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    Winter Care Tips for Inflatable Kayaks and Paddleboards

    by Ringo Ladue September 07, 2022 6 min read

    Inflatable Kayak inflatable SUP

    A man walks through a shallow creek with his light green inflatable kayak. Winter care tips for Inflatable Kayaks and Paddleboards

    Storing your inflatable kayaks and paddleboards properly during the winter season is essential. Keep reading for winter care tips for these versatile vessels.

    It's almost that time when some of us must put away our summer water toys and say goodbye to them until spring. Are you looking for ways to keep your inflatable kayaks or paddleboards safe during the winter? You will find all the information you need here for proper care and storage.

    We have easy-to-follow winter tips that will help you store them in the right way, making sure they are ready to use when spring rolls around! Whether you're an expert kayaker, paddleboarder, or beginner, we have you covered. Read on to learn our tips and tricks, so we can help make your winter equipment care a little easier! 

    Where Should You Store Your Inflatable Kayaks or iSUP?

    You have two options for where to store your inflatable stand-up paddleboard or kayak: indoors or outside. The simplest storage method would be to keep it indoors. Since you have the option to deflate it, you can store it in a smaller space where it takes up less room than if you left it inflated.

    But, should you choose to keep it outdoors, you must take extra steps to shield your stand-up paddleboard from the weather. If this is the storage method you choose, make sure to protect it from rain and snow and place it in an area protected from the weather. That leads us to our next point...

    Avoid the Elements 

    Choosing to store your inflatable paddleboard or kayak outside can subject it to the weather and elements and leave it exposed to dirt and grime. Not to mention the damage the sun can inflict on your inflatable SUP. Here are some issues you can face if you store your board outside:

    Sunlight or Extreme Heat

    Your kayak or stand-up paddleboard may become discolored and suffer damage from the UV rays that arrive with sunlight. Direct sunlight UV rays might make your board lose its color and fade. Store your beautiful board away from direct sunlight to keep its wonderful appearance.

    Finding a place indoors to store your inflatable SUP board shouldn't be an issue. But if you're short on space, a shed or garage should work as well. 

    The materials used in the stand-up paddleboard get harmed by extreme temperatures brought on by a heat source or the sun as well as freezing termperatures. The weather extremes can cause damage to boards left outside such as bonding flaws to expand and develop pockets. 

    It's best to keep your SUP out of any locations that will experience intense heat, direct sunlight, snow, ice, or freezing temperatures. These could speed up the natural deterioration of the materials in your board. 

    If your board is damp, temperature changes will be very problematic, as frequent freezing and thawing will wear out the deck pad and other components of your board over time. As they are dry and not subject to significant temperature changes, a garage or an interior storage space usually works well for storing your kayak or paddle board.

    Moisture 

    Moisture is yet another important reason to store your kayak or inflatable paddle board indoors. Mildew will begin to grow on a piece of damp equipment, which over time could harm your deck pad and give your kayak or board an awful smell. Make sure to dry your board well before storing it (particularly if you have washed it), and keep it somewhere it won't get damp. 

    A humid environment may encourage the growth of mold and mildew, with the potential to harm some of the material in your iSUP. Be careful to keep condensation or moisture away from your board.

    Clean Before Storing

    Before storing your iSUP or inflatable kayak for storage for the winter, you should give them a thorough cleaning. The board should be quite easy to clean with water and soap after all the adventures you've been on. If you wait until spring cleaning, a stain that is currently simple to remove could turn into a permanent fixture. 

    To get rid of any mud, sand, filth, or salt, be sure to rinse it with warm fresh water. Make sure to stay away from any potent solvents and chemicals. Before putting the board away for the winter months, you should ensure that it is completely dry.

    Storing Your Kayak or iSUP Inflated vs Deflated

    Before storing your inflatable water sports gear for an extended period, it is best to deflate it. It isn't worth the extra space your board will take up to keep it inflated all winter once you know you have finished paddling for the year.

    Deflating before storage also has the advantage of providing the fabric's drop stitch seams some much-needed rest. However, it is acceptable to leave your board inflated during the winter if you have the space and it is clean, dry, and in a location with minimal temperature fluctuations. 

    Different Ways to Store an Inflatable Kayak or Inflatable Stand-up Paddleboard

    You may store your iSUP in one of three ways, each of which has advantages. Whichever method you choose is up to you, but they each will save you space and worry about exposure to outdoor elements.

    The Burrito Method

    This method entails rolling the deflated board or kayak like a burrito. You must ensure that all the air is out before continuing.

    Roll and smooth the board section by section, like you would when preparing to store an air mattress. You can store the board or kayak once it is in a tight roll.

    Bag It Up 

    The very same roll and smooth approach can be used to guarantee that the board has deflated. Be as thorough as you can when deflating your board since it will be easier to zip the board into the bag the smaller it is. Your iSUP or kayak and all of the attachments should fit in your bag.

    Semi-inflated 

    You can store your stand-up paddleboard or inflatable kayaks inflated if you have the room. However, it is advised that you release some air to reduce the PSI. When you aren't using the SUP or kayak, there is no benefit to leaving it fully inflated.

    Your inflatable SUP will remain in better condition if you occasionally avoid fully inflating it. When you store your kayak or SUP in this manner, you won't have to fully inflate it when you go to use it the following time; instead, you'll just need to top it off with air.

    Taking Care of Your Equipment Will Ensure Years of Fun 

    The time it takes for you to follow these guidelines will be well worth it. Inflatable kayaks and paddleboards are an investment, and we understand that. Our customer care team is available and dedicated to responding to your questions.

    We are an authorized dealership for each of the brands we list, allowing us to offer you a guarantee supported by the manufacturer. At SplashyMcFun.com, we want you to shop without stress. Contact us or check out our Blog section, our inflatable kayak collection, or iSUP collection for helpful information.

    Thanks for reading!

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