The garage is often perceived by boat owners as the perfect refuge from snow, rain and the scorching sun, but this view can be dangerously misleading: improperly organized space or ignoring basic conservation rules can turn seasonal parking into a place where the bottom material irretrievably loses its properties. Polyvinyl chlorideThe tyres that your boat is made of are complex composites that require specific conditions other than metal or car tire storage.
Many anglers make the mistake of thinking that it's enough to just blow out the cylinders and throw the bag on the shelf before spring, in fact, not only temperature, but also humidity, the presence of sharp objects, chemical fumes from adjacent canisters of fuel, and even the neighborhood of electrical wiring are critical factors. PVC materials They have shape memory and chemical susceptibility, which must be taken into account in long-term downtime.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the preparation stages, choose the optimal storage position and discuss the nuances that are not discussed in stores. Proper preservation will allow you to avoid expensive repair of glued seams or replacement of paioles at the beginning of the next season.
Preparing the boat for the winter season
The first and most important step is to thoroughly clean the surface of all contaminants. Mud, silt, fish mucus and algae left on the surface contain aggressive organic compounds that, when dried, begin to erode the upper protective layer of tissue. Cleanup It should be produced immediately after returning from the reservoir, until the contamination has dried up and crystallized.
Use warm water and a soft sponge; hard brushes or abrasive powders are strictly prohibited because they leave microscopic scratches, and these microcracks are subsequently ingested by moisture and dust, destroying the structure of the material from the inside. PVC cleanersBut not gasoline, acetone or solvents.
⚠️ Never use chlorine-based solvents or aggressive household chemicals to wash the boat, as these can disrupt the chemical structure of the polymer and make the seams brittle.
After washing, you have to let the boat dry completely, and this applies not only to the outer surface, but also to the interior spaces, if the boat has an inflatable floor. NDMAThe remaining moisture inside the valves or folds of tissue will expand when frozen and can damage the adhesive joints. It is better to dry in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight, which can unevenly warm the material.
Choosing the Best Place in the Garage
The garage is divided, and the choice of a particular place depends on the type of heating and ventilation of the room. If the garage is unheated, then the main threat is temperature changes and condensation, which forms on cold metal walls, in which case the boat should be placed as far as possible from the walls and floor, preferably on an elevated or suspended.
In heated rooms, the situation is different: here the air becomes too dry, which is also harmful to plasticizers in the fabric. Optimum temperature For storage of PVC products, the range ranges from +5 to +20 degrees Celsius. Sharp jumps from frost to heat (for example, with rare car runs) create a thermal shock effect.
It's critical to protect against rodents. Mice and rats often choose soft, warm materials to build nests, and boat cylinders are perfect for this purpose. They gnaw through the cloth not for food, but for building material, and damage can only be detected after pumping the boat in the spring.
The proximity to other objects should also be considered: there should be no sources of open fire, sparkling electrical wiring or containers with flammable liquids near the boat. Polyvinyl chloride It is a combustible material and emits toxic substances when a fire occurs, so insulation from potential sources of ignition is a matter of safety for the entire garage.
Place rodent traps around the boat or use ultrasonic repellents, as even one mouse can turn an expensive boat into a sieve in one winter.
The method of installation: inflated or deflated form
There are two basic approaches to storage: deflated in a case or partially/fully inflated, depending on the space available in your garage and how often you use the boat during the winter. advantages And the risks that need to be weighed.
Storage in a deflated form saves space, but requires the right packaging. The boat can not be tightly twisted or folded in the same lines every year, as this leads to cloth cloth cloth and cracks in the folds. The best method is to use the "accordance" method with layers of soft cloth or paper.
Inflated state is preferable to preserve the geometry of the product, especially for boats with a hard inflatable floor, in which case the pressure in the cylinders should be reduced to a minimum working to compensate for possible temperature changes, but leave the shape, this prevents the formation of folds and stretches of the material.
| Parameter | Deflated. | Inflated. |
|---|---|---|
| Occupied seat | Minimum (compact bag) | Maximum (requires space) |
| Risk of clutter | High (if incorrectly packaged) | Missing. |
| Protection from rodents | Medium (depending on the cover) | Low (access from all sides) |
| Readiness to use | It takes time to assemble. | Instant readiness |
⚠️ Warning: When stored in an inflated form in an unheated garage, watch the pressure: with severe cold, it will fall, and with a sharp warming, it can grow and break the seams.
For long-term storage (more than 3 months) in the garage, a suspended position in a partially inflated state is preferable to avoid deformation of the bottom.
Protection from external factors and rodents
Even in a closed garage, the boat is exposed to dust, moisture and small pests, and the dust that settles on the surface may contain abrasive particles that, when accidentally touched or cleaned, will work like sandpaper. cover Breathable fabric (e.g., spanbond or Oxford special impregnated fabric) is a must.
Don't use plastic wrap to wrap the boat. It creates a greenhouse effect by inhibiting air exchange, which leads to condensation accumulation and mold on the fabric. Mold not only spoils the appearance, but also destroys the polymer bonds of the material, making it brittle.
In addition to traps and repellents, folk remedies such as ash spread around or strong-smelling herbs (wormwood, mint) can be used, although their effectiveness decreases over time. Chemical repellents should be used with caution so that their vapors do not settle on the surface of the boat.
What is the danger of mold for PVC?
Mold is not just a black coating. Fungal spores release enzymes that break down plasticizers in PVC tissue. Visually, it looks like a sticky layer that can't be washed away with water. Over time, the plaque cloth becomes thin, loses elasticity and tears at minimal tension. Removing the old mold often requires a complete regladding of the boat.
Valve pressure and condition monitoring
If you choose to store inflated condition, regular monitoring of pressure becomes your main task. The pressure inside the cylinders is directly dependent on the ambient temperature according to the laws of physics. In winter, in an unheated garage, it can drop significantly, leading to sagging fabric and the formation of deep folds.
Check the pressure at least once a month. Use a pressure gauge for this, as it is difficult to determine the exact values with the eye. The pressure for storage is usually 0.15-0.2 of the atmosphere, which is enough to maintain shape, but safe for seams when temperature fluctuates.
Special attention should be paid to valves. Rubber seals inside the valve system can dry out or, conversely, stick together. It is recommended to lubricate the movable parts of the valves with a special silicone lubricant designed for PVC products to ensure their tightness and ease of opening in the spring.
☑️ Monthly check-up boat
Common errors in conservation
One of the most common mistakes is to keep a boat together. gas tank Fuel vapors, even in a closed container, are highly penetrating and can settle on the surface of PVC, softening the material and making it sticky. Motor oil accidentally caught on board also poses a serious threat.
Another mistake is to use inappropriate supports, where if the boat is lying on the floor, it often has bricks or metal objects that may have sharp edges, and over time, under the weight of the boat, these objects push through the fabric, use wide boards or special soft-coated stands.
Some owners try to "renovate" the boat before winter by applying various polishes or protective compounds not designed for PVC. This can lead to a chemical reaction that will manifest itself only after a few months. Bravo, Flager or Star brite.
⚠️ Warning: Do not keep the boat near a working generator or welding machine if you use the garage as a workshop – sparks and ozone can damage the structure of the plastic.
Preparations for first launch in spring
Spring removal of the boat from the garage also requires compliance with the rules: do not immediately take the cold boat out in the bright sun or pump it to working pressure. A sharp temperature drop can cause tissues that have frozen in the cold. Let the product warm up to room temperature for several hours.
After unpacking, carefully inspect the seams and valves, may show hidden defects or microcracks during the winter, perform a test pump and leave the boat inflated for a day in a warm room to make sure there are no leaks.
If you find dust or a slight plaque on the surface, wipe the cylinders with a wet cloth with a soft detergent. Check the equipment: oars, pump, remix. Make sure that the glue in the remplekt is not dried and has not lost its properties, if necessary, update the stocks.
What to do if the boat is stuck on the floor?
If the garage is unheated and the boat is stuck to the concrete floor, do not try to tear it off by force. Turn on the heat gun or heater, directing the flow of warm air (not hot!) to the contact point. You can also put warm rags.
Can I keep a PVC boat in the cold in the garage?
Technically, the material can withstand temperatures of up to -30°C or below, but prolonged storage in extreme cold makes PVC fragile. Any mechanical impact in this state will lead to cracks. If the garage is unheated, it is better to fold the boat in a warm room (clothing, apartment) or provide additional heating / insulation of the storage area.
Do I need to completely deplete air for the winter?
If the boat is kept deflated, yes, completely. If it's inflated, it's necessary to reduce the pressure to a minimum (0.15-0.2 atm) to compensate for the expansion of air during warming, but keep the shape of the product and avoid crumbling.
How to lubricate the valve before storage?
Use only silicone lubricants specially designed for rubber and PVC. Petroleum jelly or lithium lubricants can destroy rubber valve system seals.
Is it dangerous to have a boat with a car battery?
Yes, it's dangerous. A battery can release acid vapors, especially if it's old or recharged. Acid vapors are aggressive to PVC tissue and can cause degradation. The boat should be stored as far away as possible from the battery.