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TRANSPORTING YOUR HYSIDE
The bonus with our Hypalon material is that it’s easier to roll than other boat fabrics, it’s lighter and is less likely
to get damaged in transport. That said, there are still some precautions to take when transporting your boat.
Standard Precautions
Because punctures are the main concern with inflatable boats, it is important to protect it from sharp objects.
Use care when transporting knives, fishing hooks, and other objects that could puncture the skin of the inflatable
boat. Watch for sharp metal or branches when navigating the waters, as well as avoid dragging the boat over
rocks and debris when landing on a beach.
Even dull objects such as oars, ropes, or coolers can cause abrasion and deterioration of the coating material if
allowed to rub for an extended period of time.
Make sure all valve caps are screwed on prior to rolling. Roll the boat as tight as possible, cam strap it secure and
package in the smallest box possible (if shipping). This will avoid damage during transit and will save on freight if
you are shipping it. If too big for a box, wrap the boat in a tarp, canvas, or HYSIDE Boat bag. Be sure not to load
other equipment on top of the boat that could potentially wear on your boat.
Moving the boats has been known to cause more damage than usage on the river unless closely monitored.
Using the handles as tie-downs, abrasive ropes rubbing on the tubes, and the biggest culprit of all, tossing the
boats to the ground!
RESTORING YOUR HYSIDE
As time goes on and your boat has been beaten by the sun and the various adventures you’ve put it through, here
are some tips to bring your HYSIDE back to life:
Worn Areas
Areas that have had abrasion to the point that fabric is showing can be painted with Gaco Hypalon paint. Don’t
use this technique to attempt to stop air leaks (it won’t work). This is a remedy for random scratches. Areas
where there is constant wear, a pad or urethane coating should be applied. In some situations you may be able
to stop the cause if it originated from improper trailering or dragging of the boats. To apply the paint, first clean
the surface with MEK using a cloth. Then build-up thin layers of paint using the same process explained in gluing:
short bristle paint brush and multiple thin coats.
Removing Loose Threads
The aging of a boat will always produce frayed ends from the nylon base cloth. You can cut the ends off with
scissors and then finish it off by waving a heat gun over the clipped area. This step not only removes them from
sight, but reduces the chances of future fraying.
If the seam tape, handle or D-ring bases are heavily worn, you can clip the frayed edges and then use a Dremel
tool to bevel the edges and then flash it with a heat gun. To finish it off, use some Gaco paint to touch up the area,
then put 303 Protectant on it to bring back the shine.
