Boats
After a trip, once you're home or at your destination, inflate the boat and get it clean and dry. Rinse off the dirt, grime and water. For a deeper clean, scrub it with boat cleaner and water, and get into every crack and crevice. Let it air dry, towel dry, or do both. Then store it clean and dry somewhere safe, like a garage or another temperature-controlled space. If you live in an apartment, clean it before bringing it inside.
Don't drag your boat across surfaces, because abrasion wears it down. And never leave a wet, rolled-up boat or gear in your car. It gets gross, smells funky, and can damage both the boat and your car.
Repairs
Clean the damage and repair it properly. Some repairs need a professional. In Oregon, I recommend All Inflatable Repair and SOTAR in Merlin, who repair all sorts of boats and do great work.
Oars and paddles
Sawyer gear is durable, not indestructible. You can snap an oar levering against a rock, or pop a T-grip off by prying the wrong way. Be reasonable with it. If a removable blade like the MXS gets badly damaged, replacing it can make sense. For gouges in the epoxy or worn tips, Sawyer's DIY repair kits let you recoat and fix things yourself, and SOLWYRX carries them: the SilverTip Epoxy Kit, Molded Oar Pro-Tip Kit, Spar Varnish Kit, Composite Spar Varnish Kit and more in the Sawyer shop. Wipe your gear down after trips and store it in good condition.
You don't have to be precious about your gear, but be kind to it and keep it maintained.
Quick answers
How do I clean my raft after a trip? Inflate it, rinse off the dirt and grime, scrub with boat cleaner and water for a deeper clean, then let it dry fully before storing it somewhere safe and temperature-controlled.
Where can I get an inflatable raft repaired in Oregon? All Inflatable Repair and SOTAR in Merlin both repair all sorts of boats.
Can I fix my Sawyer oars and paddles myself? For gouges in the epoxy or worn tips, yes. Sawyer's DIY kits let you recoat and repair at home.
Can I leave my wet raft rolled up in the car? No. It gets gross, smells, and can damage both the boat and your car.
