Dinghy storage

[njlarry]

What is the correct way to store an inflateable dinghy?
I can leave it fully inflated in a covered dinghy rack at our marina with possibly a cover wrapped over it or deflate it and store it in its bag with moth balls in our garage.
My last dinghy had rodent damage while stored rolled up by the po. Hoping to avoid that with my first new inflateable.

 

[Ken Cross]

Ours is rolled up and hanging from the rafters in our shed.

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi]

My Hypalon Avon 260 with air floor is left on the foredeck of my Hunter 356, upside down. It has been that way since 2004 after I bought it at the Miami Boat show. It still is going strong but is showing signs of aging. My rubrail comes unglued in spots as it deflates with the cold air and I reglue it each spring. It is hard to get a good glue job due to the old glue underneath the rail cannot fully be removed. I also have some wear on the bottom from use, but I have not had to patch any spots on it yet. For a,couple of years I had a cover, but it was a pain to deal with, so I quit using it. I have repainted the wood transom as it gets scratched up putting the motor on and off. It needs a paint job now, so next spring I'll do it again.

I put Aerospace 303 on it last spring and it helped the looks. I'm not sure how many seasons it still can go, but think it has a few left. When cruising, I take it off and tow it so I have better visibility from the helm and cockpit.

I don't know how to best store a dinghy. They are bulky, hard to deal with and when not in the boat, seem to just take up a lot of room. If not on the boat, then they don't get used. This one has been used and sitting in the sun. Perhaps this will give you an insight into what your possibilities are when it is left exposed to the sun. We are on the T Nasser River at Kentucky Lake, but spent one winter coming and going to SW Florida.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I can leave it fully inflated in a covered dinghy rack at our marina with possibly a cover wrapped over it or

My guess would be to store it semi-inflated on a rack to remove the tensile stresses and give it a rest. As the material ages, I would not roll it up as the folds are are high stress points.

The other thing I do with mine is to coat it (when it goes into storage) with either Armorall or Meguiar's Rubber and Vinyl.

 

[chrisings]

I was advised by someone a long time ago to never deflate an inflatable dinghy. I am sure you can argue the point however we have had the same Achilles hypalon since 1996 and it's still going strong, never deflated. Here's photo of it from last year. 20 years old and going strong.

 

[Gunni]

Every year my folding transom RIB comes home and gets a good scrubbing. I place it in a rolling set of bunks that I built from some furniture dollies, 2x4s and carpet scraps. Then as time permits I make repairs and when done I give 4 coats of 303 Protectant. When dry, it is carefully folded and packed into it's carry bag and stored standing up in our garage. I got 14 years out of one of those PVC RIBs that people like to say won't last 5. Take care of your gear and your gear takes care of you.

 

[capta]

I don't have much experience with storing inflatables as we use ours almost daily, but I do know that they last longest when kept fully inflated. As above, creases become weak points. I have purchased a few used and the ones in best condition were stored fully inflated and resting vertically against a garage wall. That way no creatures can make a home in it and any moisture will drain out over the transom. It would also be mostly protected from the elements, which rack storage outside would not be, cover or not.

 

[Davidasailor26]

I agree in principle with those who say creases from folding could cause trouble. But in my experience (data set of 1), it doesn't actually do significant harm. We have an Achilles from the late 80s still in very good condition. Until the last couple years we kept it upside down on the foredeck with a cover all summer (except weekends in the water), and folded in the basement all winter. We've had to patch just a couple spots but those were where the knots of the painter chafed, not on fold points. My uncle had the same model from the same year, but he stored his uncovered. Even after 5 or so years his looked like it went through a war compared to ours.

 

[DougM]

My Zodiac is stored fully inflated hanging from slings inside my garage. A simple block and tackle setup allows for easy access. Even in really cold weather it stays reasonably well inflated.
I keep it covered so it doesn't accumulate grime inside.

 

[Bob S]

The good part of keeping it inflated is rodents (mice) can't get their mouths around it to eat a hole in it. I keep mine inflated stored hanging from my shop ceiling..