Winter is coming to an end and the boating season is approaching. This is the ideal time to thoroughly inspect your Zodiac inflatable boat and get it ready for spring. Proper maintenance not only extends the service life of your boat, but also helps prevent unpleasant surprises on the water.
In this blog, we take you step by step through a practical inflatable boat maintenance checklist, with extra focus on what to do after winter, before you head back out on the water.
Why spring maintenance is so important
During the winter, your inflatable boat often has:
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Left unused for a longer period
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Been exposed to cold, damp and temperature fluctuations
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Had less ventilation (especially during storage)
That’s exactly why problems often only show up in spring: small leaks, material drying out, stuck valves or mould growth. By checking the following steps properly now, you can prevent damage and extra costs.
Step 1: Take your Zodiac inflatable boat out of winter storage
Start by carefully unpacking or taking out your boat. Check immediately:
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Was the boat stored completely dry?
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Do you notice a musty or mouldy smell?
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Are there any visible creases, discolouration or damage?
Tip: Let the boat acclimatise first (don’t fully inflate immediately in cold temperatures).
Step 2: Clean thoroughly (but safely)
After winter, there’s often dirt, dust or deposits on the fabric. Here’s how to clean your inflatable boat safely:
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Use lukewarm water
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Soft sponge or brush
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Dedicated inflatable boat cleaning product
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No aggressive all-purpose cleaners or solvents
Use a product that is officially approved and proven safe by manufacturers of inflatable boats and RIBs. Our recommendation is, of course, the Blue Marine New Magic inflatable boat cleaner.
While cleaning, pay extra attention to the seams and bonded joints, the underside of the tubes, and the transoms and edges. A clean boat makes damage easier to spot and extends the service life of the material.
Step 3: Inspecting the material and seams
Now that the boat is clean, it’s time for a thorough inspection. Check the following:
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Small cracks or signs of drying out
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Seams coming loose
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Discolouration from UV or age
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Wear marks at contact points
Spot small damage? Deal with it now. Small repairs are straightforward; you want to avoid major repairs.
Step 4: Check and test the valves
Valves are a common source of problems after winter. Here’s what you need to do:
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Open and close the valves fully
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Check for sand, dirt or salt
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Apply a light coat of grease if required
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Test for air loss after inflation
Not sure about a valve? Replacing it is often cheaper than ending up on the water with a leak later.
Step 5: Inflate the boat and carry out a leak test
Inflate the boat gradually to the recommended pressure. Here are a few leak-detection tips:
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Leave the boat for 30–60 minutes
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Check whether the pressure drops
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Use soapy water (water + a little washing-up liquid) on seams and valves
Seeing bubbles? Then you’ve got a small leak that’s easy to repair with a repair kit.
Step 6: Check the floor, transom and accessories
Don’t forget the rest of the boat. Check the following:
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Inflatable or aluminium floor
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Transom (for engine mounting)
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Bench seats and fixing points
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Oars, paddles and retaining clips
You can easily secure or replace loose parts now.
Step 7: Protection for the new season
If everything is in order, it’s sensible to protect your boat against sun and use. Recommended for spring:
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UV protectant for the rubber, for example Gumemp 100
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Boat cover when the boat is not in use
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Correct storage (out of the sun, well ventilated)
This helps prevent drying out and discolouration in summer.
Common mistakes during spring maintenance
When you get your inflatable boat ready to launch again after winter, small steps are sometimes skipped or done too quickly. It may seem harmless, but this is exactly why most problems occur in spring. Pay particular attention to the following points:
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Inflating too quickly and fully in low temperatures
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Cleaning with aggressive or unsuitable cleaning products
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Ignoring small leaks or early signs of wear
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Not checking, testing or cleaning the valves
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Not using UV protection at the start of the season
Ready for the boating season?
With this spring checklist, you can be sure your inflatable boat is safe, reliable and ready to launch. By focusing on maintenance now, you’ll enjoy the new boating season with complete peace of mind. View all maintenance products, repair materials and genuine Zodiac parts here. Not sure about your boat’s condition? Feel free to get in touch for advice.
