After a fun day on the water in your favorite inflatable SUP, SUP-Yak, or inflatable kayak, you pack it up in its bag and throw it in the back of the car. A long day of paddling in the sun can be tiring and the last thing you might want to do when you return home is worry about properly storing your boat or board. However, there are a few simple storage tips that can keep it looking good and will surely extend its life of use.
Wash & Rinse
Inflatable boards and yaks can get all sorts of salt and grim on them after a long session, so it’s always good to take some time to wash them down with some soap and water. Be sure to rinse! Avoid any abrasives, as this could damage the graphics or integrity of the surface of your vessel. If you don’t have any soap on hand, a good rinse with a hose is still recommended.
Dry
Once you’ve washed and rinsed your board, use a towel or rag to dry it fully. While inflatable boards and yaks are built for the water, leaving them wet in storage can lead to molding and could cause long-term damage to the seams. If you have the space, you can also choose to air dry. When air drying, we recommend that you keep your board or yak out of direct sunlight as UV rays can be damaging to PVC.
Bag
After fully deflating your boat or board and removing all fins, you’ll be ready to bag it up for storage. Make sure to double-check that all valves are open. All our inflatable SUPs and yaks come with a carry-all bag for convenient storage and transportation. Neatly roll or fold your SUP or yak loosely and place it inside of the bag.
Stow
Whether you’re stowing your inflatable in your car, boat, or garage, there are several things to consider. A cool, dry place out of the sun is ideal for storage. If you can store the bag laying flat, it would be better as this will decrease the wear on the rails. Stowing your paddle, fins, and pump alongside the board will make for easy access for your next spontaneous adventure.
*It’s ok to store your board or boat inflated too. However, make sure to release some of the PSI to avoid expansion if it gets too warm in the storage spot.
Ready to give it a try?
We know these tips may sound like no-brainers, but we promise they will go a long way in helping you maintain the quality of your inflatable SUP or kayak. If you haven’t added an inflatable yet to your adventure arsenal, we have a great selection of inflatable SUPs and kayaks to choose from.