When navigation ends, every owner of a water transport has a critical task to ensure that his boat winters safely. polyvinyl chloride The product can negate all investments, as the aggressive environment, temperature changes and physical pressure can irreversibly damage the material.
Many people mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply blow off the cylinders and throw the packaged bag into the far corner of the garage, but this approach is fraught with the appearance of microcracks and violation of the tightness of the seams. winter-season It requires a series of procedures, each of which affects the final life of your boat.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of preparation, from primary cleaning to choosing the optimal temperature regime, so that in the spring you can immediately get on the water, and not engage in urgent repairs.
Careful cleaning and drying before conservation
The first and most important step is to remove all the contaminants accumulated during the season: water, sand, silt, fish mucus and residues of fuel contain active chemical elements and microorganisms that, with prolonged contact, begin to destroy the structure. PVC fabric.
Use warm water and soft sponges to remove the main dirt, and for complex stains, use specialized products that do not contain aggressive solvents. Pay special attention to the bottom, where most often accumulates abrasive sand, which can work as sandpaper when blowing a boat.
After washing, the product must be perfectly dried, and the remaining moisture in the folds of the fabric or under the valves will lead to mold and an unpleasant odor that is extremely difficult to remove later.
- 🧼 Use only soft rags and neutral detergents for delicate fabrics.
- 💨 Blow hard-to-reach places with compressed air or use a dryer at a minimum temperature.
- 🌞 Dry the boat in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight that can overheat the material.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to dry the cylinders in the collected state in direct sun - the air inside will heat up, the pressure will increase, and the seams may disperse.
To remove persistent traces of fuel oil or oil, use special PVC cleaners, avoiding acetone and gasoline, which can dissolve the top protective layer of tissue.
Dismantling of attachments and fittings
In parallel with the sink, all removable elements must be removed. Wooden cans (seats), if they are left on the boat, it is better to take out and store separately in a dry room to prevent rotting and mold that can spread to the fabric.
Metallic parts, such as rod-holderThe metal, when in contact with PVC in high humidity conditions, can cause corrosion damage to the tissue at the contact points.
The transom, which is the load-bearing element, also needs to be inspected. If it is made of plywood, check it for layering. In winter, it is better to store the transom in a horizontal position or vertically, but without loading, to avoid deformation.
- 🔩 Remove all metal fasteners and treat them with anti-corrosion lubricant.
- 🪑 Wooden elements (banks, sleigh) store in a warm dry place apart from rubber.
- 🔧 Check the condition of the valves and replace the sealing rings if necessary.
Remember that plastic fasteners become brittle in the cold over time, so it is best to store them at room temperature.
Boat blowing and packing rules
The process of blowing the cylinders should be done carefully, without sharp cloth inflections, you should not strive to pump the air completely "to vacuum", because this creates excessive tension of the material in the places of folds, it is enough to lower the pressure to a state where the cylinders simply ceased to be elastic.
You need to fold the boat along the factory folds, trying not to create new clamps. If you keep the boat in a deflated state, it is recommended to periodically (every 1-2 months) change the places of the folds to avoid cracking the folds.
For packaging, use breathable bags (breathable) rather than sealed plastic bags that promote moisture condensation. The ideal option is to store in a native bag of dense fabric, which allows the material to "breathe."
- 🎈 Do not pump or under-pump the boat before storage - the optimal light residual pressure.
- 📦 Use breathable fabric covers instead of sealed plastic packaging.
- 🔄 Change the folding lines of the tissue every 4-6 weeks with prolonged storage.
⚠️ Warning: Never keep the boat close to sharp objects or tools that could accidentally damage the shell when stowed or removed.
Choosing the optimal location and temperature
The issue of storage temperature is one of the most controversial. PVC It is sensitive to extreme values: at temperatures below -20 ° C, it becomes brittle, and at sharp drops it can crystallize.
An ideal option is a heated room with a temperature of +5 ° C to +20 ° C. However, if this is not possible, an unheated garage or shed will also be suitable, provided that the temperature there does not fall below the critical values for a particular type of fabric.
It is important to avoid direct UV rays on the packed boat, as UV radiation destroys polymer bonds even in a passive state, and avoid proximity to heat sources (batteries, furnaces), as local overheating deforms the material.
| Type of room | Temperature conditions | Humidity | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment/House | +18...+24°C | Normal. | It takes up a lot of space, risk of puncture. |
| Garage (heated) | +5...+15°C | Medium | Low, best option. |
| Shed/Unheated | -10...+10°C | High. | Condensation, risk of tissue freezing |
| balcony | Street values | High. | UV rays, fluctuation, precipitation |
The golden rule of storage is that temperature stability is more important than absolute temperature, and jumps from -10 to +10 degrees are more harmful than a constant temperature of -5 degrees.
Protection from rodents and biological threats
In winter, warm things and secluded places attract rodents who are happy to chew not only wiring, but also PVC materials, mistaking them for food or using them to build nests. Mice and rats can chew through a cylinder in minutes.
To protect you, you need to use repellents and mechanical barriers, and place around the boat storage bags with mint, wormwood or special chemical repellents, the smell of which is unpleasant to rodents.
You should also look around for burrows and seal them with mounting foam with broken glass or metal mesh, and cleanliness in the storage room is the key to the absence of uninvited guests.
- 🐀 Deploy ultrasonic repellents or chemical traps within a 2-meter radius of the boat.
- 🌿 Use natural repellents: dried mint, wormwood or essential oils.
- 🧹 Regularly clean the room, eliminating food residues that attract pests.
⚠️ Note: Do not use mothballs in the immediate vicinity of PVC, as its vapors can react with plasticizers of the material, making it sticky.
Why do rodents chew on boats?
Rodents sharpen their teeth against hard objects, and reinforced PVC fabric is perfect for this, and they are attracted to the smell of glue or organic residue if the boat was not properly washed.
Monitoring of the condition during winter
Even a canned boat requires attention during the winter, and it is recommended to check the condition of the package at least once a month, make sure there is no condensation inside the bag and the integrity of the fabric.
If the boat is kept half-flat, check the pressure in the cylinders. When the temperature in the room decreases, the pressure will drop, and a slight pumping may be required to avoid deep folds.
Visual inspection will help to identify the initial stages of mold formation or the appearance of rodents at an early stage, which will allow you to quickly take measures and save property.
- 📅 Set a reminder in the calendar for the first week of each month.
- 👃 Sniff the smell of the bag - the appearance of dampness signals a problem.
- 👀 Examine the floor around the boat for traces of rodent activity.
☑️ Monthly checklist of inspection
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I keep a PVC boat in the cold?
Storage at temperatures below -15°C is not recommended, as the material becomes brittle. Any mechanical action (shifting, folding) in this state is guaranteed to lead to microcracks. If there is no other way out, the boat should be placed in an additional insulated box.
Do I need to lubricate the boat before storage?
Use conventional silicone lubricants or petroleum petroleum jelly is not worth it - they can dissolve PVC. There are special spray-preservatives for PVC, which create a protective film, but with high-quality washing and drying, they are not urgently needed.
How to remove the smell of dampness from the boat after winter?
You need to completely dry the boat in the straightened form in a draft (but not in the sun), well helps treatment with a weak solution of vinegar or specialized antibacterial agents for PVC. Never use chlorine-containing agents, they destroy the structure of the polymer.
Should I keep the boat in a pumped state?
This is a valid option if there is space, and you need to lower the pressure to 0.1 to 0.2 of the atmosphere to compensate for the temperature changes, which will eliminate the formation of folds, but requires more space and protection from sharp objects.