When investing in a belly boat, you want to get the most out of your purchase and guarantee that it will work for many years. Here are some useful tips and steps to ensure that your float tube stays functional so you can continue enjoying its use for many more seasons!
It’s essential to be aware that elevation and heat can have an impact on your inflated belly boat. When the air heats up, it will expand, so leaving a fully-inflated float in direct sunlight for any length of time could lead to its bursting. This is not applicable when the tube is already in water due to there being no chance of getting too hot from external elements. In case you accidentally left a dry inflated float exposed to sun rays, simply relief some pressure off by letting a little bit of the air out!
Don’t place your belly boat near sharp or heavy objects, and when possible wrap it in a tarp for protection against punctures. Keep in mind that placing heavy items on top of a deflated float tube can damage the material used to assemble the boat, so always be sure to keep valve caps in place whenever necessary. This tip goes without saying; however, it is worth mentioning as an effective way to ensure maximum longevity from your gear!
Damaging Agents and Cleaning your Belly Boat
Your belly boat float tube can sustain irreparable damage if proper maintenance is neglected. Its waterproof coating and polyurethane in the Denier nylon material cannot protect it from these unsuspecting destroyers:
- Mold
- Mildew
- UV extended exposure
- Insect repellents
- Corrosive oils, solvents
After every use, make sure to rinse off any debris from the boat while it is still inflated. Then let the float tube air dry in a place where there is no direct sunlight exposure. When storing for short-term periods of time, all you need to do is deflate and roll up your boat for easy storage!
To ensure long-term storage, a bit of maintenance is required. Gently clean the boat with mild soap and water (don’t forget to brush away any debris from the zippers as well – this can be an oasis for mold or mildew!). Afterward, allow it to air dry in indirect sunlight – do not use heaters! If you opt to store it inflated, release some pressure off of your float tube so that you have approximately one inch of slack material when pinched. Storing at full inflation could put unnecessary strain on its fabric.
When your deflated belly boat is completely dry, gently roll and store it in the duffle away from any pointed or heavy objects. It’s normal to find residual water left over in the bladders which will not damage this remarkable vessel! Maintain a cool and dry location for optimal storage of your Belly Boat.