Undoubtedly, to any owner of a PVC inflatable boat , regardless of whether he is a professional fisherman, duck hunter or extreme tourist who prefers outdoor activities, it is important to learn how to take good care of her. After all, not only the life of the swimming means, but also the safety of the user on the water depends on this. Therefore, timely and proper care of the PVC boat will help to keep it in perfect condition for as long as possible. Based on this, we consider the features of maintenance and the secrets of storing PVC boats at various points in its operation.
CARE FOR RUBBER AND PVC BOAT AFTER EACH USE: THE MAIN NUANCES
Almost every new owner of a rubber or PVC boat wants to maximize its life. And this is not surprising. But how to achieve this? The answer is quite simple: proper care of the swimming means not only guarantees him an attractive appearance, but also preserves its operational characteristics. However, it is important to remember that a PVC boat and a rubber boat have some differences in care, which we will dwell on in more detail. Therefore, caring for a PVC boat after each use involves the following steps:
- it is thoroughly washed in clean water both externally and internally with any sponge or rag. Moreover, in the washing process, special attention is paid to the most polluted places, namely: the bottom and inside of the boat. An important nuance: you need to ensure that small debris does not clog in hard to reach places. This can cause decay of the product;
- After this, the boat should be dried. And to do it better outdoors in the shade, after wiping it with a dry, clean cloth. If this is not possible, then the PVC boat can also be dried indoors. But this must be done in a half-full state;
- a dry swimming agent made of polyvinyl chloride is folded neatly and then placed in a special bag, where it is stored until the next operation;
- in a similar way other boat equipment is washed and dried: oars, flooring, seats, etc.
As for the proper care of a rubber boat, it is carried out in the following sequence:
- firstly, to clean a rubber boat from pollution is most correct in water. Secondly, you should wash it from the inside, and only then proceed to washing the bottom and sides. For greater convenience, while cleaning the boat, you can lower it a little. This will provide good access to creases and seams. Pay attention to the fact that washing a vessel from rubber is carried out without the use of hard abrasives, metal scrapers and washcloths;
- the washed rubber boat is dried in the shade, in order to avoid direct sunlight;
- dried and blown away swimming product is folded without creases and placed in a bag for further storage.
However, if there is not enough time to wash an inflatable boat in a pond, this procedure must be done at home. After all, a dirty and wet vessel can not only rot or deteriorate, but also become easy prey for rodents that have come to a characteristic smell.
HOW TO STORE AN INFLATABLE RUBBER AND PVC BOAT IN THE WINTER: BASIC SECRETS
At a time when the winter enchantress slowly takes over, gradually freezing the water surface, every avid fisherman or lover of water trips should make sure that his faithful “girlfriend” - whether it is a rubber or PVC boat - is carefully transferred to reliable place to store. Both a garage and a warm shed can become a similar haven for wintering an inflatable craft.
However, both the care and storage of the rubber boat and the ship's PVC have some distinctive features. Which ones? Consider below. So, let's stop on the tips, thanks to which it will become clear how to properly store the boat from PVC so that it looks like new with the advent of spring:
- As a rule, a vessel pre-prepared for storage and folded from polyvinyl chloride is stored in a special bag or bag in the pantry or on the mezzanine. The process of preparing a PVC boat for wintering is practically no different from compulsory summer care. So, it is thoroughly washed, wiped and dried. And only after these simple manipulations are sent to the case;
- however, so that the ship during winter storage does not lose its operational capabilities, it is important to fold it correctly. To do this, you need to perform several sequential actions. First of all, you need to let the air out of the cylinders by opening the valves. Next, remove the seats and stringers from the PVC boat, and also remove the flooring. After which it is important to press the ends of the deflated cylinders to the transom, and bend the sides inside the vessel. The next step is to twist the product in the direction from the transom to the nose. And in conclusion: it is important not to forget to pack the oars in the cover along with the boat, and put the hard flooring and seats in a separate bag;
- with the onset of spring, the bag with the boat must be carried outside so that it warms up for several hours. Then remove it and inspect for mechanical damage on it. And only then pump up the ship to check its tightness. Evidence that the PVC boat is ready for use is the fact that its cylinders hold air pressure for several hours in a row.
If we talk about winter storage of a rubber boat, then, like a PVC boat, it must be washed and dried before conservation. But it is worth noting that there are some differences regarding the storage of a craft made of rubber. Namely:
- Before sending the rubber vessel to the cover, it must be completely covered with talc;
- it is desirable that the rubber boat is stored at a temperature of at least 15-18 ° C. Another important condition for storing such a craft is the absence of any heating devices nearby. In addition, it can not be left for the winter in rooms with subzero temperatures, as it adversely affects rubber products. The best place to store a rubber boat is a pantry;
- including pay attention to the fact that in the process of saving the ship from rubber, after a certain period of time it must be removed from the cover, unfolded and packaged again. This is done so that the bending places do not lie. This will help to avoid the formation of small microcracks on the boat.
So, a complex of simple procedures related to the proper care and storage of PVC boats and rubber boats, significantly increases their service life.
FEATURES OF STORING PVC BOATS IN THE GARAGE
Besides the fact that the PVC boat can be stored folded in the pantry, it can also be stored in a garage or shed. For these purposes, a heated room is better. Indeed, the most optimal temperature range for wintering a vessel made of polyvinyl chloride is from 15 to 40 ° C. But even at lower storage temperatures (up to -5 ° С) nothing will happen to him. However, if the temperature regime is much lower, then the material in the places of bends becomes brittle. Therefore, if the storage of a PVC boat is planned in a cold garage, then it is strictly forbidden to touch it, since it can burst.
In addition, if there is such an opportunity, it is better to organize the storage of a PVC boat in a garage under the ceiling. To do this, it must be suspended in the upper part of the room in a half-rolled state. This saving method protects the vessel from rodents as much as possible. It is up to you to keep the PVC boat suspended or in a special case. After all, the one and the other way of wintering has its advantages.
