Every experienced boat owner knows that the end of navigation is not just cleaning equipment, but the beginning of the critical stage of conservation of the boat. flipped boat on the shore It's the classic and most reliable way to protect the housing from rain, snow and ultraviolet light in winter, and improper preparation can lead to deformation of the bottom, mold formation, or even destruction of the material from temperature changes.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the nuances of putting a boat up, select the optimal location on the site and discuss why some drying methods can cause irreparable damage to your property. Aluminum alloys And composite materials require completely different approaches to care, the neglect of which reduces the life of the equipment.
Physics of the process: why exactly the keel up?
The main reason why the boat is turned upside down is because of the basic physics and the need to eliminate the contact of the inner surfaces with moisture. If you leave the boat in a normal position, any leak through the glands or microcracks will lead to a accumulation of water inside, which, when you freeze, expands and damages the structure. suture and the elements of the set (spangouts) in a closed volume dry extremely slowly, which creates ideal conditions for the development of fungus.
The inverted position also protects the inside of the cockpit from direct sunlight that can burn paint or make plastic brittle, but there is also a major risk: if you put the boat just on the ground or on an uneven surface, the weight of the hull will be distributed unevenly. The central part of the bottom without support can bend under its own weight for several months of wintering.This will lead to disruption of hydrodynamics and the need for expensive repairs.
And the wind load is important, because the flat bottom, facing up, works like a sail. Without a reliable fixation, gusts of wind can move the boat from its place, or worse, turn it back, damaging the sides against rocks or fences, so the issue of attachment and supports is paramount.
⚠️ Warning: Never keep the boat upside down on hard concrete or asphalt without pads. Point contact with uneven coatings is guaranteed to lead to scratches and chips on paint coatings (PPC), which in the spring turn into pockets of corrosion.
Selection of location and preparation of the site
Before you drag a heavy case to the wintering site, you need to carefully choose the location, the ideal option is a ventilated canopy or garage, but often owners have to leave the equipment directly in the yard. cardiac orientation The soil under the boat should be flat, preferably with a hard surface or a rammed sand cushion.
It is not recommended to install a boat in close proximity to trees, falling branches, sap, bird droppings and falling foliage will create additional problems during spring washing, and tree roots can eventually raise one of the edges of the supports, disrupting the geometry of storage.
If you keep it PVC inflatable boatsAnd it's critical that they don't get direct sunlight even when they're upside down, because ultraviolet light breaks down the polymer bonds of the tissue, and metal and plastic vessels are more resilient, but they also require protection from the aggressive environment, and make sure that you can drain around the site so that the meltwater doesn't wash the supports in the spring.
Organization of the support system
The most critical step is to put the boat on the supports. It is a fatal mistake to just turn the hull over and leave it lying on the sides. The boards are not designed to be constantly loaded at one point and can deform (“go with a screw”). Special slips, goats or improvised bars are used to properly organize storage.
The supports should be located in the places of the greatest rigidity of the body. banks (seats) The distance between the supports should be approximately 2/3 of the total length of the boat to ensure an even distribution of mass. If you use too few points of support, the bottom will sag; if too many, there will be points of excess pressure.
tilt-proof
Metal boats are great for welded metal frames, painted with anti-corrosion paint. Wooden stands for corrosion. aluminum boats It is undesirable to use it, as the wood absorbs moisture and can become a source of rotting, which will spread to metal. Plastic housings require particularly soft and wide contact areas to avoid the appearance of “white spots” of tension on the gelcoat.
| Type of boat | Recommended number of supports | Gasting material | Critical risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC (inflatable) | Solid surface or 3-4 wide supports | Fabric, felt, soft rubber | Cloth cloth cloth, mold inside |
| aluminum | 2-3 metal goats | Rubber, wood (dry) | dents, violation of the geometry of the seams |
| Fiberglass | 3-4 poles on the frames | Soft foam, felt | Helcoat cracks, deformation of the bottom |
| Wood (plywood) | Frequent or continuous support | Wood, rubber. | Separation, rotting, skewing |
Protection against atmospheric effects
Even an overturned boat needs additional shelter, and a tight awning is a requirement for long-term storage, but it's important to keep it in mind that if you just cover the hull with a drag film, it creates condensation underneath that doesn't evaporate, and it creates a greenhouse effect that's harmful to any material.
You need to create a vent between the awning and the housing, and you can use a slat frame or just sag the cover material, leaving the ends open for air circulation. Air circulation prevents the formation of condensation and equalizes the humidity inside and outside.
Can I use a plastic film?
It's not recommended to use conventional building plastic film, it doesn't breathe, it breaks down quickly in the cold and becomes a moisture trap, and it's better to use specialized covering materials with UV protection and microperforation, which let water vapor through but delay precipitation.
If the boat is kept outdoors, make sure the awning is securely secured with cords or cargo. Winter storm winds can rip off poorly secured shelter, leaving the boat unprotected at the most inopportune time. Regularly check the condition of the anchorages during the winter.
Specificity of storage of different materials
The approach to conservation depends on the material of the case. PVC boats They require special attention to temperature: in extreme frost, the material becomes brittle, and any mechanical action (for example, a fallen branch or an attempt to shake off the snow) can lead to cracks, they are better stored in a collected but slightly deflated state, or completely dismantled, if space allows.
Aluminum boats are afraid of electrochemical corrosion, and all salt residues (if the boat was operated at sea) must be removed before being stored and the moving parts lubricated. galvanic pair It can occur if aluminum comes into contact with copper-containing antifouling or steel support elements in a humid environment.
Fiberglass is prone to osmosis, which is the penetration of moisture into the structure of the material through micropores. Inverted position helps, but does not guarantee full protection. Examine the case for chips and paint them with antes or epoxy before wintering. Water trapped in the gelcote and frozen can break off pieces of skin.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use aggressive solvents or gasoline to clean the boat before storage. Chemical residues can react with the hull material during the winter, leading to softening or changing the color of the coating. Use only specialized marine chemistry.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many beginners, in an effort to save time, make mistakes that are only discovered in the spring, one of the most common is to keep a boat full of fuel without a stabilizer, oxidize gasoline in a few months, precipitate and clog the carburetor or injectors, the fuel system must either be completely drained or preserved.
Another mistake is ignoring rodents: the warm, dry and upside down bottom of a boat is the perfect place for mice to winter; they can chew on the wiring, insulation, or even the skin of the seats; using ultrasonic scarers or placing poisoned baits (with caution) around the storage perimeter is necessary.
Put some mothballs or cotton pads moistened with mint essential oil inside an overturned boat, and rodents can't tolerate these smells and will bypass your boat.
And don't forget about it, if the motor stays on the transom, you have to take it off, or at least put it upright, to drain the water from the lower unit, and the frozen water in the pump or the lower unit ruptures the gearbox.
Spring awakening: what to do after winter?
When the snow melts, don't rush the boat to the water. First, do a visual inspection. Wash the hull with a soft cloth, check the supports for deformation. If the boat was in the cold, let it warm up to room temperature for a few hours, especially when it comes to the weather. PVC materialsTo restore elasticity.
Check the condition of the transmutant and fasteners. During the winter, vibrations and temperature changes could weaken the bolt joints. Strengthen all the nuts and screws available. Examine the inside for traces of rodents or mold.
A properly prepared and inverted boat retains its driving qualities and appearance for decades, whereas careless storage can destroy even a new boat in one winter.
Only after careful inspection and minor repairs if necessary can the boat be returned to its native elements, and following these simple but important rules ensures that the first exit of the season will pass without unpleasant surprises.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I keep a PVC inflatable boat upside down without blowing it away?
Keeping a fully pumped PVC boat in winter is not recommended. When temperatures drop, the pressure inside changes, which creates excessive stress in the seams, it is better to lower it to a state of elasticity or store it in a case in a slightly deflated state, but necessarily inverted for ventilation.
Should I grease the bottom of an overturned boat before winter?
The outer part of the bottom is not necessary to be lubricated if it is clean, however, it is advisable to treat the inner sides and elements of the set with a preservative composition that protects against mold and corrosion, especially if the boat is stored in a damp room.
How often should I check my boat in winter?
It is optimal to visit the boat once a month, check the integrity of the awning, the absence of snow on the hull (heavy wet snow can push the sides) and the condition of the anchorages, and this is also a good reason to ventilate the interior space.
Is an overturned boat dangerous for children?
Yes, it's a serious danger. An overturned boat can look like a playhouse or a tunnel. Children can climb under it and get stuck, or the boat can slip off the supports. Be sure to fence off the storage area or remove the boat from the supports if children's access is not controlled.