The active navigation season is over, and every owner of water transport faces a critical question: how to survive the cold season without losing the quality of materials. Improper preservation can lead to the destruction of polymer bonds in the tissue, mold or deformation of seams, which will make spring operation impossible or dangerous.
Polyvinyl chloride, which is used in modern watercraft, is a sensitive material that requires a special approach to temperature and humidity. In this article, we will discuss all the stages of preparation, from thorough washing to the right choice of storage space to ensure that your water is stored in a safe and secure environment. flyboat I have seen the new season in perfect condition.
Cleaning and degreasing the surface before conservation
The first and most important step is to remove all the contaminants accumulated over the summer: mud, silt, fish mucus and fuel residue are not just an aesthetic defect, but an active chemical environment that can erode the top protective layer of PVC during long winter months.
Use warm water and soft sponges to remove the main layer of dirt. For more complex contaminants, such as traces of gasoline or oil, use specialized detergents that do not contain aggressive solvents. It is strictly forbidden to use abrasive powders or hard brushes that can damage the texture of the material.
⚠️ Warning: Never use gasoline, acetone or chlorine-containing substances to clean the surface, which disrupt the structure of the polymer, making it brittle and vulnerable to mechanical damage at low temperatures.
After the main wash, you need to thoroughly rinse the sides with clean water to eliminate the presence of soapy plaque. Soap film can be an ideal environment for the development of microorganisms during long-term storage, especially if the temperature in the room will fluctuate.
To remove persistent traces of grass or algae, use a weak acetic acid solution, but be sure to wash it off with plenty of water after 5-10 minutes.
Full drying: critical stage of preparation
Moisture is the main enemy of any thing that is stored, and boats are no exception, and remaining in folds or seams can lead to the formation of mold, which not only smells bad, but also destroys the adhesive compounds.
After inflating the boat to working condition, leave it in the shade for a few hours. Direct sunlight for drying is not recommended, as ultraviolet radiation negatively affects the stabilizers contained in PVC fabric. Make sure that all hard-to-reach places: transom angles, space around the valves and folds of the bottom dry.
Pay special attention to the valves. Often there is condensation inside the mechanism, which, when frozen, can damage the sealing gums, blow the valves with compressed air or simply leave the boat in a warm room with the valves open for a day.
Small repairs and inspections before wintering
Winter is the perfect time to get the boat in order without haste. While the boat is clean and dry, conduct a thorough visual diagnosis of all the elements of the structure, which will reveal microcracks or scuffs that may have gone unnoticed in the summer.
Carefully examine the hinge bar and the glue sites of the stringers. If you find detachment or bloating, they must be eliminated before the cold sets in, the glue at low temperatures loses elasticity, and the existing defect can turn into a serious leak.
Check the condition of the fittings: the key, the holders for fishing rods and the handles for carrying. Metal elements can oxidize, plastic elements can crack from temperature changes.
How to check the tightness of the valves?
Soap the surface around the valve and put air into the balloon, and if there are bubbles, there's a bullying, and often just clear the valve of the grains of sand or replace the sealing ring.
Packaging and warehousing rules
Once the boat is fully dried and tested, it must be folded properly, and it should not be cranked up to the factory size with maximum force. Excessive pressure at the folding sites can lead to microcracks in the PVC layer.
Use a spacious bag, preferably made of breathable materials. If you keep the boat in a plastic bag, do not tie it tightly, leave air access to prevent condensation inside the package at temperature changes.
Keeping the boat is best when it's spread out or rolled up in large rollers, which minimizes the load on the material in the folding areas. If there's not enough space, folding is allowed, but try to change the folding line every few months.
☑️ Checklist before packaging
Selection of premises and temperature regime
The best storage space is a dry, heated room with a constant temperature, but not everyone has the ability to keep a boat in a living room or a warm garage. Let's see what conditions are acceptable.
The temperature range for storing PVC products is usually between -20 and +30 degrees Celsius, the main thing is to avoid sudden changes. Sharp cooling or heating can cause thermal expansion or compression of the material, which will lead to stress in the seams.
Humidity also plays a role: a fungus can appear in a too damp basement, and in a too dry room (for example, near heating radiators), the material can dry out and become brittle. The ideal humidity is 50-70%.
| Type of room | Temperature. | Risks. | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment. | +18...+25°C | Drying of material | Get away from the batteries |
| Garage (insulated) | +5...+15°C | Minimum | The best option |
| Garage (unheated) | -20...+20°C | Temperature variations | Pack in a thermal insulating case |
| balcony | Street. | UV radiation, moisture | Not recommended, only under a tight awning |
⚠️ Warning: Do not place the boat in close proximity to heaters or open flames. Local overheating can cause deformation or even melting of the material.
Specifics of storage of boats with hard bottom (NDB)
Low-pressure inflatable floor (LDPB) models have their own specifications, using internal redanes and stringer belts that create complex geometry when blown.
When storing boats with NDNDM, it is extremely important not to allow long stays in a highly compressed state, internal partitions can "remember" the position of the bend, and in the spring, unwanted folds will appear at the bottom, affecting hydrodynamics.
It is recommended to store such boats in a semi-assembled form, if space allows, or periodically (every 1-2 months) to spread and inflate them to straighten the folds.
The main rule for NDNDM is to avoid sharp cliffs at the bottom, as it can be very difficult to restore the original geometry after a long compression.
Preparation of aluminum elements and oars
Not only does the boat require attention, but its components, and aluminum transoms boards and oars also need preservation, and metal, while resistant to corrosion, can oxidize at joints or damage to the coating.
Wash aluminum parts with water with neutral detergent and dry. Wooden elements (if they are in the configuration, for example, paddle pads) should be treated with oil or a special composition for wood so that they do not dry out.
Fold the oars and the transom separately from the soft sides so that the sharp edges of the metal profiles do not damage the PVC fabric when the cargo is accidentally displaced.
What to do with the straps and slings?
The cloth straps that hold the jars and the transom also need to be dried, and if left wet, they can be sprayed or molded, which will cause a loss of strength.
Monitoring of the condition during winter
Even a perfectly prepared boat requires periodic monitoring, not necessarily every week to check its condition, but once a month to look at the storage area will be useful.
Check if any traces of rodents have appeared. Mice often gnaw PVC tissue, mistaking it for building material or just out of curiosity. If you find traces of teeth, immediately seal the damage.
It is also worth ventiling the room or packaging to renew the air, a simple procedure that prevents the neediness and development of bacteria.
Can I keep the boat at low temperatures?
PVC retains its properties in the cold, but when frozen, the material becomes rigid and brittle, and the main rule is not to touch, bend, or try to inflate the boat until it is fully warmed to room temperature (usually 12-24 hours).
Should I lubricate the boat with silicone for the winter?
Special silicone sprays for PVC create a protective film that retains the elasticity of the material, treatment before storage is recommended, especially if the boat is lying in a cool place, this will prevent the top layer from drying out.
What to do if the boat is covered in mold in winter?
Don't panic. The mold is superficial. In spring, wash the affected areas with a solution of water and vinegar (or a special PVC cleaner), dry thoroughly in the sun (short-term), and treat with a protective spray. Deep lesions are rare.
Can I keep the boat assembled on a transom?
Keeping a boat with the engine installed and assembled is possible only in a heated room. In the cold, the plastic of the transom board can burst from vibration or load, and the engine's dreadvent is better stored separately.
How to Frost a Boat in Spring?
It's absolutely forbidden to use hair dryers, heat guns, or put a boat on a battery to speed things up. If you heat it up, it'll destroy the glue seams. You let it lie in a warm room for a day.