How to Take Care of an Inflatable Dinghy

Although inflatable dinghies are easier to maintain than fiberglass dinghies, they still require constant maintenance. It is true that inflatable dinghies are nearly imperishable. Nonetheless, improper maintenance and use of a dinghy can cause puncture wounds and tears, as well as a general breakdown of the inflatable dinghy over time. Below are some general tips to help you maintain your inflatable dinghy so that it lasts you a much longer time.

First and foremost, keep your dingy stored in a cool and dry spot during off-seasons. Deflate it and store it somewhere safe and cool. Furthermore, try to cover it with a box or large blanket to keep small critters (dogs, squirrels, etc.) from chewing holes into it. Do not let it get too cold either, as that can cause it to freeze and eventually crack. Do not store your inflatable dingy in direct sunlight. Continuous exposure to UV rays will cause the dinghy to start breaking down. Eventually, it will become weak and may even form some tears/leaks. A garage would be the optimal spot for storing your dinghy.

Do not use multi-purpose cleaners, shiners, or any other commercial products on your inflatable dingy. I understand that you want your dingy to look nice and sheen. The best way is to just wash it with plain old water. Commercial products can leave your dingy permanently slippery and unable to hold onto glued patches of carpentry. Suppose your dinghy does suffer a tear or leak. You will be unable to patch the hole because the dinghy is just too plain slippery. Avoid cleaning or shining up your dingy with these commercial cleaners. As mentioned earlier, just spray it with water. In fact, you should not even have to do that. Driving your dinghy around in the water should be a good enough shower for it. Plus commercial cleaners can and will probably degrade the dinghy’s material.

When you get done using your inflatable dingy and go home, make sure to wipe it clean with a wet cloth. You do not have to spray it down, but you should at least make sure that any trapped sand or salt is removed. These compounds can damage the dinghy’s material and increase risks of leaks. Wipe it down dry, cover it up, and store it somewhere dark, cool, and safe.

Follow these steps and you are guaranteed years of fun and frolic with your newly purchased inflatable dinghy.