As the off-season hits, every boating faces a challenge that can extend its lifespan by years or, conversely, minimize it. Proper storage of PVC boats is not just a recommendation, but a strictly necessary procedure, ignoring which can lead to irreversible damage to expensive material. Many owners make the fatal mistake of simply blowing out cylinders and hiding the vessel in the garage, unaware of what chemical and physical processes are already underway.
Organizing the conservation process requires a systematic approach and an understanding of the structure of the polyvinyl chloride from which the boards are made. In this article, we will examine each stage of preparation, from thorough washing to choosing the optimal temperature in the room. moisture More dangerous than frost and how to prevent the adhesion of layers of tissue.
Well-conservated conservation will allow you to just blow the boat up and get on the water with the first heat, without wasting time looking for holes or gluing the separated seams together. Let's take a look at what exactly you need to do to make your boat get on the water. flyboat I've served as long as I can.
Primary treatment and surface cleaning
The first thing to do after the navigation is to thoroughly clean the body of all contaminants. Mud, silt, residues of fish scales and algae contain aggressive organic compounds that, with prolonged contact, begin to erode the protective layer of PVC. Especially dangerous river silt, which can contain active chemical elements that have entered the reservoir from industrial effluents.
Use warm water and a soft sponge to wash, avoiding micro-scratching abrasive brushes. If there are persistent stains on the surface, you can use specialized PVC cleaners, but never use solvents, gasoline or acetone. These aggressive liquids disrupt the chemical structure of the plastic, making it brittle (fragile) and vulnerable.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to use chlorine-containing preparations or products with a high alkali content for cleaning the boat, since they destroy the polymer bonds of the material.
After the main wash, be sure to treat the places where they were installed cross-plate These areas often accumulate mud that is invisible to the eye, which, when pressurized, will turn into an abrasive. Pay special attention to the bottom, because it was the one that was subjected to the greatest mechanical impact.
Technology of proper drying and ventilation
Drying is perhaps the most critical step in the entire preparation process for winter storage. The moisture left inside the folds is the perfect environment for mold and fungi to develop, which not only create an unpleasant odor, but also destroy the fabric from the inside. In addition, water expands when it freezes, which can lead to microruptures at the folds if the boat is stored in an unheated room.
Drying the vessel in a fully inflated state to straighten all folds and ensure air access to all areas of the surface is recommended, but do not overdo it: prolonged exposure to direct ultraviolet rays on a deflated or slightly inflated boat can lead to overheating and deformation of the seamsThe optimal exposure time under the sun for drying is 2-3 hours in moderate weather.
Use a compressor or powerful pump with blow function to completely straighten all the folds before the final drying – this will ensure the release of moisture from the deepest folds of the fabric.
Notice the valves: after drying in the open state, they need to be blown out and checked for condensation inside. If you keep the boat deflated, make sure that there are no pockets of moist air inside the cylinders. To speed up the process, you can use soft rags, wetting hard-to-reach places.
Choosing the Best Storage Place
The question of where exactly your boat will winter is often more acute than the preparation process itself. The ideal option is a dry, dark room with a constant temperature of +5 to +20 degrees Celsius, in which the PVC material retains its elasticity, and the adhesive compounds are not stressed by temperature changes.
Owners often have to keep boats in unheated garages or in summer cottages, in which case it is important to protect the vessel from rodents that can chew through cylinders in search of heat or food, and avoid the proximity of open fire sources, heating appliances or chemically active substances, the vapors of which can settle on the surface.
| Type of room | Temperature conditions | Risks. | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential apartment | Stable +18... +24°C | Minimum | Perfect, but it takes up a lot of space. |
| Heated garage | +5...+15°C | Low. | Excellent option to protect against sharp objects |
| Unheated garage | -20...+20°C | Medium (variances) | Careful drying and packaging is required |
| Balcony (street) | Street norms | High (UV, frost) | Not recommended, you need a tight cover. |
If you plan on PVC On the balcony, be sure to use a dense, light-tight cover or fabric bag. Plastic film in this case is not suitable, as it will create a greenhouse effect during the day and freeze at night, which is guaranteed to lead to condensation.
Packaging: blow away completely or leave pressure?
There are two main approaches to storage: deflated in the bag and partially inflated (suspended or lying on racks). The first option is most common because of space saving, but it requires perfect dryness of the surface. The second option is considered more gentle for the material, since there are no folds, but it requires significant free space.
When stored in a deflated form, it is recommended not to fold the boat too tightly, it is better to fold it in loose loops, avoiding sharp holes in the same places from year to year. Periodically, every 2-3 months, it is recommended to turn the vessel around and turn over, changing the bend lines to prevent cracks in the folds.
If you choose a method of storage in suspension, make sure that the supports do not have sharp edges. The pressure in the cylinders should be kept minimal, sufficient only to keep the shape, but not creating stress in the seams. catamaran Or boats with hard bottoms that don't fit in a bag.
Protection from rodents and external factors
Mice and rats pose a serious threat to PVC products, especially in winter when they seek shelter, the material may seem attractive to them because of residual food odors or simply as nest material, even a small hole left by a rodent will require a full repair with a patch before the next season.
Use deterrents (ultrasonic or chemical) to protect the vessel, placing them in close proximity to the boat's storage area, and putting elderberry or mint branches on the vessel, which scents rodents, and inspecting the perimeter for burrows and sealing them with broken glass foam, is also effective.
⚠️ Note: Do not use mothballin in direct contact with PVC, as its vapors can react with plasticizers of the material, making it sticky.
Pets are also dangerous, as well as rodents, and cats like to sharpen their claws against the soft surface of cylinders, leaving deep furrows, so storage must be arranged in an area that is not accessible to pets, or the boat must be securely covered with dense cloth.
Conservation of fittings and additional elements
Not only the boat itself, but also its components require attention. Wooden slate bottom (plywood) must be removed, dried and stored separately in a horizontal position to avoid deformation. If left plywood inside the deflated boat, it can absorb moisture and become a source of mold.
Metal elements such as anchor rings, ducks and transom wheels should be lubricated with a consistent lubricant (e.g. lithium) to prevent corrosion. Rubber valve seals can be lightly treated with silicone lubrication so that they do not dry out and lose elasticity during the winter.
☑️ Checklist for winter preparations
The cloth storage bags also need to be shaken and dried, often it is the wet sand or forgotten cloth that causes the boat to deteriorate, and check the belts of the bag for strength, as it must withstand the weight of the boat during transport in the spring.
Spring Resuscitation and First Launch
When the long-awaited heat comes, don't rush to pump the boat to working pressure. Put it in a warm room and let it lie in the straightened form for a day, so that the material "remembers" its shape, and the folds are resolved naturally without mechanical impact.
After acclimatization, inflate the vessel and leave it for a few hours. Carefully examine the surface: during the winter, hidden defects or microcracks may appear. Check the pressure in the cylinders - if it drops slightly, this is normal (temperature expansion), but if the boat deflated completely, look for a puncture.
What if the boat lost its shape in the winter?
If you notice that the boat has become less rigid or that there are bubbles at the seams after wintering, don't panic. Often this is the result of uneven tension of the threads after prolonged compression. Let the boat stand inflated for 12-24 hours at room temperature - in 90% of cases, the geometry recovers on its own without the intervention of glue.
Only after successful testing can you get on the water, taking a remix with you just in case, and properly preserved is the guarantee that your body will be able to survive. flyboat will last the manufacturer's stated term and even more, pleasing reliability and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I keep a PVC boat in the cold?
Technically, the material can withstand temperatures of up to -40°C, but it is not recommended to keep the boat in the cold. PVC becomes brittle in the cold, and any careless fold can lead to a crack. In addition, temperature changes cause condensation, which destroys the adhesive seams.
Do I need to lubricate the boat before storage?
You can use special PVC sprays before long-term storage, but you don't have to. The main thing is clean and dry. Silicone lubricants should be used only for rubber valve seals, but not for the entire surface of cylinders.
How often should I check my boat in winter?
Once every 2-3 months, it is advisable to change the position of the boat in the bag, check the absence of rodents and make sure that the room is dry.
Is the PVC neighbourhood with gasoline in the garage dangerous for a boat?
Yes, it is dangerous. Gasoline and other petroleum products can aggressively affect polyvinyl chloride, making it sticky or destroying the structure, and the boat should be stored in a sealed case or in a separate compartment, away from the fuel canisters.
What to do if the temperature in the storage area fell below zero in the winter?
If the boat was perfectly dried, it would not be afraid to freeze once, but rather not to touch or bend the frozen vessel, and let it warm up slowly at room temperature for 24 hours before the manipulation.