Click here to zoom in Inflatable Boats Maintenance: Preventive Maintenance

Click here to zoom in Inflatable Boats Maintenance: Preventive Maintenance

Click here to zoom in Inflatable Boats Maintenance: Preventive Maintenance

Click here to zoom in Inflatable Boats Maintenance: Preventive Maintenance

The way in which inflatable boats are built makes them strong and durable, but unfortunately not as strong or durable as conventional boats made of fiberglass, wood or aluminum. Inflatable boats require that you take greater care in thei se than in the case of conventional boats and owners of inflatable boats should have a schedule of regular maintenance in order to maximize the lifespan of their boats.

Don't Chafe the Boat

Exposure to the elements aside, the most common factor impacting the lifespan of inflatable boats is abrasion. Some owners of inflatable boats seem to be oblivious to the damage that they do to their boats when they drag the boats across gs and rocks, just as they would a conventional boat. Some owners simply leave their inflatable boats tied up at the docks where the motion of the sea causes the boats to constantly rub against the pilings of the docks. The hinge docks that hold the various parts of the docks together have caused catastrophic damage to more than one inflatable left there by an uncaring owner.

While it may sound simple, avoiding abrasions is not an easy task. Of course, it is easy to say that you will simply stay away from rocky beaches and other areas where abrasions might occur. The problem with that, however, is that often, order to get to where you want to go, you have to transport your boat across rocky beaches to the water. And while smaller inflatable boats are certainly easy enough to pick up and carry across rocky areas, larger inflatable boats are heav y enough that you would need at least 4 grown men to carry them. Many owners eventually disregard the damage being done to their boats are simply drag them even across rocky beaches. If you have to move your boat across a rocky beach and ar e unable to carry it, make sure that you do your best to clear sharp rocks and shells and other objects out your boat's path first in order to minimize any damage.

If you own a RIB, however, then you can drag your boat across the same types of surfaces you would a conventional boat without having to worry. In general, however, all inflatable boats will benefit if you do your best to keep them away m the surface of rocky beaches and other areas where abrasions might occur.

Abrasions can also come from rope, lines and metal fittings. When it comes to rope, most abrasions come from owners using rope to secure their inflatable boats to the roofs of their cars or to their trailers. Instead, you should use flat lon webbing to secure your boat, as this will prevent the boat sustaining abrasions while being transported to your destination. As for rope and lines aboard the boat itself, you should pass the lines and ropes through rubber hose so as to prevent the exposed ropes or lines from rubbing against the boat and causing abrasions. When it comes to metal fittings, a great solution to prevent them from abrading your boat is to cut a hole through the middle of a plastic coffee tin li d, then fit the lid over the metal fitting. This will stop the fitting from rubbing and catching on the material of the boat and causing abrasions.

Keep It Clean

Keeping an inflatable boat completely clean is well nigh impossible. Activities such gathering mussels bring copious amounts of mud into your boat, and kids playing in the sand will bring large quantities of sand with them when they next t into the boat. Having mud, sand and grit in the boat can cause abrasion damage to the boat, particularly when it gets into the seams and joins of the boat and causes them to abrade and give way. While it might be next to impossible to kee p all the sand and grit out of your boat, you should give it your best effort, such as washing every basket of mussels clean before bringing it aboard and getting the kids to rinse off all the sand before stepping into the boat.

Of course, sand, grit and mud will inevitably enter your boat, no matter how hard you work to keep it out, and the only solution to this problem is for you to wash your boat regularly in order to keep it clean and free of abrasion damage the inside of the boat.

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