Storing an inflatable dinghy/outboard

Paddingtonbear

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 May 2011
Messages
351
Visit site
Now I have both a hypalon dinghy and and air cooled 2 stroke outboard, I need to know how best to store them over the winter and keep them in the best condition. They are both second hand btw. Any comments welcome.
 
WRT the dinghy, blow it up and wash it down with fresh water. The let it dry and re-pack it. Keep it in a shed or the loft until next year.

With the engine, I'd flush it through in fresh water, drain the fuel from the tank. Run the carb dry. Spray carb cleaner in the intake. Soak a rag in 3-in-one and stuff it in the intake. Whip out the old plug and spray a little oil in the plug hole, then turn the engine over a couple of times before replacing the old plug. Fit a new one next season.

As it's second hand, I'd also change the lub oil in the leg, the water pump impellor and give the gear linkage (if there is one) a good grease with teflon grease. Keanol grease is not good enough IMO. I don't do this every year as my engine clocks up under ten operating hours per year, but it is part of the annual service for most engines.
 
Last edited:
Not a lot to be added! There was a suggestion that given enough loft space you should pump it up softly so that it doesn't stay folded and fail a;png the creases. Just be very careful deflating it to come back down the hatch!

Rob
 
storing an inflatable/outboard

That seems a good idea. I shall be storing it in its own cottage by the seaside:)
or possibly in hold of my wife's motor boat, where it is currently. I have not picked up the outboard yet so have yet to suss that all out.
 
WRT the dinghy, blow it up and wash it down with fresh water. The let it dry and re-pack it. Keep it in a shed or the loft until next year.

With the engine, I'd flush it through in fresh water, drain the fuel from the tank. Run the carb dry. Spray carb cleaner in the intake. Soak a rag in 3-in-one and stuff it in the intake. Whip out the old plug and spray a little oil in the plug hole, then turn the engine over a couple of times before replacing the old plug. Fit a new one next season.

As it's second hand, I'd also change the lub oil in the leg, the water pump impellor and give the gear linkage (if there is one) a good grease with teflon grease. Keanol grease is not good enough IMO. I don't do this every year as my engine clocks up under ten operating hours per year, but it is part of the annual service for most engines.

Sounds like a lot of work.

I prefer rowing so never use mine for more than an hour or two a year. I know this as I only ever put fuel in once a year.

I did service it once and it promptly refused to start the next spring.

My regime now is to leave it on the pushpit all winter with whatever fuel is left. Seems to be quite happy to start on the 3rd or so pull in Spring, and then straight away from then on.

Mariner 2.5
 
I hang my inflatable (inflated) from the rafters in the garage.Cover it with an old sheet. I would watch mice if left in a shed.They like some types of plastic, not sure about Hypalon.
 
Top