“Back from Sea” Maintenance

The "Back from Sea" maintenance is a routine, quick checking procedure that ideally should not take more than 10 or 15 minutes. The primary objective is to maintain the boat's reliability by spotting any wear or damage early and ensuring the craft is ready for its next use.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the required actions for this maintenance session:

a. Washing and Cleaning the Boat

• Fresh Water Wash Down: The first step is to wash down the boat thoroughly in fresh water to eliminate all salt water, grit, and other contamination from the hull and tubes.

• Grit and Abrasion: This is particularly important if the RIB has been used on a beach, as dirt and grit inside the boat are highly abrasive. This abrasive material can work its way into the tightest corners, especially where the air tube is attached to the rigid deck, potentially rubbing the proofing off the fabric and causing air leaks.

• Cleaning Method: It is recommended to first use a bucket of water with mild detergent, such as washing-up liquid, rather than just washing the boat with a freshwater hose.

• Hand-washing helps remove grease and contaminants from the rubber fabric.

• Hand-washing encourages a more careful visual inspection of the tube.

• Applying a detergent solution to the air tubes can help indicate air leaks by revealing groups of bubbles gathering around the leak source.

b. Draining Water

• The boat must be placed in a position where the wash water can drain out.

• If the RIB is afloat, drainage should occur automatically, provided the deck level is above the exterior water level.

• If the boat is on a trailer, it should drain freely through the stern drains, but you may need to remove the drain plug in the transom to allow any accumulated water inside the hull to drain out.

c. Checking Fittings and Fixtures

After cleaning, conduct a quick inspection of the boat's components:

• Dampness and Electrics: Check inside the console (if fitted) to ensure there is no dampness on the electrics.

• Corrosion Prevention: For any exposed electrical connections, a spray of a silicone grease aerosol can help keep corrosion at bay.

• Moving Parts: Parts such as catches that need to be kept moving should also be treated with the same silicone grease aerosol spray.

• Engine Check: The routine should also include a check on the engine.

d. Critical Warning on Cleaning Products

• Only use detergent and water or a commercially available RIB cleaner.

• If using proprietary cleaners, check the contents carefully and reject any that contain silicone.

• Silicone Warning: While silicone can give the tube a shiny finish, it creates a film on the rubber surface. If future repairs are needed, glue will not stick until this silicone film is removed, making the repair process significantly more difficult.

• Threaded Components: Do not use silicone grease aerosol on the air valves in the tubes or other threaded components, as it will attract dust and grit, potentially making the screw thread difficult to operate.