Finding reliable protection for an inflatable boat becomes a must for every owner who wants to extend the life of his property. The waters are not only beautiful, but also hidden threats in the form of sharp stones, snags and shells, which is why many anglers and tourists wonder where and what armor for a PVC boat to buy, to be sure of safety during the rafting.
The modern market offers many solutions, from simple patches to complex composite systems, but it can be difficult to understand their effectiveness without preparation. Properly selected protection can save you from expensive repairs and a sudden end of fishing in the middle of a reservoir. In this article, we will discuss in detail the types of materials, installation features and criteria for choosing the ideal protective layer for your vessel.
It is worth considering that there is no universal solution, and the choice depends on the operating conditions of your home. boatSome people walk on pure sand, and some people have to drag a boat through overgrown banks with stones, and understanding the real risks will help you not to overpay for unnecessary options and buy exactly what you need.
Materials for protection of the bottom: comparison of specifications
The first thing that customers face is the variety of materials that they use to make their protection, and the main competitors in the market are reinforced rubber, polyurethane and Kevlar fabrics, each of which has its own unique specifications. physicalityThe weight, durability and cost of the final product.
Reinforced rubber, often referred to as just the heel, is a classic solution that has high abrasive resistance and is good at cushioning impacts on rocks. However, it has a significant disadvantage - weight. When you install full protection on a large boat, the mass gain can be several kilograms, which is critical for the development of the new system. transportability kit.
⚠️ Warning: When buying rubber armor, check the elasticity of the material at low temperatures. Cheap rubbers can tan in the cold and crack when hit by ice or stone.
Polyurethane linings are a more modern solution, often used in factory designs, lighter than rubber and have excellent abrasion resistance. Kevlar, in turn, is a super-strong fiber that is almost impossible to penetrate by accident, but its cost is much higher. material It must be based on a balance between the desired strength and the permissible weight of the equipment.
- 🛡️ Rubber: maximum depreciation, high weight, affordable price.
- 🧪 Polyurethane: excellent wear resistance, medium weight, good adhesion of glue.
- 🕸️ kevlar: extreme tensile strength, minimum weight, high cost.
Types of construction: from overlays to full carpet
So structurally, PVC can be made into individual linings or a single carpet, and individual linings, or heels, are glued in the most risky places, on cylinders in the seat area, on stringers and in the bow, which saves weight and protects only critical points without affecting the rest of the area. cylinders.
A single protective carpet, often called "armor," covers the entire bottom of the boat, and it turns an inflatable boat into a hard-bottomed boat, and you can safely pull the boat ashore without fear of damaging the fabric, but it requires a professional approach and quality of installation. glue.
There's also an intermediate option, reinforced stringers, which are bands that go along the bottom, which take the bulk of the drag load, which protect the bottom of the cylinders and allow the boat to slide over obstacles. floor-floor (NDND) or floorboards.
And remember, a solid carpet changes the boat's fluid dynamics, it becomes slightly less sleek, but much more stable on the wave. If you're planning to be active on the engine, make sure that the armor you choose doesn't create too much drag that can affect your ability to drive. speed-response.
Installation technology: glue and surface preparation
The quality of the protection installation depends on the preparation of the surface and the choice of adhesive composition, even the most expensive Kevlar tape will fall off in one season if the technology is broken, the basis of success is the thorough cleaning and degreasing of PVC fabric before applying the adhesive, using special solvents or acetone.
The gluing process is usually two-pronged, and you first apply the first layer of glue, which is completely absorbed and dried to a non-stick state, and then you apply the second layer, and after a certain time (usually 10-20 minutes), you connect the surfaces. polyurethane or PVC materials, depending on the type of boat you are boating.
☑️ Checklist before gluing
⚠️ Warning: Never put armor on a wet or dusty surface, even microscopic dust particles under the glue layer will create a stress point where detachment begins when loaded.
It uses a roller to press evenly, and it has to go from center to edge to drive out the air, and you have to pay special attention to the edges of the linings, which is where the breakup most often starts. Some craftsmen recommend that you put a sealer on the perimeter to create a sealant. waterproof barrier.
Impact of protection on driving performance and load capacity
Installing additional protection inevitably makes adjustments to the specifications of the boat, primarily in terms of weight. Full armor can add 3 to 7 kg to the total weight of equipment. For hiking, this is a significant figure, so many choose compromise options with partial weight. protection.
The second aspect is rigidity, and the boat with the carpet is stiffer, which has a positive effect on comfort, less feeling the beat on the wave, more comfortable standing and moving. However, at very low temperatures, the stiffness can increase, which requires accuracy when you're in the middle of the boat. operation winter.
The load capacity doesn't change formally, because the armor is not as heavy as the buoyancy margin, but the weight distribution becomes more uniform, and this can improve the stability of the vessel, and the key is not to overload the boat, because it's not too much. cylinders Armor has a slightly smaller margin of elasticity when pumped.
| Type of boat | Recommended type of armor | Approximate weight gain | Difficulty of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rowing 2-seat | Separate heels on the bottom of cylinders | 0.5 - 1 kg | Low. |
| Motor 3-seat. | Strengthened Stringers + Nose | 1.5 - 2.5 kg | Medium |
| Boat with NDM | Full carpet on the bottom | 3 - 5 kg | High. |
| trollboat | Combined (Kevlar + rubber) | 4 - 6 kg | High. |
Where to buy high-quality armor: market and manufacturers
The question of where to buy armor for a PVC boat is now solved easily thanks to online stores and specialized workshops. Flagship, hunter, Mev.), and private tailoring, the good thing about ready-made kits is that they're already tailored to a specific model.
Individual tailoring allows you to take into account all the nuances: make cuts under the drain valves, strengthen the attachment places of cans or transoms. This is especially true for boats with non-standard geometry or after independent drilling. tuningMasters often use thicker and better materials than factory counterparts.
The secret to glue durability
For maximum gluing strength, many professionals heat the glued surfaces with a building hair dryer to 40-50 degrees before the final joint, which activates the adhesive compound and allows the materials to be welded.
When buying, pay attention to the warranty. Quality armor installed by professionals lasts at least 5-7 years; Cheap options from the markets can peel off after the first winter. environmental friendliness and resistance to ultraviolet light.
Armored bottom care and winter storage
The protective layer makes it easier to care for the boat in season, but it requires attention when storing. Mud and sand stuffed under the edges of the linings work like an abrasive. So after each step out, especially in shallow water, it is recommended to rinse the bottom. Pay special attention to the docking places. armor and the main material.
In winter, a boat with a sticker of armor must be stored properly, and extreme temperature changes can lead to condensation between the layers, which can cause mold, and before packaging the boat must be completely dry, fold it carefully, trying not to create cavities in places where rigidly stick. Folds.
Dry the boat with the armor glued in the straightened form for at least 24 hours. moisture left under the layers will turn into ice in winter and can damage the structure of the tissue when deformed.
Check the edges of the shield regularly, if you notice a break-off, make repairs right away, just clean the place a little bit, degrease it and glue it with a roller, and make a timely minor repair will save you from having to glue the whole thing. system protection in the future.
Proper care of armor prolongs the life not only of the protection, but also of the main material of the boat, preventing the rubbing of the fabric at critical points.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I make my own armor at home?
Yes, this is possible if you have experience with PVC and special tools (roller, hair dryer, brushes), however, to guarantee the result and maintain the factory warranty on the boat, it is better to contact a certified center.
Will the weight of the boat increase after the complete carpet is installed?
Weight will increase by an average of 10-15% of the weight of the boat itself, and for a two-seater boat, it is about 3-4 kg, which is noticeable when carrying, but almost imperceptible on the water when operating.
Does armor affect the speed of the boat?
It's minimally effective. Smooth materials (polyurethane) don't change fluid dynamics very much. Rough rubber can slow down a little bit, but it can add stability to the course.
Do I have to lower the boat with armor at night?
Yes, like any inflatable boat, it's not recommended to keep it pumped in the sun for long periods of time. The pressure inside the armor cylinders is rising just as much, and the risk of seams rupturing is maintained.
What is the life of Kevlar protection?
With proper operation and the absence of mechanical damage (cuts with a knife), Kevlar protection lasts 10 years or more, often outliving the boat itself.