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PVC boats, popular among fishing enthusiasts, can become worn out or lose their best properties over time. These boats are used for rafting trips on the Putorana Plateau during fishing tours.
Today we'll discuss how you can repair certain parts or the entire structure yourself. This article covers repairs to components and the pump, if your watercraft requires it.
How to repair a keel?
Over time, the keel of a boat can develop problems. Various wounds, cuts, abrasions, and punctures can appear on the keel. This indicates that urgent repairs are needed on the PVC boat. To do this, follow these steps:
· Thoroughly clean the keel from dirt and dry it.
· Identify the damaged areas and fill them with glue, securing them with special tape.
· To be sure, the glued area is clamped on both sides with bars and left for drying.
· After a few hours, remove any excess items and dry with a hairdryer.
Repairing the pump yourself
If the pump has lost its airtight seal, it needs to be repaired. This occurs when the fabric begins to delaminate and cracks and bubbles appear.
Step-by-step repair instructions:
1. Disassemble and remove the old membrane, making a cut for ease of removal.
2. From PVC material, it is necessary to cut out a replacement, leaving a small length reserve for reliable gluing.
3. Remove the seal from the previously removed membrane and glue it to the new piece, then glue it in place. If there are any gaps in the seal, fill them with small cutouts of linoleum.
4. Place the pump on the body and leave the finished product to dry.
These simple procedures are used to repair the keel and pump of PVC boats. They're easy to do yourself, as long as you have the necessary tools and materials for replacement and repair.
How to extend the life of a watercraft?
With proper maintenance, a PVC boat can provide its owner with a long lifespan. However, there are a few mistakes to avoid. They include:
· Be careful not to overinflate the watercraft. Overinflated cylinders can lead to seam ruptures or damage to the valve area.
· After fishing, the boat must be dried thoroughly.
When launching your boat or while fishing, refrain from smoking. Leave sharp objects on the shore.
· Watercraft do not tolerate overheating and overload well.
· Boats can be damaged if dragged across land, sand, or dry land.
· You should be wary of bodies of water with snags and be extremely careful and attentive when fishing in such places.
The final part
We've described how to repair a boat pump and keel yourself. In summary, it's safe to say that any fisherman can handle any repair work related to PVC boats on their own.
Certain types of repairs require specialized materials and tools, but most problems and tasks can be completed even while rafting or on shore. Only in rare cases is it better to entrust repairs to professionals.
