A floating boat is not just a means of transportation by water, but a houseboat that requires a special approach to anchoring, unlike metal or plastic counterparts. PVC-boat It's lightweight and high sailing, which makes it extremely unstable in wind and current. It's often impossible to use a conventional chain anchor because of the risk of piercing cylinders, and manually mooring alone is not an easy task.
This is where the stage comes in. electroanchor But the market offers a variety of solutions, from budget Chinese winches to professional GPS-anchored systems, and a mistake in choosing can cost you money, as well as the loss of expensive equipment or even the boat itself.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to calculate the necessary thrust, what are the ways of fastening on inflatable sides and why. horizontal winch may be more dangerous verticalYou will learn about the nuances of power supply, the features of the installation of transes and understand whether to overpay for brands or you can do with budget analogues.
Selection criteria: traction, weight and type of construction
The first thing that begins with the competent selection of equipment is the calculation tractionMany beginners mistakenly believe that a lightweight inflatable boat is enough minimum power, but they forget to consider the force of wind and current. The thrust must be 3-4 times the weight of the boat in running order with the crew, otherwise the device will work at the limit of its capabilities, which will quickly disable it.
Structurally, winch anchors are divided into two main types: vertical (guild) and horizontal (windlass). PVC The most commonly recommended vertical models are because they take up less space in width and allow the anchor to be lowered at any angle, which is critical when mounted on a transom or nose jar, while horizontal models require a strict angle of 90 degrees between the rope entrance and the drum, which is more difficult to provide on flexible inflatable board.
⚠️ Warning: Never use an electric anchor with less thrust than the mass of your boat with full load. The engine running at its limit causes the gearbox to overheat and the brushes to burn in minutes.
The weight of the device itself is also important. For small inflatable vessels, where every kilogram counts, it is better to choose models from the following: aluminum-alloy Although steel is more reliable, it adds extra strain to the nose, which can disrupt the differentiation of the boat and impair driving performance when driven for an outboard motor.
Features of installation on inflatable boards and transom
Installation electromechanical winch It's not acceptable to just attach the device to a plywood can, because vibration and jerking when anchoring can shatter the mounts and damage the inflatable elements. flat-bar or a hard bottom.
For the transom setup, special brackets are ideal, which cover the top of the transom and are fixed with screws with wide washers so as not to damage the PVC fabric. fish-transomIn some cases, it is advisable to anchor the router, but this will require additional power cables to be laid through the entire cockpit.
- 🔹 Use only stainless fasteners (A4/A316), as regular steel will rust after the first season.
- 🔹 Be sure to install soft pads between the metal of the bracket and the cylinder of the boat.
- 🔹 Check the reliability of the winch fixation before each outing the water - the loss of anchor at depth can be fatal.
It's important to remember about waterproofing, even if the winch body has protection. IP67The cables and joints on the inflatable boat are in constant contact with water, it is recommended to additionally process the connections with silicone sealant and use shrink tubes with adhesive layer.
☑️ Check before anchoring
Power supply: batteries and chain protection
The heart of any electrical system on the water is batteryElectric anchors consume significant current, especially at start and when working under load. Small winches with thrust up to 30 kg usually enough battery capacity of 45-60 A/h, but for powerful models (50-70 kg) will require a battery of 100 A/h or more. Use of starter car batteries is not recommended due to their fear of deep discharge.
The best choice will be traction-carrying or GEL Lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are even lighter and more durable, but they cost much more, and they require special heating to operate at low temperatures.
| Type of winch | Tension. | Peak current (A) | Recommended capacity of AKB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini (up to 25 kg) | 12 V | up to 60 A | 45 A/h |
| Standard (30-50 kg) | 12 V | 80-120 AA | 75 A/h |
| Powerful (60+ kg) | 12 V/24 V | 150+A | 100 A/h |
| Profi (two-speed) | 12 V | 200+A | 120 A/h |
Keep in mind the circuit protection, 100 Amps of current running through a thin wire will instantly turn it into a hot spiral, the wire section must correspond to current consumption: for currents up to 50 A, at least 6 mm2, for 100 A, at least 16 mm2. switch-off or a fuse in the immediate vicinity of the battery.
Use copper tips to connect wires to the battery and squeeze them with a hydraulic press, not with passages - poor contact will cause a voltage drop and loss of power anchor.
Anchor Line: A rope, chain or cable?
Choice anchor-end The metal chain, traditional for heavy boats, is categorically not suitable for inflatable boats due to the weight and risk of damage to cylinders. The optimal solution is a combination: a small fragment of the chain (1-1.5 meters) at the anchor itself for extinguishing the jerks and the main one. nylon-rope.
Synthetic cables have excellent tensile strength and do not absorb water, but they can become entangled on the drum when tension is eased. nylon cord It's better to lie in a spoole, but it has the property of stretching under load, which you need to consider when calculating depth. It is important that the diameter of the rope strictly meets the recommendations of the winch manufacturer - too thin will get stuck, and the thick one will not wind completely.
For ease of use, many anglers equip a rope depth-marker (colored marks every 5 meters) This allows you to know exactly how deep the anchor is without lifting it completely, and it is also recommended to use a vertebra between the anchor and the rope to prevent the line from twisting when the boat turns windward.
⚠️ Warning: Never wind an anchor rope on your arm when working with an electric anchor. A mechanical winch can release load instantly, and the inertia of a rotating drum can cause severe injury.
Comparison of popular models and brands
The market is dominated by several key players, each offering their own solutions. Runva or T-Max They offer affordable prices, but often require tightening. Min Kota (Although they specialize in motors, their ecosystem is compatible) or specialized motors. Anchor ProThey are more expensive but provide the claimed resource.
When choosing, you should pay attention to the presence of remote-controlPVC is a critical option for a boat, allowing you to control the anchor from anywhere in the cockpit. Wired remotes are more reliable, but wireless (radio) are more convenient, although they require battery charge control. Some advanced models integrate with sonars, showing the position of the anchor on the screen.
- ⚓ Budget segment: Simple winches without remote control, require manual control of the button on the body.
- ⚓ Middle class: A wired or simple radio remote, IP54-IP65 protection, the best choice for most fishermen.
- ⚓ Premium: fully sealed housing, GPS anchor (automatic point retention), integration with the cartplotter.
Special attention should be paid to the so-called "drone anchors" or GPS anchor systems, which do not require a winch at all. They are an underwater module with a propeller that holds the boat at a point. However, for a classic winch scheme on board, it is important to choose a model with a winch on board. brake-drivewhich will prevent the spontaneous etching of the rope.
Power myth
Is it true that electric anchors are only needed on large boats?: No, this is a misconception. On small PVC boats (2.7-3.0 m), the electric anchor is even more important, since it is physically very difficult to manually keep a light vessel in the current or wind, and the risk of sailing without anchor is higher due to low mass.
Maintenance and winter storage
Aggressive water environment does not spare the technique, so electro-anchoring After every season, you have to remove the winch, wash with fresh water and lubricate the gearbox, and the water often enters the mechanism through the glands, and if it is not removed, the rust will eat the gears in a couple of months of storage in the garage.
Batteries also require attention. Lead acid batteries cannot be left empty, they will sulfate and lose capacity, they must be fully charged and stored at zero temperature, periodically (every 2-3 months) recharged. LiFePO4 The batteries are more autonomous, but they are better stored at a charge of 50-70%.
Check the condition of the anchor rope regularly. Abrasion, hairiness or color change indicate that strength has decreased. Don't skimp on replacing the line - a break at a depth of 10 meters can mean the loss of anchor, and finding it from a boat without anchor is almost impossible.
Regular lubrication of the gearbox and charging the battery during winter storage prolong the life of the electric anchor for 3-5 years, saving money on the purchase of a new kit.
Can I use an electric anchor for a flow faster than 1 m / s?
The strong current electric anchor is not recommended, and the force of the water can create a load that exceeds the winch thrust, causing the anchor to break or the gears to break, and the boat will talk a lot, which is dangerous for inflatable sides.
Do I need a separate battery for the anchor?
It's desirable to have a separate traction battery, and if you start the anchor, you create huge initiation currents that can put a voltage on the mains and disrupt the sonar or motor, and if you have a shared battery, it has to be very capacious.
How to lift the anchor if the battery is dead?
Most electric anchors have a manual etching mode (free running). To lift in an emergency, you will have to pull the rope manually. Some models allow you to connect power directly from an external battery via terminals.
What is the optimal weight for a 3-meter long boat?
For a boat 3 meters is usually enough anchor weighing 3-4 kg (if it is an admiralty type) or 2-2.5 kg (if it is a folding "cat" or Hall anchor).
Why does the electric anchor warm up when working?
DC motors generate heat when running, and if the winch is running long or overloaded, the heat is increased, and short-term heating to 50-60 degrees is normal, but if the body burns the arm, the device runs at its limit or is clogged with dirt.