Rinse
Use clean, cool fresh water to remove salt crystals, chlorine, sand, sunscreen, dirt, and organic residue.
SeaNova Equipment Guide
Care & Maintenance
A practical care system for watercraft, boards, tow gear, swim equipment, protective wear, waterproof storage, and outdoor leisure essentials.
The Essential Reset
Four Steps After Every Adventure
Most equipment does not need complicated treatment. It needs a consistent, material-safe routine completed before moisture, salt, sand, or pressure can become permanent damage.
Clean
Use mild soap only when needed. Avoid bleach, solvents, harsh detergents, abrasive brushes, and high-pressure spray.
Dry
Open, unfold, drain, and air-dry every surface completely in shade before packing, rolling, closing, or storing.
Inspect
Check seams, valves, straps, buckles, fins, fasteners, lenses, cords, and pressure points before the next use.
Clean water first A gentle rinse protects coatings, seals, and soft materials.Before You Begin
Use the Gentle Method
Always follow the manufacturer instructions supplied with your specific product. When guidance differs, the product manual takes priority. Test any cleaner on a small hidden area and never combine cleaning products.
- Remove batteries and disconnect electronic accessories before cleaning.
- Release pressure only according to the product instructions.
- Keep lubricants away from lenses, traction pads, fabrics, and gripping surfaces.
- Never store wet equipment in a sealed bag, vehicle, or enclosed container.
The Field Routine
From Water to Storage
Complete these steps in order. The routine works across paddle sports, surf equipment, tow gear, swim accessories, waterwear, and outdoor leisure products.
Unload Carefully
Lift equipment by its designated handles. Do not drag boards, boats, coolers, or storage bags across pavement, rocks, docks, or abrasive sand.
Remove Loose Debris
Shake out sand and empty pockets, drain plugs, cup holders, deck wells, fin boxes, and storage compartments before rinsing.
Rinse Every Side
Rinse top, bottom, edges, hardware, valves, zippers, buckles, cords, and hidden folds. Salt and sand often remain in areas that are easy to overlook.
Air-Dry in Shade
Allow full airflow around the product. Turn or reposition it as needed so seams, pockets, interiors, and layered surfaces dry completely.
Inspect and Reset
Look for abrasion, loose hardware, stretched webbing, cracking, punctures, corrosion, or unusual movement. Reassemble only after every part is dry.
Material-Specific Care
Treat Every Surface Correctly
Different materials respond differently to sunlight, heat, chemicals, pressure, moisture, and friction. Use the guide that best matches your equipment.
Inflatables 01
PVC, TPU & Coated Fabric
Rinse while partially inflated so folds and seams remain accessible. Use a soft cloth with mild soap for marks. Dry fully before deflating, then roll loosely without forcing sharp creases.
Rigid Equipment 02
Composite, Epoxy & Molded Hulls
Support the full length during transport and storage. Wash with a non-abrasive sponge, inspect rails and hulls for impact damage, and keep finished surfaces away from concentrated heat.
Soft Goods 03
Neoprene, Webbing & Technical Fabric
Hand-rinse in cool water and dry inside out before reversing for a final outer dry. Use wide hangers only when approved. Avoid radiators, dryers, bleach, ironing, and prolonged direct sunlight.
Optics & Seals 04
Lenses, Silicone & Rubber
Rinse lenses without rubbing away protective coatings. Air-dry away from dust, then store in a ventilated protective case. Keep silicone skirts, seals, and straps free from oils and sharp objects.
High-Priority Care
After Saltwater
Salt attracts moisture and accelerates corrosion. Do not allow saltwater residue to dry repeatedly on metal, fabric, valves, zippers, cords, or electronic contacts.
Use generous fresh water as soon as practical. Move buckles, clips, zippers, valves, and adjustable parts while rinsing to flush trapped salt.
Drain enclosed spaces and remove accessories. Rinse beneath straps, inside pockets, around fin boxes, and under removable fittings.
If full drying is not possible at the launch point, unpack the equipment immediately after arriving home and complete the drying process.
Longer Equipment Life
Storage Without Stress
Storage should protect shape, coatings, seams, seals, and hardware. Choose a clean, dry, ventilated location with stable temperature and no direct sunlight.
Storage Standard
Cool, Dry & Supported
Keep heavy items off soft goods. Support long watercraft at multiple points. Avoid tight straps, sharp folds, damp covers, sealed wet cases, and prolonged storage inside hot vehicles.
- Loosen removable straps and open vents or drain plugs where appropriate.
- Store fins, paddles, pumps, hoses, and hardware clean and fully dry.
- Keep inflatable products loosely rolled inside their protective bags.
- Remove disposable batteries before extended storage.
- Keep equipment away from fuels, solvents, oils, heaters, and sharp tools.
Before the Next Use
Inspect Before You Repair
Cosmetic wear and structural damage are not the same. When damage could affect flotation, control, load capacity, attachment security, or protective performance, stop using the product until it is properly assessed.
Clean the Area
Remove salt, sand, wax, oil, and moisture so the full condition of the surface, seam, fitting, or component is visible.
Locate the Cause
Inspect beyond the visible mark. Check surrounding seams, fasteners, valves, cords, layers, and attachment points for related stress.
Match the Material
Use only repair products intended for the exact material and application. General-purpose adhesive may weaken coatings or create an unreliable bond.
Allow Full Cure
Follow the specified preparation, temperature, pressure, and curing time. Never place repaired safety equipment into service before testing is complete.
Stop Use Immediately
Do not use equipment with damaged load-bearing straps, compromised flotation, deep hull cracks, separating seams, leaking valves, exposed electrical parts, broken tow points, distorted safety hardware, or any defect that affects control.
Care Questions
Frequently Asked
Quick guidance for the maintenance situations that occur most often across the SeaNova product collection.
Can I leave water equipment in direct sunlight to dry?
Brief sunlight during normal use is expected, but prolonged drying in strong direct sun can accelerate fading, heat buildup, adhesive stress, and material aging. Air-dry in a shaded, ventilated area whenever possible.
Can I use a pressure washer?
A pressure washer is not recommended. Concentrated water pressure can lift coatings, damage seams, force water into sealed areas, and affect labels or soft components. Use a gentle hose flow instead.
How should I clean mold or persistent odor?
First confirm that the cleaner is approved for the material. Clean in a ventilated area, rinse thoroughly, and dry every layer completely. Persistent odor often indicates hidden moisture inside folds, foam, pockets, or seams.
Should inflatable equipment be stored fully inflated?
Follow the product instructions. For extended storage, many inflatable items are best cleaned, fully dried, deflated, and loosely rolled without sharp folds. Never force air out with excessive pressure or place heavy objects on top.
How often should safety equipment be inspected?
Inspect safety equipment before every use and complete a more detailed check at regular intervals. Look for torn fabric, compressed flotation, damaged buckles, weakened straps, corrosion, fading, and missing labels or components.
Can wet gear remain inside a waterproof bag?
Only during short transport when necessary. Remove wet equipment as soon as possible, rinse it when required, and air-dry both the gear and the inside of the bag before storage.