How do I properly store a jet ski floaty during winter?

An inflatable jet ski dock is one of the easiest pieces of waterfront gear to look after, but it still needs the right winter treatment. A few careless weeks in freezing weather can undo a season of careful use, leaving cracked seams, mildew smells, or a faded float that no longer holds a proper shape. The good news is that storing these floats correctly takes less than an hour and costs nothing. Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to putting your jet ski floaty away so it comes out ready for spring.

Step 1 — Deflate it completely

Open every air valve and let the floaty empty out fully rather than pressing it down while it is still inflated. Fully collapsing the dock lets you fold it into a much smaller space and removes the tension that can stress ｄｒｏｐ-stitch walls and seams over a long rest period. Give the air generous time to escape, then walk along the panels and press them flat to push out any pockets that linger near the valves.

Step 2 — Clean and dry it thoroughly

Salt, sand, algae, and sunscreen residue all speed up material wear, and moisture trapped inside tight folds is the fastest way to grow mold and mildew. Rinse the surface with fresh water, wipe away every trace of grime, and let it dry fully in the shade. Most manufacturers recommend avoiding direct summer sun for long drying sessions, so aim for a shaded, well-ventilated spot or towel-dry the panels by hand. A completely dry dock before storage is the single most important habit for long life.

Step 3 — Inspect and repair before storing

Winter is the ideal time to catch small problems before they become big ones. Check the seams, valve bases, and every welded edge for tears, pinholes, or loose stitching. Most quality docks ship with a repair kit, and fixing a tiny puncture now is far easier than discovering a deep crack after months of cold shrink the material. Give the valves a quick wipe and make sure each one closes tightly, so no dust or pests get inside while the float sits idle.

Step 4 — Fold, don't crush

Roll the dock like a sleeping bag rather than bunching it into a ball or crumpling it into a corner. A neat roll keeps the material from being creased repeatedly in the same weak spots and keeps everything compact enough to fit in a storage locker or car trunk. If your floaty comes with a carry bag or a breathable cover, use it — the bag guards against dust, scratches, and stray sharp objects while the dock is packed away.

Where you store it matters

Choose a cool, dry spot with a reasonably stable temperature, ideally somewhere between 40–77°F (5–25°C). Avoid places that can be frozen, like an unheated shed or a garaged boat trailer, because extreme cold makes PVC stiff and brittle. Also steer clear of garages that hold gasoline, oil, or solvents, as petroleum fumes can degrade the material over time. Keep the dock off the floor and away from walls where rodents, condensation, or dripping moisture could reach it. A breathable cover is better than an airtight plastic tarp, which traps humidity and invites mildew.

Should you just leave it in the water?

An inflatable dock is far lighter and easier to remove than a permanent plastic dock, so there is little reason to risk leaving it in a freezing lake. Flexible materials resist cracking better than rigid hulls, but shifting, heaving ice can still scrape the surface or pull at anchors. Since deflating and lifting the float out takes minutes and costs nothing, bringing it indoors is always the safer choice — regardless of whether your water freezes every winter or only once in a blue moon.

Spring startup in four quick steps

When the ice is gone and warmer weather returns, pull the floaty out and give it a light inspection once more. Unroll it on a clean, flat surface, inflate slowly while checking the seams for any damage that appeared over winter, wipe it down, and test the valves. With a rinse and a minute of visual checking, your inflatable dock float will be ready for another full season of weekend fun.

A little winter prep keeps your gear trustworthy for years. YOLLOY is an experienced inflatable dock supplier and manufacturer that has served overseas waterfront owners for more than a decade, exporting durable, UV-resistant, and waterproof inflatable solutions for yachts, marinas, and docks worldwide. If you are choosing a new float for your setup or looking for a maintenance-friendly model, browse the inflatable dock range and compare the sizes, materials, and anchors before you commit. Store it well this season, and the payoff comes every sunny day next year.