The end of navigation is not just a time to clean fishing rods and winter gear, but also a critical period to prepare a swimmer for the winter. flyboat With a hard transom, it has a direct impact on its lifespan, because packaging errors can cause permanent damage to the material. Many owners make the fatal mistake of leaving the boat in compressed condition for the entire winter, resulting in deformation of the seams and loss of leakage.
The preparation process requires a consistent approach and compliance with the temperature regime, especially when it comes to the preparation of the system. PVC materialsIgnoring the simple rules of drying and lubricating can turn a costly purchase into a pile of useless junk by next season. In this article, we will take a look at each step, from washing to final packaging into a bag.
⚠️ Attention: Never attempt to fold the boat in a negative air temperature, as the PVC material becomes brittle and can crack on the folds even with light pressure.
Primary cleaning and preparation for drying
The first and dirtiest step is to thoroughly clean all surfaces of silt, sand, algae and fish mucus. The use of aggressive chemistry is unacceptable here, so the best fit is ordinary warm water and a soft sponge or brush with a soft bristles. squirt-boardwhere most often accumulates abrasive dirt, which can damage the fabric when folding.
After wet cleaning, you need to let the product dry completely, because the residual moisture inside the folds will lead to mold and an unpleasant smell, which will then be extremely difficult to get rid of. The drying process is better done in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight, which can unevenly heat the surface and cause deformation of the adhesive seams. To speed up the process, you can use soft rags, wetting hard-to-reach areas.
If persistent contamination or traces of fuel are found on the surface, they must be removed by special means designed specifically for the use of fuel. polyvinyl chlorideConventional solvents or gasoline can erode the top layer of the protective layer, making the material vulnerable to ultraviolet and mechanical stress, and the purity of the surface is a guarantee that no grains of sand will crash into the fabric when folded.
Use a waxed car shampoo for your final rinse – this will create a protective film and make cleaning easier next season.
Dismantling of attachments and fittings
Before proceeding with the deflating of cylinders, you need to dismantle all removable elements, including banks (seats), stringers and safety ropes. cross-plate Or motor attachments, which need to be removed and packaged separately so that the inflatable parts don't get damaged during storage, and that also allows you to access the hidden cavities for drying them properly.
Particular attention is required by inflatable elements that are often included, such as keel or inflatable seats, which also need to be blown off and processed according to the general rules. Metal parts, such as keys or rings for anchoring, should be wiped dry cloth and, if necessary, lubricated with silicone grease to prevent corrosion during winter downtime.
All the small parts, bolts and nuts are best folded into a separate sealed package and signed so that in the spring, you do not waste time looking for lost hardware. boat-engine Or you can fix the cans before you go out, and you can save time and nerves by keeping things simple.
Technology of proper deflating of cylinders
Boat deflation is a process that requires patience and a certain sequence to avoid vacuum plugs and material clamps. You should always start from the bow compartment, gradually moving to the stern, which allows you to displace air naturally without undue pressure on the valves. The use of electric pumps for deflation is not recommended, as they can sharply collapse the balloon and damage the internal partitions.
To effectively remove air, it is best to use a hand pump in pumping mode or a special pumping bag that allows you to control the process and avoid moisture entering the inside through the valve. It is important to ensure that at the time of deflation there are no sharp objects or stones on the surface that could pierce the weakened PVC frameThe movements must be smooth, without jerking.
After the main blow, it is recommended to walk gently along the entire surface of the cylinders, expelling the residue of air towards the valves. You do not need to make the cylinders completely flat, you just need to leave a minimum residual pressure so that the fabric does not stick together, but does not occupy excess volume. keelIt is important to preserve the geometry of the kiltron.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use vacuum cleaners to pump air out of the boat, as the resulting vacuum can collapse the valves and disrupt the tightness of the adhesive seams.
☑️ Deflation procedure
Surface treatment and preservation of materials
After drying and deflating, the treatment step with special formulations that protect the material from aging, drying and ultraviolet radiation during storage is the best choice is silicone-based products or specialized sprays for the use of silk. PVCThis treatment prevents the insides of the cylinders from sticking together and keeps the material plastic.
Particular attention should be paid to the places of gluing of the seams and transitions between different materials, for example, where cross-board These areas are most susceptible to stress concentration and require careful lubrication to prevent microcracks. Regular use of preservatives extends the life of the product by an average of 3-5 years, which is a significant savings in budget.
And the metal elements, if they're left on the boat, need to be protected from corrosion with corrosion-resistant compounds. Indoor humidity can fluctuate, causing condensation, which is detrimental to aluminum and steel. Proper chemical protection is an investment in the durability of your swimmer.
How do you lubricate PVC?
For lubrication, it is best to use silicone sprays or special air conditioners for PVC. It is not recommended to use oils of animal or vegetable origin, as well as petroleum products (gasoline, kerosene, WD-40), since they destroy the structure of polyvinyl chloride and the adhesive layer.
Compact folding and packing rules
There are several proven methods of folding a boat, but the most effective for models with a hard transom is the method of “accordance” and then rolling up, first the boat folds along the diametric plane, then the sides are turned inward, and only then the twist from nose to transom is made, this approach minimizes the number of sharp clamps and evenly distributes the load on the material.
When packing, it is important to ensure that the packaging is rigid. turret This does not create points of excessive pressure on the soft cylinders. To do this, a layer of soft material, such as old towels or special fabric from the kit, is recommended between the transom board and the adjacent surfaces, this will prevent the formation of scuffs and holes during prolonged storage in a compressed state.
The final packaging is made in a regular bag, which must be clean and dry, without any moisture or dirt residues. If the regular bag is damaged or lost, it can be replaced with any other dense fabric bag, but in no case use plastic bags that create a greenhouse effect and contribute to the appearance of condensation. Ventilation Packaging is critical.
| Folding method | Advantages | Deficiencies | Recommended application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roll-up wrapper | Compact, speed | Loan in one place | Short-term storage |
| Concording | Equal distribution | It requires more space. | Long-term wintering |
| Complete straightening | Absence of clutter | It takes up a lot of space. | Perfect option if there is a place |
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to store the boat near heating appliances, open fire or spark sources, since PVC is a combustible material.
The main rule of packaging: the boat should be kept in a straightened or slightly compressed state to avoid the formation of permanent crevices on the folds.
Selection of location and conditions for winter storage
The perfect storage location flyboat It's a dry, dark room with a constant temperature, preferably above zero, but not above 25 degrees Celsius. A garage, a pantry or a warehouse for sports equipment will be best suited, the main thing is to exclude direct sunlight and precipitation.
It is not recommended to place a boat bag on the floor, especially if it is a concrete floor in the garage, as it can pull dampness and cold. It is best to hang the boat on hooks or place it on a wooden shelf, ensuring air circulation from all sides, this will prevent moisture of the lower layers of tissue and the development of fungal formations.
Periodically, every 1-2 months, it is advisable to check the condition of the package and, if possible, slightly knead the cylinders to change the fold lines. Although modern materials have a shape memory, prolonged static load at one point can lead to microcracks in the body. reinforcementA preventive check-up will identify problems before the start of the season.
Put a bag of silica gel (moisture absorber) in the boat bag to absorb the residual moisture inside the package during storage.
Can I keep a PVC boat in the cold?
Storage at low temperatures is not recommended, as the material becomes brittle. If there is no other way out, make sure that the boat is completely dry and not subjected to mechanical stress.
Do I need to completely blow the boat away before storage?
Yes, for long-term storage, the boat must be completely blown away, but without fanaticism, so that there is no vacuum, and the residual minimum pressure is acceptable, but the cylinders must not be pulled like a string, this will put extra strain on the seams.
How often should you oil the boat with a preservative?
It is enough to treat the surface with special means once before being sent for winter storage, if the boat is stored in adverse conditions (dust, humidity changes), you can repeat the procedure in the spring before the first nakaowaniem.
What to do if the boat is frozen?
Do not attempt to bend, twist or pump it, put the boat in a warm room, let it slowly warm up in the straightened form during the day, and only after the material has regained elasticity can any manipulations be started.