Dinghie Winter Storage

[Jims380DA]

It was recommended that it is best to keep the dink inflated during the winter. I heard of people hanging it from their garage or basement cielings and was wondering if someone had a system to recommend. thanks

 

[H2ONUT]

I just deflated mine and put it in the storage bag it came with. I'm leaving it in the basement where it's always warm. That is according to the directions.

 

[JeffM]

I just deflated mine and put it in the storage bag it came with. I'm leaving it in the basement where it's always warm. That is according to the directions.

That's what we did last winter, and had no problems. Our dinghy is Hypalon; I'm not sure if off-season care would be different for PVC.

Jeff

 

[Hampton]

OK, I'm bored, so, I'll throw a punch. Why on earth would you stow your dinghy for the winter? The beach may be warm, but the water still gets chilly, so that's when you really need it (ducking and hiding beneath a table).

 

[penbroke]

I put mine in the cellar and inflate it just enough to take the folds and kinks out. I expect the first place it will fail (other than a puncture) is at a kink in the fabric. You could hang it from above with a couple of those racheting cargo tie down straps.

"Why on earth would you stow your dinghy for the winter?"
I don't need it. I can drive my truck on the water in the winter.


Frank

 

[Hampton]

"Why on earth would you stow your dinghy for the winter?"
I don't need it. I can drive my truck on the water in the winter.


Frank

Now that's funny!

 

[Skuza]

Last year it was stored deflated, unfolded on the basement floor. This year its at work inflated and wrapped in plastic. Saved the chore of pulling those darn floor boards! Had a Zodiac that was stored in the attic rolled up for 13 years and all the creases leaked. The boat looked like it had chicken pox but it did hold air eventually.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Over the past ten years we have had 3 different Zodiacs, two trailer sized and one dinghy. They have been shrink wrapped inflated, deflated and folded, and left inflated over the winters.

Our experience is it is a case of whatever floats your boat. With the dink, I think that cleaning it well before winter and liberally coating with 303 is the key to longevity. I would be careful about garage and attic storage as squirrels and other rodents have been known to burrow into a folded inflatable. Note these guys burrow by chewing their way in. The result is not a pretty sight.

We store ours in the basement (which is dry) along with the boat cushions, fenders, lines etc. etc. etc. The stuff stays clean and does not get exposed to temperature swings.

Henry

 

[osd9]

I have a Mercury PVC airdeck. I always cover it. The 5hp 2 stroke merc never comes off the transom. I store it outside on land by the dock behind the house. It's held air all winter long. This was the first season and so far so good...

 

[JV II]

I inflate mine with helium and let it float up to the ceiling for the winter.

 

[osd9]

I tried the helium thing, but it took up too much ceiling space....and I still had to tie it 'up' so it wouldn't float away every time we opened the garge door to get the cars in/out....

 

[Jack380AC]

I leave the Dink on the swim platform, fully inflated. It gets covered up by the overall shrink wrap over the whole boat. No lugging on and off, no creases, all good.

 

[Rondevue]

I store my dinghy on the trailer outside inflated and shrink wrapped. I leave the motor on and all the dinghy gear in it, so in the spring if we get a nice day and want to go for a ride we can tear the wrap off and go.

I have folded it up before but didn't like the creases that formed.