Questions: Winter Storage of inflatable dinghy?

[We2Sail12113]

Question: Does anyone know the "best" method of storing a Hypalon inflatable for the Winter, in New England (USA)?

In past years I stored my Achilles inflatable outside in the lee of the boats keel and bottom, but it leaked air and a couple of patches "let go". (1984 Achilles Sports 4)

This year I have a newer Avon Hypalon Inflatable with an air deck which can be rolled up completely, but would like to know if heated storage, cold storage (unheated barn), cool storage (field stone lined cellar) . . .

Is it best to "winter store" rolled up or inflated?

Comments?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[Arthurg]

I have a Mercury inflatable. Mine if PVC, I believe. I deflate it, take out the floor boards, wash off the scum fold it up and store it in an outside room that gets very cold. I live in Michigan. Now problems in spring.

 

[higgs]

What I have heard

Partially inflated is what I have read is best. Indoors is obviously far better than outside. i keep mine in my garage and it has held up quite well.

 

[Dave from Mi.]

storage

I have a 9 year old West Marine (Zodiac) PVC that still holds air with no leaks, and I store it in my cool basement inflated just enough to take the wrinkles out of the tubes. A good cleaning before I put it away, makes it happy!

Fair winds
Dave

 

[DougM]

Re: storage

I stored mine inside my garage, inflated and hung from the ceiling. The garage never gets much below freezing if at all. My personal belief is that this is less apt to cause a problem, as compared to rolling it up and putting tight folds in it, which could eventually become weak points.

 

[Seattle Scott]

Rolled up all the time

I keep my 5 year old PVC dink rolled up if I am not going to use it in the next three days. I'll probably leave it in the dock box this winter or if I get motivated, bring it home and leave it in the dry basement. Looks brand spankin new.:dance:

 

[Blueskies]

Good question.

I had not thought about this much, and have deflated and stored my dinghy in the garage (Michigan) so, it does get cold. But, no indication of a problem. I would think the most damaging thing would be exposure to UV radiation. Typically, the dinghy is inflated and on the boat during the summer, so it does get UV exposure - but, not as bad a condition as in the south.

Storing partially inflated sounds like a good idea, but of course that is more storage space taken up.

I think Hypalon is supposed to be a more robust material than PVC, which I have, so I would think you are good storing inflated or folded - does you product literature have anything to say about this?

 

[cbsailor]

Inflated

Despite being foldable, I store my Zodiac Cadet (PVC 10 years old) inflated, standing on its nose and leaning against an inside garage wall. Its inflated just enough to keep wrinkles out and the garage is unheated. Our dinghy gets used every season and it looked like brand new until we took it to FL and spent the winter. It got used every day and was subjected to lots of the number one enemy...UV.

 

[ITMaster]

I deflate it

Roll it up and put it in the bag it came with and put it in the closet in the spare bedroom. Hope that is ok for it. It is a Zodiac Hypalon. Geez, sounds like a catch 22, don't leave it inflated and hanging on the davits or it will rot from UV exposure, don't fold it up or it will get kinks and creases and then crack and leak. What's a person to do?

 

[sea_casper]

Don't roll it up and store in a garage or any where else mice are!
We unrolled our Quicksilver a couple of seasons ago and found mice had nested in it and chewed a 1"x3" hole in the side. We now store it partially deflated on its side in our dry basement.

 

[JustDucky]

I also had problems with mice chewing and nesting in my folded Zodiac. The folks doing the repair work suggested to keep in inflated. They claim the mice can't get their little mouths on the inflated tubes. I have had no problems since I sarted storing it this way.

 

[We2Sail12113]

Followup response:

Question: Does anyone know the "best" method of storing a Hypalon inflatable for the Winter, in New England (USA)?

:snip
Is it best to "winter store" rolled up or inflated?
Bob

Thank You, I left both the Avon and Achilles rolled up in the unheated barn on a table made from an old door and sawhorses.

Perhaps next year I can convince my bride we should store them in the Caribean waters?

Thank you one and all!

Bob

 

[RichH]

Question: Does anyone know the "best" method of storing a Hypalon inflatable for the Winter, in New England (USA)?

In past years I stored my Achilles inflatable outside in the lee of the boats keel and bottom, but it leaked air and a couple of patches "let go". (1984 Achilles Sports 4)

This year I have a newer Avon Hypalon Inflatable with an air deck which can be rolled up completely, but would like to know if heated storage, cold storage (unheated barn), cool storage (field stone lined cellar) . . .

Is it best to "winter store" rolled up or inflated?

Comments?

Thanks,

Bob

OZONE is 'THE' great destroyer of polymers/rubbers/plastics, etc., next comes UV light, then warm air.

I like to store my inflatibles (PVC and hypalon) in a BIG plastic bag to keep the ozone off them.
I keep them in my unheated barn (the colder the temp the lower the just about 'any' chemical reaction rate).

I dont like to deflate and then 'roll' them as this increases 'creasing' which mechanically 'tears' the fabric / polymer coating.