How to maintain your semi-rigid boat?

Like any vehicle, a boat, it talks!

Although they are thought of for navigation and contact with the elements, the semi-rigid boats necessarily undergo the throes of natural conditions, and require being maintained as it should be.

Wind, salt, but also collisions can undermine the aesthetic appearance and even above all the safety of your outings. This is why it is essential toPerform maintenance actions regularly to keep your pneumatic boat in the best conditions.

Also, Orca Retail, seller of Hypalon repair fabrics, in this article offers you to review the Tips and tips about cleaning and maintaining semi-rigid pneumatic boats in order to best extend their lifespan.

At first, we will see what are the stages of a "big spring cleaning", to put your semi-rigid in the best conditions. At the end of the article, we will summarize all everyday advice in order to take the best maintenance habits.

The equipment necessary for maintenance 

First of all, on the equipment side, here are the tools we recommend for the maintenance of a semi-rigid boat: 

• A shell cleaner
• One or more sponges
• A jet of high pressure water
• A scraper
• A mushroom cleaner
• A little brush
• A metal brush
• A brush broom
• A classic soap
• Stop-sel
• A clean dry cloth

How to clean pneumatic floats?

This is the first step in the maintenance of your semi-rigid boat.

In order to be able to clean it well in all corners, especially the insertion rails of the sausages, you will need Disassemble your floats.

To do this, at first, deflate your pneumatic floats, Then get them out of their rails. For a more fluid operation, you can use a WD40 type lubricant. This will allow you not to shoot the plastic and facilitate this step.

Please note, some semi-rigids have two attachment straps: one back and one at the front, located between the sausage and the hull, and which are often not very visible. Remember to remove them once the pneumatic sausages are deflated, otherwise you will not manage to separate the floats from the boat.

Once all disassembled, you can go to Cleaning the sausages. This is a delicate operation that requires using the right products. Indeed, the floats being in PVC or Hypalon, these can be quite sensitive to friction and especially to the reaction of certain cleaning products.

In order to take as little as possible, and to treat the most common spots, a classic soap is very indicated, with a large volume of clear water, without forcing too much on the flow and pressure of the jet.

You can also use the product New Magic available in our shop, thought specifically for theMaintenance of neoprene or PVC tubular. More efficient than soap, it allows you to bring back the colors of the sausages of the sausages and to eliminate the most stubborn spots, fat and glue. This maintenance product is to be used with a soft brush or a sponge. Rinse, then dry.

If your floats suffer from mold or mushrooms, We recommend the product Schmuffex. This must be applied after cleaning the other stains. Its use is simple: spray the product on the problematic areas, wait for the spots to disappear, then rinse. It may be necessary to let the product act up to an hour, or even repeat the operation for the most stubborn stains.

White vinegar or bleach mixed with lukewarm water is also an option to treat these spots, but beware of the risk of alteration in the color of your sausages.

Finally, once your sausages are clean and dry, Make the opposite operation, hooking them in their rails, then inflate them again.

How to clean the shell of a semi-rigid boat?

Then comes the stage of cleaning the shell.

Protect the aluminum parts (with a tape for example), these being sensitive to cleaning products. For the rest, you can prepare a mixture of water and acid (the oxalic acid ideal for placing the boats hull) To be applied to the sponge, or better, to the vaporizer.

Leave it all for 5 minutes, then rinse with fresh water.

In case of remaining stains, do not hesitate to make a second application. Be sure to do it all in a temperate climate (at least 15 ° C). At cooler temperatures, efficiency will be more limited. In general, also avoid hot weather or direct exposure to the sun, which can alter the properties of the cleaning products used.

To work on the shine of your shell and protect it from salt and other natural elements, apply a polish.

Apply the polish carefully in small touches and in a rotary movement using a clean cloth, without rubbing too hard. For an optimal result, spend a second layer a month after the first.

How to clean the bridge?

Regarding the bridge of your semi-rigid boat, start with a Simple switch to water With a high pressure jet (Karcher type). 

If you note the presence of black tasks, molds or mushrooms, you can again Use an antifungal product. 

Adapt the products used to the material of your bridge. For a polyester bridge for example, use a universal cleaner. Apply the product wherever you want and only rub very slightly with a small brush. 

If your boat is equipped with a teak bridge, be sure to clean it first with a mixture of water and exotic wood shampoo. You can then pass a nourishing oil or a Sealer, which will allow you to better protect andwaterproof All. 

A conventional wooden bridge will not require the use of special cleanser. Just varnish your bridge after having sanded it slightly.

As with the sausages and the hull, we advise you to Rinse the whole boat in clear water And pass all the parts with a classic cleaning soap. Do not insist too much about places that contain electronic parts (and remember to protect the consoles and the battery).

Do it all in an ideally sunny and ventilated environment so that the whole dry properly, and in order to avoid condensation phenomena (as behind the glass of the dashboard).

If your cockpit has windows, simply clean them like any other window.

How to maintain the engine of a semi-rigid boat?

First, the first good habit to take is to Rinse your boat engine in freshwater at the end of each outing at sea.

For this, special rinse kits exist. You will find them under the name of rinsing ears, which are sold between 5 and 20 euros. Another solution: simply immerse the engine base in fresh water. It is also recommended to use stop-salt to perfectly remove the salt inlaid in the engine water system.

When maintaining your semi-rigid engine, at all times, make sure that no speed is started and as a precaution, stay away from the propeller.

Start maintenance of the engine of your boat with a drain To change the coolant.

In a second step, you can run the engine for several minutes by ensuring that the water comes out well through the dedicated hole. The water should flow abundantly and regularly.

If the flow is low or inconsistent, inspect the water pump. This may require being changed. An object may still be clogged to obstruct the exhaust tube. If this is the case, stop the engine to avoid overheating, and pass a metal rod to try to unclog the pipe.

Concerning the air filter From the engine of your pneumatic boat, start by dislodging it by unscrewing the screws that keep it. Then clean or replace the foam depending on its condition and dust the different elements of the filter, such as the case or the folded paper.

Also check the state of distribution belt, ensuring that it is not weakened or already started.

For the battery, you can Clean the anodes With a metal brush to remove any traces of rust.

How to prolong the lifespan of a semi-rigid? 

Now that your pneumatic boat has returned to the top, and apart from large cleanings as described above, respect the following few rules on a daily basis to protect it over time:

1. Rinse the boat: After each outing, rinse the boat in fresh water to remove salt, sand and dirt. This will prevent the accumulation of salt and corrosion deposits.

2. Check the tire pressure: Semi-rigid boats have PVC or Hypalon tubes that are inflated in the air. Make sure the sausage pressure is correct To avoid damage or loss of performance.

3. Check the oil levels: Regularly check the engine oil levels to avoid breakdowns. Replace the engine oil according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

4. Check the other liquids: Check the levels of fuel, cooling liquid and power steering liquid regularly. Replace liquids according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

5. Check the condition of the propellers: Regularly check the condition of the propellers to make sure they are not damaged or worn. Replace the propellers if necessary.

6. Protect the Sun Boat: The sun can damage the surfaces and materials of your boat. Use blankets or tarpaulins to protect the boat from the sun.

7. Store the boat correctly: Store the boat in a dry place and out of the weather. Avoid leaving the boat in full sun for long periods.

And that's it! You now know everything you need to know for the regular maintenance of your pneumatic boat. Be careful to use products suitable for the type of material treated and respect the safety instructions for using dangerous products! Do not hesitate to equip yourself with protections (gloves, glasses) during your cleaning session for better safety. 

Finally, if you use a tarpaulin to protect your semi-rigid boat, be sure that it and your boat are both dry before use, because in the event of humidity, the risk of mold reappears!

Are you passionate about nautical nautical and semi-rigid boats? 

Read more about the world of semi-rigids:

• The best accessories for semi-rigid boat
• Prepare the wintering of your semi-rigid boat
• Why buy a semi-rigid boat? Benefits
• The best models of semi-rigid pneumatic boats
• Prepare the implementation of your pneumatic boat 

Requests: inflatable AB interview, interview Brig, interview Highfield, interview Capelli Tempest, interview Nueva Joly, interview Valiant, interview Zar Formenti, interview Walker’s Bay, interview Yamaha, interview Honda, interview Pirelli, interview Joker Boat, interview Grabner, bombard maintenance, zodiac maintenance