As the open water season draws to a close, every boat owner faces the question of conservation. Getting a boat ready for winter is not just a matter of storage convenience, it's a necessity that prolongs the life of expensive property. Many beginners make the fatal mistake of stuffing wet or dirty stuffed into the water. PVC boat In the bag immediately after fishing, unaware of the consequences.
Moisture left in the folds of the material and organic particles become the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply, which over time leads to mold, unpleasant smell and, in the worst case, to the destruction of the polymer structure of the tissue. Deformation of the sutures and loss of leakage - frequent satellites of improper storage.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the entire process of preparing, drying and packaging your boat. You will learn professional life hacks that will help you avoid typical errors and maintain the elasticity of the material for many years.
⚠️ Warning: Never pack a wet boat in a sealed case for long-term storage! the remaining moisture is guaranteed to lead to the formation of fungus and oxidation of adhesive sutures.
Primary cleaning and surface preparation
The first step is always to thoroughly clean the case of contaminants. Sand, silt, algae and fish mucus are abrasives that, when folded, can damage the top protective layer. reinforced PVCEven microscopic grains of sand caught between layers of clotted tissue work like sandpaper at pressure, thinning the material.
Use a soft sponge and warm water to remove the underlying dirt. For persistent contaminants like fuel oil or gasoline, special cleaners can be used, but it's important to make sure they're safe for polyvinyl chloride. Aggressive chemistry can eat plasticizers, making the material brittle.
Pay special attention to the bottom. This is where most abrasive particles accumulate. After washing, be sure to rinse the boat with clean water to wash away the residues of detergents. If you've used chemical cleaners, wipe the surface with a damp cloth several times.
- 🧼 Use only soft sponges and non-abrasive cleaning products.
- 🚿 Wash all the chemicals thoroughly so that they do not react with the material during storage.
- 🧐 Examine the surface for stuck stones or branches in the folds.
After water treatments, the boat needs to be wiped dry with soft cloth, and the remaining droplets of water will evaporate for a long time inside the folded product, creating a greenhouse effect, and this is especially true for boats of dark colors that heat up more in the sun, but in this case we are talking about preparing for folding indoors.
Drying and ventilation rules
Drying is the most critical step, often ignored for lack of time. Complete drying of all surfaces, including the inner cavities of inflatable tubes, is a prerequisite. Humidity inside the cylinders can lead to corrosion of aluminum floorboards and wooden elements, if they were inside.
Inflate a drying boat is not always necessary, but it is desirable to straighten all the folds and allow air to access hard-to-reach places. If this is not possible, carefully straighten the cylinders and leave them in the shade for several hours. Direct sunlight when exposed to dry material for long periods can be harmful, as ultraviolet destroys the polymer bonds.
Drying time depends on the temperature and humidity of the environment. On a hot windy day, 2-3 hours are enough, whereas in cool and humid weather the process can take days.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid drying the boat in the vicinity of heating appliances or open flames. Sharp temperature changes and overheating can lead to deformation of the seams and tissue stratification.
To speed up the process, you can use a fan to direct the air flow into the cylinders through open valves, which will help to drive out stagnant moist air. Leatherman or Bravo It is completely open and nothing prevents the air from circulating.
Dismantling of attachments and floorboard
Before you start rolling the boat, you have to dismantle all the removable elements, which include the seats (banks), paioles (floor), inflatable floor (if it is removable), anchor bolt and rod holders, and storing these elements separately will prevent them from deforming under the weight of the folded boat.
Wooden paioles should be wiped dry and allowed to dry completely. If left moist, the tree can turn black, mold or even rot. Aluminum stringers and paioles also require to avoid oxidation and white plaque.
☑️ Checklist for boat preparation
Stack the floorboards carefully, don't throw them. Aluminum is strong, but when hit by a stone or concrete, it can get dented, which will make it difficult to install in the future. Wooden plywood floorboards are afraid of chipping at the edges, so they're better folded in a pile and put in a soft cloth.
The inflatable floor, if it is a separate element, is descented and dried separately from the main boat, often rolled up and placed in the center of the boat when packed, but only after drying completely, which helps to maintain the shape of the main bowl of the boat.
Technology of proper air descent
You need to let the air down gradually and sequentially, and if you open the valve abruptly, the boat can collapse unpredictably, and the creases will get dirt from the ground or your fingers, and if you get air out quickly, it will condense the valve inside because of the temperature difference.
Start the bow descent, then move to the middle and end with the aft, and this sequence allows you to control the process and avoid the formation of air traffic jams in the far corners of the cylinders, and if the boat has a separate keel, it is the last one to lower it.
Use the back of the pump or a special cap to force the air to be extruded. Complete air removal is critical to minimize the volume of the packed boat. However, you should not overdo it and twist the valves to the limit if the manufacturer's instructions prohibit it.
| Descent stage | Action. | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Preparation | Open the valves. | Keep the valve clean. |
| 2. Main blowout | Press the cylinders. | Move from nose to stern |
| 3. Removal of residues | Floater or pump | Keep dust out |
| Final check | Close the caps. | Protect from moisture |
Why can't you lower the boat in the cold?
At temperatures below -5°C, the PVC material becomes rigid and brittle, and descent and folding in such conditions can lead to microcracks that will only show up in the spring. If you are in the cold, try not to bend the cylinders in the folding areas too sharply, but rather let the boat warm up in a warm room before packing.
Folding the boat: step-by-step instructions
There are several ways to fold a boat, but the most popular and compact is the "envelope" or roll-roll method, which depends on your boat's design and personal preference, but the principle of preserving the integrity of the material is the same for everyone.
First, spread the boat on a clean surface, wrap the sides inwards, towards the center, so that they lie down on the floor. If the boat is wide, the sides can overlap on top of each other, and it is important to make sure that there are no folds of cloth between the layers that can break.
Lubricate the valves with silicone lubrication before long-term storage, which will prevent the rubber seals from drying out and the valve mechanism from jamming.
Start rolling the boat in a tight roll, starting at the bow. Move evenly, pressing each turn to drive out the air. Once you reach the stern, you get a dense cylinder that fits easily into a regular bag. Remember to twist the edges if they protrude beyond the dimensions of the roll.
The alternative is to fold the accordion, and the boat folds across several times, and then the sides are turned to the center, and this method takes up a little more space in length, but the package is less tall, and it's convenient to store in narrow cabinets or niches.
- 🌀 Roll the boat tightly but without fanaticism, so as not to create excessive pressure on the seams.
- 📏 Watch for folding symmetry so that the boat in the bag lies flat.
- 🎒 Pack accessories (pump, paddles) in individual bag pockets or in the center of the roll.
Therefore, it is recommended to periodically change the folding scheme, especially if the boat is stored in the assembled form for several months.
Packaging and storage conditions
The final step is to put the boat in the shipping bag, make sure the bag is dry and clean, if the bag is fabric, it must "breathe." Airtight plastic bags for storing PVC products are not suitable, because they create condensation.
Keeping the boat horizontally is best to avoid form distortion, but many owners have to store them vertically or in limbo due to lack of space, so that other heavy objects do not press on the boat.
Optimal storage conditions: temperature from +5 to +25 degrees Celsius, humidity of not more than 60%, no direct sunlight. Garage, storage or dry heated boat station will be perfect. Do not keep the boat near chemicals, oils or spark sources.
The main rules of storage are dryness, moderate temperature and protection from ultraviolet light, and compliance with these three conditions ensures that the boat will last the manufacturer's stated term and even longer.
Once every six months, even in winter, it is recommended to take out the boat, lay out and inspect for damage or mold, which also helps to "knead" the material and valve, this prevention takes a little time, but significantly prolongs the life of the product.
Can I keep an inflatable boat in the cold?
You can keep the boat at low temperatures, but you don't want to. PVC becomes brittle, and any careless movement can lead to a crack. If there's no other way out, make sure the boat is completely dry, and don't touch it until it gets warm. Before you use, be sure to let it warm at room temperature for a day.
Do I need to lubricate the boat before storage?
Use special products for the care of PVC (for example, Protect 3000 They create a protective film that prevents the material from drying out, but conventional oil-based lubricants cannot be used categorically, they will destroy the structure of the polymer.
How to remove the smell of mold from the boat?
If the smell has already appeared, wash the boat with vinegar solution or a special antifungal for boats. After processing, thoroughly rinse and dry in the air (in the shade). A strong smell can indicate a deep damage to the material, which will require professional cleaning.
Should I blow up the boat during the summer?
If you keep a boat in your garage during the summer and don't use it periodically, keeping it slightly inflated (up to 30-40% of the working pressure) is helpful for keeping it in shape, but keep an eye on the temperature: when you heat it up, the pressure inside will rise, so don't pump it over or leave it in the direct sun.