Inflatable storage

[Roger Long]

I have an Achillies inflatable that I'm quite attached to but not much place to store it in the basement. How important is it to protect it from the cold of a Maine winter? I assume I should just let about 1/4 of the air out. Will it be OK in the garage or should I make room where it's warm.

 

[DougM]

You should be able to store it in your garage. You really don't need to let air out of it because as it gets colder the air pressure in the tubes will drop anyway.

I have stored my Zodiac on web slings in the garage above the cars. I constructed a simple block and tackle arrangement to simplify hoisting and lowering.

Since my summer place is about 50 feet from my boat, I also hang it in the garage when I don't plan on using it for awhile. I do let a little bit of air out then, because the garage can get warm in the summer.

 

[RichH]

As a generalized response, cold reduces chemical reactivity .... the rate of reaction generally is 50% less for each drop of 20 degrees C. So storing the dinghy in the cold will make it last longer (theoretically) ..... just dont sit on it when its -40 degrees or you'll probably crack it

 

[dserrell]

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