How to Extend the Life of Your Inflatable Boat

The best way to extend the life of your inflatable boat is to keep it properly inflated, clean and protected from the sun. This holds true for both Hypalon and PVC boats.

Proper inflation reduces stress on seams.

Nobody likes a floppy inflatable boat. Apart from poor performance stemming from a lack of rigidity, the excessive flexing of an underinflated boat can put stress on seams with a potential for failure at some point. Another problem is that as an underinflated boat flexes, dirt and sand lodged between stringers and other parts can act as an abrasive and cause premature wearing of the fabric as well.

Protect your inflatable boat from the sun.

Sooner or later, if you spend time in your local marina walking the docks, you will run across PVC inflatable boats whose exterior has become sticky and brown. This occurs as a result of a chemical reaction between the fabric and UV radiation from the sun. While Hypalon boats do not suffer from this reaction, UV radiation can cause their fabric to oxidize and take on a chalky appearance. In either case, applying an inflatable boat cleaner/protectant and keeping your inflatable boat covered when not in use can limit these problems.

Our Overall Recommendations

Along with keeping your boat out of the sun when not in use, we recommend that you wash it after every use and that you further clean, condition and protect the fabric with products that are specially formulated for use on vinyl, PVC or Hypalon boats. The one-step and two-step inflatable boat cleaner/protectants (sold under the Star brite and West Marine labels) that West Marine offers are formulated to remove stains, grease, dirt and oxidation, and leave a lustrous, protective, UV-resistant finish.