An Inflatable kayak has a lot of advantages. You can easily maneuver them as they are too much lightweight. Transportation is also very easy because of its extreme lightweight. But the problem is, it does not matter whether your inflatable kayak is expensive or cheap, your kayak will get a puncture on it. It also doesn’t matter your inflatable kayak is made of which material.
Sooner or letter, it will surely get punctured. But you can have your kayak puncture-free for a long time if you take proper care of it. Here I will discuss how you can take care of your kayak and still if you get a puncture on how to repair it. Both caring and repairing of the kayak properly may be tricky if you have little knowledge about the inflatable kayak.
So, I am here to give you some working tips to help you with taking care of your kayak and repairing it when necessary. Learn more about kayaks vapor 10 angler fishing kayak review.
Here I will discuss how you can take care of your kayak and still if you get a puncture on how to repair it. Both caring and repairing of the kayak properly may be tricky if you have little knowledge about the inflatable kayak. So, I am here to give you some working tips to help you with taking care of your kayak and repairing it when necessary.
Table of Contents
How to Care Your Inflatable Kayak
The first thing that you have to do is to be sure that your kayak is fully inflated so that you can get the most out of your expeditions on the water. One thing you should remember that like you, your kayak can also be overheated if you keep it under the sun for an extended period. So don’t keep the kayak in the excessive heat for a long time when it’s inflated.
Maintain it Properly
We all know one thing that prevention is better than cure. By taking proper care, you can decrease the risk of damage. You should always check the water level when you are out on the water. If the water level is low, then you have to keep looking if there are any rocks underwater which may be a cause of making a puncture in your kayak.
Storing
After using the kayak, it’s important to make it fully dry before you pack it. If you leave moisture or water inside the kayak for a period, they will grow mold and mildew. If you want to prevent this problem, just dry it out with a towel every time after the use.
Store the kayak in a dry and cool place. Never keep your kayak in the sun, rain, or freezing weather. This will damage the kayak badly. If you want to store it outside you must cover it with a tarp to protect it from debris.
Additional Protection
The materials of which your inflatable kayak is made will need to be protected from the strong UV rays and the elements. You can use 303 protectants for UV protection. This will keep the materials strong and help to last a long time. You can purchase a protection spray to give your kayak protection from the UV rays. They are not expensive but can provide excellent protection to your kayak.
Use a cleaner that is specially made for cleaning an inflatable kayak to get the best result. Clean the surface with that cleaner and then apply the spray. If you don’t have any cleaner then just use natural cleaner. Never use any harsh chemical cleaner as they can be harmful to the kayak.
Don’t use any sharp gears that are harmful to your kayak. If you really need to use them use carefully. For better protection of the kayak, you should use an inflatable kayak seat instead of the standard kayak seat.
Transportation
Always make the transportation of your inflatable kayak carefully. When you remove the kayak from the water and place it in your car, you have to take the time to make the whole transportation carefully. Make sure that the kayak is not leaning against any sharp things during the time you are driving your car on the way home.
Maybe your inflatable kayak is made of durable materials and it can take a fair amount of abuse. But, still, if you want your kayak to remain in good shape you have to be conscientious of transporting the kayak very carefully.
How to Repair an Inflatable Kayak
The best inflatable kayaks should be the last longing. But it’s an ordinary matter to get a puncture even if your inflatable kayak is the best one. So, don’t worry about the puncture, rather you should think about how to repair it. Let’s get some tips to fix it quickly.
How to Locate the Leak
If you are facing a problem with finding the leak, then you can just inflate the kayak and apply soapy water. You will see it making a bubble from the leakage area. Now that you have found the lick, you can follow step 2 and step 3.
Repairing a Small Leak
If the leak is small, then it is easy. At first, deflate your boat and clean the leakage area. After, make the area dry and then apply a small drop of glue. Now leave it for a while to dry. When it is thoroughly dry, you can use it just like before you did.
Repairing a Big Leak
For larger repairs, you have to apply a patch to the area. There is a rule of thumb you can follow; you have to apply a patch only if the puncture is bigger than a pinhole. If the whole is even larger than a pinhole, then you should contact the customer care and tell them to fix it.
I hope that this article will be very helpful to you. The caring steps mentioned above are really working steps. If you can follow them, your kayak will obviously remain healthy and last a very long time. So, take proper care of your kayak to avoid damage. And still, if it gets a puncture, I think you are now able to repair it quickly. Above all, you have to choose the best inflatable kayak when purchasing to get the best service from it. Enjoy kayaking.
