Guide
Quick answer: storing a RIB over winter
Clean and dry the boat, protect the tubes from UV and frost, store it under cover where you can, and support a rigid hull so its weight is carried evenly rather than on one point. Small inflatables and soft-floor boats are often deflated, dried and folded loosely for indoor storage; larger rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs) are usually kept assembled and stored on a trailer, cradle or stands like any small powerboat.
The main winter risks are UV and ozone degrading the tube fabric, abrasion and point-loading where the hull rests, trapped damp causing mildew, and frost damage to water left in systems. Managing tube pressure matters too — fully inflated tubes can over-pressurize in temperature swings, while fully flat tubes can chafe and crease.
This guide covers the tubes, the hull support and the lay-up. For the general seasonal routine, see how to winterize a boat; for how supports protect a hull, see boat stand pads and hull protection.
Guide
Cleaning and protecting the tubes
The tubes are the part most exposed to winter degradation, so they get the most attention.
Wash the tubes with a mild boat-safe cleaner to remove salt, grime and any fuel or oil film, then rinse and dry fully. Treat the fabric with a UV/ozone protectant suited to the tube material (PVC or Hypalon/CSM behave differently), and check seams, valves and the tube-to-hull join for wear. Store the boat out of direct sunlight; UV is the single biggest enemy of tube fabric over time.
On pressure, the safest approach for most boats is to reduce pressure rather than store rock-hard or completely flat — enough to keep the tube shape without straining seams as temperature changes. Follow the boat builder's guidance for your specific tubes. Keep the boat off a cold, damp floor and ventilated so condensation does not sit against the fabric.
Guide
Supporting the hull on land
How a RIB is supported depends on its size and whether the hull is rigid.
Small soft-hull inflatables can be deflated, dried and stored folded or flat on a shelf. Rigid-hull RIBs, however, have a solid GRP or aluminium hull that must be supported like any small powerboat: ideally on its trailer or a cradle, or blocked up so the hull bears on broad, padded points rather than resting on the tubes or on a single hard spot. Letting a rigid hull sit on its tubes for months distorts and stresses them.
For larger RIBs stored without a trailer, side stands with broad rubber pads and, where relevant, a keel support spread the load across the hull. The pads matter: a hard, narrow contact point can mark or stress a GRP hull. KIPAC manufactures CE-documented stands with hull-protective pads and can advise on a configuration for a heavier rigid-hull RIB — see boat stand pads and hull protection.
Guide
Engine, systems and lay-up
The boat's mechanicals need the same winter attention as any small craft.
Flush the engine, follow the manufacturer's winterizing steps, and make sure no water is left to freeze in cooling passages, bilges, livewells or washdown lines. Remove valuables, electronics and loose gear, and leave lockers ventilated so damp does not build up. If the boat is stored assembled, a breathable cover keeps debris off while letting moisture escape; a sealed cover can trap condensation against the tubes and hull.
For RIBs moved around the yard or in and out of a store, boat dollies make handling a heavy rigid hull manageable without dragging it. With the tubes protected, the hull supported and the engine laid up, the boat is set for the season. The general engine and systems routine is covered in how to winterize a boat.
Guide
Common mistakes storing a RIB
Most winter RIB damage comes from a short list of mistakes.
The first is storing tubes in direct sunlight, where UV degrades the fabric far faster than in a shaded or covered space. The second is putting the boat away damp or salty, leading to mildew and staining. The third is letting a rigid hull rest on its tubes or on a single hard point for months, distorting the tubes or stressing the hull. The fourth is storing tubes fully inflated through temperature swings, risking over-pressure on warm days.
The fifth is supporting a heavier rigid-hull RIB on stands without adequate padding or capacity, marking the hull or leaving it unstable. KIPAC addresses the last point with CE-documented stands, hull-protective pads and, where needed, keel supports sized to the boat during quotation. As always, the right configuration depends on the boat's weight, hull and storage surface, and is confirmed during quotation.
Checklist
RIB winter storage checklist
Wash tubes and hull with a boat-safe cleaner, rinse off salt and dry completely before storage.
Apply a UV/ozone protectant suited to the tube material and store out of direct sunlight.
Reduce pressure to a managed level per the builder's guidance rather than storing rock-hard or fully flat.
Keep a rigid hull on its trailer, a cradle or padded stands so weight is spread, never resting on the tubes.
Flush the engine, follow the maker's steps and clear any water that could freeze in cooling passages or lockers.
Use a breathable cover and keep lockers ventilated so condensation does not sit against fabric or hull.
Use boat dollies to move a heavy rigid hull around the yard or store without dragging it.
Equipment
Related KIPAC equipment
Equipment for lifting and controlled boatyard handling.
View equipment →Adjustable support systems for motorboats in dry storage.
View equipment →Dollies for moving and positioning boats in workshops and marinas.
View equipment →FAQ
FAQ
It depends on the type. Small soft-hull inflatables and soft-floor boats are often deflated, dried and stored folded loosely indoors. Larger rigid-hull RIBs are normally kept assembled on a trailer, cradle or stands, with the tubes at a reduced managed pressure rather than fully flat. Always follow the boat builder's guidance for your specific tubes and hull.
Wash the tubes with a boat-safe cleaner, rinse off salt, dry fully, and apply a UV/ozone protectant matched to the tube material (PVC or Hypalon/CSM). Store the boat out of direct sunlight and off a cold damp floor, ventilated so condensation does not sit against the fabric. UV exposure is the main long-term cause of tube degradation.
No. A rigid hull should be carried by its trailer, a cradle, or stands with broad padded contact points so the weight is spread across the hull. Letting the hull sit on its tubes for months distorts and stresses them, and resting on a single hard point can mark or stress a GRP hull. The tubes are not designed to bear the stored hull's full weight.
Larger rigid-hull RIBs stored off a trailer benefit from side stands with hull-protective pads and, where relevant, a keel support, so the load is spread and the boat is stable. The number and capacity depend on the boat's weight and hull shape. KIPAC manufactures CE-documented stands and pads suited to small powerboat and RIB hulls, configured at quotation.
For most boats a reduced but not fully flat pressure is safest — enough to hold the tube shape without straining seams as temperature changes. Fully inflated tubes can over-pressurize on warm days, while completely flat tubes can crease and chafe. Follow the boat builder's specific guidance for your tube material and design.
