Preserving a PVC boat for the winter: rules and storage methods

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Buying the right boat is only half the battle; keeping it until next season is much more difficult.
The main difficulties arise in winter, when low temperatures have a destructive effect on the material of the craft. If you don't dry your boat well and leave it in a cold garage, frozen moisture can damage the hull. In addition, fungus and mold often form in a damp and poorly cleaned boat. To prevent this from happening, it must be properly prepared for preservation and all storage rules must be followed.

Let's figure out how to properly store a boat and what to look for when choosing a place in the garage.

In what condition should the boat be kept?

Even when folded, PVC boats take up significant space. Therefore, think in advance where to put the boat so that it does not interfere with you and does not have to be moved. Remember, the more often you move it, the greater the chance of damaging the trim.

Before storing your boat, be sure to read the instructions. Your model may require special storage conditions as specified by the manufacturer. In our article we will consider only universal tips that are suitable for most PVC boats.

Folded storage. If you have a heated garage, then you can store the boat by putting it in a special bag. It is enough to keep the room dry and free of rodents. You will not need any additional manipulations other than cleaning and repairing the watercraft.

It is not recommended to store the boat in an unheated room. Due to low temperatures, cracks may form at the bends, which will significantly reduce its service life. If, however, you left the boat for the winter in a cold garage, then you need to move it to a warm room 4–6 times during the winter.

After you bring the boat in from the cold, you should not immediately turn it around. This can be done once it has warmed up to room temperature. If you sharply turn around a frozen watercraft, you can cause damage to it.

It is better to keep the boat rolled up at a height so that rodents cannot get close to it and it cannot be accidentally hit by a car

Storing in inflated form. Most boats can be stored at temperatures from -45ºС to +50ºС, but only when inflated. This method is the safest for the boat, but is often inconvenient for the owner. The boat must be completely at rest: do not touch it, move it around the garage or place things on it.

In this case, mounting the boat under the ceiling is the best solution. If your garage is heated, warm air will collect in the upper part of the room. Thanks to this, there will always be an optimal temperature for the boat under the ceiling. When choosing this method, the watercraft should be stored in a semi-deflated state.

Cold storage - rules

The optimal temperature for the room where the boat is located is the range –10…+45 degrees. Therefore, you can keep the product in an insulated garage, a dry shed, a storage room, or on a warm balcony. Some manufacturers indicate that their products can easily withstand temperatures down to -45 degrees, but only with proper preparation.

It is often recommended to store boats inflated. In this case, the pressure indicator must be taken into account: 185 mm Hg is optimal. Art. or 250 g/sq.m. cm. When the watercraft is overinflated, it may burst in the winter. Other tips for organizing boat storage:

• the product is covered with awnings and old blankets - this will reduce the risk of cracks;
• before storing the boat, the boat is thoroughly cleaned and washed, but without the use of aggressive chemicals;
• during storage, the PVC boat should not be used as a stand or support, it should not come into contact with other things;
• when keeping water transport in the cold, it is forbidden to allow PVC to come into contact with petrochemical products, solvents, oils - the material may deteriorate;
• You should not store PVC in a residential area, as it emits a small amount of harmful fumes.

If possible, the boat should be stored inflated.

Systems for storing PVC boats in a garage under the ceiling

With the GarageTek system, there are two ways to store your boat at height. The simplest option is to use universal brackets on which you can place a narrow and light kayak, as well as a folded inflatable boat.

One universal bracket can support loads up to 20 kg

This is the most economical storage option: the brackets are easy to move inside the garage along the guide panels, and they are also suitable for rooms with low ceilings. In addition to the boat, you can place oars and the necessary fishing equipment on the brackets. The main thing is not to put anything inside the boat itself so that nothing puts pressure on it.

Two universal brackets are enough to store a light boat

The second option is a universal lift, which is suitable for storing heavy boats. Thanks to the device, you can quickly raise the craft to a height of up to four meters. This is the most efficient storage method, allowing you to free up as much space as possible in your garage. With such a lift, you won’t even be able to accidentally tip the boat onto the floor - the structure will be reliably protected by self-locking cables.

If you are going fishing, you can immediately lower the boat onto the roof of your car

Dependence of storage conditions on other factors

In principle, all the main factors influencing the storage conditions of inflatable boats are considered in detail. It remains only to mention the influence on this of the properties of the PVC itself from which they are made.

Polyvinyl chloride used for the manufacture of boats can be reinforced or unreinforced:

Single-layer material, although lighter, is less durable compared to multi-layer material, so its storage must be approached more carefully. That is, protect even more carefully from sunlight, heating devices, open fire and critically low temperatures. Otherwise, the conditions of detention are the same.

Preparing the boat for winter storage

Boat cleaning

Before long-term storage, the boat must be thoroughly cleaned. This is especially important if caught fish was placed in it. The remaining scales and smell can attract mice and rats. Therefore, first clean the boat of any remaining catch, algae build-up and sand.

To do this, it is better to use a special brush for boats. PVC tolerates light chemicals well, so regular dish gel, washing powder, car shampoo or just a soap solution is suitable for washing.

It is most convenient to wash the boat in inflated form under a hose. To avoid damaging the material, use warm rather than hot water. After cleaning, place the boat on its side in an inflated state. When the outer part is dry, lower it and turn it inside out, this will help the seam joints dry better.

Repair

When cleaning, pay attention to small cracks and punctures. They must be repaired before storage. For minor damage, it will be enough to apply patches using glue for PVC boats, for example, Momenta.

Cut a round or oval patch from the material included in the repair kit. It should be 3 cm wider in diameter than the cut. Then deflate the boat and spread the damaged area on a flat surface; you can use a board as a backing. Near the future patch, remove all protruding remnants of fabric. Degrease the gluing areas and the patch using acetone.

Place the patch with the smooth side on the damaged surface and use a pencil to mark the area for gluing. Using a brush, apply PVC adhesive to the damaged area of ​​the boat and the patch. Let dry for about 10 minutes.

Then heat the boat and patch with a hairdryer to activate the glue. Now you can glue the surfaces. To do this, place them on top of each other and roll them with the roller from the repair kit to get rid of air bubbles. If the roller is not included in the kit, then you can use improvised means, for example, the handle of scissors. After gluing, warm the boat a couple more times with a hairdryer so that the material adheres better. And leave the boat in a warm place for at least a day.

Materials and tools may be required to prepare your boat for storage. Thanks to the GarageTek system you will always know where they are

Stowing the boat and choosing a storage location

If you store the boat folded, be careful about the packing process. Experienced fishermen recommend sprinkling the boat with talcum powder to protect it from mold.

The boat should not be compacted too much, otherwise cracks may appear on the bends after a few months. It is better to stow the watercraft on a dry and flat surface. This should not be done on the ground: sand and foreign objects may get in.

Pay attention to the conditions in which the boat will be stored.

• The optimal room temperature for storage is from +6 ºС to +16 ºС.
• The boat should be kept away from heat sources, otherwise the polyvinyl chloride may begin to melt. Please note that there is no fireplace, heater or radiator near the boat.
• Before storing the boat, you need to make sure that there are no mice or rats in the garage, otherwise in the summer you risk finding a half-eaten boat. To protect him from this problem, install baited traps and ultrasonic rodent repellers in the room.
• As a rule, the boat is stored with wooden seats, which can deteriorate in high humidity. Therefore, it is better to move them to a drier room in advance.
• Never place even light objects on the boat. In the worst case, the watercraft can bend greatly at the bend, and the hull will be damaged under constant pressure.

A few nuances about the process of storing an inflatable boat

In addition to properly cleaning and stowing the boat, you need to maintain the conditions in which the boat is stored.

• Near the place where the boat lies, there should be no radiators, heating electrical appliances, as well as chemically active reagents: gasoline, alcohol, acetone, and various acids. They quickly destroy any of the strongest boat fabrics.
• The temperature should be above zero, preferably up to 25 °C, but not below 0 °C.
• Avoid regular exposure to sunlight - they will lead to rapid destruction of the material.
• The permissible humidity range is from 30 to 8%.

Remember! If you brought the boat into a warm place after long-term storage at sub-zero temperatures, it is strictly forbidden to unfold it immediately! Wait until the material warms up to ambient temperature before starting to unroll it. The thing is that the materials of PVC inflatable boats become brittle in the cold and break when you try to change their shape.

Preservation of outboard motor PVC boat

If your boat is equipped with an outboard motor, it will need to be preserved before winter storage. You can do this yourself or ask a boat mechanic for help.

Preparation for conservation can be divided into several stages.

1. Using clean tap water, thoroughly rinse the outer surface of the motor to remove dirt. Let the water drain, and then proceed to flushing the cooling system.
2. Depending on the size and power of the motor, the method of cleaning the cooling system will differ.
   For flushing engines up to 4 liters. With. You will need a barrel of water. The device must be secured above it so that the suction hole of the cooling system is completely covered with water. In this case, the motor should not touch the walls and bottom of the container. For cleaning models with power from 5 to 15 hp. They use special fittings that are attached to the suction of the cooling system. Before applying water, inspect the openings in the cooling system for foreign objects. Remove dirt and algae residues with a piece of wire. Start the water supply and run the engine at idle speed for 5-10 minutes. When flushing, do not run the motor at maximum power, otherwise it may spin out or fly off the mount.
3. After flushing, disconnect the fuel line from the engine and let it run for a while. When the engine begins to choke due to lack of fuel, turn on the starter until the engine speed begins to drop. Continue using the starter until the fuel is completely empty.
4. Treat the engine with a preservative to protect moving parts from corrosion: cylinders, bearings and pistons. Remove the spark plugs and switch stud to remotely shut off the engine. Using the starter cord, slowly turn the engine flywheel while spraying preservative into the spark plug holes.
5. Change the oil in the gearbox housing.
   Apply water-repellent lubricant to all moving parts. It is advisable to purchase lubricant from specialized dealers; for example, for Yamaha, use only lubricant and oil intended for engines of this company. After this, the motor can be sent for storage. It is advisable to store it in a vertical position; for this you can equip a special stand or buy a cart for the motor.

Use only lubricants and oils intended for engines of this company.

How to Preserve an Engine

For PVC motor boats, special storage conditions must be created in winter. If condensation gets inside the engine, many of its components may be damaged. When there is no use in winter, this phenomenon is not uncommon. Some people mistakenly believe that oil on engine parts has a preservative effect. But over a long winter, it gradually drains from surfaces, since it does not contain additives, and therefore will not serve as reliable protection for the engine. There is only one way out - to properly preserve the engine, so as not to take it for repairs in the spring.

The first stage of conservation is carried out directly on the water on the final day of the swimming season. A special preservative is supplied to the power system, which penetrates the fuel and creates a protective layer on the piston, crank and connecting rod elements. Afterwards, already on the shore, they take the following actions:

• turn out the spark plug;
• spray a little preservative directly into the fuel combustion chamber;
• pull the engine a couple of times to distribute the preservative and remove water from the cooling system;
• the engine is left in a vertical position, the spark plug is screwed into place.

Preserving a PVC boat engine for the winter

The next stage of engine preservation takes place in the workshop, utility room, where there are the necessary tools and vices, as well as transmission oil for gearboxes, spare gaskets, washers, and an oil drain pan. They also buy additional lubricant for rubbing parts, mineral motor oil, and, if necessary, a new filter.

The operating procedure is as follows:

• Unscrew the screws on the gearbox housing and slowly drain the oil;
• washers damaged when removing screws are subsequently replaced;
• if the oil has become opaque or changed color, remove the old ones and install new oil seals;
• in a vertical position of the motor, fill in new oil in the required volume (according to the instructions for the gearbox);
• inspect the propeller, propeller shaft, and other important parts - they should not be chipped or bent, otherwise they will have to be repaired;
• cover the shaft and all rubbing parts with protective lubricant;
• drain unused gasoline, remove and blow out the fuel filter;
• Cover the engine tightly or place it in a special case and place it in a safe place for storage.

Outboard motor storage

Preparatory stage

The preparatory stage allows you to maintain the original appearance of the product from the beginning of its preparation for the winter period until the onset of the swimming season

Therefore, it is so important not only to decide on a place to preserve a PVC boat, but also to be able to care for it properly

The first and most necessary step is to thoroughly clean all components and parts of the boat before preservation. Especially if the boat was used by fishermen

It doesn’t matter where you store it - in the garage or living room. The smell of fish remains will eventually turn into a terrible stench that will spread throughout the area, causing inconvenience to households, as well as attracting rodents - the most dangerous pests of PVC materials

This is why it is important to take care of the cleanliness of the boat immediately after the end of the sailing season.

It is recommended to wash the boat with soapy water or dishwashing detergent; at the same time, you can check the cylinders for small cracks and punctures. Clean the joints between the bottom and sides thoroughly. Don’t forget that a clean boat without unnecessary odors is reliable protection against rodents.

Pay attention to the plywood of the product. When storing a PVC boat in a garage or shed with high air humidity and slight temperature changes, there is a possibility of fungus appearing, which can ruin the product in one season

Therefore, before folding the boat, the plywood should be thoroughly dried.

Don’t forget to put the boat’s components in order. The oars, seats and pump should also be washed and dried. It is better to store them in a special case or on a separate shelf.

All damage and cracks on the product must be repaired before conservation in order to avoid further rupture in the winter. If there is a warranty, you can contact the manufacturer for assistance. It is best to do this in the fall, so as not to encounter a rush during the onset of fishing season.

After the work done, we can finally begin to choose the type of storage for the PVC inflatable boat.