The Kazanka series boats, despite their venerable age, remain among the most popular boats on Russian water bodies. However, their design feature in the form of sharpness and lack of a floating board poses serious risks when operating in windy weather or when overloading, which is why the question of what is a bouli on the Kazanka boat worries many owners who want to protect themselves and passengers from tipping over.
Booles are sealed linings that are installed on board, which significantly increase the buoyancy and stability of the vessel. In the case of water entering the hull or a sharp roll, these elements prevent the boat from fully submerging, allowing the crew to stay afloat. Competent modernization turns a vulnerable Kazanka into a stable and safe boat, suitable even for going out into open water with little excitement.
Purpose and principle of operation of bulae
The main function of the boules is to compensate for the loss of buoyancy in emergency situations. A standard metal boat without additional floats sinks almost instantly when filled with water, since the density of metal and equipment exceeds the density of water. Bules create additional volumeIt pushes the boat to the surface even when the cockpit is completely flooded, giving precious time to evacuate or pump water.
The principle of operation is based on Archimedes' law: the larger the volume of water displaced, the greater the push force. By installing sealed containers on the sides, the owner artificially expands the overall width of the boat at the top, which not only improves safety, but also improves driving performance, making the swing smoother and less sharp. Kazanka- 2M or Kazan 5 With boules behave on the wave completely different than stock options.
It's important to understand that bules are not a panacea for all ills, they're not a substitute for life jackets, they don't allow you to ignore safety rules, but they're critical for fishing alone or going out with children, and a properly calculated volume of bules can keep a boat afloat with a full load of people and a motor, even if it gets a hole.
Calculation of the required buoyancy
Before you start making or buying materials, you need to make accurate calculations: insufficient volume of boules will not save the situation, and excessive can make the boat roll and reduce handling, you need to know the displacement of the boat, the weight of the equipment, the engine and the maximum permissible number of passengers. Reserve of buoyancy It must cover the weight of the entire boat with load in a flooded state.
There is a simple formula for an approximate calculation: the volume of boules (in liters) should be equal to the weight of a boat with a full load (in kilograms), divided by the reserve factor. It is usually recommended to make a reserve of 1.5-2 times the minimum necessary. For example, if a boat with an engine and a crew weighs 600 kg, then the volume of boules should provide a lift of at least 600 liters, or better – 900-1000 liters.
⚠️ Attention: In calculations, always round the values upwards. The actual density of water in the reservoir may differ from the calculated, and the foam can become saturated with moisture over time, losing its properties.
To simplify the task, you can use the average data for popular models. Below is a table with indicative values of the volume of boules for various modifications of Kazanok.
| Model boat | Own weight (kg) | Recommended volume of boules (L) | Filling material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kazanka (Blick) | 138 | 400-500 | PSB-C foam |
| Kazanka-M | 160 | 500-600 | Foam/Foam |
| Kazan 5 | 190 | 600-700 | PSB-C foam |
| Kazankah-5M | 240 | 700-800 | Foam/Foam |
When choosing a material for filling boules, polystyrene sheet foam (foam) of PSB-S-25 or PSB-S-35 grades is most often used. These materials have a closed cellular structure, which minimizes water absorption. Important: the use of mounting foam without preliminary testing for water absorption can lead to the fact that the buli will gain water and weight the boat, so it is preferable to high-density sheet foam.
Selection of materials and construction of the Boolean body
Boolean body should be strong, lightweight and sealed. Traditionally, the same material used for the skinning is used for the boat, which is made of aluminum-magnesium alloy (AMG) or duraluminum. The thickness of the sheet is usually 1.5-2 mm. The use of thinner metal is not advisable due to the risk of deformation when hitting a wave or berth. aluminum It is preferable to steel, as it does not rust and is easier to process.
Many metal craftsmen consider fiberglass as an alternative, which allows for complex streamlined shapes that are not susceptible to corrosion. However, fiberglass is heavier than aluminum and requires special skills for high-quality laminating. If metal is the choice, all seams should be made using argon welding, since conventional aluminum welding is not suitable, and rivets can flow over time.
Designally, the boules are divided into removable and non-removable. Removable versions are attached to bolts through sealing pads and can be dismantled to transport a boat on a trailer or store in a garage. Non-removable ones are welded or riveted to death, which increases reliability but complicates logistics. Kazan-5A car that is often carried on the roof of the car, a removable option may be preferable.
Installation and fastening technology
The process of mounting boules requires careful preparation of the surface of the board. The metal must be cleaned to shine, defatted and covered with a primer. The fastening is carried out either through welded response slats or through through through bolt joints. In the second case, it is critical to use rubber or silicone pads under bolt hats and nuts to eliminate contact of heterogeneous metals and prevent electrochemical corrosion.
The sequence of work is as follows:
- 🛠️ Marking of anchorages on board, taking into account the center of gravity of the boat.
- 🛠️ Manufacture of the frame of boules from corners or strips of aluminum.
- 🛠️ Filling the internal volume with foam with a tight fit of sheets.
- 🛠️ Sheathing of the frame with sheets of metal and sealing of seams.
- 🛠️ Final mounting of the structure to the boat.
Particular attention should be paid to the junction of the boat and the side. In this area, moisture and dirt often accumulate, which leads to accelerated destruction of the metal, it is recommended to make a small gap (3-5 mm) between the hull of the boat and the boulder for ventilation, or, conversely, smear the joint with a thiokol sealant during a hard landing. Tightness - Keyword when installing.
⚠️ Warning: Never drill holes in the sides of the boat in areas of metal stress (corners, rounding of the cheekbones), which can lead to cracks when operating on the wave.
You can use moisture-resistant adhesive to fix the foam inside the boules, but you can rely on mechanical retention with the lids, which will allow you to check the condition of the material in the future. Kazanku-MMake sure that the installation of boules does not block access to the fuel tank if it is located in the kunduks.
The effect of the boules on driving performance
Installing additional volumes on the sides inevitably changes the fluid dynamics of the boat. Sailing increases, which is especially noticeable in lateral winds. The boat can begin to demolish, and the control becomes more lazy. On the other hand, the buls extinguish the onboard swing, making the movement more comfortable. stability increases, and the risk of burying the board in a wave on a turn decreases.
The maximum speed may drop slightly due to increased water resistance and weight, however for pleasure boats and fishing boats such as the Kazankah-5M2 or Kazankah-5M4It's rarely critical, and it's much more important to make sure that the boat doesn't flip over when you move a fisherman abruptly to the sides to catch the trophy.
Owners should consider that with boules, the boat gets wider, which can create problems when mooring in cramped marinas or when placing it in a standard storage place, and also changes the behavior of the boat on turns: the roll becomes smaller, but the turning radius may increase.
Maintenance and leakproofness testing
Bules require regular inspection, especially after the winter season or long parking lots, check the condition of fasteners, the presence of corrosion under the pads and the integrity of the paint coating, even a microscopic crack in the seam can lead to gradual filling of the cavity with water, which will negate all the benefits of modernization.
You can do a leakproof Styrofoam test by drilling a small control hole at the bottom of the boulder (which then seals tightly) or weighing the boat. If the weight has increased markedly for no apparent reason, the material inside has been saturated with moisture, which requires opening and replacing the filler.
☑️ Seasonal Boolean Inspection
To prolong the life of metal boules, it is recommended to use anti-corrosion compounds and update the coating annually. If the boules are made of fiberglass, be sure that there are no chips and "shedding" of the gelcout. Any damage should be repaired immediately, since the water that gets between the foam and the skin will freeze in winter and can tear the structure.
Alternative solutions and ready-made kits
If self-manufacturing seems difficult or risky, there are ready-made inflatable boules on the market, which are cylinders of strong PVC fabric that are attached to the sides with belts, which are easy to dismantle, they do not weigh the boat dry and provide excellent buoyancy, but inflatable elements are subject to punctures and require constant pressure monitoring.
There are also combinations where the rigid frame is covered with a soft material, which allows you to combine the strength of the metal and the shock absorbing properties of the inflatable elements. KazanInflatable boulders, which use the boat mainly for fishing in calm water bodies, can be the optimal compromise between safety and ease of operation.
⚠️ Warning: When using inflatable boules, always carry a remix and pump with you. A puncture can occur at the most inopportune time, for example, when passing through reed thickets.
The choice between homemade hard boules and purchase inflatables depends on your skills, budget and operating conditions. Hard boules are a do-and-forget solution for decades, whereas inflatable ones require more attention but give flexibility in use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register a boat with boules in GIMS?
Under current regulations, if the weight of the boat with the engine does not exceed 200 kg, registration is not required. Booleys add weight, but usually negligible (15-30 kg). However, if the total weight with the engine and equipment exceeds 200 kg, registration is mandatory. It is also important that the buoys do not change the design of the boat dramatically, although in practice inspectors rarely find fault with the buls if they are carefully executed.
Which foam is best suited to fill?
The best choice is the PSB-C-35 Styrofoam, which has a high density, low water absorption and good thermal insulation properties. Lower-density grades (such as PSB-C-15) can crumble and lose their specifications faster when vibrating and in contact with water.
Can you use the bulls as extra zip?
Theoretically, you can make a sealed compartment inside, but this is highly discouraged. Any leakage of the inner box will cause it to flood and lose the buoyancy of the entire structure. Boulles should be filled only with unsinkable material (foam) throughout the area.
Will fuel consumption with bulges increase?
Yes, fuel consumption will increase because of the increased weight and water resistance, and it's estimated that it'll increase from 0.5 to 1.5 liters per hour depending on the engine's power and driving mode, but safety is worth it.