Many owners of boats sooner or later think about how to increase comfort while on the water. Dooks on the boat It's one of the most efficient and affordable ways to upgrade a simple vessel into a fully mobile camp, and it can be used to secure awnings to protect against the scorching sun or sudden rain, as well as to mount sonars, navigators and other attachments.
The market offers many ready-made solutions, but the specifics of each model require an individual approach to the choice of materials and design. Wrongly selected elements can not only spoil the appearance of the vessel, but also create a danger on the water in high winds. In this article, we will discuss in detail the types of structures, the features of installation on various materials of the hull and the nuances of self-manufacture of a reliable frame.
It's important to understand that even a small load on the wind when you're driving creates a significant sailing drag, so the strength of the mounts and the flexibility of the arcs themselves are critical to safety, and a well-assembled frame will last for years without requiring complex maintenance, if you choose the right build strategy first.
Main types of constructions and materials
When choosing the basis for the future of the tent or instrument holders, the owner faces the question of the material. steel-arcsThey are highly durable and rigid, which allows heavy equipment to be mounted on them, but are susceptible to corrosion when the protective layer is damaged.
The alternative to metal is aluminumThese designs often use D16T aviation aluminum, which is very hard to break, and despite the higher cost, aluminum arcs are preferable to PVC inflatable boats because they weigh less and don't heat up as much in the sun.
Special attention should be paid to composite materials and fiberglass, which have a unique elasticity, which can withstand multiple deformations without residual changes in geometry. For anglers, who often face variable weather, the ability of the frame to absorb wind gusts, rather than resist them to the last.
The choice between a purchase kit and a homemade one often depends on the shape of the cylinders and the transom. Flagship or hunterThey perfectly repeat the contours of specific models, but may not be suitable for custom projects. Homemade options allow you to take into account all the individual specifications of the boat, including the location of cans and stringers.
Nuances of installation on PVC inflatable boats
The installation of the frame on the soft sides requires special attention to the points of support. The main problem is that inflatable tubes change their volume and shape depending on temperature and pressure. Therefore, rigid fixation of arcs to the sides is unacceptable - you need to use sliding or hinge joints.
For fastening, special glasses are often used, which are glued into PVC or attached to belts. Trans arches They're mounted directly on the transom board, which is the most reliable option for lightweight structures, and it's important to make sure that the contact points don't rub the tank material when the boat is swaying on the wave.
⚠️ Warning: Never attach metal frame elements directly to PVC without soft pads. Vibration and friction on the water act like sandpaper, and the balloon can be damaged in one season of active use.
The spacer systems that rest on the sides and bottom require precise length calculations. If the arc is too short, it will pop out when rolling. If it is too long, dangerous stress will arise in the materials. The optimal option is when the arc is installed with a slight pre-tension, but without deformation of the balloon at rest.
Use pieces of a bicycle chamber or special PVC linings in the contact areas of the metal with the balloon - this will prolong the life of your boat.
Frame for metal boats: welding and bolts
Owners of aluminium kandak and both have more freedom in their choice of fastening methods, where welding can be used, which ensures the construction is monolithic, but welding on thin-walled aluminum requires high skill, because there is a high risk of burning the body or disrupting the structure of the alloy in the zone of thermal influence.
A more affordable and maintainable way is to bolt through a sealant, to do this, holes are drilled in the sides or transom, which are necessarily processed by anticort. Stainless steel or galvanized fasteners will prevent the appearance of rusty undertick, which inevitably occur when using conventional ferrous metal.
When designing arcs for a metal boat, you have to consider the center of gravity, a high-lifted awning or a heavy visor can make a boat roll, especially in narrow-hull models, where every kilogram at the top feels stronger, and load balancing is the key to stability on the course.
How to protect the aluminum drilling sites?
After drilling the holes, be sure to clean the edges, degrease and cover with non-ferrous metal soil. When installing the bolt, use rubber or plastic bushings to eliminate galvanic pairing and metal friction against metal.
Self-manufacturing: step-by-step instructions
Making arcs yourself saves you a lot of money and you can get a design that's perfect for you. First, you need to define the geometry: height, width and angle of inclination. The best way to do this is to do a life-size drawing on the floor or use 3D modeling to calculate loads.
The process of bending pipes requires special equipment, a bend, and in the home, they often use the method of heating and filling the pipe with sand to avoid clamps. roller-benderallowing to make a smooth radius without deformation of the cross section.
☑️ Work plan for the manufacture of the frame
The assembly is done on a flat surface. All joints must be tightened with effort, but without fanaticism, so as not to break the thread. After assembly, the frame is recommended to be "run" on land, simulating loads to identify weak points, only after that you can start installing an awning or attaching equipment.
| Materials | Pipe diameter (mm) | Weight of the linear meter | Difficulty processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel (black) | 16-20 | Highly | Low (easily boiled) |
| Stainless steel | 16-20 | Highly | Medium (requires argon welding) |
| Aluminum D16T | 20-25 | Low. | High (special instrument needed) |
| Fiberglass | 10-15 | Medium. | High (casting/sticking only) |
Corrosion protection and maintenance
The aquatic environment is aggressive, especially when it comes to salt water or contaminated industrial water bodies. metal-frame Powder paint is a great option, but it's afraid of chipping, so regular surface inspection is a must.
If you find scratches or paint bloating, you need to immediately clean the damaged area to metal, treat it with a rust converter and paint it over, and ignoring minor defects leads to rapid corrosion under the paint layer, which can weaken the structure in one season.
For aluminum structures, contact corrosion at the junction with steel fasteners is a danger. The use of insulating gaskets and lubricants, such as lithium lubrication or special sprays for aluminum, helps to prolong the life of the units. Remember to lubricate the threaded joints before winter storage.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use copper-containing corrosion-resistant compounds on aluminum boats. The galvanic reaction between aluminum and copper in seawater destroys the metal catastrophically quickly.
Use of arcs for equipment attachment
Modern fishing is unthinkable without electronics, and the arcs above the angler's head are the perfect place to attach sonars, GPS navigators and temperature sensors, which frees up space on the transom and cans, making fishing more comfortable.
The mounting of the instrumentation uses special brackets that can be purchased in stores or made from an aluminum profile. It is important to ensure that the mounting is rigid so that the screen does not shake on the go, but has the ability to adjust the angle of view, the cable should be laid inside or along the arcs, fixing with screeds.
Properly mounted arcs turn the boat into a multifunctional complex, allowing you to place navigation, light and awning without sacrificing free space inside the cockpit.
In addition to electronics, LED tapes are often hung on arcs to light night fishing or parking, which requires wiring to comply with all the requirements of tightness, all connections must be protected from water, and wiring must be protected from rubbing against metal edges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What diameter of the pipe is better to choose for homemade arcs?
The optimal diameter for light awnings and instrument hangings is considered to be a pipe of 16-20 mm. If you plan to install a heavy awning with sidewalls or a lot of wind load, it is better to take 22-25 mm. For aluminum, the diameter should be increased by 20-30% compared to steel due to the less rigidity of the material.
Can I leave the frame on the boat when transported on a trailer?
It depends on the height of the structure and the dimensions of the roads, and if the arcs are removable, they should be dismantled to reduce sailing and the risk of damage in the wind, and the non-removable structures should be securely secured, and the awning removed, because at speed it can act as a parachute and turn the boat over.
How to calculate the length of the arc for a semicircular tent?
To calculate the length of the arc forming the semicircumference, multiply the desired width of the base by 1.57 (that's half the number of pi). If you want a more gentle arc, use the formula of the length of the chord or make a pattern from wire directly on the boat.
Do I need to ground a metal frame on a boat?
In lightning protection, yes, if you're in a thunderstorm region and the boat has a mast or a high metal frame, it can be a point of impact. However, in normal circumstances, PVC fishing boats don't need a special grounding, it's more important to take care of the lightning rod as a lowered chain if the thunderstorm is taken by surprise.