How do you store your inflatable?

yebaws · 28 May 2013, 22:48

The manufacturers advice is always to keep it inflated, but I'm curious to know of people experience as, if space is tight, the whole point of an inflatable for some people is the fact that you can get it in a bag.

I have an Avon Redstart (I think it is Hypalon) which is about 40 yrs old. It has been well used in that time on the sea, always washed with fresh water, deflated and put back in the bag. Valves leak a bit now if you take the bungs off, but the tubes themselves don't have a single leak or signs of cracks.

Is modern pvc fabric less resilient to repeated folding up? What are peoples experiences?

If you do store your inflatable inflated instead of bagged, my guess is that if you don't also cover it to protect it from UV degradation, you could actually shorten the life of the tubes...

S4Simon · 29 May 2013, 01:22

The biggest problem we found with people storing boats in their bags is that they leave the bags on the ground in their shed/garage and find that the mice have eaten through the fabric - in many places (looks like shotgun blasts). It is safe to leave your boat in its bag, but just ensure its kept off the ground.

40 years out of an Avon Redstart is very good. The material is hypalon. With the Avons we usually find that after 30+ years the neoprene rubber starts to give out and very small leaks apppear over the entire boat. the only way to stop this is to put 500mls of pure latex into the tubes, inflate to a low pressure and roll the boat continuously for 5 minutes to coat the insides of the tubes - this will give you another 10 years of life.

With regard to the manufacturers request to keep inflated, its best to keep the craft at a low pressure just so it holds its shape and cover the boat with a UV cover.

tom72 · 29 May 2013, 14:17

cleaned dried and in its bag up in the loft I have had this boat for about 11 years it is a bombard 380 pvc no problems with it up to now the last boat I had before was a zodiac cadet I believe it was hypalon the only problem I had with that was after about 20 plus years the transom came away from the tubes it was stored in the same way.

yebaws · 29 May 2013, 14:27

Thanks, all good to know. And good tip about the mice. They destroyed everything in my shed a couple of winters ago...The pvc needs the sort of repellent that they now put in plastic plumbing pipes.

woz72 · 29 May 2013, 23:27

Iv been advised that if there being stored in a shed or garage to put them in a old chest freezer so rodents can't get to them

camelgas · 30 May 2013, 00:19

freezers work well at keeping the rodents at bay.

kerny · 30 May 2013, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by camelgas

freezers work well at keeping the rodents at bay.

Do they have to be switched on ???

camelgas · 30 May 2013, 01:02

would you like strawberry sauce on your frozen rat on a stick sir ?.

kerny · 30 May 2013, 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by camelgas

would you like strawberry sauce on your frozen rat on a stick sir ?.

No thanks but I do prefer me mousses frozen thank you

Salty · 30 May 2013, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom72

cleaned dried and in its bag up in the loft I have had this boat for about 11 years it is a bombard 380 pvc no problems with it up to now the last boat I had before was a zodiac cadet I believe it was hypalon the only problem I had with that was after about 20 plus years the transom came away from the tubes it was stored in the same way.

Bombard 380 in the loft ???

Bloody hell, I wouldnt like to arm wrestle you!

matt h · 30 May 2013, 20:45

Blow up dolly, in the bedroom!