Click here to zoom in Inflatable Boats Repairs and Maintenance

Click here to zoom in Inflatable Boats Repairs and Maintenance

Click here to zoom in Inflatable Boats Repairs and Maintenance

Click here to zoom in Inflatable Boats Repairs and Maintenance

An inflatable boat can be a source of immense pride and joy to anyone who owns it. If you've just joined this elite clique of inflatable boat-owners, learning the various aspects of maintenance is imperative if your boat is to remain in t condition.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

Inflatable boats are not nearly as durable as their wood, fiberglass or aluminum counterparts. However, though they require considerably more care than other boats, regular maintenance will reward you with years of excellent service.

Don't Chafe the Boat

Abrasion is the one of the biggest enemies of inflatable boats, aside from radiation and oxidation. Unlike more rugged boats that can be dragged across any surface without dire consequences, your inflatable boat cannot be dragged even th gh very shallow water. Doing so exposes it to the imminent risk of getting jagged and torn on the sharp rocks and other underwater debris.

Likewise, care must be used when tying your inflatable boat to a dock where it can get damaged when the waves cause the boat to continuously rub against pilings and hinge bolts that hold floating dock sections together.

While common sense dictates that you keep your boat away from craggy beaches, don't let this stop you from exploiting the full potential of your boat. Rocky beaches bring a certain joy not found in calmer waters and avoiding them altoget is not the solution. If you can avoid dragging your inflatable, especially where oyster and coral shells are present, your boat will make it to the water front none the worse for wear.

Whereas you may not think twice about lifting and carrying a small inflatable boat, larger sized boats do present a bigger challenge. A 12-foot sport boat complete with motor and gas, can weigh several hundred pounds; far too much weight r less than four healthy adults to handle. Dragging the boat may be the only alternative in the absence of the requisite minimum manpower and damage to the bottom fabric of the boat will be unavoidable. Under these circumstances, employing an offshore anchoring system is the best solution.

Metal fittings and even tow lines and ropes can cause chafing. While flat nylon webbing is preferred, sections of hose can be slipped over rough lines and ropes to protect the fabric. A plastic coffee can lid can act as a buffer between al fittings and your boat's fabric. Simply cut a slit into the center of the lid and slide it over the ring before attaching the shakle.

Keeping It Clean

Forget the old saying, "Cleanliness is next to Godliness"; the truth is, when it comes to your inflatable boat, cleanliness is just a pipe dream. Whether you are pulling in your daily catch of mussels or even picking up the kids after pl ng on the beach, sand and dirt are inevitable. Sand is quite an abrasive substance and when it finds its way into the space between the floorboards and the fabric, it can quickly lead to small, nearly impossible-to-detect leaks that are eve n harder to repair because of their tricky locations. In the worst-case scenario, a professional may have to remove the fabric floor to complete the repair job.

Of course the most obvious move is to prevent as much sand and dirt from making it into the boat in the first place. Take a few extra seconds to rinse everything and everyone thoroughly before putting them in the boat. There's no way to id dirt entirely, but with a periodic and thorough cleaning you will prolong the life of your inflatable tremendously.

THE WASHDOWN

Depending on how often you use your boat, you should give it a thorough periodically. Regular rinses are helpful but a real wash down should be repeated every so often, at least once or twice per season.

1.- Start by spreading a tarp or other heavy plastic sheeting on a flat, smooth area such as a driveway or your lawn

2.- Deflate the boat and disassemble it completely

3.- Remove the floorboards and inflate the stripped-down boat just sufficiently to maintain its shape.

4.- Using a good household or shop vacuum-cleaner, vacuum the entire inside of the boat, with special attention to any seams where dirt and debris might hide. Don't worry about the embedded debris right now, just focus on the loose mater . By only partially inflating the air chambers, you should be able to reach most areas with a bit of effort.

5.- To a bucket of hot water, add some good liquid detergent; dish soap, carwash detergent or even shampoo along with a couple of ounces of ammonia.

6.- Clean the outside of the boat with a medium bristle scrubber, then move on to the inside, paying particular attention to those out-of-the-way areas where the tubes and the floor meet. This is when you'll be getting rid of all that bu up

7.- When you have scrubbed the entire body of your boat, rinse and dry it thoroughly with a chamois or towel

All Done! Your boat should look shiny and new!!

Removing Bottom Growth

The term "bottom growth" refers to that growth that can accumulate below the water line when a boat is left stationary in water for too long. On your inflatable boat, growth needs to be removed carefully. Metal scrapers and sanding will se damage to the boat's rubberized fabric.

The best way to remove this growth is to let it die by exposing it to direct sunlight for a day or two then washing the affected area with a strong soap and a good stiff brush. Be prepared for stains and don't bother trying to scrub them ay. They're part of your boat now whether you like it or not.

As for those barnacle rings; leave them be. Trying to scrub them off could just get them even more embedded into the fabric of the boat.

Restorative Agents

Boats with dark pigmented dyes including red or dark grey will fade over time with exposure to the elements. PVC boats are more fade-resistant than Hypalon, which is more resistant to UV degradation. Regardless of the original color, you oat will no doubt have some color issues over time.

There are several commercial-grade restoring agents available, but you need to bear in mind that this type of cleaner works by removing the oxidized layer of coating on the boat's fabric. While the results are quite dramatic, repeated us an be damaging to the fabric. Additionally, some cleaners will damage the UV barrier on PVC boats.

Do not use cleaners or restoring agents that contain silicone! Overwhelming evidence shows that silicone can speed separation of the seams that hold the boat together. What's more, PVC boats that have been treated with silicone make repa work difficult since the adhesive patches will have difficulty adhering to the surface. Before using any commercial product, read the label. The best protection against fading and damage is a good quality boat cover.

If you absolutely must remove the oxidation, try a cream bathroom cleanser like Soft Scrub, but only on Hypalon boats. When you're finished, use a non-silicone based UV protectant like 303 Protectant.

Painting Inflatables

If left to the elements for any length of time, no cleaner is going to restore the finish. Believe it or not, it is possible for you to paint your inflatable boat. A few coats of paint can do more than restore or change the color; it can so help to seal leaks due to thinning of the fabric.

CHECKING FOR LEAKS

1.- Start with a clean boat that is fully inflated

2.- Mix equal parts liquid dish detergent and water in a cup and paint the solution over all seams. Leaks will be evident by a row of tiny bubbles.

3.- Clearly mark each leak with a grease pencil

4.- Check the inflation valves using the same method, with the caps screwed on securely

5.- Finally, check the outside surface of the tubes and rinse the boat thoroughly.

The bottom of most inflatable boats is not pressurized, making the approach to leak detection a bit different.

1.- Leave the boat fully inflated in a covered indoor area to ensure that it is totally dry

2.- With the boat upside down, coat the entire bottom with baby powder

3.- Turn the boat upright and stand it on sawhorses or a few kitchen chairs - whatever it takes to keep the boat off the ground and level

4.- Pour about ½ gallon of water inside the boat and have someone carefully slosh the water around the entire interior surface. From underneath, leaks will show as dark damp spots in the powder. Mark them in grease pencil and read furthe or information on how to fix them

THE HARD PARTS

Caring for the wood and metal parts of your boat is as easy as cleaning them thoroughly with a scrub brush and soap and looking for any visible scratches or abrasions that break through the finish. These penetrations should be repaired b re the damage gets any worse.

Wood Parts

Every scrape and scratch on the wood surfaces allows water to penetrate into the wood fibers. If saturated, this can lead to warping and delamination or even rotting. Whether your wooden parts are finished with varnish or polyurethane pa will be a factor in how you maintain the finish.

VARNISHED SURFACES

Odds are good that your floorboards are finished with either polyurethane varnish or a commercial polyester finish. They look amazing and hold their finish well, but are difficult to repair when they do start to deteriorate.

Warning: include(../mid-banner.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/content/32/7595332/html/inflatable-boats-kayaks-and-canoes-com/inflatable-boats-repairs-and-maintenance/default.php on line 1575

Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '../mid-banner.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/local/php5/lib/php') in /home/content/32/7595332/html/inflatable-boats-kayaks-and-canoes-com/inflatable-boats-repairs-and-maintenance/default.php on line 1575

Warning: The information and photos of this Web site are provided only for informative intentions.