Open water season offers unlimited recreational and fishing opportunities for inflatable boat owners, but getting out requires careful preparation, because the right equipment depends not only on comfort, but also on the safety of the crew. PVCThey often forget about secondary, at first glance, things that become vital in an emergency situation.
The right equipment is a balance between weight and functionality. An overloaded boat loses its ride, and a frivolous approach to collecting things can lead to trouble away from shore. In this article, we will discuss what should be in a PVC boat to make your day on the water successful, and you are ready for any surprises of the elements.
It is important to understand that the standard set for short exits to the lake in good weather and the equipment for multi-day rafting or fishing on a large reservoir will differ significantly. PVC materials They are strong but vulnerable to sharp objects, so the availability of means of operational repair is a prerequisite.
Documents and personal security equipment
Before we talk about comfort, we need to ensure basic safety, and according to the rules of the GIMS, every person on board must be worn or lie in immediate proximity. lifejacketIgnoring this requirement not only threatens to impose a fine, but also puts life at risk, especially if you can not swim ora (water temperature) is low.
In addition to vests, there must be documents on board, primarily the rights to operate a small vessel (if the engine power exceeds 10 hp or the vessel is subject to registration) and documents for the boat with the engine.
⚠️ Warning: The life jacket must be sized and fastened on all the fastexes. A vest hanging on a transom or folded into a backpack will not save a life in a sudden rollover.
Also, keep in mind sun and water protection, because even in cloudy weather, ultraviolet light bounces off the surface of the water, increasing the risk of burns, and having headgear, polarized sunglasses and raincoats is a matter of health, not just comfort.
- 🛟 Life jackets by number of passengers (mandatory certified)
- 📄 boat and motor documents, boatmaster's rights, passport
- 🧢 Headdresses and polarizing glasses to protect vision
- ☔ Raincoats or wet suits in case of sudden rain
Emergency repair kit and maintenance
Polyvinyl chloride boats, despite their high density and multilayer structure, are not immune to puncture, sharp snags, a shell on the bottom or careless handling of a knife can impair the tightness of cylinders. repair-packThe stainless box should always be on hand, not at home on the shelf.
Ideally, for major repairs in the field, you need not only pieces of PVC fabric and glue, but also additional tools. PVC glue is sensitive to temperature and humidity, so high-quality gluing may require a hair dryer or even a lighter to carefully warm the surface, although in emergency cases, cold gluing is also used.
Special attention is required to the technical condition of the engine. If you use a hinged engine, the boat should have a minimum set of tools: candle key, spare candle, fuel hose and pear. Often breakdowns occur due to small things that are easy to fix on the spot, if you have the right one at hand. spare.
☑️ Technical minimum in the boat
The electric pump is convenient in a parking lot with access to the battery, but a manual foot or two-chamber pump is your insurance if the battery is discharged, checking the pressure in the cylinders before leaving and regularly inspecting the seams for etching air should become a habit.
⚠️ Warning: Never use adhesives not intended for this material (e.g., "moment" for shoes or rubber) to repair PVC, which will not withstand pressure and temperature, and the boat may disperse at sea.
Anchor and navigation
Keeping a boat on point is a critical skill and equipment requirement. A strong wind or current can quickly carry a light inflatable boat away from the fishing site or, worse, nail it to dangerous driftwood or stones. Having an anchor of appropriate mass (usually 1/10 of the displacement of the boat) is a must.
For PVC inflatable boats, classic heavy cat anchors can be dangerous, as they are difficult to break when hooked, and a sharp jerk can damage the balloon. The optimal solution is Denfort folding anchors or homemade structures of pipes that hold the weight of the soil, not the mass of the anchor itself. The anchor end (phalo) should be of sufficient length and have a float buoy so that in the event of a cliff you can find an anchor.
| Type of anchor | Weight (kg) | For what bottom? | Risk for PVC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat folding. | 2-4 | Rocky, snag-snag | Tall (scratches) |
| Pyramid (mushroom) | 3-5 | Sludge, sand, clay | Low. |
| Floating (parachute) | 0.5-1 | Current, depth | Minimum |
| Stockings, cargo | 1-3 | Any ground | Low. |
You can't rely on your memory or your phone for navigation. Mobile communications can go missing and your battery will run out. Having a compass and a paper map of the area packed in a sealed airtight will allow you to navigate even in thick fog or with electronics completely discharged. GPS navigation makes life much easier by allowing you to put waypoints and tracks, but they don't have to be the only means of navigation.
How to calculate the length of the anchor shaft?
The length of the anchor tile should be approximately 2-3 depths in the parking lot, for example, if the depth is 5 meters, the tile should be 10-15 meters, which provides the correct angle of attack of the anchor for a reliable hook.
Organization of space: bags and hermobashki
Chaotic things in a boat are a direct route to losing gear or damaging cylinders. Hard crates can rub PVC under the influence of sun and pressure, so it is better to use specialized soft bags to store things. The ideal solution is sealed backpack bags that not only protect the contents from water, but also serve as additional seats or safety buffers.
When choosing bags, pay attention to the quality of fittings and seams. Cheap lightning can disperse at the most inopportune moment, leaving your things wet. Hermashers. They should be checked before each trip: inflate them, close them and immerse them in water to make sure there are no air bubbles.
Organising space also means having a scoop, and even the driest boat will eventually gain water from condensation, splashing, or rain, and it's uncomfortable and time-consuming to draw water out with a mug or plastic bottle, so a special unsinkable scoop should be secured in an accessible place.
- 🎒 Airtight backpack bags for personal belongings and electronics
- ⚓ Unsinkable water pumping scoop
- 🔦 Lantern (head or hand) with spare batteries
- 🔪 Knife with fixed blade (in an easily accessible place)
Put things in the boat so that the center of gravity is shifted to the center of the bottom, rather than on the nose or stern, this will improve driving performance and reduce the risk of being overwhelmed by the wave.
First aid kit and first aid equipment
Being on the water, especially away from the shore, requires an extended first aid kit. Standard car kit is not suitable here, because the risks are specific: hypothermia, sunburn, cuts on fishing hooks, bruises when hitting the side. The first aid kit must necessarily have antiseptics, hemostatic harnesses, bandages and pain remedies.
Special attention should be paid to antihistamines, insect bites on the water are more severe due to humidity and wind, and motion sickness remedies will also be useful if you plan long walks in large water with chop.
It is important to (regularly check) the shelf life of the drugs and the integrity of the package. Wet air and temperature changes can spoil the drugs faster than indicated on the package. Pack the first aid kit should be in a waterproof container with a bright label so that in a stressful situation, you do not waste time searching.
⚠️ If any crew member has chronic illnesses (asthma, allergies, diabetes), personal medications should be available on an individual basis, not in a shared first aid kit at the bottom of the boat.
Comfort and additional accessories
fishing or cruising can take hours, so comfort comes to the fore. Sitting on the hard inflated bottom of a PVC boat is uncomfortable and cold. Using special inflatable or frame seats with a backrest allows you to save energy and concentrate on the process, rather than on a stale back.
Sun and insect protection is another aspect of comfort: a tent or sun umbrella mounted on a boat can keep you from overheating, and repellents are mandatory, especially in the evening or in reed-covered areas where the scrotum can turn rest into torture.
For anglers, an important element is a spinning holder and a yawner (for safely extracting hooks from the pike). For recreational enthusiasts, a waterproof music column will not be superfluous, but remember to keep the volume so as not to disturb other holidaymakers and wildlife.
Comfortable equipment directly affects safety: tired and wet people lose concentration faster and can make a mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register a PVC boat with a 5 hp engine?
According to the current rules of the State Motors Service of Russia, registration is required for small vessels weighing up to 200 kg inclusive (together with the engine) And engine power of more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp). If your boat with an engine of 5 hp and a total weight of less than 200 kg, registration is not required, but the rights of the boatmaster may be required depending on the engine power (rights are necessary for engines over 10 hp).
Can I use a car pump for a PVC boat?
You can use a car compressor, but with great care. They often don't have a valve with precise pressure control and can pump cylinders, which will cause the seams to deform or break in the sun. If you use an auto compressor, constantly monitor the pressure with a pressure gauge and do not pump the cylinders "before the bell." It is better to use specialized foot or electric PVC pumps with auto-stop.
What if the boat starts poisoning the air on the water?
If you find a leak, don't panic. If the etching is small, try to get to the shore faster. If the situation is critical, use a temporary refill kit (burn, patch on glue). Keep the cylinders pumped, as when the hole is deflated, the hole can increase. Always carry a spare pump.
Which anchor is better for an inflatable boat?
The best choice is anchors that don't have sharp protruding parts that can damage the balloon, and well-proven anchor cats with folding legs (in a case) or anchors in the form of a cargo (stocking) stuffed with stones in place, the main thing is a reliable anchor end and the correct technique of anchoring.