Automation of anchorage turns fishing from fighting inventory into pure pleasure. Electric anchor winch for PVC boat It allows you to instantly lock a vessel at the fishing point without too much fiddling with ropes, which is especially valuable when fishing on strong currents or winds. Inflatable boat owners often doubt the feasibility of installing an electric drive, fearing for the integrity of the cylinders and the weight of the structure, but modern solutions completely solve these problems.
Unlike heavy cranes on metal boats, equipment for PVC boats It requires a special approach to attachment and load distribution, and a well-chosen winch not only saves your strength, but also significantly improves the safety of being on the water, allowing you to quickly change position or raise the anchor in stormy weather. Next, we will discuss the technical aspects of the choice of traction force, how to install on a soft transom and the features of power supply.
Criteria for the selection of traction force and design
The first thing that customers face is the choice between horizontal and vertical drive. For inflatable boats up to 4 meters long, the best solution is to choose between horizontal and vertical drive. winchVertical models take up less space in width, but require complex seat preparation, which is often unacceptable for PVC.
Engine power depends on the weight of the anchor and operating conditions. For calm water and anchors up to 4 kg, a mechanism with a thrust of 30-50 kg is enough. If you plan to anchor on the current or use heavy "mushrooms" and Admiralty anchors weighing 6-8 kg, you will need a device with a force of 70 kg and above. It is important to consider that the declared thrust is often indicated for ideal conditions, so a power reserve of 30% will never hurt.
⚠️ Warning: Never use a winch as a winch to lift people or heavy loads out of the water. This is specialized equipment for working with the anchor rope, and overloading will lead to the cutting of gears of the gearbox.
The casing material also plays a role: Aluminum alloys with anti-corrosion coating are ideal for salt water, while painted steel or plastic will be suitable for fresh water bodies. The mechanism must be protected from water ingress, but completely tight (the mechanism must be protected from water ingress).IP67-IP68) is rare, so installation under a protective casing or in a kunduk is preferable.
Methods of mounting on the transom of the PVC boat
The installation of the equipment on the soft transnese requires careful preparation of the site, the main rule is that the load should be distributed on the rigid base, not on the PVC fabric itself. plate It's made of moisture-resistant plywood or a composite that's attached to the transom board, and the winch itself is already mounted on this plate, which prevents the cylinders from being pressed and the transmutant from deforming.
There are two main ways of fixing: fixed and removable. The stationary version is more reliable, but requires drilling of the transom board, which is not always acceptable for new boats. The removable version involves the use of powerful rods or bolt joints through ready-made holes for an outboard motor. The second method allows you to quickly dismantle equipment during transportation or storage.
☑️ Installation readiness check
When installing, it is important to ensure the correct angle of descent of the rope. If the winch is set too high relative to the duck or roller on the nose, the rope will rub against the side, which can damage the balloon. A low profiled duck or a roller will minimize this risk, and check if the installed design does not block the view or access to the control of the motor.
⚠️ Attention: When drilling a transom board, make sure that the drill does not affect the internal elements of the inflated cylinder (if the transom is inflatable) or the power kit. Always use depth limiters.
Electricity system organization
Electric winch is energy-intensive. Standard 12-volt models can consume up to 30-50 Amps at the time of the start. So using a regular battery to start the engine is strongly discouraged if you do not have a second one. tractor-battery AGM or GEL type with a capacity of 50 Ah.
The cross-section of the wires is critical. A thin wire will create a voltage drop, the motor will not develop power and can burn. For a distance of up to 2 meters from the battery to the winch, use a copper wire with a cross-section of at least 6 mm2 (copper), preferably 10 mm2. All connections should be soldered or made through quality terminal pads and protected by thermal shrinkage.
Calculation of battery capacity
For a winch with a consumption of 30A and a running time of 10 minutes (0.16 hours) it will take 30 * 0.16 = 4.8 Ah. However, given that you can not discharge the battery to zero, and the starting currents are higher, the 20 Ah battery will be the minimum permissible, but 50-60 Ah will provide a comfortable operation for several days.
An automatic fuse is a mandatory element of the circuit, which is installed directly at the battery terminal, which will protect the wiring from ignition in the event of a short circuit. For control, wired remotes with a long cable or wireless radio-controlled systems are often used, which are more convenient to operate, but require protection from moisture.
Choice of anchor rope and fittings
The type of rope determines the reliability of the entire system. Electric winches are best suited to a synthetic cable (nylon or polypropylene) with a diameter of 4-6 mm. It does not rust, pleasant to the touch and does not damage the drum. Steel cables are not recommended: they are heavier, can rust and pose a danger when cliffed.
The length of the rope is calculated based on the depths at which you plan to fish. The standard ratio of the length of the rope to depth is 3:1 or 4:1. For most bodies of water, 30-50 meters are enough. At the end of the rope, a vertebra and a carbine are necessarily installed to quickly change anchor. The anchor itself must have enough weight to hold the boat, but not be excessively heavy for the mechanism.
| Type of rope | Diameter (mm) | Breaking load (kg) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| nylon | 5 | ~450 | High elasticity, extinguishing jerks |
| Polypropylene | 5 | ~350 | It doesn't sink, cheaper than nylon, harder. |
| Dyneema | 4 | ~900 | Super-strong, not stretching, dear. |
| Steel (not rivers) | 3 | ~600 | Heavy, rusting, dangerous on a cliff |
⚠️ Warning: Never hold the rope with your hands while the winch is running. When the anchor is jammed in the ground, the tearing force can exceed 200 kg, leading to serious injuries to the fingers or hand.
Operation and maintenance
The long life of the equipment depends on proper maintenance. After each fishing, especially in salt water, the mechanism must be rinsed with fresh water. Periodically, once a season, you should remove the protective cover of the gearbox and check the amount of lubrication. For plastic gears (often found in budget models), lithium lubricant is used, for metal - specialized marine lubricants.
It's important to monitor the condition of the motor brushes, if you notice a spark or a decrease in power, it may be time to replace them, and check the tightening of the mount bolts, because vibration on water can weaken even reliably fixed connections, Regular lubrication of the bushings of the drum rotation will prevent jamming.
Store the winch control panel in an airtight bag or drawer even during rain. Water entering the button contacts can cause the board to turn on or oxidize spontaneously.
Winter storage requires the removables to be completely disassembled and the battery charged, and the winch is best removed from the boat if possible and stored in a dry room at room temperature, which will preserve the elasticity of plastic parts and prevent corrosion of metal surfaces.
Comparison of popular models for PVC boats
The market offers a variety of options, from Chinese OEMs to branded solutions. Budget models often come with plastic gears that are good for light anchors but are afraid of jamming. More expensive counterparts have a metal gearbox and overload protection. When choosing, you should pay attention to the presence of reverse and lift speed (usually 10-15 meters per minute).
Some models have a "free fall" feature that allows you to drop anchor without consuming battery power. This is a useful option, but it complicates the design. For most amateur anglers, simple single-speed models with a reliable remote control are optimal.
The main criterion for choosing is the ratio of winch weight to traction. For PVC boats, it is better to take a model with a margin of power than to overload a light mechanism.
In conclusion, the installation of an electric winch is an investment in comfort, freeing up hands and time for the main thing - fishing, and properly installed and following the rules of operation will make this accessory an indispensable assistant on the water.
Can I use a winch on a boat with an inflatable transom?
You can use it, but only with a special hard adapter pad that distributes the load over a large area, and it is forbidden to fasten the winch directly to the soft transom, since the force will pull the sides or damage the seams.
Which battery is better to choose: starting or traction?
Deep Cycle: Starting batteries are designed for short-term high current returns and quickly fail in cyclic discharge. Traction batteries (AGM, GEL) are designed to last long under load.
What to do if the battery sits in the middle of the reservoir?
Most winches have a manual unlock mode (usually you need to unscrew the nut on the shaft), allowing you to pull the anchor manually, you can also use a spare battery or "light" from another vessel, observing the polarity.
Do I need to lubricate the rope of the winch?
The synthetic rope doesn't need to be lubricated, it needs to be kept dry and clean, and the dirt and sand that sticks to the lubricant will act like an abrasive, breaking down the fibers and wearing out the drum, and just washing it with water periodically.