges.

I have existing graphics on my boat, can you remove them?

A. Yes, we can assist with graphic removal. Graphic removal is discussed prior to a quote. Factors that affect removal are age of graphics, environmental temperature and the type of vinyl film that was used.

what kind of material do you use?

A. Every job is different, materials are based on project requirements. We use a wide variety of material depending on the application. We use film and lamination from all the big manufacturers like 3M and Oracal, we also use several small “boutique” film manufacturers.

The film for a brand new fiberglass boat vs. an old boat with compromised gel coat vs. a dirt bike vs. a box truck vs. a brand new pickup would all be different.

DO YOU LAMINATE YOUR WRAPS?

A. The primary purpose of lamination is to provide abrasion protection for the digital print. Lamination is a must for wraps and graphics because they will endure cleaning, road grime, debris, weather and environmental exposure much better.

If anyone is selling a wrap that is unlaminated, please run for the hills.

Can you wrap the UNDERSIDE OF A BOAT?

A. Not a great idea, so we do not wrap the underside.

Will a vinyl wrap damage my gel coat or paint?

A. No, but an installation or graphic removal with someone inexperienced can. If your boat or vehicle has a damaged surface prior to wrapping, there is a possibility there could be additional issues or peeling when removing the wrap. On factory paint or gel coat, vinyl wraps are removed without issue and actually protect the surface of your vehicle.

Can I MODIFY AND CUSTOMIZE AN EXISTING DESIGN?

A. Absolutely. If we have an existing design that you love, we can tweak and personalize to make it yours.

Can you design the logo and branding for my business or commercial wrap?

A. Our corporate background is in design, branding and marketing for an agency that worked with small startups to Fortune 100 clients. Because of our history, our design and messaging are one of our biggest strengths.

can i drive my wrapped boat with the cover on?

A. We highly recommend that you do not drive a wrapped boat with the boat cover on. A tightly cinched cover can abrade and damage your wrap.

How do I care for my wrap?

A. Hand washing is best. We recommend hand washing your boat or vehicle every two weeks by hand. Do not wax, polish or use any kind of detail spray on a matte or satin finish vinyl. See care instructions here.

How long will my wrap last?

A. Typically, a wrap will last between 4-7 years. Vinyl is like paint in the sense that longevity is mostly based on how you care for your wrap, the amount of daily exposure to the road or water, cleaning and upkeep, how much sun and weather the wrap is subjected to and how the boat or vehicle is stored. The proper care will ensure the longevity of your wrap.

I don’t live in Washington or Oregon, can you still design and/or install my wrap?

A. Absolutely. It depends on the project, location and our installation schedule.

So and so only charges $2 for installation. Why are you charging more than them, will you match their price?

A. As far as vinyl wraps go, and especially boat wraps, you get what you pay for. Good work isn’t cheap and cheap work isn’t good.

Our pricing is extremely competitive based on the quality of our work. We do things right and don’t take shortcuts, this is a very time consuming and detailed process.

We also don’t have any hidden fees or hourly charges so there aren’t any surprises. We quote a price to do the job right. Most of the time the $2 wrap and install do not include all the work and labor that is included in our quote. They do this because then they are able to quote an extremely low price but the customer is unaware that old graphic removal, hardware removal, etc will all be charged hourly. So they either get a surprise hourly bill, or they get really unacceptable results because there were so many shortcuts.

We work with all budgets and usually come up with a creative solution to make your design dreams and budget work together.

WHO IS WATERSPORT GRAPHICS?

A. Watersport Graphics is a custom wrap and graphic studio based in Southwest Washington. We provide graphic solutions for everything on the water, personal vehicles and commercial fleets of all sizes. We are graphics experts, not a sign shop.

We try to really make the point that most vehicle wrap installers aren’t skilled and experienced enough to do boat wraps but boat wrap experts have the skill and experience to wrap any vehicle. We wrote a little about some of the differences here. Also, because of the extremely low barrier to entry to start a sign shop or print shop, many local shops sell wraps that have no business doing so.

While some shops do better than others, please hire an expert from the start. You will avoid common pitfalls, expensive re-dos and subpar results. A cheap install, most times does not end up being cheap.

FAQ