With the first autumn frosts, every owner of a water transport is faced with the question of conservation. winter-time Polyvinyl chloride, which is used to make cylinders, although it is a modern and durable material, at low temperatures it becomes fragile and susceptible to mechanical damage.
Many newcomers make the mistake of simply blowing the boat away and putting it in a dark corner until spring, but such carelessness can lead to microcracks on the folds, oxidation of glue seams, and mold on the fabric. flyboat It has served for many years, you need to follow a strict algorithm of actions for its preparation for wintering.
In this article, we will take a look at all the stages of conservation, from washing to choosing a storage location, why you can't store a product in a compressed state, and how temperature affects the structure of the polymer. Competent training is the guarantee that next season you will get on the water immediately, and not be engaged in repairs.
Why it is important to preserve properly before winter
The main enemy of polyvinyl chloride in the cold season is extreme temperature changes and residual moisture. If you leave the cylinders inflated in the cold, the air inside will compress, creating a vacuum that can deform the structure, or, conversely, when warming, there will be excessive pressure. Boat conservation It is designed to minimize stress on the material.
The residues of river water, especially if they were salty or had a lot of organic matter, when they dry, they form salt crystals and an acidic environment. In winter, when the material is compressed by the cold, these crystals act as an abrasive, damaging the protective varnish and the fabric, which is why the washing step is critical.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a PVC boat outdoors in winter without protection. Ultraviolet combined with frost breaks polymer bonds, making the material brittle in one season.
Also, the glue used in manufacturing tends to age, and if stored incorrectly, for example, near heating appliances or on a draft, the seams can detach, and proper preparation allows the chemical processes in the material to be preserved, keeping it elastic until spring.
Preparation stages: washing and drying
The first and most important step is to thoroughly clean the surface of all contaminants. Dirt, silt, fish mucus and fuels (fuels and lubricants) should be completely removed. PVC cleanerswhich do not contain aggressive solvents.
The washing process should be delicate. Do not use hard brushes or abrasive sponges that can leave micro-scratches. These scratches in winter can get moisture, which, freezing, will begin to expand the damage. After soaping, thoroughly wash the foam with plenty of water.
☑️ Checklist for winter preparations
Drying is a stage where people are in a hurry, and the boat must dry straightened or semi-assembled at room temperature, and the use of hair dryers or heat guns to speed up the process is strictly prohibited, because local overheating can disrupt the geometry of the seams, and make sure that not only the outside, but also the inner cavities where water may have leaked, are dry.
Surface treatment and material protection
After the boat is completely dry, it is recommended to treat the surfaces with special compositions, which will not only improve the appearance, but also create an additional protective barrier, for which silicone sprays or special polishes for inflatable vessels are great.
If you use talc, make sure it's completely dry. Talc prevents layers of tissue from sticking together during long-term storage in the folded state. However, modern manufacturers often recommend using liquid silicones, as they penetrate deeper into the tissue structure.
Can you use automotive chemistry?
Car polishes are acceptable, but only if they do not contain solvents (acetone, gasoline, kerosene), it is best to choose products marked "PVC" or "rubber", as they are guaranteed to be safe for glue and fabric.
Pay special attention to the joints and joints, which is where degradation most often begins, and carefully walk with soft cloth moistened in protective composition along all the adhesives, which will help maintain the elasticity of the adhesive and prevent it from cracking at low temperatures.
Selection of location and temperature storage
The ideal place for winter storage is a dry, dark room with a constant temperature, the optimal temperature range is from -10 ° C to +25 ° C. However, avoid places where the temperature can change dramatically, such as unheated metal garages, which are heated by the sun during the day and freeze at night.
Humidity is also important, because in a room that is too wet, a fungus can settle on the fabric, which breaks down the structure of the polymer, and in a room that is too dry, the material can dry out. boat hull In a residential area or heated garage is the most preferred option.
| Storage area | Temperature conditions | Risks. | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment/House | Stable (+18...+22°C) | It takes up a lot of space. | Perfect if there's a place. |
| Heated garage | Stable (+5...+15°C) | Possible dust. | The best option |
| Unheated garage | Variable (-20...+20°C) | Condensation, fluctuation | Careful packaging is required |
| Balcony (glazed) | Close to the street. | UV radiation, cold | Not recommended without a cover |
If you keep a boat in your garage, make sure there are no sources of open fire or sparking. Although modern PVC has flame retardants, it is still a combustible material.
Packaging and folding rules
The boat needs to be folded carefully, avoiding sharp cliffs, and the fold lines need to be slightly shifted each time relative to the previous time, which will prevent the persistent cracks in the folds that inevitably occur when you fold repeatedly along the same line.
For packaging, use only the original bag or bag of breathable fabric. Plastic bags are categorically not suitable, as they create a greenhouse effect and prevent the material from “breathe”, which leads to condensation. Polyvinyl chloride should have minimal contact with air, but not be hermetically sealed.
Before the final packaging, put a bag of silica gel inside the bag, which will help absorb residual moisture and prevent mold from appearing during winter storage.
Don't put heavy objects on top of a packed boat. The pressure of sharp corners of anchors, motors or tools can push cylinders through even the packaging. It's best to keep the boat on a special shelf or suspended in an unstretched form, if space allows.
What you can not do during storage
There are a number of common misconceptions that can lead to property damage: first, you can not keep the boat inflated in the cold, the pressure inside the cylinders will change, which can lead to rupture of the seams or, conversely, to collapse and deformation of the structure.
Second, it is forbidden to use gasoline, kerosene, acetone or chlorine-containing substances for cleaning, which dissolve the top protective layer of PVC and make the material sticky and vulnerable, and clean it with gentle means only.
⚠️ Warning: Do not keep the boat near heat sources (batteries, furnaces) Local heating above +40 C can lead to irreversible tissue deformation and stratification of the seams.
Also, don't leave the boat in direct sunlight even in winter, and the winter sun reflected off the snow gives a powerful dose of ultraviolet light that breaks down the molecular bonds in the plastic, and the material becomes dull, stiff and brittle.
The main enemy of PVC in winter is not the cold itself, but the combination of cold with ultraviolet light and mechanical stress in the folded state.
Preparing for Spring: First Launch
When the warm season comes, don't rush to pump the boat and launch it into the water. Put the package in a warm room and let it lie unstretched for 24 hours. The material must warm up to room temperature to regain its elasticity.
After warming, carefully inspect the surface for cracks or damage that may have formed during the winter, pump the boat to working pressure and leave for a few hours to make sure the valves and seams are tight, only after such a check you can safely go to the reservoir.
Can I keep a PVC boat on the balcony?
Storage on the balcony is possible only if it is glazed and the temperature there does not fall below -10 ° C. Be sure to use an opaque, dense case to protect against UV. However, this is not the best option, since temperature changes will still be present.
Do I need to oil the boat before storage?
You can't use conventional oils (machine, sunflower) because they corrode PVC. Use only specialized silicone lubricants or talc for rubber and PVC products, and they will maintain elasticity without damaging the material.
What to do if the boat wintered in the cold?
If the boat has spent the winter in subzero temperatures, it can not be sharply heated. Bring it into the room and let it warm naturally for the day. A sharp temperature drop can cause microcracks ("shock effect"). After warming, be sure to check the seams with soap solution.
How often should I check my boat in winter?
Just one inspection in the middle of winter, check the package for rodents, make sure the room is not humid and there are no leaks. If the boat is hanging in an unstretched state, make sure the mounts are secure.
Can I keep the boat assembled (with a transcension)?
Keep a boat with a set transcenium can be, but only in suspended condition or on a special rack, so that the bottom does not get smacked under the weight of the structure. When folded in a bag, it is not recommended to store a boat with a hard transcenza due to the risk of damage to the fabric on the edge of the plywood.