Just acquired a 1994
Avon 3.15. For a 12 year old
inflatable, it appears to be in remarkably good shape, no
leaks or
repairs to the tubes. It has an
inflatable keel, and a folding plastic floor, with two plastic thwart seats.
Engine that came with it is an 8hp Johnson, also 1994.
I'll be keeping it on stern
davits and there appear to be lifting rings on the transom and also on the tubes, just forward of the forward seats. Am I correct in assuming these are lifting rings?
Obviously I want to get as much life out of it as possible, so my questions are:
How harmful to its
service life is rolling it up? And when I do roll it up, is it best to keep the floor in place, or take it out?
Is it best to keep it inflated while in
storage?
I know sunlight is bad for it, so I intend to buy a cover for it.... I'd like the cover to be good, tight and sturdy enough to keep it on the
dinghy when the
wind is up... any suggestions where to buy such a cover?
Is there any practical way to protect the
keel, when pulling it up on a beach or a
dock?
Any other
maintenance tips?
Thanks in advance...