Boat Shrink Wrap & Winterization
Mercury & Yamaha Certified. Mobile Service. Done Right Before the First Freeze.
✓ Mercury Outboard Certified
✓ Yamaha Outboard Certified
✓ Former Marine Technician
✓ Mobile — We Come to Your Location
✓ Serving Benzie County, Arcadia, Bear Lake, Onekama, Kaleva, Thompsonville, Copemish, Empire, Lake Ann, and Interlochen
✓ Mercury Outboard Certified ✓ Yamaha Outboard Certified ✓ Former Marine Technician ✓ Mobile — We Come to Your Location ✓ Serving Benzie County, Arcadia, Bear Lake, Onekama, Kaleva, Thompsonville, Copemish, Empire, Lake Ann, and Interlochen
Your boat is one of the most significant investments you'll make as a Northern Michigan property owner. Getting it properly winterized isn't just about covering it up — it's about protecting the engine, the hull, and everything in between from a Michigan winter that doesn't forgive shortcuts.
I'm Alex Standerfer, owner of Hide A Way Home and Haul — and I'm Mercury and Yamaha outboard certified. That means when I'm winterizing your boat, I actually know what I'm looking at. I'm not just following a checklist somebody handed me. I trained directly on the two most common outboard brands in Northern Michigan, and I spent nearly a year as a marine technician at Perth Marine in North Carolina diagnosing, servicing, and restoring boats of all kinds.
Before starting my own company, I was performing boat winterizations and shrink wrapping right here in the Benzie County area. I already knew this work and this community. Hide A Way Home and Haul was the natural next step.
I come to you. No hauling, no scheduling around a shop's hours. Just professional winterization at your dock, your driveway, or your storage lot — done right before the cold hits.
What's Included in a Full Winterization
Every winterization includes a complete engine protection process — not just a wrap and a wave goodbye.
ENGINE WINTERIZATION
✓ Engine fogging oil — protects cylinder walls from corrosion over winter
✓ Fuel system stabilizer — prevents fuel degradation and carb/injector gumming
✓ Cooling system flush & antifreeze — removes water from water-cooled components
✓ Lower unit gear lube change — seals out moisture before it freezes
✓ Battery disconnect — prevents parasitic drain over the off-season
✓ Bilge drainage — removes standing water before it has a chance to freeze
✓ Live well & ballast pump winterization (if applicable)
✓ Visual inspection — if something looks off, I'll tell you before it becomes an expensive problem in spring
SHRINK WRAP APPLICATION
✓ Professional-grade shrink wrap film — not hardware store poly sheeting
✓ Proper venting installed — prevents condensation buildup and mold
✓ Tight, clean wrap that won't flap, tear, or let moisture in
✓ Strapping and support structure where needed for larger vessels
✓ Wrapped to fit — pontoon boats, bass boats, runabouts, ski boats
The Certification Most Property Services Companies Don't Have
Anyone can buy a heat gun and a roll of shrink wrap. Not everyone is trained and certified by the manufacturers themselves.
Mercury Outboard Certified
Trained and certified directly by Mercury on engine winterization procedures — following manufacturer specs, not guesswork.
Dock Builder
Two years building and removing docks in Wisconsin — comfortable around boats, water, and marine equipment in all conditions.
Yamaha Outboard Certified
Dual certification covering both of the most common outboard brands in Northern Michigan. Full manufacturer training on both platforms.
Northern Michigan Local
Alex is based in Frankfort and knows the lakes, marinas, and boat owners of Benzie County. He built Hide A Way Home and Haul to serve this community.
Marine Technician
Nearly a year of hands-on engine diagnostics, electrical repair, and boat restoration at a professional marine shop in North Carolina.
Mobile Service
I come to your location — your dock, your driveway, your storage lot. No trailering required on your end.
Mobile Boat Winterization Across Northern Michigan
Hide A Way Home and Haul is based in Frankfort, Michigan and provides mobile boat winterization and shrink wrap service throughout Benzie, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau Counties — from Manistee to Traverse City.
Don't see your area listed? Give us a call. If we can get there, we will.
SERVICE AREA LIST
• Frankfort & Benzie County (primary service area)
• Crystal Lake area
• Beulah & Benzonia
• Traverse City & Grand Traverse County
• Leelanau County
• Manistee area
Frequently Asked Questions
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In Northern Michigan, the window is roughly late September through November — before temps consistently drop below freezing. The earlier the better. Once you're into October the schedule fills up fast. Don't wait until after the first hard freeze to call.
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A properly applied shrink wrap seal is far superior to a tarp. It forms a tight custom seal around your boat, won't flap or collect water, and includes proper ventilation to prevent the condensation and mold that trapped-moisture tarps can cause over a long winter. It's not a luxury — for most boats it's the right call.
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I come to you. That's the whole point of mobile service. Whether your boat is at a dock on Crystal Lake, in your driveway, or at a storage facility — I'll get there and get it done without you having to trailer anything.
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Pontoon boats, bass boats, runabouts, ski boats, and most recreational watercraft with outboard engines. If you have an inboard or a larger vessel, give me a call and we'll talk through it.
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Most jobs take between one and three hours depending on the boat size and whether shrink wrap is included. I'll give you a time estimate when you book.
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They serve different purposes — winterization protects the engine and systems, shrink wrap protects the hull and interior from the elements. I'd strongly recommend both for any boat staying outside through a Michigan winter. That said, if your boat is going into a fully enclosed storage unit, wrap may be optional. We can talk through what makes sense for your situation.
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Yes. Hide A Way Home and Haul carries full business insurance.
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Call or text to get on the schedule. I'll confirm the date, location, and give you a straight quote before I show up. No surprises.
Get Your Boat Winter-Ready Before the Cold Hits
Call or text Alex for a free quote. Mobile service across Northern Michigan — Mercury & Yamaha certified winterization at your location.
Serving Benzie County and surrounding Northern Michigan communities
• Frankfort, Michigan