Tubes during the winter

[Milan]

Hi can anyone tell me is it best to keep the tubes on my rib fully inflated or deflated during the winter time the rib is kept on the trailer by the way many thanks in advance

[Fjordrafting]

I do not know the right answer, but can tell you what I do. I keep two boats on the water all winter. They have to be inflated and that works fine even when they are exposed to snow and 20 degrees below. I also have boats on land, and they are stored without air, which also works fine.
Can not see anything wrong in leting the air out during wintertime.

[Stephen-RIB]

It depends a bit on where you are storing for the winter (refer back to the rodent problem post). I would say keep the tubes filled but not to hard at all.

[Jklingel]

Fjordrafting: I assume you mean twenty below Celcius? Do you put anything in particular on the tubes, like 303, to help keep them supple? Curious, as mine are likely going to have to survive 50 below F.

[Fjordrafting]

Originally Posted by Jklingel

Fjordrafting: I assume you mean twenty below Celcius? Do you put anything in particular on the tubes, like 303, to help keep them supple? Curious, as mine are likely going to have to survive 50 below F.

Yes, Celsius it is! And no, we do not put anything on the tubes other than silicon in order to make them look nice and shiny.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by Milan

Hi can anyone tell me is it best to keep the tubes on my rib fully inflated or deflated during the winter time the rib is kept on the trailer by the way many thanks in advance

A word of caution if you are storing any inflatable under cover. Rodents have a liking for Hypalon fabric, and if the tubes are left delated, it is a lot easier for them to get their teeth into the folds of the fabric. If the tubes are fully inflated they are unable to do any damage. We have seen many examples of mice and rat damage when inflatables are deflated during the winter.

[Milan]

Originally Posted by Christopher

A word of caution if you are storing any inflatable under cover. Rodents have a liking for Hypalon fabric, and if the tubes are left delated, it is a lot easier for them to get their teeth into the folds of the fabric. If the tubes are fully inflated they are unable to do any damage. We have seen many examples of mice and rat damage when inflatables are deflated during the winter.

Thanks for the advice Christopher