Electric anchor for PVC boats: selection, installation and configuration

Modern fishing or rest on the water require not only reliable watercraft, but also competent equipment that provides comfort and safety. Electro-anchor For an inflatable vessel, it's no longer a luxury, it's become a necessary attribute for those who value their time and effort, and instead of having to manually drop and lift the anchor every time you change your fishing point, you get the ability to control the parking lot with the touch of a button from the remote control.

Owners PVC boats Often faced with the dilemma: will the inflatable board and the trollboard will withstand the weight of the mechanical winch, or should we consider specialized light solutions? The right system allows you to fix the boat even in strong currents or gusty winds, which is critical for spinning and trolling enthusiasts. In this article, we will examine in detail all the nuances of the selection, installation and operation of electric anchor systems.

The principle of operation and advantages of electric winch

The basis of any system is electromechanical winchThe mechanism transmits torque to a spoole or drum, winding a thack (rope or cable) with an anchor attached at the end. Unlike mechanical analogues, it does not require physical effort of a person, which is especially true when fishing from a depth of more than 4-5 meters or on a strong current.

The main advantage of using electric drives on floatboat It's possible to put it in the bow without the risk of damaging the cylinders when you're working manually, you're in the cockpit, you're driving the motor or spinning, and the anchor is lowered or raised remotely, and that eliminates the situation where the fisherman loses his balance by leaning over the side, or getting tangled in the phalo.

⚠️ Warning: Never leave a running winch unattended when anchored at the bottom. Abruptly stopping the motor due to tension can cause the fuse to burn or damage the gears of the gearbox.

In addition, modern models are equipped with remote-controlIt's often wireless, allowing you to control the process from anywhere on the boat, and some advanced systems have auto-stops that respond to the change in current in the circuit when the anchor reaches the bottom or the surface of the water.

Selection criteria: thrust, weight and type of anchor

Selecting the right equipment begins with determining the required traction force. For inflatable vessels weighing up to 300 kg (including crew and equipment), a winch with a traction force of 150-200 kg is usually sufficient. electroanchor In the rivers with fast flow, this parameter should be increased.

The weight of the device itself is critical for PVC boats; overloading the bow can lead to burrowing of the nose in the wave and reduced driving performance; The optimal weight of the winch assembled with an anchor should not exceed 10-12 kg for boats up to 3.6 meters in length; For larger vessels, models weighing up to 15-18 kg are allowed.

• 🎣 Type of anchor: For rivers with a rocky bottom, anchors of the Cat or Grapple type are best suited, which are easily freed from hooks.
• ⚓ Fail material: Use a wicker synthetic cord with a diameter of 4-6 mm; it does not rot, does not absorb water and is pleasant to the touch.
• 🔋 Current consumption: Pay attention to the idling current and under load; this will help to correctly calculate the battery life.

It's also important to consider the dimensions of the device: compact models are easier to transport and store in a boat bag. If you change water bodies often and wear equipment on yourself, every gram counts. For PVC boats, it is critical that the winch design does not have sharp edges that can damage cylinders when sloppy installation or transportation.

Comparative table of popular models

There are many modifications on the market, from budget Chinese counterparts to professional systems, and below is a comparison of the technical specifications of several popular models to help you navigate the range.

When you look at the table, you need to look at the weight-to-thrust ratio. Ronstan RW7015 It's also very lightweight, which makes it ideal for small inflatable boats, where every unit of weight is important. Traxstech T-150 It offers impressive traction at a relatively modest weight, which is suitable for more severe operating conditions.

Remember that the reported sample rate can vary depending on the battery charge. On a fully charged battery, the maximum rate will be the maximum, whereas at a discharge below 11 volts, the speed can drop by one and a half to two times.

Features of installation on inflatable vessels

Installation electromechanical winch In PVC, a boat requires a different approach than mounting on a rigid vessel, and the main task is to ensure that the device is rigidly fixed without damaging the soft cylinders, using special brackets and platforms that are attached to a transom or bow jar.

The most common option is to install a removable bow platform, which is attached to stringers or hard inflatable floor arcs (HBB), which must be made of moisture-resistant plywood or aluminum and have an anti-slip coating, the winch is screwed to the platform with bolts, and the platform itself is fixed with belts or special hooks for cylinders.

If the boat is equipped with a squirrel board, you can consider mounting the winch directly on it, but this will require shifting the center of gravity, in which case you need to make sure that the board will withstand the dynamic load when the anchor jerks. Fastening elements It should be made of stainless steel or have an anti-corrosion coating, as contact with water is inevitable.

It is also important to provide a place for the control panel, which should be within the operator's reach, but also be protected from accidental water and mechanical damage, and the wiring should be laid so that it does not interfere with the movement of the boat and does not rub against the side.

Connection scheme and electrical safety

Correct connection electric motor The basic rule is that the shorter and thicker the wire, the less voltage loss and heating. To power the winch, you should use a separate battery, not the one that runs the outboard motor, to avoid the discharge of the starter battery.

The power supply chain must include an automatic switch or fuse of the corresponding nominal value. This will protect the wiring from overheating in the event of a short circuit or jamming of the mechanism. The wire cross section must correspond to the consumption current: for currents up to 30A, a copper wire with a section of at least 4 mm2 is recommended, and for currents above 50A - at least 6-8 mm2.

• 🔌 Contact: All compounds must be reliably soldered or pressurized and thermally shrinked.
• 🛡️ Defense: Use moisture-proof connectors to connect the control panel to the winch control unit.
• 🔋 Battery: It is preferable to use traction batteries (GEL or AGM), which are better able to tolerate deep discharge.

After the circuit is assembled, a test run on land (short-term) is necessary to make sure that the rotation direction is correct and there is no sparking at the joints. Management system You need to respond to commands instantly, without delay.

Operation and maintenance of the anchor system

Regular maintenance significantly extends the service life anchor-winchAfter every fishing trip, especially in salt water, the device must be rinsed with fresh water. The salt is an aggressive electrolyte and quickly destroys metal parts and contacts.

Periodically check the condition of the fail. If you notice scuffing or stratification, immediately replace it. Weakened cable can jump off the drum and wind on the shaft, which will lead to breakage. It is also recommended to lubricate the moving parts of the mechanism with a special lubricant that is resistant to washing with water.

Store the winch should be in a dry room, having previously completely dried the fal. Wet cable wound on the drum can cause corrosion of the internal parts of the mechanism and the appearance of an unpleasant odor. The battery also requires care: in winter it is better to keep it on recharging.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to use a winch to tow a boat or lift cargo exceeding passport traction, which will cause the gear gears to break permanently.

Frequent errors in selection and installation

One of the most common mistakes is to buy a winch that is too heavy for a lightweight inflatable boat, which not only impairs performance, but also creates a risk of damage to the cylinders when rolling, and always correlate the weight of the equipment with the carrying capacity of your vessel.

Another mistake is using a thin wire to connect, and owners often take the "what is" wire without thinking about the voltage loss, and as a result, the motor runs half-heartedly, warms up and quickly fails. Electrical circuitry It must be calculated as carefully as the mechanical part.

Sometimes users neglect to install the fuse, considering it unnecessary, but it is the fuse that saves the boat from fire in the event of a short circuit, saving on this safety element is unacceptable.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)