The approach of cold weather poses a serious question for every owner of water transport about where and how his boat will survive the winter. For owners of inflatable boats made of polyvinyl chloride, this period is critical, as low temperatures and improper conditions of detention can irrevocably spoil the material. Cold garage It is often the only option available, but it poses hidden threats to the structure of PVC if strict preparation rules are not followed.
Many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to blow off the cylinders and throw the boat into a corner until spring, but the sharp changes in temperature, the humidity from the snow on the wheels of the car and the possible proximity to chemicals can turn an elastic material into a brittle substance. Polyvinyl chlorideThe slab, from which the sides are made, loses its plasticity in severe frost, and any careless movement can lead to microcracks.
In this article, we will take a look at the algorithm that will allow your boat to emerge from hibernation in perfect condition, explaining why every detail of preparation is important and how to avoid the typical mistakes that lead to costly repairs.
Features of the influence of low temperatures on PVC material
Understanding the physics of the processes that occur in a material during cooling helps to understand the importance of proper preservation. Temperature threshold The operation of most quality boat fabrics is from +50 to -30 degrees Celsius, but this applies to operation, not long-term static storage.
When the temperature drops, the molecular bonds in the polymers become less mobile, a phenomenon called glass transition. If the material bends and stretches in the heat, it behaves like glass in the cold. Any attempt to fold, straighten or even just move a frozen boat can create crumbs that will not open.
⚠️ Warning: Never attempt to straighten or inflate a boat if it has just been warmed from the cold, and the sudden temperature drop and mechanical impact on the cold material are guaranteed to destroy the seams and fabric.
In addition, unheated garages often have high humidity, especially if they are used to store a car that brings snow and reagents on wheels, and the combination of moisture and cold creates ideal conditions for the development of mold, which erodes the outer protective layer of PVC. Acrylic coatings, applied to the fabric, can also suffer from condensation if the surface has been poorly cleaned before packaging.
The ideal temperature for storing PVC products is from -10 to +15 degrees Celsius. A sharp jump from -20 to +5 degrees is much more dangerous for the material than a stable frost.
Stages of preparing the boat for winter storage
The preparation process begins long before you bring the boat into the garage. The first and most important step is a thorough wash. Dirt, fish mucus, silt and especially residues of fuels (combustibles and lubricants) must be completely removed. Use warm water and special PVC care products or ordinary soap solution to clean.
After the washing, there's the drying phase, which is probably the most time-consuming but critical process, and the moisture should not be left anywhere, not outside, not inside the cylinders, not in the valves, if you leave the boat wet, the water will expand when you freeze and can damage the microstructure of the tissue, and in the spring you will get a breeding ground of bacteria.
- 🧼 Carefully wash all hard-to-reach places, including joints of cylinders and the area around cross-plate.
- 💨 Blow the valves with compressed air or use a cold-mode dryer to remove moisture from the internal chambers.
- 🌡️ Allow the boat to dry completely at room temperature in a straightened or semi-assembled state for 24 hours.
Some boat models have been hard-on Plywood also needs to be removed, dried and treated with water-repellent compounds, as it has the ability to absorb moisture and deform, which will lead to uneven pressure on the cylinders at the next assembly.
☑️ Preparation for wintering
Packaging and folding rules
The way you fold a boat for winter storage is very different from the way you pack it for a short fishing trip, and the goal is to minimize the amount of sharpness and pressure on the same tissue, and the material doesn't have to "remember" the fold lines when compressed for months.
The ideal option is to store in a straightened form on hanging hooks or wide shelves, but in a garage, this is often impossible because of lack of space. So you have to use a twisting or free stacking method. When twisting, try to make large-diameter turns, avoiding twisting the fabric.
| Storage method | Pluses | Cons | Recommended time limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spread out | No vents, full ventilation | It takes a lot of space. | Unlimited. |
| Roll roll roll rolling | Compactness, uniform distribution of voltage | It is more difficult to get some of the equipment. | Up to 6 months. |
| Envelope folding | Convenience of packing in a bag | Sharp buckles on the folds | Not recommended for winter |
Use breathable thick cloth covers. Plastic bags or sealed PVC cloth bags can create a greenhouse effect when temperature fluctuates, which will cause condensation inside the package. A cotton bag or a special ventilated case is best suited.
The Secret of Experienced Owners
Many fishermen change their folding lines every couple of months in winter, so if the boat is in the garage rolled up, you can carefully turn it around and roll it up differently so that the load on the material is evenly distributed.
Organization of space in a cold garage
Selecting a garage space is not just a matter of convenience, it's a matter of safety, because the boat should not be on cold concrete floors that freeze in winter, and direct contact with concrete will cause local hypothermia of the bottom layers of fabric and condensation.
Use wooden pallets, plywood sheets or special racks to lift the boat above the floor by at least 10-15 cm. This will ensure air circulation from below and level the temperature regime. It is also important to position the boat away from open fire sources if there are heating appliances in the garage, and away from sharp metal objects.
Neighborhoods with car batteries, gasoline canisters or aggressive chemicals are unacceptable, and fuel vapors and acid fumes can react with plasticizers in PVC, making the material sticky or, conversely, brittle. Chemical inertia The environment is the guarantee of long service of your property.
⚠️ Warning: It is strictly forbidden to keep a boat near the running engine of a car or exhaust pipe at the time of warming up. The release of hot gases and soot can melt the fabric or leave undetectable stains.
If the garage has rodents, which is not uncommon for unheated spaces, be sure to use scarepers or spread special baits around the perimeter. Mice and rats often choose soft nest materials, and one night without protection can cost you the integrity of the cylinders.
Protection from rodents and moisture
Rodents in garages are particularly hard hit in the cold season, when animals are looking for heat and food, and PVC boats are the perfect material for building a nest, and they don't eat polyvinyl chloride, but they're happy to chew it to get to their guts or just sharpen their teeth.
You can use battery-powered ultrasonic repellents to protect you, because it's not always convenient and safe to conduct electricity to the boat's storage area, and traditional methods, such as decomposed rags dipped in mint oil, or special pellets with a pungent odor, which do not harm humans but scare away animals, are also effective.
Humidity is the second enemy. In a cold garage, it can reach 80-90%. In addition to drying thoroughly before packaging, it is recommended to use silica gel moisture absorbers. Place a few silica gel bags inside the packaged boat (if the volume of the bag allows) and around it on the floor.
- 🐀 Check the garage regularly for traces of rodents.
- 🌡️ Ensure minimal ventilation of the room so that the air does not stagnate.
- 📦 Use vacuum bags with caution: they protect against dust, but when compressed strongly can deform the seams.
Don't forget. metallic Cork, rings and valves are also susceptible to corrosion in a wet environment, and it is advisable to wipe them dry with a rag before packaging and slightly lubricate them with silicone grease that does not break down the rubber seals.
What you absolutely can not do in winter
There are a number of things that boat owners do out of ignorance, causing irreparable damage to their property. The first rule is no mechanical loading on a frozen boat. If you urgently need something from the equipment that is lying inside, do not try to get it by force.
The second rule is heating, and some people try to heat the boat quickly with heat guns or open fire, which is not allowed under any circumstances. Local overheating will cause the reinforcement layer to deform and detach, and heating should only occur naturally in a warm room.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use acetone or Kalosha gasoline solvents to clean the boat before wintering, which flush plasticizers from the top layer of PVC, making the material vulnerable to ultraviolet light and frost.
It is also forbidden to keep the boat in a strained state (inflated) in an unheated room without pressure control. When the temperature drops, the pressure inside the cylinders will drop, which is not terrible, but with a sharp warming (thaw), the air will expand, and the boat can tear if it is tightly packed or pressed by the load.
The main enemy of the boat in winter is not the cold itself, but the combination of frost, moisture and mechanical stress.
Control of condition during winter
Leave the boat and forget about it until May is a bad strategy, and it's advisable to check in at least once a month to see if the mould has come in, if the packaging has moved, if there's any trace of rodents.
If you notice that the garage is ice or water is running, you need to take steps to drain it, you can use simple moisture absorbers or provide additional fresh air on sunny days, and regular visual inspection will help identify problems at an early stage.
At the end of winter, before you use it for the first time, do a complete inspection, inflate the boat and keep it warm for a few hours, and check the pressure with a pressure gauge, if it's down, there's micro-damage somewhere that you need to find and seal before you go out.
Can I keep a PVC boat in the cold in the open air?
Ultraviolet combined with frost destroys the structure of the polymer most quickly, and there is a high risk of damage by sharp objects, rodents and humidity drops, and a garage or dry room is the only sure option.
Do I need to lubricate the boat before storage?
You can't use conventional oils or petroleum petroleum petroleum petroleum, and there are special PVC preservative sprays that create a protective film, if you don't have them, a clean dry surface is enough, and you can only apply silicone lubricants to rubber valve seals.
What should I do if the boat is frozen?
Put it in a warm room without unpacking it or unrolling it, let it warm up naturally for 12 to 24 hours, and only after it's soft and elastic at room temperature can you start unpacking and inflating it.
Is it bad for the boat to be next to the tires of the car?
Yes, it can be harmful. Car tire rubber, when stored for long periods, can release substances that negatively affect certain plastics and rubber products, and it is better to keep the boat at least a meter away from the rubber stacks.
How often should the fold line be changed during storage?
Optimally, once every 1-2 months, this will prevent the formation of persistent cracks and microcracks in the folding areas, and if this is not possible, use a rolling method that is less traumatic to the material than folding.