So you recently bought your first ski tube, or maybe you've owned several before and just haven't paid attention to care and maintenance. There's really not much to the care and maintenance of your tube, but proper care and maintenance may just extend the life of your ski tube.
Proper Inflation
First and foremost in care and maintenance is proper inflation. Your tube will come with inflation instructions, follow those instructions carefully. If your ski tube is not properly inflated during use, it will place added stress on the tube cover by allowing water to collect between the cover and PVC bladder. If your tube is over-inflated, it will place excessive stress on the bladder. Further, an over-inflated ski tube left in the sun will likely result in the tube bladder becoming misshaped. PVC has no "memory", so the tube won't return to its original shape. Misshaped tubes may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms; hard to tow, erratic behavior, may "submarine" when being pulled behind the boat.
Cleaning Your Tube
Ski tubes get dirty. You can clean your tube with soap and water or a mild detergent. Simply use a soapy bucket of water and a sponge to gently wash away the dirt. Then rinse the tube clean with a garden hose. Do not use strong cleaning agents on the nylon cover of your ski tube. These may cause damage to the fabric or fading.
Proper Storage
Proper storage of your towable is important as well. Before storing your ski tube, make sure it is completely dry. Tubes are easiest to dry when inflated. You may also dry a deflated tube by draping it over a clothes line or similar structure. Do not fold and store a ski tube that is wet. This will result in the growth of mold or mildew that may stain your tubes cover permanently.
At the end of the season, make sure your ski tube dries completely and store it in a cool dry area. Make sure to take precautions against rodents and vermin. January 17, 2007 |
