When navigation is over or after a successful fishing trip, every boat owner faces the inevitable task of dismantling and packaging. Many beginners make the mistake of trying to shove a bulky structure into a regular backpack by force, which inevitably leads to damage to the seams and valve damage. The right approach not only prolongs the life of the product, but also saves space in the trunk of the car.
Laying PVC It requires consistency and understanding of the physics of the material. Bloated cylinders take up significantly less space than you think if you act correctly. Ignoring the rules of compact packaging may lead to the next time you find microcracks on the folds or tissue detachment from the transom.
In this article, we'll look at the proven techniques that professionals use, and you'll learn how to turn a bulky structure into a neat bundle, ready for long-term storage or transportation, and the key is not to rush, but to follow the algorithm of actions.
Preparatory stages before packaging
Before you start rolling cylinders, you have to keep the surface clean and dry. Mud, sand and algae left between the folds of the fabric work like an abrasive, rubbing the protective layer when stored. So the first step is always to wash thoroughly and, critically, dry completely.
Pay special attention valveIf they have moisture, they can form mold inside, which will destroy the material from the inside. After washing, leave the boat in the open for a few hours in the shade. Direct sunlight is undesirable at this point, because ultraviolet light negatively affects the stabilizers in polyvinyl chloride.
To speed up the process, you can use soft rags, but do not rub too much. Dry fabric If you pack a wet boat, make sure to unpack it at the first opportunity and let it dry, otherwise the smell of mustiness will become a constant companion.
⚠️ Warning: Never pack a wet boat for long-term storage. In an enclosed space with no air, humidity creates ideal conditions for fungal colonies to develop that are almost impossible to remove.
Sequence of dismantling of mounted elements
You start by removing all removable parts, and that includes cans, rod holders, sonars, and of course, the rest of the assembly. bottom (BND), if designed, the bottom is removed first, as it is the hardest and most voluminous element after the cylinders.
Seat banks usually have metal or plastic supports, which must be detached and folded separately, wrapped in a soft cloth or placed in special pockets of bags so that sharp corners do not damage the sides of the boat when shaking. Some models have locks that need to be carefully snapped away without excessive effort.
The secret to fast drying of NDNDM
If you don’t have time to wait for the inflatable floor to dry naturally, you can use a car compressor in blow mode (if there is such a feature) or simply blow the valves air to remove moisture residue from the cells.
The trawler also requires attention. If it's removable, it's better to take it out and pack it separately. If the trawler is glued, make sure that it doesn't stick to anything and it doesn't create sharp bumps that can push through the cloth of a balloon when it's tightly packed. Plywood elements They're afraid of moisture the most.
- 🛶 Remove the cans and fold them along the sides or in a separate compartment.
- 🔩 Unscrew or unfasten the tackle holders and accessories.
- 🌬️ Remove the inflatable floor and roll it separately from the cylinders.
- 🧹 Remove all debris and sand from the cockpit before deflating.
Technique of proper deflating of cylinders
The most important thing is to remove air. Many people use electric pumps in reverse, but this is not always effective, because the pump can't remove all the air to the last molecule. To be as compact as possible, you need to use mechanical pressure. You can ride on top of the balloon, starting from the stern or nose, and slowly move to the valve, expelling the air.
It's important not to close the valve right away. Let the residues of air come out under the pressure of your weight. When the balloon gets flat, you can twist the valve cap. Notice that different models have different types of valves, for example, Bravo or LeafieldAnd you need to twist them to the point, but without fanaticism, so as not to disrupt the carving.
☑️ The right boat blowing
There is a common misconception that the boat needs to be blown completely to zero. In fact, there must always be a small amount of air in the cylinders so that the layers of fabric do not stick together, but the maximum possible flattening is required to transport the bag. Pressure. It should be distributed evenly.
If you use a blow pump, keep the inlet clean so you don't drive dust inside the balloon. The dust inside is an abrasive that will rub against the inside walls when inflated. It's better to spend an extra 5 minutes manually extruding air with your knees than risking the integrity of the seams.
Compact folding algorithm
There are several ways to stack, but the most effective is to use the harmonica method, then twist it, so first, you can put the boat on a flat surface, and then you can turn the bow and aft parts to the center so that they lie on the center of the tank, and that will reduce the overall length of the structure.
Then fold the boat along the central axis, the left side is superimposed on the right side (or vice versa, depending on where the keel is located). quill (if any) is inside the fold, not outside, where it can create unnecessary volume. The keel can be lowered a little, but not completely.
| Phase | Action. | Purpose | Risks of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The twirl of the ends | Reduce length | Uneven folding |
| 2 | Folding in half | Reduction of width | Getting the keel out |
| 3 | Twisting | Air removal | Cloth cloth cloth cloths |
| 4 | Fixation | Preservation of form | Too tight screed |
Once the boat is folded in half, start twisting it from one edge (usually from a transom) into a tight roll. The movements must be confident and tight. The tighter the roll is twisted, the less space it takes up. During the twisting process, the air will escape through a loosely closed valve, so keep your finger ready.
To make the boat roll more easily and not “swell” back, put something heavy (such as an anchor or a bag of gear) on it for 5-10 minutes before the final twist.
Packing in the bag and fixing the cargo
The resulting bundle must be placed in a transport bag, and this must be done carefully, without dragging on the ground, so as not to catch the fabric on the lightning or sharp corners of the accessories of the bag itself. If the boat enters tightly, do not pull it sharply, you better unwind a little and try to twist again, changing direction.
The bag often has straps or Velcro straps inside it, so you should use them. If the bundle hangs inside, it can partially unwind and open the bag when it shakes, causing the bundle to break or damage the valves of the boat. Fixation inside is a prerequisite.
Separately, the bag is packed with oars, a pump and a repair kit, and heavy items (pump, anchor) are better placed in the center or below, and light and sharp (oars) along the sides of the rolled-up boat, wrapping them in a cloth beforehand, which will create an additional buffer layer.
⚠️ Warning: Do not keep chainsaws, axes or other sharp tools in the same boat bag without rigid protection. Any sharp jerk can cause the balloon to puncture with a sharp angle of the tool.
Features of storage and seasonal conservation
If you're putting a boat away for winter storage, the rules change, you don't want to keep it in a very compressed state for months, you know, polyvinyl chloride is a material that remembers deformations, and if you're in a twisted state for a long time, you can get microcracks on the folds that are invisible to the eye, but dangerous on the water.
The ideal wintering option is to be suspended in a straightened form or rolled up into large, not tight rings, the temperature in the room should not fall below -15 ° C, as the material becomes fragile in the cold, and you should also avoid the proximity to heating devices.
For long-term storage, it is best not to pack the boat in a sealed bag inside the bag - the material should "breathe" to avoid condensation.
Periodically, every 2-3 months, it is recommended to check the condition of the product, you can briefly decompose it, check the pressure in the cylinders (it can fall due to temperature changes) and remove it again, which will help to maintain the elasticity of the material and notice problems in time.
- 🏠 Keep the boat in a cool, dry place.
- 🚫 Avoid direct contact with heated radiators.
- 🐀 Protect the packaging from rodents that like to chew cloth.
- 🔄 Check the pressure and condition of the stitches once a season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I roll a boat if it's freezing -10°C outside?
It's not recommended. At temperatures below -5°C, the PVC material loses its elasticity and becomes brittle. Any twisting or bending in the cold is guaranteed to cause cracks that only show up when inflated in the heat. If the boat freezes, let it warm up in a warm room in a straightened form.
Do I need to lubricate the valves before packaging?
You do not need to lubricate the valve with oil or vaseline unless it is prescribed by the manufacturer's instructions (for example, silicone rubber lubricant). Usually a clean dry cloth is enough. The introduction of oil on the PVC fabric can cause it to swell or make it difficult to bond in the event of repair.
What if the boat doesn’t fit into the bag after it’s deflated?
You probably have air in the cylinders. Try to walk through the cylinder with your knees again, paying attention to the places near the bulkheads and the transom, also check if you folded the keel correctly and turned the ends, sometimes helps to change the direction of twisting (from the other end).
How to remove the smell of rubber from a new boat when stored?
New PVC always has a specific smell. To make it weather faster, keep the boat in a ventilated room. You can use odor absorbers (activated charcoal) by putting them inside the bag, but not allowing direct contact of the dyes with the fabric of the boat.