May 10, 2022 Orca Blog

How do you maintain your RIB?

Like any vehicle, a boat needs to be maintained!

Although they are designed for sailing and contact with the elements, semi-rigid boats necessarily suffer the ravages of natural conditions, and need to be properly maintained.

Wind, salt, but also collisions can damage the aesthetic appearance and even above all the safety of your outings. That's why it's essential to perform regular maintenance actions to keep your inflatable boat in the best condition.

Also, Orca Retail, seller of Hypalon repair fabrics, offers you in this article to review the tips and tips regarding the cleaning and maintenance of semi-rigid inflatable boats in order to extend their lifespan as much as possible.

First, we'll look at the steps involved in a 'major spring clean', to get your RIB back in the best possible condition. At the end of this article, we'll summarise all the day-to-day advice you need to adopt the best maintenance habits.

The equipment needed for maintenance

First of all, on the equipment side, here are the tools we recommend for maintaining a semi-rigid boat :

Hull cleaner
One or more sponges
One high pressure water jet
A scraper
One mushroom cleaner
A small brush
One metal brush
A broom brush
A classic soap
Salt stop
A clean dry cloth

How to clean pneumatic floats ?

This is the first step in maintaining your RIB boat.

In order to clean it properly in all the nooks and crannies, particularly the bladder insertion rails, you'll need to disassemble your floats.

To do this, first deflate your pneumatic floats, then remove them from their rails. For smoother operation, you can use a WD40-type lubricant. This will help you avoid pulling the plastic and make this stage easier.

Beware, some RIBs have two attachment straps: one at the stern and one at the bow, located between the bladder and the hull, and which are often not very visible. Remember to remove them once the inflatable hoses have been deflated, otherwise you won't be able to separate the floats from the boat.

Once everything is disassembled, you can move on to cleaning the flanges. This is a delicate operation that requires the use of the right products. Indeed, as floats are made of PVC or Hypalon, they can be quite sensitive to rubbing and especially to the reaction of certain cleaning products.

In order to take as few risks as possible, and to treat the most common stains, a classic soap is just what you need, with a large volume of clear water, without forcing the flow and pressure of the jet too much.

You can also use the New Magic product available in our shop, thought specifically for the care of neoprene or PVC tubulars. More effective than soap, it brings back the original colours of the socks and removes the most stubborn stains, grease and glue. This maintenance product should be used with a soft brush or sponge. Rinse, then dry.

If your floats suffer from mould or fungi, we recommend the Schmuffex product. This should be applied after the other stains have been removed. It's easy to use: spray the product on the problem areas, wait for the stains to disappear, then rinse. It may be necessary to leave the product to work for up to an hour, or even repeat the operation for the most stubborn stains.

White vinegar or bleach mixed with warm water are also an option for treating these stains, but beware of the risk of altering the colour of your socks.

Finally, once your socks are clean and dry, do the reverse operation, hanging them back up in their rails, then inflate them again.

How to clean the hull of a semi-rigid boat?

Then comes the stage of cleaning the hull.

Protect the aluminium parts (with tape, for example), as these are sensitive to cleaning products. For the rest, you can prepare a mixture of water and acid (oxalic acid ideal for de-yellowing boat hulls) to be applied with a sponge, or better still, a spray bottle.

Let it work for 5 minutes, then rinse with fresh water.

If any stains remain, don't hesitate to make a second application. Make sure you do everything in a temperate climate (at least 15°C). At cooler temperatures, effectiveness will be more limited. As a general rule, avoid hot weather or direct exposure to the sun, which can alter the properties of the cleaning products used.

To work on the shine of your hull and protect it from salt and other natural elements, apply a polish.

Apply the polish carefully in small dabs and in a rotating motion using a clean cloth, without rubbing too hard. For best results, apply a second coat a month after the first.

How to clean the deck ?

When it comes to the deck of your RIB boat, start with a simple pass through the water with a high-pressure jet (karcher type).

If you detect the presence of black spots, mould or fungi, you can again use an antifungal product.

Adapt the products used to the material of your deck. For a polyester deck, for example, use a universal cleaner. Apply the product wherever you wish and rub in only very lightly with a small brush.

If your boat has a teak deck, be sure to first clean it with a mixture of water and exotic wood shampoo. You can then apply a nourishing oil or sealer, which will provide better protection and waterproof the whole thing.

A classic wooden deck, on the other hand, will not require the use of any special cleaner. Simply varnish your deck after lightly sanding it.

As with the sponsons and hull, we advise you to rinse the whole boat with clear water and wash all parts with a conventional cleaning soap. Don't put too much emphasis on areas containing electronic parts (and remember to protect the consoles and battery).

Do this in an ideally sunny and ventilated environment so that the whole thing dries properly, and to avoid condensation phenomena (such as behind the dashboard glass).

If your cockpit has windows, simply clean them like any other glass.

How to maintain the engine of a semi-rigid boat?

First of all, the first good habit to get into is to rinse your boat engine with fresh water after every trip out to sea.

Special rinse kits exist for this purpose. You'll find them under the name of rinsing ears, which are sold for between 5 and 20 euros. Another solution: simply immerse the motor base in fresh water. We also recommend using salt stop to remove any salt that may have built up in the engine's water system.

When servicing your RIB engine, at all times ensure that no gear is engaged and as a precaution, stay clear of the propeller.

Start your boat engine maintenance with an oil change to change the coolant.

Secondly, you can run the motor for several minutes, making sure that the water comes out through the dedicated hole. The water should flow abundantly and regularly.

If the flow is low or inconsistent, inspect the water pump. This may need changing. It is still possible for an object to block the exhaust tube. If this is the case, stop the engine to avoid overheating, and use a metal rod to try to unblock the pipe.

Concerning the air filter on your inflatable boat's motor, start by dislodging it by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place. Then clean or replace the foam, depending on its condition, and remove dust from the various parts of the filter, such as the housing or the pleated paper.

Also check the condition of the distribution belt, ensuring that it is not weakened or already worn.

For the battery, you can clean the anodes with a wire brush to remove any traces of rust.

How to extend the life of a RIB

Now that your inflatable boat is back on top, and apart from major cleaning as described above, observe the following few rules on a daily basis to protect it over time:

Rinse the boat: After each outing, rinse the boat in fresh water to remove salt, sand and dirt. This will prevent the build-up of salt deposits and corrosion.
Check tyre pressure: Semi-rigid boats have PVC or Hypalon tubes that are inflated with air. Make sure the flange pressure is correct to avoid damage or loss of performance.
Check oil levels: Check engine oil levels regularly to avoid breakdowns. Replace the engine oil in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Check other fluids: Check fuel, coolant and power steering fluid levels regularly. Replace fluids in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Check the condition of the propellers: Check the condition of the propellers regularly to ensure that they are not damaged or worn. Replace the propellers if necessary.
Protect the boat from the sun: The sun can damage the surfaces and materials of your boat. Use blankets or tarpaulins to protect the boat from the sun.
Store the boat correctly: Store the boat in a dry place protected from the weather. Avoid leaving the boat in direct sunlight for long periods.

And there you have it! Now you know everything you need to know about regular maintenance for your inflatable boat. Above all, make sure you use the right products for the type of material being treated, and follow the safety instructions for using hazardous products! Don't hesitate to wear protective gear (gloves, goggles) during your cleaning session to ensure maximum safety.

Finally, if you use a tarpaulin to protect your RIB boat, be sure that both it and your boat are thoroughly dry before use, as if there is any dampness, the risk of mould reappearing!

Are you passionate about boating and semi-rigid boats?

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