www.iFourWinns.com

I'll be winterizing and tucking everything away this weekend (bummer!) and thought of a question. I typically keep our tube inflated and hanging up on a hook in my storage garage. Obviously it loses a bit of air over time and we need to add some from time to time, but my question is for over the winter--is there any reason to deflate the tube? I am thinking, it might be just as good to leave it inflated and hanging up rather than deflated and put in a Rubbermaid bin. Any opinions?

_________________
Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

We always deflate and roll ours up. Got 6 or 8 years on them ... and counting.

_________________
Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

What is the benefit of keeping it inflated? It seems to me it would just take up space in the garage. I deflated mine and folded it up, making very sure it was clean and dry, then bagged it and put on a rack in the garage.

_________________
2005 Horizon 250

My storage is 3 hours away from my house--so space is not an issue. I won't be back in there until May. No real advatage to keeping it inflated--but it is hanging up, is off the floor, and out of the way. Just wondering what the benefit is to deflating (if any).

_________________
Norris Lake, Stardust Marina, Andersonville, TN
2005 Four Winns 230 Horizon 5.7L Volvo Gi/DP
2001 Maxum 1900SR 5.0L V8 (Sold)
2011 Nissan Armada Platnum

Since space isn't an issue I don't see any reason you have to deflate it. I can't imagine that it would be detrimental. Do you keep it fully inflated during the summer season? I usually put mine in the ski locker deflated when going out and inflate it only if/when used, then deflate after drying because inflated it just takes up too much space and gets in the way if tied down over the rear of the boat.

_________________
2005 Horizon 250

The only disadvantage I can think of is the wear on the valve. There will constantly be air pushing against it while its inflated. With that being said, I left ours inflated since April of this year and just deflated it for storage and I saw no issues leaving it inflated for those 6 months.. Either way youre probably just fine.

_________________
1990 Horizon 200
5.7L OMC Cobra 260HP

We keep ours inflated over the winter. I just want to be sure even the smallest amount of water isnt trapped somewhere and start to mildew etc....plenty of room in my garage for it so its no big deal.

_________________
Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4