The season of active operation of swimming equipment inevitably comes to an end, and before every water motor there is a question of conservation. PVC boats In winter storage, it can negate all the benefits of high-quality material, turning a reliable vessel into a pile of cracked fabric. NDMAwhere the low pressure inflatable floor is not just an element of comfort, but also a bearing structure that requires careful treatment.
Many owners make the fatal mistake of trying to roll cylinders in the same way as a hard bottom, leading to the formation of ruptures and microcracks at the bending sites. float-bottom It's a very different set of designs than classic ones, and ignoring these nuances reduces the product's lifespan by a few times, and in this article, we'll take a look at the algorithm of actions that will allow you to fold the boat compactly, keeping it geometry and tightness until the next season.
There are several proven methods of stacking, each with its own advantages depending on the dimensions of your transport and storage conditions, the main thing is to understand the physics of the process: air must be removed as much as possible, but without fanaticism, so as not to damage the valves, and seams must be in a gentle position. Let's consider how to turn a bulky structure into a neat bundle, ready for wintering.
Preparation for packaging: washing and full drying
Before you start deflating and folding, you need to conduct a thorough revision of the surface of the boat, the remaining dirt, silt or river sand act as an abrasive, which when densely packed and stored for a long time literally crashes into the structure. PVC materialWater trapped inside the rolled product creates an ideal environment for mold development and can lead to irreversible chemical processes of tissue oxidation.
The cleaning process should be delicate: use a soft sponge and special means for the care of PVC boats, avoiding aggressive chemicals and solvents. coatboard and anchorages stringerAfter washing, the boat should be left straightened until it is completely dry, including all hard-to-reach places between the cylinders.
⚠️ Attention: Never pack a wet boat for long-term storage. Residual moisture between the layers of tissue at temperature changes will cause the material to "bloom" and the appearance of a persistent unpleasant odor, which will then be extremely difficult to get rid of.
If you dry the boat outdoors, make sure it is protected from the direct scorching rays of the sun, as ultraviolet light combined with heating can adversely affect the adhesive seams. The ideal option is to dry in a shady, well-ventilated room or under a canopy. Only a completely dry and clean product is ready for the next step - the removal of removable elements.
Dismantling of removable elements and fittings
The first step in disassembling is always to remove removable parts that can damage the fabric when deflated or stored. coatboardIt is often removable or foldable in NDND models, and must be removed, corrosion-free (if there are metal elements) and folded separately so that the sharp corners do not damage the cylinders.
Attention should be paid to the stringer - rigid profiles inserted into pockets of the inflatable floor to give stiffness, they must be removed smoothly, without jerking, so as not to damage the inner surface of the pockets. sonar Navigators, which also need to be dismantled to avoid punctures.
- 🛶 Remove the transom board and check it for chips.
- 🔩 Remove stringers from the grooves of the inflatable floor, having previously blown the cylinders to a state of elasticity.
- 🧹 Remove all additional mounts, rod holders and brackets.
- 🔍 Examine the inner pockets for object debris or pebbles.
All removed metal parts are recommended to be lubricated with a stick lubricant or WD-40 to prevent corrosion in winter, it is better to store them separately from the fabric, wrapped in a soft rag or placed in a separate bag. PVC shells sharp edges of fittings during the winter hibernation of the boat.
Blowing technology for cylinders and bottom of NDLD
Proper deflation is the foundation of successful packaging.INDM) is critically important to follow the sequence of air venting, the side cylinders are always blown off first, and then you can go to the bottom. If you break this order and start blowing the bottom off when the sides are inflated, you get excessive pressure, which can damage the partitions.
Use a reverse pump or a special vent valve to remove air as much as possible, but do not try to squeeze out the last residue of air by the weight of your body, especially at low temperatures when the material becomes less elastic. Valves. They should be closed immediately after deflation so that no moisture or dust gets inside.
Why can't you blow the boat out in the cold?
Sharp cooling of compressed air when leaving the valve can lead to the formation of condensation inside the valve group, which in winter will turn into an ice plug that violates tightness.
You don't have to try to drive all the air to a pancake state, because this will create excessive tension of the fabric in the places of the folds. It is enough to achieve a state where the boat lost its bulk shape and became flat, but retained some softness.
Step-by-step instructions: how to fold a boat NDND
There is a classic method of stacking, which is most often recommended by manufacturers for models with a NDMAAfter the cylinders are blown away and the stringers are removed, the boat is turned upside down with its keel, which allows it to work with a flat bottom surface, straightening all the folds.
First, the side cylinders are wrapped inwards, towards the center of the boat, and then you do a longitudinal folding, the bow and aft gently bend to the middle, and the key is to avoid extreme bends in the same places, and every time you pack, try to shift the folding line slightly, so that you don't have a permanent fracture path.
☑️ Algorithm for laying the boat NDND
When you put it in a transport bag, you don't have to use excessive force. The boat should lie loose, without too much pressure on the walls. If the bag started to close with difficulty, then you either didn't blow the boat off enough or you chose the wrong sequence of addition. Transport bag It should protect against dust, not flatten the product.
| Phase | Action. | Important feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blowing off | Reduce the pressure to maintain the shape |
| 2 | Stringer extraction | Only after partial deflating |
| 3 | Folding | The sideboard's in, then across. |
| 4 | Packaging | Without strong compression and pressure |
To facilitate the folding process alone, use a flat surface (table, clean garage floor) so that the boat does not travel and get dirty in the process.
Features of storage in winter
Choosing a place to winter your PVC It's just as important as folding it, and the ideal is a heated room with a constant temperature and low humidity, but most boaters have to store their equipment in unheated garages or on balconies, where the temperature changes can be significant.
The main enemy of PVC in winter is not so much cold as condensation and direct sunlight. Ultraviolet breaks polymer bonds, making the material brittle, and temperature changes cause the material to "breath" that, when there is moisture inside, leads to stratification. Keep the boat away from heating appliances and open fire sources.
- 🌡️ The optimal storage temperature is from -20 C to +30 C.
- ☀️ Avoid direct sunlight and UV sources.
- 💧 Provide low humidity and good ventilation of the room.
- 🐀 Protect the boat from rodents that like to chew cloth and foam.
⚠️ Attention: Do not keep the boat rolled up under heavy objects, prolonged pressure on the same areas can lead to deformation of the structure of the material and loss of leakage of the seams.
If you keep the boat in an unheated room, let it warm up to room temperature before unpacking in the spring. Abruptly unfrozen frozen material can lead to microcracks. It is critical to let the boat lie straight for at least 2-3 hours at room temperature before the first pumping in the new season.
Common errors in conservation
One of the most common mistakes is to use talc or powders in large quantities before packaging. Although manufacturers sometimes recommend this to prevent sticking, excess talc when moisture is ingested turns into abrasive porridge that corrodes the tissue. Use only specialized care products at the recommended dosages.
Another mistake is keeping the boat in a strained state or suspended on nails. inflatable floor The suspension creates local stress points that, in a few winter months, can turn into through holes or tears of tissue.
Don't ignore minor damages found at the end of the season. Even a cut or peeling off under the paddle can become a serious problem by spring. Make minor repairs right after the wash while the boat is still in your memory and on hand so you don't waste time looking for a remake in the spring.
The main principle of PVC storage boats: clean, dry and no mechanical pressure, compliance with these three conditions guarantees a long life of your swimmer.
Can I keep a PVC boat in the cold?
Yes, PVC material is resistant to low temperatures, but when frozen, it becomes brittle, and the main danger is mechanical exposure to a frozen boat, and if the boat is stored in the cold, it is strictly forbidden to touch, move or attempt to inflate it until it is completely thawed.
Do I need to lubricate the valves before storage?
No special lubrication is required if the valves are clean and clean, but the key is to make sure that there is no dirt or sand in the valve mechanism, you can wipe the thread and the sealing ring with a soft cloth soaked in soapy solution and wipe it dry.
How often should I move the boat during storage?
If the boat is kept in a rolled-up form, it is advisable to change the position of the folds every 1-2 months or completely straighten and refold it, which will prevent the formation of persistent crevices and "memory" of material in the places of the folds.
Is the PVC neighbourhood with gasoline or oil dangerous for a boat?
Yes, the vapor of gasoline, oil and other petroleum products can negatively affect the structure of PVC and especially adhesive seams. Keep the boat away from fuel canisters, internal combustion engines and chemical work sites.