The buoyancy tubes of your inflatable boat is made of fabric using PVC or Hypalon rubber. Maintenance is easy but essential.
CLEANING
Rinse down using fresh water after every use to remove any salty residue or abrasive materials such as sand. A more thorough clean is recommended seasonally before storing for the winter.
NEVER USE STRONG DETERGENTS (ACID, TRICHLORETHYLENE AND MINERAL SPIRIT) OR SILICONE-BASED PRODUCTS
DROP IN PRESSURE:
A 20% air pressure loss in a 24 hour period is normal. If you have a problem with an air leakage then first check that all valves are intact and in closed position (nothing clogging the valve).
REPAIRS
Small repairs and the addition of small accessories may be attempted by the owner if factory gluing instructions are followed closely. Refer to your owner’s manual.
Rips or holes larger than one inch in the air chambers or within two inches of a seam should be repaired with internal and external patches by a professional repair technician at a certified repair facility. A quick patch repair may solve your problem for a short period of time, but we recommend you have it redone by a professional. We recommend that major repairs and the addition of large accessories such as oar locks, seating or towing rings be done by a professional repair technician at a certified repair facility.
GENERAL REPAIR TIPS
- Mark out your patch or accessory perimeter to be glued. Then use masking tape to tape off the area to avoid getting glue on other parts of your boat/SUP during the repair process. This takes a little time but is well worth it in the end as the glue is hard to get off after it dries and looks very messy when it dries and goes brown from the sun.
- Apply glue with a paint or glue brush with the bristles cut short (1/2 to 3/4″) so they are stiff. It must be natural hair (i.e. OK for lacquer); bound in metal not plastic; preferably with wooden or metal handle. Careful not to get glue on areas of your boat besides the repair area.
- Old glue must be removed by either a solvent, sandpaper, scraping, grinding with a Dremel tool. Glue will not stick to old glue. Clean it off thoroughly. Be careful not to burn or melt the fabric if using a Dremel tool. Constant motion with the tool will prevent this problem.
- If your boat has ever been protected with ArmorAll® or another silicone or petroleum based product, you may have great difficulty getting a bond.
- Pinhole size leaks in most Hypalon fabric or PVC boats sometimes may be repaired simply by use of either Seam Sealor Air Seal liquids. You might be able to avoid a patch on the boat.
- To find tiny leaks, take floor flooring out (roll up range), and fully inflate boat. Put some liquid detergent in a bucket of water and with rag or big wash brush, scrub it all over boat. Keep watch for elusive, tiny bubbles. When you find the first leak, keep looking. You might as well fix them all at the same time! Remember, the number one cause of slow leaks is a poorly seated valve. Unscrew, clean.
- If patching, cut patches 25mm to 50mm larger than the tear in each direction and round the corners. (use a round template if cutting a patch yourself). Use patch material supplied by manufacturer.
- Inflate boat to apply accessories. Deflate to patch air leaks, even if very small. Air pressure will bubble the patch before glue sets.
STORAGE
When storing your boat, keep it in a clean and dry place that is not affected from major variations in temperature and other damaging environmental factors. You may store the boat deflated and rolled up or lightly inflated.
FOR LONG TERM STORAGE IN THE SUN (ESPECIALLY IN TROPICAL REGIONS), PROTECT YOUR BOAT WITH A COVER.