The approach of cold weather poses an inevitable question for every boating to preserve the boat. If you own an inflatable vessel, the problem of wintering it becomes especially acute, because the storage conditions directly affect the durability of the material and the safety of the seams. Incorrect wintering can lead to microcracks, deformation of the bottom and loss of elasticity of polyvinyl chloride, which will require expensive repairs in the spring.
The choice of location depends on many factors: the availability of space in the apartment, access to an unheated garage or the ability to leave the boat on a specialized base. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible options, from ideal to compromise, and explain how to minimize the risks when storing in a city apartment.
There is a common misconception that PVC material It's completely inert to any kind of impact, but it's not. Polymers age, and aggressive environments or temperature changes accelerate this process, so understanding the physicochemical properties of the material will help you choose the right place for your boat to rest in the winter.
Temperature and humidity requirements
The key to choosing a storage location is temperature stability, and the optimal temperature for storing polyvinyl chloride products is between +5 and +20 degrees Celsius. Hypalon or high-quality reinforced PVC, can withstand lower temperatures if they are in a deflated state.
The danger is not so much cold temperatures as their sudden changes and the presence of direct sources of heat. Keeping a boat in close proximity to heaters, furnaces or electric heaters is unacceptable. Local overheating can cause softening of the glue in the seams or deformation of the fabric, which will lead to irreversible consequences.
⚠️ Warning: Keeping a boat near an open fire or heating appliances is strictly prohibited, as this creates a risk of fire and melting of the material.
The second important aspect is humidityRawness contributes to mold and fungus, which can break down tissue structure and create an unpleasant odor, especially for wooden elements such as plywood floorboards, which swell and deform when humid, and a dry, ventilated room is considered the ideal option.
If you keep a boat in a garage with an earthen floor, place a plastic film or ruberoid under it to cut off the dampness coming from the ground.
Critically, therefore, even if you keep the boat on an unheated balcony or in a cold shed, make sure it is not pressed and protected from direct precipitation.
Storage options: from apartments to specialized bases
Boat owners often face a dilemma: leave the boat at home or deposit it. Let's look at the main options, their pros and cons, so you can choose the most suitable for your situation.
The most common place in urban areas remains balconyThis is convenient, because the boat is always on hand and can be checked at any time. However, there are a number of limitations: the balcony must be glazed to protect PVC from UV light and precipitation. If the balcony is unheated, the boat must be carefully packed in a case or dense fabric to avoid condensation.
A private home or cottage provides more opportunities. garage - a great place if there is dry and there is no aggressive chemistry (gasoline, oils, solvents), the vapors of which can adversely affect the material. barn or basement They are also suitable, provided that there are no rodents that like to chew cloth and wires.
- 🏠 Apartment: Under the bed or in the storage room – ideal for temperature, but takes up a lot of space.
- 🚗 Garage: Good weather protection, but risk of humidity and chemicals.
- 🏗️ Special Base: Professional conditions, but requires transportation and payment costs.
- ⛺ Dacha: It is convenient for seasonal storage, but you need to protect yourself from thieves and animals.
If none of the home options are suitable, there are specialized storage facilitiesThere, boats are kept in heated hangars, which are a paid service, but they guarantee the safety of property and make room for the house, and often they offer washing and preservation services.
Preparation of the boat for the winter period
Before you put a boat away for storage, you have to prepare it properly, and just blow it off and put it in a bag is a recipe for problems in the spring, and it takes time and care, but it's worth it.
The first step should be careful. washingMud, silt, fish mucus and residues of gasoline must be completely removed. Use warm water and a soft sponge, you can use special PVC detergents, but avoid aggressive chemicals. After washing, the boat should be left in an unstretched state until completely dry, including hard-to-reach places.
Pay special attention wood-piecePlywood piolas (floor) must be removed, dryed with rags and left to dry separately from the cylinder, if you leave the wet plywood closed, it is guaranteed to be layered or covered with mold, and it is also recommended to treat the wooden ends with oliph or special composition.
☑️ Checklist for the preparation of the boat for winter
After drying, it is recommended to carry out conservationAnd you can use special PVC preservative sprays to create a protective film, and you have to lubricate the valves with silicone lubrication to keep the rubber seals dry and elastic. Metal parts, like this. D-ring or fastenings, it is better to lubricate slightly with oil to avoid corrosion.
Rules of packing and placement in space
How you fold and pack the boat directly affects the condition of the seams and fabric. There is a misconception that the boat should be blown "to the last", but this creates unnecessary crumbs. It is better to leave a little residual pressure in the cylinders so that the fabric does not crumple into tight folds.
When packing, avoid sharp clogs, especially in the area. granule If you're in a bag, don't put heavy objects on top of the boat, and the ideal option is to hang the balloon in a deflated state, but not crumpled, or put it on a flat surface.
Use it to protect against dust and light breathable Plastic bags are not recommended because they create a "greenhouse effect" and contribute to the accumulation of condensation, which leads to mold. If you use a factory bag, make sure it is clean and dry.
| Element of the boat | Storage requirements | Risks of violation |
|---|---|---|
| Cylinders (PVC) | Dryness, absence of clutters, protection against UV | Cracks, tissue dissection, loss of tightness |
| Paiola (Fanera) | Separate drying, protection from moisture | Swelling, stratification, fungus |
| Valves. | Silicone lubricant, cleanliness | Souring, loss of tightness in spring |
| transom board | Vertical storage or edge storage | Deformation under one's own weight |
Protection from rodents and external threats
Winter is a time when mice and rats are looking for heat and food, and your boat can be an attractive refuge for them, and rodents can chew through cloth, sonar wiring, and even wooden parts in one night, so protecting against them is a priority when stored in a cottage or garage.
An effective method is to use ultrasonic repellents that run off batteries or nets, and you can also decompose strong-smelling substances like mint, wormwood or special chemical repellents around the boat's storage area, and it's important that these substances don't touch the PVC tissue directly so as not to cause a chemical reaction.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use mothballs or toxic chemicals inside the boat bag, as the fumes may react with the material and make it brittle.
If you keep a boat outside under a canopy, you need to make sure that you have a tent that's secure, so that the wind doesn't blow the shield, and the rodents don't get in from below, and you'd better get the boat up above the ground on pallets or shelving, and that's not only protecting you from the animals, but it's also providing ventilation from below.
How to make a trap for rodents without harming the boat?
Use a bucket half filled with water, with a wire thrown through it, put a plastic bait bottle on the wire, and the rodent breaks into the water trying to get to food, and it's a humane and effective way to do garage work.
Common errors in conservation
Many owners step on the same rake from year to year, wondering why the boat lasts less than its stated term, avoiding these mistakes will prolong the life of your boat for many seasons.
One of the most common mistakes is dirt-storageFish mucus left for the winter contains enzymes that begin to digest the protective layer of tissue, and by spring, you may find that the material in the polluted areas has become sticky or changed color.
The second mistake is wet-boatEven a small amount of moisture inside the rolled-up cylinder will produce mold that is very difficult to remove, and mold not only spoils the appearance, but also destroys the structure of the polymer.
The third mistake is sackingSome people cover the boat with old carpets or synthetic fabrics that store static electricity and moisture, which creates perfect conditions for metal elements to corrosion and cloth to rot.
The main rule of wintering: cleanliness, dryness and the absence of direct sources of heat are three whales on which the safety of your boat is maintained.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I keep an inflatable boat at a negative temperature?
Yes, you can if the boat is completely dry, clean and deflated, but avoid extreme temperature changes and mechanical stresses (shocks, bending) in the cold, as the material becomes brittle. Before pumping in the cold, the boat must be kept at room temperature for several hours.
Should I lubricate the boat with oil or glycerine for the winter?
You don't have to oil the entire surface, it's going to attract dust and it can damage the structure of PVC. It's enough to just grease the rubber valve seals with silicone, so they don't dry out. Metal parts can be lightly coated with corrosion-resistant compounds.
How often should I check my boat in winter?
It's recommended that you do a visual inspection once a month, see if there's condensation, if there's rodents, if there's a sagging case, and if the boat is in a bag, you can just make sure the package is intact and dry.
What if there is a mould on the boat after winter?
Do not attempt to scrape it with a knife. Prepare a weak solution of vinegar or a special means to remove mold with PVC. Treat the affected areas with a soft sponge, thoroughly wash and dry. After that, it is advisable to treat the place with a protective spray.