Leaving SIB folded in bag detrimental

[T4bus]

Having recently bought my first SIB & I was lucky to pick up a used but 100% immaculate example, I don't wish to spoil it through lack of knowledge.
I presumed that as it comes in a bag, I can store it in said bag? I also would store it indoors to avoid frost & mice.
Then after a visit to a local boat dealer I was advised this can cause premature failure on the tight creases / folds.
I bought a SIB as I have nowhere to store anything large but I'm now wondering if I should forget it & flog it rather than loose money through not having the space to look after it properly

Have I taken the advice to literally & it should be OK or will leaving it folded for long periods be a problem?

Regards paranoid newbie

[RIB-Teccie]

Hello

Back in the day Zodiac used to supply an unperfumed talcum powder to sprinkle over the sib and rub to keep dry and prevent chafing whilst being transported. I don't know if it's still available, but the least offensive talc may help. That was a long time ago and sibs were mostly hyaline then, so check with your supplier.

[Locozodiac]

Pump it up and leave inflated lying against a wall. How long do you plan to keep it bagged ?

Happy Boating

[T4bus]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

Pump it up and leave inflated lying against a wall. How long do you plan to keep it bagged ?

Happy Boating

I do not have anywhere suitable to leave it inflated other than my back garden, then access is limited to the front so no advantage, I literally need to inflate and deflate every time I use it & would probably only use it a handful of times during the summer months.

I have no issue inflating it each time, but am a little worried having been warned, that leaving it folded regularly may cause issues. I don't really understand this as surely they are designed with this in mind, to be stored in lockers etc?

[Brian]

I bought my sib some 6/7 years ago. Fitted trolley wheels and after using it regularly for 2 years I now leave it in the bag.
For the last 4/5 years it has remained in the bag apart from once annually when I take it out, blow it up and leave it for 48 hours. It remains tight as a drum. So no bother.
My sib lives in the bag, stowed on board my rib (as a go-ashore dingy if ever I need it).
Incidentally, same with my 2-stroke. Fire her up once a year-no problems. Stowed in my engine compartment all year.

[Sunstreaker]

If you have a garden, one of those plastic small lockers you can get from DIY shops etc may be a consideration. I have used one for a couple of years and to date it's kept nasties out.

[jyasaki]

For unscented talc, try a billiards supply place. Normally available talc (baby powder and such) has perfumes which can be detrimental to plastics and rubber (especially latex rubber.)

jky

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

Pump it up and leave inflated lying in your living room

I fixed yar quote Loco

[T4bus]

I have no issue keeping the boat in the house, I have room, I also have no problem drying it thoroughly before storage, the issue that I was advised to avoid is purely that leaving it folded in it's bag "apparently" causes the tight folds to cause permanent damage to the material.

Though I think this is unlikely to do so, it is purely this point that I thought I'd ask for some confirmation on.

[RIB-Teccie]

I used to pack liferafts and life jackets for a while. Liferafts in particular are fully deflated with a Hoover then rolled up. They are only inflated on an emergency or during an annual service thereafter with no adverse affects. When inflated you may see some crease marks, which usually go away. I doubt you would have any adverse affects. After all they will be stored in the bag from factory to consumer.

[Boatnomad]

The "ideal" is inflated but deflated works also,make sure there is no weight lying on it. Unless you leave it for years.......

[Landlockedpirate]

Originally Posted by Boatnomad

The "ideal" is inflated but deflated works also,make sure there is no weight lying on it. Unless you leave it for years.......

+1

The boat will be fine, as you say its designed to be kept in a bag.

The only way you may have a problem is if its stored with external weight on it (I once viewed a boat that had been stored with the engine laid on top of it that didnt look to clever ) or if left for a very extended time without use (3+ years).

Dont worry about using talc, as long as its put away dry and remains dry it will be fine.

[Deekus]

Hi

I always kept my Bombard Aerotec in its bag when not in use, with no adverse effects. Rodents are the biggest concern so think very carefully about your storage location

[T4bus]

Thank you very much for the input, it has alleviated my concerns

Very helpful forum this & appreciate I'm a bit ignorant at the moment, just need to find a tidy 15hp short shaft & I should be good to go

[Locozodiac]

If storing an very old sib on it's bag for long time periods, you could experiment ungluing issues on handles, oar locks, transom as well, due to glue being dry, oldie issues. Sibs when being new, are factory deliverd state of the art vacuum folded, near mission impossible to fold them back same way once taken out of their bag and fully inflated.

Sib needs to be imacculate cleaned with soappy water, rinsed with fresh water and perfectly dried out before going into bag for long term storage, new materials doesn't need talc to be applied to them as in the good old days when sibs used to be rubber made.

All marks including lines of expressions seen on tubes will disappear over time once tube fabric starts to stretch out. A pittty that ladies can't manage same.

Happy Boating

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

All marks including lines of expressions seen on tubes will disappear over time once tube fabric starts to stretch out. A pittty that ladies can't manage same.

I think you need to inflate them more.

jky

[kerny]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

I think you need to inflate them more.

jky

Yep they need a good pump now and then

[The Gurnard]

Originally Posted by kerny

Yep they need a good pump now and then

To expand on that idea a bit more..i found it easier to pump the newer inflatable models..they have a bit more stretch than the older models that have deflated a bit over the years

Oh..and sometimes its easier putting the bag over your head rather than putting the inflatable in the bag ....when its a really old model... Its difficult to put it in ..either inflated or deflated...

[T4bus]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

All marks including lines of expressions seen on tubes will disappear over time once tube fabric starts to stretch out. A pittty that ladies can't manage same.

Happy Boating

Oh they can and do!
I've stopped moaning at my Mrs putting weight on, just tell her she's looking younger.

[SIBer]

As said it will be fine rolled up as long as its dry and no creatures having access.
Loosely rollup and don't put anything heavy on it. If you can't use it for a few months simply inflate for 24 hours then re-store.