Active recreation on the water is gaining more and more fans. Many families buy inflatable boats made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), not only for fishing, but also for traveling along rivers and lakes, beach vacations and tourist trips. Almost everywhere, the expanse of reservoirs is full of bright colors of tourist, pleasure and fishing ships and little boats. We see in them couples with children, and noisy youth companies, and silent single fishermen somewhere away from the general noise and fun.
We choose for every taste
Such boats can be either small, double or triple, or real hulks. There are children's inflatable models, a cross between a boat and a mini-pool. The kids splash in them with pleasure. There are special tourist destinations for rafting along mountain rivers.
Boats are oar and motorized, relatively inexpensive and worth crazy money. The possession of such a "toy", in addition to pleasure, carries quite tangible concerns. For the safety of an expensive property, it is very important to properly store a PVC boat in the winter.
What is the problem here?
Handling PVC products at low temperatures has its own characteristics. In places of bends, traces of creases appear on them. The effects of exposure to low temperatures can be different. It depends on at what temperature the boat was stored and at what effect was exerted. That is, it began to be moved, pumped up, moved, etc. Therefore, the question of where to store the PVC boat in the winter can suddenly turn out to be a serious problem.
If the product was stored at a temperature with a slight "minus" or after that it was a little "rested" in heat, the consequences are reversible. Traces will disappear within a couple of days. If the storage temperature was below minus 15-20 ° C, serious damage is not ruled out.
What kind of material is PVC?
In past years, boats were made from rubber fabrics, and stored them, pouring talcum powder or baby powder. Manufacturers of modern products focus on their reliability and durability. But how really? How to store a PVC boat in the winter, so that in the spring you suddenly do not find out that it has become unusable? Agree, nobody wants to bite their elbows .
Inflatable boats are made exclusively from multilayer certified materials. They have a certain temperature range at which the manufacturer guarantees consumer qualities.
How to store a PVC boat in winter?
Their storage in finished form according to the instructions is allowed at a very wide temperature range - from minus 45 ° to +50 ° C. It is understood that the boat is not touched or moved. Then she will “survive” even the most severe winter.
If the room is heated and the PVC boat is stored at temperatures above minus 5 ° C, you can move and fold it. True, at "zero" and below, polyvinyl chloride products greatly lose their elasticity. Assembling such a boat in a compact package will not be easy.
Conclusion: if the boat "hibernates" in an unheated room (it doesn’t matter whether it’s inflated or curled), it’s safer not to touch it at all in cold weather. This is the easiest and most popular advice on how to store a PVC boat in winter.
What else is important
The most favorable temperature is in the range from 15 to 40 degrees Celsius. Other storage conditions are not so important, in this sense, PVC is quite unpretentious. The only warning is do not keep the boat near a heater. And, of course, beware of open flames.
If you plan on storing a PVC boat in a garage, basement or barn, be aware of rodents. Of course, they do not eat PVC. But if in the boat crumbs of food were littered after the fishing season or there were stains from the fish, be sure - everything will be gnawed along with the rubber.
Not only PVC
Most often, the design of inflatable boats provides for wooden parts, for example, seats made of waterproof plywood. Its properties can be very different, depending on the manufacturer.
Boats of domestic origin are equipped mainly with plywood made of birch veneer in compliance with GOST requirements. In Chinese products - a little different. It uses poplar veneer.
Birch plywood is an order of magnitude stronger and more durable. The same applies to other components.
That is why even before buying, think about how to store a PVC boat in winter and not only in winter. And choose a reliable manufacturer.
You should be aware that the concept of "waterproof plywood" does not guarantee safety in conditions of high humidity. Such material does not deteriorate in water without air access. But when stored in a humid room with a temperature difference, it can succumb to mold. The fungus is able to "gobble up" parts in one season.
What to do
Now consider how to store a PVC boat in winter, in more detail.
First of all, after the end of summer operation, the boat must be thoroughly washed from dirt and organic residues. That is, food, fish scales, mucus and so on. If this is not done, keeping the PVC boat warm in the winter is not possible. The smell of decaying residues is provided to you. And loved ones will force you to move the boat away from housing (for example, in a barn), where it is cold and mice.
Wash the boat with soap and water - the foam will detect minor defects and seal them afterwards. Thorough drying after washing is a must, especially in plywood or near a transom. At the same time, carefully inspect the wooden elements, look for all chips, delaminations, swelling and burrs.
When not everything is smooth
If you find such defects, contact the manufacturer (if the boat is warranty). Best of all even before the onset of winter - in the spring a general fishing boom will begin. Or try to take your own measures. This is sanding, coating with a layer of special varnish for yachts, impregnation or gluing with epoxy, etc.
You can wash the inflated boat with a simple rag or sponge. Apply any modern means, up to laundry soap. Just make sure that subsequently their remains do not fall into the open water when fishing.
What is the most convenient?
How to store a PVC boat - folded or unfolded? To save space, it is more convenient to pack it in a backpack or bag from your own kit. But you can keep it pumped up. The main thing is to provide even support and a wide area of contact.
True, this does not exclude the appearance of condensate inside the sealed compartments, which reduces the life of the valves. Therefore, before the start of the season, condensate must be removed from the cylinders.
Engine boat
Now we will consider winter storage of PVC boats with a motor available in a number of models (mainly imported manufacturers). Which nodes require increased attention? What is the best way to store a PVC boat with a motor?
The first and main of the nodes is the gearbox. It is constantly in the water, subject to increased stress and possible collisions with unwanted obstacles.
The mixture in the carburetor contains oxygen and water vapor. With constant engine operation, their effect is imperceptible. When the engine is stopped and stored indoors, condensation on its internal surfaces is very likely. With prolonged non-use, the consequences may not be too pleasant. Therefore, the advice "how to properly store a PVC boat with a motor" in three quarters contains information specifically on measures for the preservation of the engine.
Is conservation needed
Some believe that the oil that is part of the mixture has a preservative effect. Such information can be found in numerous tips on how to store a PVC boat with a motor. Is it true? Yes, at first. But subsequently, the oil drains from the surface, as it has no additives. Without protection in a cold room, the motor will not last long.
Keeping warm prolongs engine life, but overall this is not an option. Conservation measures should be taken, and at the same time, preventive diagnostics should be carried out. Decide whether you can do it personally, or is it easier to send the motor to the service.
In general, there is nothing complicated in such work, but it takes time, free space, a tool and at least a little experience. Or a hint from friends - mainly in diagnostics (especially if the unit is no longer new).
Start the procedure
The conservation process consists of two parts. At the first stage, which is most convenient to carry out "on the spot" (directly on the water on the last day of the season), start by feeding a preservative to the food system. Spreading with fuel, it will settle in the form of a protective layer on the elements of the piston and crank group.
The exact instructions are usually given when buying a preservative. At the end of its action, it is worth unscrewing the spark plug and spray a certain amount of preservative directly into the combustion chamber.
Then, before screwing in the spark plug, you should stretch the motor several times to evenly distribute the liquid on the surface of the cylinders. It also helps remove water from the pump housing and cooling system. Leave the motor standing upright for a while, then put the candle back in place.
Continue work
For the next stage of our activity, a utility room or even a small workshop will be required. There should be available a vise and other tools, at least to a minimum.
From the "consumables" you will need transmission oil (take only special oils for gearboxes, according to the manufacturer's requirements), spare washers, gaskets, a small tray for draining used oil. In addition, lubricant for rubbing parts, and possibly a new filter, and mineral motor oil (for four-stroke engines).
Unscrew the screws on the gear housing. Slowly drain the oil (at the same time, water accidentally gets into the motor will leak first). If the screws are “stuck”, you will need a large screwdriver with a lever. Damaged washers will have to be replaced, so spare should be kept ready.
Check oil
If the oil has changed color or transparency - the seals are out of order, and they need to be replaced with the oil. It is sometimes sometimes impossible to buy spare parts right away, you have to order and wait a long time. Therefore, repairs should not be postponed until spring.
Attention should be paid to blotches of metal dust or chips. After the break-in, this is a normal phenomenon, but in other situations it is a sign of malfunctions in the state of gears.
Diagnostics in this case must be qualified. Repair will have to be entrusted to a service center.
If the color of the oil has not changed over the summer, calmly drain it and change it to a new one. Most often it is sold in tubes, which simplifies the replacement process. Before buying, find out the volume accommodated by the gearbox. Replaced when the motor is upright.
What to do with the screw
After that, we proceed to the inspection of the propeller. If you find large chips and damage, it is best to replace the screw. Otherwise, unacceptable vibrations and beats on the shaft may occur, which will render the bearings and gearbox oil seals unusable.
Minor damage can be tried to be repaired. The blades lend themselves to straightening, however, by no means in all cases. And a reliable tool is required. If you are not confident in your capabilities, it is better to immediately replace the screw with a new one.
Other points
Inspect the propeller shaft, it is important that it is not bent or beat. The cause of defects can be collisions with obstacles under water. If there are problems, you should go to the service center again.
If everything is in order, cover the shaft with protective grease.
Another important component is the fuel system. It is better to engage in its maintenance only if you have at least some experience. Or under the guidance of a good master.
Untreated gasoline must be completely drained, the fuel filter disconnected and purged.
End of work
Then, lubricant should be applied to the rubbing metal surfaces of the motor, first of all, to the suspension elements. The engine is now ready for long-term storage. As you can see, storing a PVC boat in the winter with an engine in the kit is not the easiest thing, but still quite real.
If the motor will not winter in the warmth, it should not be packed tightly, it is enough to cover it with a cover.
Now you know all or almost everything about how to store a PVC boat in winter. Subject to the above rules, your beauty will serve faithfully for more than one season and will allow you to get a lot of summer impressions from fishing, traveling on the river and just happy moments. We wish you a pleasant stay with your family and good mood!