How To Store An Inflatable Boat – The Best Way!

How to store an inflatable boat

When owning an inflatable boat, proper storage is vital to ensuring its longevity. Whether you’re storing your inflatable boat for the winter or for an extended period of time, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure that it stays in good condition. So if you want to know how to store an inflatable boat using the right techniques, read on.

Reasons To Store Your Inflatable Boat

As mentioned above, storing your boat correctly is crucial to keeping it in good condition. However, here are the reasons why you should store your boat the right way:

Protect against damage.

  • If you leave your boat outside in direct sunlight for too long, the fabric will fade and weaken over time. This can lead to cracking, punctured tubes, and damage to the hull and attachments.

Prevent Mold and Mildew.

  • Damp and moisture, along with the UV, are the worst enemy of inflatable boats. Once it has been contaminated by mold or exposed to long in the sun, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to fix the issue.

Protects Against Rodents

  • Rodents love to burrow into dark places and also chew through rubber materials. So this is something you want to avoid by storing your boat in the right place, which I’ll speak about below.

But first, here are the main steps you should apply prior to storing your inflatable.

Cleaning and Drying Your Inflatable Boat

Before storing your boat, it’s super important to clean and dry it properly, even if you plan to keep it inflated. When cleaning your boat, you can see if there aren’t any punctures or leaks and prepare it properly for storage. So here’s how to clean your inflatable boat:

1 Remove all Items Of Your Boat.

Before you start cleaning, remove everything detachable, such as oars, fishing tackles, rode, safety gear, etc.

If you have electronics on your boat, remove them as well.

Make sure you don’t leave any item that could potentially damage your boat when stored away.

2 Inspecting Your Boat

While your boat is fully inflated, go over every centimeter of your boat with your hands and see if there aren’t any punctures, holes, weak seams, or tears.

If you find any damage, repair it before cleaning your boat. This will prevent you from cleaning twice since repairing the boat can re-dirt it. 

3 Cleaning Your Boat

After inspecting your boat and ensuring everything is fine, you can start cleaning.

Use a good cleaner that removes dirt, grime, and harsh spots. Cleansers like Star Bright, Seapower, Spray Nine, and other similar products effectively clean and remove stains. 

4 Storing And Covering Your Boat When Inflated

Before storing your boat, thoroughly dry it to prevent mold and mildew build-up.

Boat manufacturers recommend storing the boat in an enclosed area, such as in a garage or underneath a canopy when inflated. The reasons for this are that the tubing on the boat is much sturdier when it’s inflated and, therefore, will resist punctures and tears better.

Also, when the boat is inflated, it keeps its shape and stays intact. Not to mention that you can get it on the water right away; no need to deal with air pumps, as it’s all ready.

However, whether you plan to store it indoors or outdoors, it’s important to protect it with a good cover. For outdoor storage, you want a water- and UV-resistant cover.

Boat suppliers recommend marine-grade polyester cover as it’s breathable and protects well from the elements. Sunbrella cover is also a good option, but it’s less breathable and can cause mold and mildew build-up when exposed for extended periods in high heat.

5 Storing Your Boat When Deflated.

The first step is to open the valves to deflate the boat. You can use a pump to help expel the air if necessary. 

 If the boat has a floor, remove it. Next, fold one tube and then the other one toward the center line. The more you get it toward the center line, the more compact the package will be. Once it’s completely flat, roll it forward from the transom toward the center, fold the bow in half, and roll it, as shown in the video below.

If your boat came with a storage bag, place the folded boat inside and zip it up. If not, you can use a large plastic bag or tarp to protect it.

To avoid rodents eating your boat, it would be best to store it on a shelf at least a foot away from the floor. And always keep the boat in a cool and dry place to avoid any moisture build-up.

Don’t Have Enough Room?

If you don’t have enough space in your garage or at home, you can also hang it up. Before you do so, you must ensure it’s clean and dry and that you use a protective cover to shield it from dust and potential damage.

Another thing to consider is ensuring the structure you hang your boat on is sturdy enough to support its weight. Hang it up by attaching straps or ropes to the boat’s D-rings or lifting handles; this will distribute the weight evenly.

In addition, the area must be clear of sharp objects and potential hazards to avoid damaging the boat. Another good tip is letting air out a little to prevent it from getting over-pressurized, as this could put too much stress on the seams.

Final Words!

That’s it! These are the steps to help you store your inflatable properly. If you follow them, your boat will stay in good condition for many years. Although it’s preferable to leave it inflated all the time, if you don’t have enough space to store it, you have no choice but to fold it and keep it in a bag. Whatever you decide to do, always clean and dry the boat before storing it. Happy Storage!

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