How to Care For Your Bird Island Paddle Board
Our paddle boards go through a rigorous testing process before we make them available to our customers. We over-inflate them. We leave them sitting out in the hot sun while inflated. We drag them over rocks. We take them down rapids with sharp rocks. We let cats use them as scratching posts. The list goes on. We recommend you doing none of these things, however. With that in mind, it’s important that you properly maintain your Bird Island Outfitters® paddle board for optimal enjoyment over time. The elements can cause havoc on any item over an extended period of time – especially salt water and sunlight. Our products are, of course, made to be enjoyed in the outdoors. So, here are some guidelines for recommended maintenance while in use…
Drop-stitch Deck and Supplemental Pontoons
- Try to avoid sharp objects in the water. Our inflatable boards are constructed from military grade PVC and can withstand most abuse. However, contact with very sharp objects can puncture the outer skin (especially the pontoons), you may need to seek professional repair from a boating facility.
- Do not exceed the recommended air pressure (psi) while pumping up the chambers. Over inflation can damage the seams and the baffles inside the tubes.
- Avoid sharp objects during transport and storage.
- If you decide to keep your water craft inflated between uses, it’s important to slightly deflate each chamber. This will compensate for any increase in air pressure due elevation gain (during transport) or rising temperatures.
- Store your water craft in a safe space away from high heat, out of direct UV sunlight and preferably in a secure container safely away from hungry rodents (we all know rats and mice will eat just about anything).
Air Valves
- Take caution while manipulating the hard plastic air valves as their components can potentially break under high stress and rough treatment. Avoid the use of excessive force at all times.
- If air is being released from the valve but the valve is in the “closed” position, use the valve wrench (found in your repair kit) to tighten. But, don’t use excessive force while tightening. Tighten a little, then check to see if air is still escaping. Do this again until air is no longer escaping.
D-Rings
- Monitor the D-Rings of your water craft. They are meant to be stressed, but only in a specific direction. If they are regularly pulled in an odd angle they could potentially tear over time.
Bungee Cordage
- Excessive stretching will degrade the elasticity of the bungee cordage. Try not to over-stress your bungee cords. It’s recommended that you remove all items from the bungees while the board is not in use. Inevitably, your bungees will lose their elasticity and could fray or tear over time. Replacement bungee cordage is inexpensive and widely sold at many retailers.
Permanent Fin Box
- All boards include a standard fin box which is adhered to the bottom toward the back. All board purchases also include a removable fin with hardware. Our fin boxes are standard for the industry and will accept your included fin or any other standardized aftermarket fin.
- Always keep your fin box free and clear of sand and debris, and never over tighten your screws. In some cases, you may notice your fins fit tightly in your box and can be difficult to install. Don’t worry; your fin box will gradually widen over time and you can use some sandpaper if it’s still too snug to remove any excess resin from your fin or the interior of the box. This should allow you to slide it in.
Removable Center Fin
- To install your center box fin, insert the fin into the box track (pin-side first) through the slot (the opening toward the forward side of the box). Once inserted, slide the inserted corner of the fin forward, then depress the rest of the fin flush to the deck inside the track. Once the entire fin is flush, you can then screw the fin bolt into the screw hole until snug by using a flathead screwdriver (or your fingers). Take caution not over-tighten the bolt. Repeated over-tightening could degrade the bolt and potentially dislodge the metal clip that attaches the fin bold to the fin. If the clip breaks free or you loose it, the bolt will no longer be attached to the fin. Good news is the bolt will still work without the clip. Just take caution not to loose the fin bolt.
Permanent Supplemental Fins
- You might find that your small permanent fins are bent after you unpack your board for the first time. This is normal. They are made from soft plastic and will straighten out within an hour or so. To straighten them quicker, simply apply a little heat and pressure.
Board Bag/Backpack
- Our board carry bag is not meant for long-term storage or transport in direct sunlight. Don’t use board bags for this purpose for prolonged periods of time. Do not use excessive force while zipping up or unzipping your bag.
Cleaning
- For everyday cleaning, use mild soap and fresh water and rinse thoroughly. Don’t use ammonia, chlorine bleach or strong detergents on tough stains; a hand cleaner with lanolin will often remove oil and grease.
- UV-protect the PVC fabric with a product specifically designed for inflatable boats. We recommend you do this once a month If your board gets heavy use.
Transporting your Inflated Board
- Transporting your inflated board outside your vehicle is not recommend as rocks and debris can deflect off the road and cause damage. If you do decide to transport your board outside your vehicle, try to keep it away from the road as much as possible. If you put it on top of your vehicle, we recommend that you place the board with the traction pad downward on the racks. Use at least 3 heavy-duty compression straps (front, middle and back) to properly secure the board. Take caution while driving as wind shear will bring added stress to the board. If you use a trailer, make sure the board is protected from rocks and debris being kicked up off the road.
More Information
Check out our “FAQs” page for general questions and answers.
Check out our “How To Videos” page for some quick instructional videos.
Check out our “Safety on the Water” page for paddling safety tips.
Check out our “Product Warranties” page for legal info on your board.