As the cold weather hits, every owner of a swimming vehicle is faced with the critical question of where and how to leave his horse until next season. PVC boat storage in winterThis method requires strict adherence to the technology, since polyvinyl chloride, despite its strength, remains sensitive to ultraviolet light, temperature changes and mechanical stress at low degrees.
Ignoring conservation rules can lead to irreversible consequences, such as cracking seams or losing the elasticity of the material. In this article, we will take a look at each stage of preparation to ensure that your vessel is ready for its first watering trips in the spring without costly repairs.
The main task of the owner is to exclude contact of the material with aggressive environmental factors and prevent the formation of condensation inside the package. PVC The material can be damaged if left lying wet or dirty.
Stages of preparation of the building for wintering
The first and most important step is to thoroughly clean all surfaces: mud, fish mucus, algae and residues of fuel, when exposed to the surface for a long time, begin to erode the protective layer. Use warm water and soft sponges, avoiding abrasive brushes that can damage the texture of cylinders.
After washing, the boat must be completely dry, not only on the outside, but also on the inside, including the bottom and the space between the cylinders. MoistureThe remaining in the folds of the material, when frozen, will turn into ice, which, when the packaging is deformed, can damage the tissue structure.
⚠️ Warning: Never use open heat sources such as fires, gas burners or powerful heat guns to dry. Local overheating can warp the seams or change the geometry of cylinders.
Pay special attention to the valves. They need to be twisted, washed under running water and thoroughly dried. Rubber seals inside the valves should not remain compressed or wet, otherwise by spring you risk leaking. Check each element for microcracks while the boat is inflated.
Proper drying and packaging of material
When the cleaning is complete, the drying phase is the ideal option: to decompose the boat indoors at room temperature for a day, if this is not possible, make sure that it is dry and sunny outside, but avoid direct contact with hot asphalt or concrete.
For storage, it is best to use a special bag of dense fabric, which comes with a kit, or sew a new one of breathable material. Plastic bags are categorically not suitable, as they create a "greenhouse effect" that contributes to the decay of tissue and the appearance of mold.
- 🧼 Carefully wash all hard-to-reach places, including the joints of transoms and cylinders.
- 🌬️ Make sure the material is completely dry before folding it.
- 📦 Use only breathable covers for transportation and storage.
You need to fold the boat carefully, avoiding sharp clamps in the same places, and it's recommended that you change the fold line at each package so that the load is evenly distributed, and this will preserve the integrity of the reinforced layer.
☑️ Checklist for boat preparation
Selection of placement on the site
If you plan to store a PVC boat outdoors in the winter, location is a determining factor in success, and the ideal place is a canopy that protects you from direct sunlight and precipitation, but even under a canopy, the material is exposed to low temperatures and humidity.
Do not leave the boat simply lying on the ground or grass, ground moisture, rodents and possible chemical reactions with the soil will quickly cause the packaging to become unusable, you need to organize an elevation or suspension system.
A good solution is to use wooden pallets or special racks, which will provide air circulation from below and protect against freezing of the soil. If the boat is stored assembled on the trailer, be sure to relieve pressure in the cylinders.
Place a layer of foam or dense cardboard under the packaging - this will create additional thermal insulation from the frozen earth or concrete floor of the garage.
Make sure the location is not accessible to stray animals and birds: Bird droppings contain acids that can damage the protective coating, and rodents are able to chew through the tissue in search of heat or food.
Protection from atmospheric influences and rodents
Atmospheric precipitation in the form of snow and rain is not terrible for a properly packed boat, if the outer cover is kept tight, but the constant cycles of freezing and thawing of water on the surface of the package can lead to the formation of ice, which, when dropped, can damage the material.
To protect against rodents, you can use special repellents or folk remedies, such as mint or mothball, laid out next to you (but not inside the package, so as not to damage the rubber chemically). Mechanical protection in the form of a metal mesh around the storage area will also be not superfluous.
| Risk factor | Impact on PVC | Protection method |
|---|---|---|
| Ultraviolet | Destruction of polymer bonds, fading | Impenetrable cover, canopy |
| Rodents | Mechanical punctures, tissue gnawing | Scatterers, nets, cleanliness around |
| Humidity | Mold, rotting, valve oxidation | Full drying, breathable material |
| frost | Loss of elasticity, fragility | Air descent, lack of loads |
The condition of the shelter during the winter is important. If the snowfall was heavy, it is better to shake off the excess snow from the canopy or cover to avoid excessive pressure.
Nuances of storage of the boat in the assembled form
Many owners prefer not to disassemble the boat completely, leaving it on the transom wheels or trailer. Keeping the PVC boat outdoors in winter in assembled form has its own peculiarities. The main rule is to reduce internal pressure.
When the temperature drops, the air inside the cylinders shrinks, but if you leave the pressure in the summer, then with a sharp warming in the daytime, it can grow to critical values, creating stress in the seams. It is optimal to leave the minimum pressure so that the cylinders only hold shape, but not be stretched.
The trawler also requires attention, and if it's removable, it's best to dismantle it and store it warm to avoid deformation from moisture and temperature changes, and the steel elements of the fastener should be lubricated with conservation lubricant.
⚠️ Warning: Do not cover the boat with a tightly attached plastic film without air access. Condensate formed under the film will turn into an ice crust that will damage the fabric in the wind.
If the boat is on wheels, it is advisable to raise the nose or periodically change the support point to avoid static deformation of cylinders in places of contact with the supporting elements.
Monitoring of the condition during winter
It is a mistake to think that when you pack a boat, you can forget about it until spring, periodic visual inspection will help to avoid unpleasant surprises, once a month is enough to go to the storage site.
Check the integrity of the shelter, the absence of rodent marks and the snow around. If you notice that the cover is wet or torn, you should immediately take measures to replace or repair it, so that moisture does not get inside.
- ❄️ Make sure that there is no ice crust on the boat.
- 🐀 Check for traces of rodent activity near the package.
- 🌬️ Make sure that the air vents (if any) are not clogged with snow.
This simple prevention will allow you to be sure that by the time you open your navigation, your vessel will be in perfect technical condition.
Can I store a PVC boat at temperatures below -30°C?
Yes, if all conditions are met: the boat is completely dry, fully deflated (or has minimal pressure), packed in breathable material and protected from direct sunlight and mechanical stress. PVC becomes brittle in the cold, so any touch or bending in this condition is prohibited.
Frequent errors in conservation
Analysis of service center calls shows that most damage is due to simple mistakes, often packing the boat wet, believing it will dry itself, and this leads to mold that is almost impossible to remove completely.
Another common mistake is to use aggressive chemicals to clean before wintering, so solvents, gasoline, or strong alkalis can disrupt the structure of the polymer, and the effect will not appear until a few months later.
Critically
Avoid storage near working generators, furnaces or other heat sources, even if they are distant. Thermal flows can unevenly warm the packaging, causing condensation inside.
Compliance with the technology of preparation and storage of PVC boats increases its service life by 2-3 times, preserving the manufacturer's guarantees and your safety on the water.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Do I need to completely flush the air out of the boat before winter?
Yes, you can't store a working pressure boat, and if you change the temperature, the pressure inside the cylinders will jump, which will cause the seams to overstretch or, conversely, to collapse and crumple the material, leave the minimum pressure to maintain shape or lower completely if the boat is neatly folded.
Can I store a PVC boat in an unheated metal garage?
A metal garage is not a good place because it condensates the walls and ceilings with extreme temperatures. If there is no other way out, get good ventilation and lift the boat above the floor, and the humidity in this garage can be higher than in the street under the canopy.
How often should I check my boat in winter?
The optimal frequency of checks is once every 3-4 weeks, enough to spot rodent marks, check the integrity of the shelter from snow and wind, and make sure that the package is not wet.
What if the boat was in the cold and you need to inflate it?
Put the boat in a warm room and let it warm up naturally for 12-24 hours. Inflating cold PVC is strictly forbidden - the material loses elasticity and can crack on folds or seams under air pressure.