• Overexposure to UV rays may cause the tubes to discolour or become tacky over time.  To prevent this, simply cover your boat with an overall mooring cover when not in use.

• Avoid rubbing against the tubes with insect repellents and suntan lotions, as this can also discolour and make the tubes sticky in the long run.  We strongly recommend coating your boat periodically with 303 Protectant, which will not only protect against harmful substances, but against the sun’s UV rays as well. 

• For long term or winter storage, thoroughly clean your boat and keep it partially inflated in a covered, dry area that is protected from the sun, extreme temperatures, and rodents.

• Punctures are the main concern with inflatable boats.  Watch for barnacles and sharp metal or wood when tying your boat to the dock, and avoid dragging the boat over rocks and shells when landing on a beach.

• Sand and gravel inside the boat can plug air valves and cause abrasion that eats away the fabric where the side tubes attach to the floor. The best defense is to rinse feet before getting on board, and to rinse out your inflatable boat after each use.

Once in a while and before putting your boat in storage, give it a thorough cleaning. 

Never use strong detergents (acid, trichloroethylene, mineral spirits) or silicone-based products. Cleaners that contain silicones may cause the seams to separate.  Do not use clorox, Windex or any other household cleaners. These chemicals will eventually make the fabric sticky.  Armor-all and other oil-based products can damage the fabric and prevent patches from sticking.

Mild dish soap is best for cleaning your inflatable boat.  There are also several cleaners designed specifically for inflatable boats.

1. Spread a plastic tarp on a driveway or another flat surface.

2. Deflate and disassemble the boat.

3. Reinflate the stripped boat- without floorboards-with just enough air to keep its shape.

4. Thoroughly vacuum the inside of the boat, paying extra attention to the seam
between the tubes and the floor fabric.  You may find a lot of imbedded grit, but don’t worry about that now, just get the loose stuff out.

5. Pour a few capfuls of liquid dish soap (or shampoo) into a bucket of hot water. [NOTE: adding a few ounces of ammonia will aid in cutting grease] and soak a medium scrub brush in the water.

6. Gently scrub the outside of the boat, then flip the boat over and scrub the inside. This time, concentrate on getting out all the embedded grime.

7. After thoroughly scrubbing the entire boat, rinse it well with a garden hose and turn it over a few times to let all the pockets of trapped water drain out.

8. Give the boat a good rubdown with a towel or chamois and you’re done.

1. Inflate your boat hard.

2. Pour 2 to 3 ounces of liquid dish soap into a cup and add an equal amount of
water.

3. Paint the soap solution over all the seams on the boat with a 2-inch throwaway brush. First the outside, then the inside seams.  Don’t forget the inflatable keel if your boat has one.  Leaks will show by a growing column of tiny bubbles. 

4. Mark each leak with a grease pencil.

6. Now paint all the inflation valves. Check these with the caps screwed on tight. It isn’t uncommon for the valve diaphragm to leak a little; the cap provides the
airtight fit that prevents the valve from losing air.

7. Check the surfaces of the tubes.

8. Rinse the boat with a hose, dry it, and leave it inflated in a covered, dry location for a few days to make sure it is completely dry.

10. With the boat upside down, coat the bottom with talcum powder.

11. Turn the boat right side up and support it level and well off the ground.

12. Add about 2 quarts of water to the inside of the boat and slosh it around.  Leaks show up as dark wet spots on the light colored powder.  Mark them with a grease pencil.

Most punctures can be easily patched with the material provided in the repair kit, which is included with the purchase of your boat.