Vehicle wraps are so 2009. With many boats sitting on the sidelines during the winter months, it’s the perfect time to hone up on your skills in the next big wrap wave - boats.

The opportunity is vast. U.S. recreational boating demand will grow 5.3 percent annually through 2011, according to market research firm Freedonia Group. Powerboats will lead the charge in the boat category. While the South offers the best opportunities for boat vinyl installations because of the large population of boats in the region, wrappers from across the country can get in on the action that is the $15.7 billion U.S. recreational boating industry.

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Beyond the sheer numbers, consider the repeat business. Even though boat wraps typically last a couple of years, many boat owners opt for a fresh wrap every year because the salt water is rough on the vinyl - and the gas spillage can cause some damage around the fuel tank. And if water seeps in, the wrap is, well, a wrap - if it’s not dried quickly. Even small tears can cause big problems for these on-water vessels.

“We’ve seen a tremendous increase in the number of inquiries for interested boat owners, and we expect the growth to continue for the foreseeable future” says Pete LoBrutto, owner of Impressions on the Go, a vinyl installation company in Austin. “It’s a lot less expensive than painting a boat, the boat doesn’t have to be transported to our location, and boat owners like the fact that they can design almost anything they want for their wrap.”

Read the rest of my article on SignIndustry.com.

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