When navigation ends or when you leave for a good weekend, every owner of a water transport must ask himself the question of how to properly prepare a boat for transport and wintering. Incorrect stowage can lead to deep crevices on the material, which in the future will cause leaks and expensive repairs. float-boat It takes up a minimum of space in the trunk of the car and does not require huge space in the garage or apartment.
The process of dismantling and packaging requires not only physical strength, but also knowledge of certain nuances of working with polyvinyl chloride. Many beginners make the mistake of turning the boat off immediately after leaving the water, ignoring the need for thorough drying. The moisture left between the layers of tissue can start the process of mold and unpleasant smell, which then will be extremely difficult to get rid of. packing It starts long before you pick up the cover.
In this article, we'll go through a detailed algorithm that allows you to turn a bulky structure into a neat bundle in 15 to 20 minutes, and you'll learn why the order of air intake matters, and how to use your own body weight to squeeze out gas masses without damaging your valves. PVC It will last for many years, maintaining its elasticity and strength.
Preparation of the boat for packaging: drying and cleaning
The first and most critical step is to completely clean the surface of dirt, sand and algae. Abrasive particles sandwiched between layers of fabric when tightly packaged work like sandpaper, gradually rubbing the protective layer and reducing the tightness of the seams. Use soft sponge and warm water to remove contaminants, avoiding aggressive chemistry that can dissolve the adhesive or damage the structure of the material.
After washing, you need to ensure the complete drying of all structural elements. Moisture in folds If you pack a wet boat, you'll find a characteristic musty smell inside, and possibly mold stains that destroy the fabric from the inside, and in ideal conditions, it takes 2 to 4 hours to dry outdoors depending on the weather.
Pay special attention to hard-to-reach places: the corners of cylinders, joints of the transom part and the area around valveThis is where water stagnates most often, and wipe these areas with dry rags and let them ventilate further, and don't rush the process with open flames or too hot air, because local overheating can warp the material.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to dry the boat near open fire sources or on hot asphalt in a hot afternoon - this can lead to irreversible deformation of PVC and violation of the tightness of adhesive seams.
Dismantling of attachments and seats
Before you start deflating the cylinders, you have to remove all removable parts. banks (seats)Storing these parts separately allows not only to fold the main part more compactly, but also to avoid accidental puncture of the fabric with sharp corners of the fittings during packaging.
The switches and metal fixtures should be wiped dry to prevent corrosion, which can stain the fabric during long-term storage. air-seatThey also need to be blown away and packed in a separate bag, after making sure that they are clean. cross-board or paiole flooring, it is better to take out the first one while the sides still retain some rigidity.
- 🪑 Remove all the removable cans and fold them in a pile, checking for no dirt on the underside.
- 🎣 Dismant the holders of fishing rods and other hinged fittings, packing small parts in a package.
- 🛡️ Remove the transom board and elements of the hard floor (paiola) by examining them for chips.
Once dismantled, check the surface of the cylinders again, sometimes in the process of operation, small branches or sharp grass stick to the fabric, which may not be noticed the first time. surface-examination before rolling - this is a guarantee that you do not prohibit inside a stabbing object, which under pressure will burst the balloon at the next pump.
The correct air-blowing procedure
Many owners make the mistake of opening all the valves at once and starting to push the cylinders randomly. The right technology involves sequential air infusion to ensure uniform compression and minimize stress at the seams. Start at the bow, gradually moving to the stern, or vice versa, but strictly observing the order.
Open the valves and press the cylinders with your hands, squeezing out the bulk of the air. Do not use the pump in full capacity, as a sharp change in pressure can damage the internal structure of the bulkheads. joggingPassing around the perimeter and driving the gas to the open valve.
Why can’t you use a powerful compressor to pump out?
Using high-powered compressors to pump air creates a vacuum that can collapse the internal bulkheads (membranes) inside the cylinder, causing them to deform, shift, and, as a result, disrupt the boat's geometry the next pump, in the worst case, the bulkhead can break away from the side, requiring major repairs in the workshop.
When the bulk of the air is released, more active methods can be used: fasten the valves open (if the design allows) or leave them open to prevent accidental vacuum creation. residual pressure You need to clean carefully, especially in places of folds, so as not to create hard cavities on still inflated areas.
Compact cylinder folding technique
The most critical thing is to form the original roll, and you can spread the boat on a flat, clean surface, if you're on the shore, put a tent or a cover under the boat so you don't get the bottom dirty again, and fold the sides to the center so that they lie parallel to each other, forming a long strip.
Start rolling from the bow (or aft, depending on the design) with a tight roller. Try to keep the turns flat, without distortion. Each new turn should fit tightly to the previous one, displacing the residue of air through the open valves. Convolution density It directly affects the final volume of packaging.
⚠️ Attention: Do not allow the valve tissue to enter the convolution in the folded form - this can damage the sealing gum or the valve mechanism itself during prolonged storage under pressure.
It's useful to use your body weight in the twisting process, to kneel (neatly, without any sudden movements) and roll around the rolled-up part, pushing the air forward, and this allows you to achieve maximum speed. compactnessIf the boat has H-shaped profile Try to fold it so that the bends of the bottom coincide with the previous folds, without creating new crevices in undesigned places.
For a denser stacking in the cold season, you can put a rolled-up boat in a warm room for a few minutes, and the cooled air will shrink, and the volume will decrease, which will allow you to tie the case tighter.
floorboard laying and convolution formation
Hard floor elements (paiola) require a separate approach. Aluminum profiles or plywood sheets coated with waterproof film cannot be simply thrown into a cover. They must be folded into a single flat structure, usually repeating the shape of the bottom of the boat in assembled form, but in disassembled condition.
There are two main ways to put the floorboard in a rolled-up boat: the first is a sandwich, where floor sheets are put into a central gutter between rolled-up cylinders; the second is a wrapper, where the rolled-up boat wraps around a folded floorboard package. The choice of method depends on the model. PVC boats and the personal preferences of the owner.
| Stowage method | Advantages | Deficiencies | Which boats are suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paioles inside (into the trough) | Maximum protection of the floor, compactness | It is more difficult to get, the risk of damaging the balloon with corners | Boats with H profile |
| Boat around the floorboard | Quick assembly, cylinders don't crumple. | Larger total packaging volume | Boats with flat bottom and simple profile |
| Separate packaging | No contact between metal and PVC | Takes up more space in the trunk. | Any boats, especially those with aluminum floors |
| Recommended | Optimal balance | It takes skill. | Most models up to 3.6 m |
When laying floorboards, make sure there is no sand or pebbles between the aluminum profiles. When friction occurs during transportation, they can wipe the protective coating of plywood or PVC itself. Purity of elements The floor is as important as the cleanliness of the cylinders. If the floorboards have fabric connectors, check for integrity before packaging.
Final packaging and storage conditions
Put the formed bundle in the transport bag. Don't force it in there, because if the boat doesn't come in, you've made a mistake in the twisting technique somewhere, or you haven't completely blown the air. flyboat Ready to move.
Choose a dry, dark place with a moderate temperature, the ideal range is +5 to +20 degrees Celsius, avoiding the neighborhood of heating appliances, open fires or chemically active substances. Ultraviolet It is also harmful to stored PVC, so it is better to keep the boat in a closet or on a shelf rather than on an open balcony.
☑️ Checklist before cleaning the closet
Once a season, even if you're not planning to go out, it's recommended to take out the boat, lay it out and slightly pump it up, which helps you straighten out the folds and check the integrity of the structure. prevention Prolongs the life of the material and allows you to detect small defects before they become critical.
The main secret of long service boat is not so much the frequency of repairs, as the proper preparation for storage: dryness, lack of crevices and a stable temperature regime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I keep a boat in full shape all year round?
Yes, you can, but it's not recommended to keep it as compressed as possible all the time, and once every 3-4 months, it's best to take out the boat, lay it out and let it rest straightened for a day, and this relieves the internal stress in the material and the adhesive sutures, preventing microcracks.
What to do if the boat freezes in the cold?
If the boat is in the cold, the material becomes rigid and brittle. Do not try to bend or twist it in this condition. Put it in a warm room and let it warm up to room temperature naturally, without using heaters. Only after complete thawing can you start manipulating it.
Do I need to lubricate the valve before storage?
Special lubrication is not usually required if the valves are working properly, but if you notice that the thread is tight, you can use a small amount of silicone lubricant, the main thing is not to use petroleum products (gasoline, kerosene, oil), as they destroy the rubber seals and the PVC itself.
How to remove the smell of rubber from a new boat when packing?
New PVC always has a specific smell. To prevent it from being preserved in a bag, before the first long-term packaging, the boat should be well aired outdoors (in the shade) in a fully straightened form for 1-2 days. The use of flavors inside the bag is not recommended, since the chemistry can react with the material.
Can I dry the boat with a hairdryer?
You can only use a household hair dryer at a minimum temperature and from a long distance, exclusively to remove moisture from hard-to-reach folds. Directing a hot stream of air close to the fabric is prohibited, this can lead to PVC stratification or deformation of the adhesive seam. It is better to use natural ventilation.