The open water season is coming to an end, and every boat owner is faced with the question of how to store an inflatable boat so that it does not lose its performance during downtime. Improper preservation can lead to irreversible consequences: cracking of PVC tissue, uncoupling of seams or the appearance of irremovable mold stains. PVC It looks whole, hidden processes of destruction of polymers can be started precisely during the winter rest.
Many owners make the mistake of thinking that it is enough to simply blow off the cylinders and remove the product in the garage before spring. However, to maintain the tightness and strength of the material, it is critical to observe the temperature regime, humidity level and the correct sequence of actions during packaging. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances that will help your boat survive the winter without losses.
Proper preparation for storage is a guarantee that next season you will not have to spend time and money on expensive repairs. We will consider the steps of cleaning, drying, choosing containers and places, and also answer frequent questions that arise from water engines.
Primary treatment and surface cleaning
The first thing to do after removing the boat from the water is to thoroughly clean all surfaces. Mud, silt, residues of fish scales, gasoline and oil create an aggressive environment that, if you have prolonged contact, destroys the structure. polyvinyl chlorideIf you leave the pollution for the winter, by spring you risk getting stains or even local softening of the material.
For washing, it is best to use warm water with the addition of a soft soap solution. It is strictly forbidden to use aggressive chemicals, solvents, acetone or gasoline to remove PVC stains. These substances can damage the protective layer of tissue and glue sutures. Use a soft sponge or rag, avoiding abrasive brushes that can leave micro-scratches.
Pay special attention to hard-to-reach places: the corners of the transom, the joints of cylinders and the area around the valves. This is where moisture and organic matter most often accumulate, becoming the ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. After washing, rinse the boat with clean water to remove the residue of detergent.
To remove resistant stains from grass or rust, use the special PVC cleaners available in fishing shops, but be sure to test them on an unobtrusive area.
Full drying: critical stage of conservation
Drying is perhaps the most important step in preparation, and remaining moisture inside or between the layers of tissue is guaranteed to produce mold and fungus that not only smell bad, but also destroy the material from the inside, and even a minimal amount of water can cause aluminum elements to corrosion or rust fasteners.
Inflate the boat and leave it in the shade for a few hours or even a day, weather permitting. ultraviolet Combined with residual humidity, it can accelerate the aging of plastic, so make sure all valves are open to allow air to circulate.
- 🌡️ Dry the boat at a temperature not lower than +15 C for better evaporation of moisture.
- 🌬️ Wipe hard-to-reach places with dry rags or use a dryer in cold mode.
- 🧼 Make sure not only the outer side but also the inside of the cockpit is completely dry.
If you keep the boat assembled (without blowing it out), make sure it's dry inside. The moisture left in the closed volume will create a greenhouse effect that is harmful to the glue, and it's better to be safe and leave the product open for airing in a warm room for a couple of days.
☑️ Drying checklist
Choosing the Right Storage Place
The place where your boat will winter must meet a number of strict requirements: the ideal option is a dry, dark room with a constant temperature, and sudden temperature changes can lead to condensation, which, as we have already found, is enemy number one.
Often, owners wonder, can you store an inflatable boat in the cold? Technically, modern materials can withstand low temperatures, but only at rest. However, if you plan to store the boat in sub-zero temperatures, any mechanical impact at that point can lead to cracks.
⚠️ Warning: Do not keep the boat near heating appliances, stoves or open flames. Heating above +40 C can cause seam strain and change the geometry of cylinders.
A garage, a shed or a storage room in the house are great options, as long as there are no rodents in the room, mice and rats often choose soft materials for nests, and a bitten balloon in the spring will be an unpleasant surprise, and it is recommended to place repellents around the boat or use ultrasonic devices.
Packaging and protection from external influences
Once the boat is completely dry, it needs to be packed properly, fold it carefully, avoiding the same places every year, and it's best to change the fold lines at each package to avoid microcracks on the folds.
Storage bags are ideal for fabric bags that allow the material to breathe. Plastic bags are not recommended, as they create the thermos effect and contribute to the accumulation of condensation at temperature extremes. If the factory bag is made of dense fabric, you can use it.
Here are the basic rules of packaging:
- 📦 Fold the boat freely, without strong compression.
- 🚫 Do not place heavy objects on top of a packed boat.
- 🐀 Treat the room or the packaging itself with rodent remedies.
How to turn the boat around correctly
First, fold the boat in half along, then wrap the sides towards the center. Then turn the boat from nose to transom, releasing air. Avoid sudden inflections at one point.
Features of storage in different conditions
Storage conditions can vary greatly depending on the owner's capabilities: someone has a heated apartment, someone has a cold garage, and someone has a boat wintering in the country, each with its own nuances that must be taken into account to preserve the property.
When stored in an unheated room, it is important to protect the boat from direct sunlight if the structure has transparent windows or light elements. The sun can be quite aggressive in winter, reflecting on snow, and it is also worth taking care that the package does not get water from the roof or walls.
If you keep the boat in limbo, use wide slings to avoid damaging the material. Thin ropes can cut the fabric under the weight of the product; It is optimal to keep the boat on a flat horizontal surface or on special racks.
| Storage conditions | Temperature conditions | Risks. | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment. | +18..+24°C | Drying, dust | Get away from the batteries |
| garage | -10..+20°C | Rodents, T-slips | Lift it up, rat protection. |
| Sarai/Dacha | -20..+25°C | Humidity, frost. | Sealed packaging, dry place |
| balcony | Street | UV rays, precipitation | Only in a tight case, in the shade. |
Preparation for the new season
When the winter is over, don't rush to pump the boat to working pressure, put it in a warm room and let it warm up to room temperature for a few hours, and the sudden heating of cold PVC can lead to a stretch of the material and a leaky seam.
After warming up, decompose the boat and inspect it carefully for damage that may have occurred during storage, check the valves for sticking and make sure they are free of foreign objects or insects.
Pump the cylinders gradually, controlling the pressure with a pressure gauge. If you notice slight scuffs, treat them with a special compound to restore the protective layer. Regular maintenance is the key to long-term service of your boat.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a fully pumped boat in the sun or in a hot room in the summer. When heated, the air expands and the pressure inside the cylinders may exceed the permissible limits, which will cause the seams to rupture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I keep an inflatable boat in an unheated garage?
Yes, you can. Modern PVC materials are resistant to low temperatures, the main condition is that the boat must be clean, dry and protected from direct sunlight and rodents.
Do I need to lubricate the boat before storage?
You can't use regular lubricants like lithol, solidol. There are special PVC preservative sprays that create a protective film, but if the boat is clean and dry, there's no need for that, and the main thing is no dirt.
How often should I check my boat in winter?
It is recommended to check the condition of the package every 1-2 months, the absence of rodent traces and the humidity level in the room. If the boat is stored in limbo, check the integrity of the slings.
What if the boat is stuck on the floor or packaging?
Do not try to pick or pull the boat out of the water, put it in the heat and wait for natural thawing, and mechanical exposure to frozen PVC is guaranteed to crack.
Compliance with the rules of drying and temperature during storage increases the service life of the PVC boat by 2-3 times.