Taking CARE of your MARAVIA

Storage Tips

“How should I store my raft through the off-season?”
First, it is a good idea to inspect your boat after the season’s last river trip to see if anything needs to be repaired. If you find something that requires attention, take care of it then and there. Or if factory service is necessary, call Maravia right away and make arrangements for factory work in the fall. Don’t wait for the spring.

Prior to storage, don’t forget to clean and dry your entire boat. This includes allowing any water in the tubes or floor to evaporate. The best possible way to store your boat is semi-inflated in a dry, covered area. The problem here is that few people have the room to keep a boat semi-inflated indoors. That being the case, the next-best method is to roll the boat in a loose roll, then wrap it in a tarp and place it in a dry, covered area. Make sure to keep it away from boat-chewing varmints. If you live in an area with extremely cold temperatures that are sustained over a long period of time, try to refrain from unrolling the boat until temperatures warm in the spring.

Transportation

If you transport your raft deflated and folded, we recommend that you first cover the raft with a tarp. This includes to and from the river, as well as shipping. We find that most damage that occurs to an inflatable doesn’t come from on-river use; it actually takes place during transportation. When folded, a raft has hard edges that can rest against the side of a trailer or the walls of your SUV or trunk. Bouncing down the road, the folded edge can rub and damage the material. A tarp protects the raft from excessive wear.

New boats come with tarps, but if you don’t have one, it is pretty inexpensive insurance and far cheaper than the labor rates charged by most repair stations.

Trailer

The ideal way to move your raft to the river and back is inflated.  Consider a raft trailer and save hours of preparation before and after your trip. The investment will pay off in more quality time on the river.