| Thousands of years ago, the first
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| | deterioration of the coating material if
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| inflatable boats, made from animal skins,
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| | allowed to rub for an extended period of
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| were used for transportation. People used
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| | time.
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| them to cross rivers, ferry goods to other
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| | • It also is important to rinse out your
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| locations, and move military troops. Over
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| | inflatable boat or inflatable kayak after
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| time, inflatable boats were adapted for
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| | each use. Sand and gravel can cause
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| recreational use as well, and for rescue
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| | abrasion and plug air valves. If left to
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| operations. Today there are many types of
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| | soak into an inflatable boat, salt water
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| inflatable boats and over a dozen ways
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| | can cause the material to deteriorate.
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| they are used around the world.
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| | Caring For Your Inflatable Boat •
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| Different militaries across the globe
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| | Cleaning: Armorall and other oil-based
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| helped bring inflatable boats to the
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| | products can damage the rubber or fabric
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| public attention, and today the government
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| | over time and prevent patches from
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| still uses inflatable boats for troop
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| | sticking. Mild dish soap is best for
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| transport, special military operations,
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| | cleaning your inflatable boat. There are
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| and drug and other law enforcement
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| | also several cleaners designed
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| activities. In addition, inflatable boats
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| | specifically for inflatable boats.
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| are also used in search and rescue
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| | • Storage: Because uninflated boats are
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| operations, fisheries patrol and security
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| | more vulnerable to damage, many
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| patrol. They are also used as tenders on
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| | manufacturers recommend that you store the
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| large yachts and ships.
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| | boat partially inflated and covered with a
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| On the recreational side, inflatable boats
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| | tarp. If this is not possible, completely
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| can be used for diving, fishing, pleasure
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| | deflate the boat and be sure it is dry and
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| boating, river rafting, water skiing, and
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| | clean before rolling and storing in the
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| many other water activities that involve a
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| | carrying bag. If you plan to store your
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| boat. Consumers can also purchase
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| | inflatable boat on a trailer, be sure
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| inflatable kayaks, canoes, and sailboats.
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| | there are no bends or kinks in the boat.
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| Because there are so many different types
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| | • Repairs: Sometimes, even with the best
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| of inflatable boats and a variety of ways
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| | of care and safety precautions, your
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| they can be used, it is important to be
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| | inflatable boat can develop a puncture or
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| familiar with the specific operating
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| | leak. Unless you have a major and obvious
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| instructions for your particular model and
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| | accident, it may be difficult to determine
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| situation. However, there are a few
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| | the location of the leak. While the boat
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| general use guidelines that apply to most,
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| | is inflated, wipe it with soapy water and
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| if not all, inflatable boats.
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| | watch for bubbles to form on the surface
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| Inflating • When inflating your raft or
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| | of the boat as a result of escaping air.
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| boat, many manufacturers recommend filling
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| | Don’t assume there is only one leak.
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| each air chamber in a clockwise pattern
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| | Check the entire boat with soapy water to
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| around the boat, just until the craft
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| | be sure before setting out on the water.
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| takes shape. Then work your way back
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| | Many manufacturers recommend that you
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| around the boat filling the chambers to
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| | bring your boat to a professional for
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| the pressure level indicated for that
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| | larger repairs, because it can be
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| particular boat.
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| | difficult to get a good seal with a patch.
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| • If the floor of the boat is
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| | However, if you have a small puncture or
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| inflatable, add air until the pressure
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| | are in a situation where you need to make
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| relief valve releases a small amount of
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| | immediate repairs, follow the directions
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| air.
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| | on the patch kit. Some basic tips include:
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| • Don’t overfill. A properly inflated
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| | Ensure that the surface is clean and dry
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| boat should have just a bit of give.
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| | before applying the patch Be sure the
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| • Be aware that air temperature causes
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| | adhesive is sufficiently tacky before
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| changes in the air pressure in the
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| | applying the patch Choose a patch that
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| inflatable chambers. Many boaters fill
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| | extends at least three inches beyond the
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| their inflatable boats in the morning when
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| | rip in all directions If your inflatable
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| the air is cool. But as the temperature
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| | boat has rough or cracked areas that are
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| increases over the course of the day, the
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| | filled with tiny pinhole leaks, this is an
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| air in the tubes expands, increasing the
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| | indication that the coating on the
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| pressure. If a tube or chamber becomes too
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| | material has aged or become damaged by
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| pressurized, it can explode if struck by a
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| | sunlight, saltwater, overheating or some
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| sharp object. You may have to let some air
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| | other type of wear and tear. While you may
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| out at different points throughout the day
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| | be able to patch some of these leaks, it
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| if you operate your inflatable boat or
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| | is best to replace the inflatable boat if
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| inflatable kayak in the hot sun.
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| | other areas show signs of wear.
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| • Most inflatable boats deflate simply
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| | Inflatable boats, canoes, and kayaks have
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| by opening the air valves.
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| | many advantages over traditional
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| Standard Precautions • Because punctures
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| | watercraft, however, because of their
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| are the main concern with inflatable
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| | special design and materials, they can
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| boats, it is important to protect if from
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| | require more care and maintenance. But as
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| sharp objects. Use care when transporting
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| | this article describes, it is not
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| diving knives, spears, fishing hooks, and
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| | difficult to care for an inflatable boat,
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| other objects that could puncture the skin
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| | and most problems can be avoided by using
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| of the inflatable boat. Watch for
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| | common sense and by developing a
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| barnacles and sharp metal or wood when
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| | consistent routine. If properly cared for,
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| tying your boat to the dock, and avoid
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| | inflatable boats can provide you with
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| dragging the boat over rocks and shells
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| | years of service and recreational fun
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| when landing on a beach.
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| | without the expense associated with
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| • Even dull objects such as oars, ropes,
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| | traditional watercraft.
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| or coolers can cause abrasion and
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