UV protection for dinghy

[nebulatech]

Hi All!

I recently acquired a "new to me" West Marine dingy. I'm wondering if I need to buy the dingy-specific cleaners and UV protectants or if I can just clean it with soapy water and apply some automotive wax. Dingys aren't cheap, and I'm happy with the one I got, for what I paid for it. I would like it to last. I'm asking about the cleaners because a lot of these designer boat products are just regular household cleaners with a fancy name and price tag. (teak treatments are usually oxalic acid and TSP for instance). I'm a believer in good polymers. I typically use aerospace polymer wax for my boats. I'm not trying to cheap out per se. Sometimes the non boat-specific stuff works better.

I'm pretty sure the dingy is PVC, not Hypalon. I wiped a section with acetone and which removed pigment and the spot got a little tacky. But its an old dingy, so still not 100%. The other check I read about was to look at the inner fabric, so I'll have to do that this afternoon. The main reason I'm not sure is the rears of the pontoons are rounded. On the West Marine website, all of their PVC dingies have pointy ends on the pontoons, and the Hypalon ones are rounded. Then again, this is an old dingy with no date code or model number on the transom (at least not that I've found).

Thoughts and observations greatly appreciated!

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[Plum76]

I washed mine with dish soap and hot water, seemed to get most everything off. I worried more about UV from sitting on the buoy all summer, so I ended up with a cover for it, helps keep the leaves and debris out as well. It adds a few minutes to getting going, but I think lots less wear and tear from the elements.

Mine is also PVC, and I'm under the impression that extended UV exposure is the main culprit for degrading glue and PVC..

Jason

[DCatSea]

I have a similar WM/Zodiac inflatable, which is usually "down" when not in use and in its bag or the garage. That said, this year I bought a "Ding" cover by Eevelle (yes it's on the Big A in various well-fitting sizes) which has performed well even towing. The only problem was with heavy rain which tended to fill the cover. However, putting an inflated Pilates ball under the cover raised it in the middle sufficiently enough to guide most of the water (and leaves etc) over the side.
Don't have a pic of this wondrous idea, sorry.

Just a little D#@n dish soap keeps the whole deal clean.

[WillieC]

A dinghy with a Pilates bump. Can't wait to see that!

[DCatSea]

Oh, you will, next year. I promise. It actually looks like a late third trimester bump.

[nebulatech]

Thanks Jason and Doug for the tips!

Looking forward to seeing the 3rd trimester bump.