Washing Down

[Jameslong]

I have read several times on here that after use people deflate their sib. Come home re inflate it, Wash it all down Dry it off ! and bag it all up again.

Seems a lot of faff and I cant help thinking that this is unnecessary.

I am sort of waiting for someone to say they give it a coating of baby powder

[spartacus]

Welcome to the pleasure of owning a boat.

It's your boat, and you don't have to, but if it's seawater then it rarely dries, and if it does then it will leave salt residue on the tubes, transom, etc. Engines crucially do need to be run in fresh water to stop salt crystals forming on the impeller waterways, thermostat, etc.

If you're in a freshwater river or loch I wouldn't bother as long as it's dry before packing away.

Zodiac for example, their HD version of GR and Futura with aluminium floorboards, a rinse off and simply leaving them to dry will extend their servicable life. Gets rid of sand and grit then gets trapped underneath and all contributes to wear and tear on the tubes.

I know oars on new sibs are likely to be aluminium and plastic, but the older Zodiac ones which were wooden with stainless rowlocks benefited from a seasonal sand and re-varnish.

I do the same with my RIB, run the engine on muffs, wash the tubes, let it drip-dry, pack all the ratchet straps, dry-bags and ropes away. You know the next time you head off then it's clean, and ready to do the job. There's nothing worse than turning up for a day's boating to find something broken, not working or rusty!

[pumpkinking]

Originally Posted by Jameslong

I have read several times on here that after use people deflate their sib. Come home re inflate it, Wash it all down Dry it off ! and bag it all up again.



Seems a lot of faff and I cant help thinking that this is unnecessary.



I am sort of waiting for someone to say they give it a coating of baby powder

Well.. yes… I wouldn’t get it in the car with it inflated!

And yes I give it a wash with a sponge and soapy water when I’m home after the holiday, rinse the boat bag with the hose, rinse the ropes, let it all dry out and pack it up in its bag… so it doesn’t stink and isn’t covered in grit and salt when I take it out again in 6 months time!

I look after my sh!t, it lasts longer 🤷*♂️ but each to their own, its their money!

[Pikey Dave]

Each to their own. I look after my kit, always have done. Be it tools, motors, boats, diving kit, et al. I have always sold it on for top money, because it’s been looked after.

[909]

I keep a spray bottle with soapy water in the trunk.

Before I pack up, I mist the boat and wipe it dry with some rags.

The sun dries it completely.

Pack as usual.

Store as usual.

Ready for the next trip.

[Ribtecer]

Ok, I'll admit it. I pack mine away in talcum powder.

I bought it from an Avon dealer at Tower Bridge like that in 92, sadly these days it can be 3 - 4 years between uses. And I think it cant do it any harm, so far it hasn't.

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by 909

I keep a spray bottle with soapy water in the trunk.

Before I pack up, I mist the boat and wipe it dry with some rags.

The sun dries it completely.

Pack as usual.

Store as usual.

Ready for the next trip.

you get sun in canada lucky man . when iv been out in my rib it takes over an hour to put it away and i keep it in the yard at the slipway. flushing and washing and drying rinsing the trailer ect iv seen us not get home until midnight

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Ribtecer

Ok, I'll admit it. I pack mine away in talcum powder.

I bought it from an Avon dealer at Tower Bridge like that in 92, sadly these days it can be 3 - 4 years between uses. And I think it cant do it any harm, so far it hasn't.

I do to

Which do you use? I like Johnson but Diane says it makes it sme a bit baby'ish.

[Matt]

It's always good to look after your kit.

I can't say I've ever noticed a need for talc on any of the inflatables I've had - but certainly washing down and drying it is all good.

My current boat lives under one of those marquee type shelters, plus a cover. And it'll soon be getting the oil radiators in there too.

It means come spring, it'll be fresh and dry and ready for me to not use for the summer again. But at least it doesn't get rusty and damp all winter.

[Jameslong]

Ok so I will be washing it down when I return from an outing. I don't think I will be getting the talc out though

[Ribtecer]

The talc is used to absorb moisture I think, as i say mine Avon came like it so I bought some more, I'm still on the same bottle/tub, a quick squirt before its packed away.

Re brand, yes it is J&J

I do love my little boat, I wish I used it more.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by Ribtecer

The talc is used to absorb moisture I think, as i say mine Avon came like it so I bought some more, I'm still on the same bottle/tub, a quick squirt before its packed away.

Re brand, yes it is J&J

I do love my little boat, I wish I used it more.

My apologies Ribtecer, I thought you was taking the pish now I feel bad

I think you will find it was French chalk when you first bought your Avon. It was probably used to help folding and packing rather than to absorb moisture. It was used extensively in the tyre industry to stop rubber inner tubes sticking together when they were packed boxes.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

I think you will find it was French chalk when you first bought your Avon..

French Chalk is talc. What makes it French?

What do you think they draw the white flags with?

[Steve509926]

French Chalk, was historically chalk dug out of the wine caves in the champagne region in France. I know it as "French Chalk" because that is what it was called by Michelin when I worked there. Admittedly it probably isn't excavated chalk from the champagne region now, but some crushed industrial silicate.

[essex]

I always flush my outboard, hose it and spray with wd40. I am lazy cleaning my honwave sib and after a year and a half it is not looking too bad

[Matt]

Worth doing. However I find duck oil is better than wd40