MCA Editorial·July 2026
A rope that lives in a wet compartment for six months is a rope that will snap on the pull-up.
Watersports gear takes a hammering. A ten-minute end-of-day routine doubles its life.
Watersports gear takes a hammering.
Rinse Everything
Salt destroys ropes, ratchets, board bindings and fin bolts. Fresh water rinse before it dries.
Dry Before Storage
Rolled-up wet tubes go mouldy in a week. Hang, drain, then store.
Inspect the PFDs
Buckles, straps, foam integrity. A PFD is a five-year item, not a lifetime one.
Things to Think About
- When was the last time you replaced a tow rope?
- Do you have any PFDs older than ten years?
- Is your gear stored in a way that makes it easy to grab, or does that friction stop you using it?
Key Takeaways
- Rinse, dry, inspect.
- PFDs and ropes wear out even when they look fine.
- Gear you can grab in thirty seconds gets used.