Inflatable boats, often called aeroboats, have become an integral part of modern water tourism and fishing, and their popularity is due to the ease of transportation and the ability to assemble directly near the water without special berths. balloonThey take the bulk of the load from the weight of passengers, cargo and shock waves.
Many PVC boat owners don't think about how their boats are built until they've had a pressure drop or mechanical damage. cylinders This will help to extend the life of the boat and protect yourself on the water, and in this article we will discuss in detail what modern inflatable boards are made of and what you need to know about their operation.
The quality of the inflatables directly affects the stability of the vessel and your safety. Poor material or improper pressure can lead to unpleasant situations in the middle of the reservoir. So it is important to understand the specifications that manufacturers specify, and be able to distinguish reliable design from budget simulation.
Materials and construction of inflatable tubes
Modern aeroboat cylinders are made of multi-layered reinforced materials, most often based on polyvinyl chloride (PVC).PVC) or polyurethane (PUThese materials are valued for their high tensile strength, resistance to ultraviolet, fuel and temperature changes, and the design of the balloon is not just a camera, but a complex engineering system.
The interior of the inflatable board is usually located bulkhead This is a critical safety solution: if one compartment is damaged, the rest will keep the boat buoyant. The number of compartments varies, but the standard for serious boats is to have at least two independent cylinders on the sides.
The materials used in manufacturing have different densities, measured in grams per square meter. The bottom is usually more dense because it is subject to the greatest wear. The boards can be made of a lower density material, which allows for a lower overall weight of the boat. PVC-reinforced This is what does not allow the balloon to inflate like a ball, but keeps the given shape under pressure.
There are various technologies for connecting layers of material, the most reliable is considered to be the most reliable. pentacleAnd this is a very high puncture and tensile resistance, and cheap analogs can have just three layers, making them more vulnerable to damage in extreme conditions.
Working pressure and temperature specifications
One of the key parameters of the operation of the aeroboat is the correct pressure in the cylinders. For most models of PVC, the optimal range is considered to be the range of the airboat. 0.2 before 0.25 atmosphere (or 200-250 Exceeding this value may cause joints to break or deform the structure, especially in hot weather.
The ambient temperature has a direct effect on the volume of air inside the cylinders, according to the laws of physics. When you heat the air expands and the pressure increases. If you pump the boat in the morning in cool weather and it is in the afternoon in the sun, the pressure can rise to critical values. blow out through the valves.
The opposite is true when you step out of a warm garage or car onto a cold water body, and the pressure in the cylinders drops, and the boat becomes sluggish, losing its rigidity and stability, and it can lead to a wave flooding of the side, so always bring a pump with you or leave a small amount of pressure when pumped in the heat.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a pumped boat in direct sunlight for long periods of time unattended, and the pressure can grow so high that the seams rupture that cannot be properly sealed in the field.
To control pressure, it is recommended to use pressure gauges built into the pumps or purchased separately. balloons It is almost impossible, and relying on the hardness of the board to the touch is risky, since the feeling of hardness is subjective and depends on the thickness of the material.
Types of valves for inflatable boats
The valve is the gates of your balloon, which make it leaky and pumpable, and the quality of the valve determines whether the boat can keep pressure for a long time. In modern aeroboats, the most common type of valve is the high-pressure valve, which works on the principle of a return valve.
The most common type is the valve. Bravo It's easy to use: pump nozzle is placed in the open position, and for sealing, the central part of the valve is slightly pressed and turned, and there are also threaded valves that allow even more reliable fixation of the nozzle of the hose.
It's important to keep the valves clean. Sand, dirt, or small grass that gets into the sealing ring can break the seal. The boat will slowly poison the air, and you may not notice it right away. Regular inspection and cleaning of the valves is a must before every major foray.
If the valve began to etching, try to wipe its rubber part with alcohol or a special PVC agent - often this restores tightness without repair.
Comparison of specifications of different types of cylinders
When choosing a boat or replacing a cylinder, it is important to understand the differences in design: different types of cylinders are designed for different operating conditions. Below is a table comparing the main specifications that will help you navigate the variety of offers in the market.
| Type of cylinder | Materials | Density (g/m2) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard. | PVC (3 layers) | 750 - 850 | Light, for calm water. |
| Enhanced. | PVC (5 layers) | 900 - 1100 | High strength, for rivers with stones |
| Premium | Polyurethane | 800 - 950 | High elasticity, frost resistance |
| Specialist | ipalon | 1000+ | Maximum resistance to UV and chemistry |
As you can see from the table, material density is not always the only indicator of quality. For example, polyurethane cylinders can be lighter than PVC analogues at comparable strength, but they are much more expensive. The choice depends on whether you plan to use the boat on grassy lakes or on rocky mountain rivers.
For anchor fishing, larger diameter cylinders are often chosen to ensure a higher height of the board above the water, which is especially true when fishing in windy weather, while for alloys, strength and special linings (splashers) are more important in the attachment of the keys and liner cables.
☑️ Pre-season checks of cylinders
Inflatable elements repair and maintenance
Even the strongest cylinders can get damaged, a branch puncture, a seashell cut, or a fire spark burn are common causes of leakage, and fortunately, most damage can be repaired with a hand-held remix that every boat owner should have.
The repair process begins with finding the damage, and if the hole is not visible, the inflated balloon can be soaked or dipped into water (if possible) and search for air bubbles, and once it is detected, the place is cleaned with fine sandpaper and degreased.
The repairs are made with polyurethane-based adhesives, and it's important to apply glue to both the surfaces that are glued together, the balloon itself, and the patch, and then the first layer is dried up, then the second layer is applied, and the patch is tightly pressed, expelling the air bubbles, and it takes hours to days to dry, depending on the temperature.
The secret of reliable gluing
Heating the glued surfaces with a hairdryer to 50-60 degrees before the final pressing significantly improves adhesion and makes the seam almost inextricable, activating the chemical properties of the glue.
Special attention should be paid to the places where the valves and joints are pasted. If the air comes out around the valve perimeter, this may indicate a material dissection. In such cases, simple valve replacement is not enough - more complex repairs with heating and re-painting are required, which is better entrusted to professionals in the workshop.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use solvent-based adhesives (e.g., "Moment" classic) for rubber for repairing PVC boats, which destroy the structure of the polyvinyl chloride, and after a while the patch will fall off along with the piece of material.
Storage and extension of service life
Proper storage is the key to the long life of your cylinders. After each operation, the boat must be thoroughly washed with fresh water to wash off salt, silt and organics. It is especially important to flush off fuel if you used the engine, since gasoline and oil can erode the material.
Drying the boat before packing is a must, but not under the scorching sun. The wet material in the rolled-up state is the perfect environment for mold and fungus, which destroy the fabric from the inside. If you can't dry the boat completely, you need to turn it around at home and let it dry.
The aeroboat should be kept in a straightened or half-folded state, in a cool place protected from rodents. Sharp temperature changes and storage in the cold make the material brittle. Optimal storage temperature - from the temperature of the airboat to the temperature of the airboat. +5 before +20 degrees Celsius.
The main enemy of cylinders is not puncture, but ultraviolet and improper storage. 90% of wear occurs when the boat is just lying in the garage or in the sun, not while swimming.
Regularly check the condition of the seams and valves, even if the boat is not in use. Over time, plasticizers can protrude to the surface, making the material sticky. This is a sign of aging of the material, and such a boat should be used with caution, avoiding high loads.
How often should I pump the cylinders while fishing?
The pumping frequency depends on the temperature difference between water and air. If you go out in the morning at +10 ° C and in the afternoon it is +25 ° C, the pressure will increase by itself, and the air will have to be ejected. If the temperature is stable, quality cylinders keep the pressure for several days. Check the rigidity of the board every 3-4 hours of active operation.
Can I seal the balloon in the cold?
It's not recommended to glue PVC in the cold, it doesn't polymerize at low temperatures, it doesn't stick, it also makes the cold stuff tough and brittle, it's easy to damage when it's being cooked, and it's better to do the repairs in a warm room.
What if the tank has lost its shape after winter?
If the cylinder looks flattened or has crevices after storage, it needs to be pumped to the working pressure and kept warm for a day, the material has "memory" and must be straightened out, if the crevices are left and interfere with operation, the material may have been destroyed and the cylinder needs to be replaced.
Does the color of the balloon affect the heating?
Yes, dark tanks (gray, green, camouflage) heat up much more in the sun than light ones, which leads to more air expansion and pressure growth, and owners of dark-colored boats need to be especially careful when operating in hot weather and more often control pressure.