Tender Fleet Wrap Maintenance Schedule for the Caribbean

Tenders work harder than most boats. They run guests to shore, get pulled up on beaches, and sit against docks and yacht hulls all day. For crews managing several in the Caribbean, a simple shared maintenance schedule keeps wraps tidy and helps spot issues before guests do.

After every use#

Rinse with fresh water, if available
Remove sand from around fittings and in storage areas
Wipe off sunscreen, fuel, or oil spots quickly
Check fenders and rub rails for trapped grit

Sunscreen and fuel are easy to overlook. Guests leave handprints on rails and hulls, and these marks can stain or dull film if left too long.

Weekly#

Wash with a mild, wrap-safe soap and a soft mitt
Check bow and transom edges for lifting
Inspect the boarding area, where shoes and gear cause scuffs
Look for any chafe from tie-up lines
Check that the cover or chocks aren't rubbing the film

Monthly#

Check all seams and through-hull edges in good light
Photograph problem areas from fixed spots and compare with the last month
Check for fading differences between tenders
Log repairs or concerns, along with the date and location
Clean the boat's cover so it doesn't rub grit into the wrap

Each season or refit period#

Do a full review, perhaps at a shipyard period or the end of the charter season. Decide which panels should be repaired and which can wait. Plan any replacements for when the tender can be taken out of service. Also compare the tenders against each other and against the yacht, as color may be starting to drift.

Creating a simple wrap log#

A one-page log saves a lot of guesswork, especially with crew turnover. For each tender, record:

Film and overlaminate product names, and the installer's details
Date of installation and any warranty terms
Approved cleaning products
Damage reports, with dated photos
Repair history and any spare film held on board

Store a digital copy as well as a paper one, so that a new engineer or first officer can pick up where the last one left off.

Training the crew#

Everyone who touches the tender should know a few basics: no abrasive pads, no strong solvents, no pressure washers near edges, and no boots or bags dragged across the film. New crew should know who to tell about damage. Clear reporting matters more than perfection, as small problems are much easier to handle when they are found early.

Beach landings and hard use#

Sand can act as an abrasive, so limit bow contact if you can, and rinse after each landing. If a tender gets beached regularly, consider leaving the most exposed area unwrapped or adding a suitable protective film. Our guide to paint protection film explains the difference between a decorative layer and a protective one.