How to maintain your RIB boat

Like any vehicle, a boat needs maintenance !

Although designed for sailing and contact with the elements, RIB boats necessarily suffer the pangs of natural conditions, and require proper maintenance.

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 top condition.

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

First, we'll take a look at the steps involved in "spring cleaning", to get your RIB back in top condition. At the end of this article, we'll summarize our daily tips for 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 RIB boat : 

• Un nettoyant coque
• One or more sponges
• A high-pressure water jet
• Un grattoir
• A mushroom cleaner
• Une petite brosse
• One metal brush
• A brush broom
• A classic soap
• Salt stop
• A clean dry cloth

How to clean pneumatic tubes ?

This is the first step in maintaining your RIB boat.

In order to thoroughly clean it in all its nooks and crannies, especially the flange insertion rails, you'll need to disassemble your tubes.

To do this, first deflate your pneumatic tubes, 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 step 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 bladders are deflated, otherwise you won't be able to separate the tubes from the boat.

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

To minimize risks, and to treat the most common stains, a classic soap is the best choice, with a large volume of clear water, but 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 colors of the puddings and removes the most stubborn stains, grease and glue. Use with a soft brush or sponge. Rinse, then dry.

If your tubes suffer from mould or fungi, we recommend Schmuffex. This should be applied after all other stains have been removed. It's easy to use: spray the product on problem areas, wait for 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 color of your boudins.

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

How to clean the hull of a RIB boat ?

Then comes the step of cleaning the hull.

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

Leave on for 5 minutes, then rinse with fresh water.

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

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

Apply 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 one 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 note the presence of black spots, mold or fungus, you can again use an antifungal product. 

Match the products used to the material of your deck. For a polyester deck, for example, use an all-purpose cleaner. Apply the product wherever you wish, rubbing only very lightly with a small brush. 

If your boat has a teak deck, be sure to clean it first with a mixture of water and exotic wood shampoo. You can then apply a nourishing oil or sealer, which will further protect and impermeabilize everything. 

A classic wooden deck, meanwhile, won't require the use of any special cleaner. Simply varnish your deck after lightly sanding it.

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

Do this in an ideally sunny, well-ventilated environment to ensure proper drying, and to avoid condensation phenomena (like behind dashboard glass).

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

How to maintain the engine of a RIB boat ?

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

Special rinse kits are available for this purpose. You'll find them under the name of rinsing ears, which sell for between 5 and 20 euros. Alternative : simply immerse the motor baseplate in fresh water. We also recommend the use of salt-stopper to perfectly remove salt encrusted in the engine water system.

When servicing your RIB motor, at all times make sure 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.

As a second step, you can run the motor for several minutes, making sure the water comes out through the dedicated hole. The water must flow abundantly and regularly.

If flow is low or inconsistent, inspect the water pump. This may need to be changed. It's also possible that an object is blocking the exhaust tube. If this is the case, stop the engine to avoid overheating, and pass a metal rod through to try to unclog 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 filter components such as the housing and pleated paper.

Also check the condition of the distributor belt, making sure it's not weakened or already dented.

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 boat 

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:

1. 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.

2. Check tire pressure: RIB 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.

3. Check oil levels: Check engine oil levels regularly to avoid breakdowns. Replace engine oil according to manufacturer's recommendations.

4. Check other fluids: Check fuel, coolant and power steering fluid levels regularly. Replace fluids according to manufacturer's recommendations.

5. Check the condition of the propellers: Regularly check the condition of the propellers to ensure they are not damaged or worn. Replace propellers if necessary.

6. Protect the boat from the sun: The sun can damage your boat's surfaces and materials. Use blankets or tarpaulins to protect the boat from the sun.

7. Store the boat properly: Store the boat in a dry, weatherproof place. 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 of your inflatable boat. Above all, make sure you use the right products for the type of material you're treating, and follow the safety instructions for using hazardous  products! Don't hesitate to wear protective equipment (gloves, goggles) during your cleaning session, for greater safety. 

Finally, if you use a tarpaulin to protect your RIB boat, be sure that both it and your craft are thoroughly dry before use, as if damp, the risk of mould reappears !

Are you passionate about boating and RIB boats? 

Read more about the world of RIBs:

• The best RIB boat accessories
• Preparing to winterize your RIB boat
• Why buy a RIB boat? Avantages
• The best RIB inflatable boat models
• Preparing to launch your inflatable boat 

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