Installing a bulwark is one of the most effective ways to upgrade an inflatable boat, which dramatically changes the level of comfort during operation. Nord or Aqua They are faced with the fact that the waves constantly overwhelm the cockpit, making fishing in windy weather not just uncomfortable, but dangerous for gear and electronics.
Self-manufacture of this element allows not only to save a significant amount compared to buying a finished kit, but also to adapt the design to specific needs, whether it is trolling or sports fishing. false-board gives the inflatable board rigidity, hides cylinders from sharp objects and creates an additional air bag of safety.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of creating a reinforced protective element that will last for many years, you will learn about the choice of the right materials, the features of attaching to stringers and the nuances that are not talked about in stores.
Purpose and advantages of installing a false board
The main function of this design is to protect the interior of the cockpit from the ingress of off-shore water. When moving on a plane or parking on the wave, the spray flies constantly, and without protection, the entire contents of the boat, including boxes with gear and clothes, instantly wet. phalshbord Takes this blow on itself, leaving the floor dry.
In addition to protecting against moisture, the rigid wall around the perimeter of the cylinders plays an important role in strengthening the structure. inflatable tubes are rounded when pumped, and when a strong wind or wave strikes, the side can bend inward. stringerIt keeps the shape and distributes the load more evenly.
⚠️ Attention: Installing a bulwark inevitably leads to an increase in the sailing of the boat. In a strong lateral wind, the control of the vessel can become more complex, which requires the motorist to increase concentration and skills.
Another important advantage is the ability to attach additional equipment: it is much easier to mount holders for spinning, sonar or navigation on a flat vertical surface than to try to fix them on a round cylinder, and it is a great way to close cylinders from sparks flying from the engine or from cigarette butts.
- 🛡️ Full protection of the cockpit from splashes and flooding with a wave during the course and parking.
- 🔩 Possibility of installation of additional equipment and fishing accessories.
- 💪 Strengthening the geometry of cylinders and protecting PVC fabric from mechanical damage.
- 🌬️ Creation of an additional air layer that improves thermal insulation.
Selection of materials and tools for work
The quality of the final product depends on the components selected. PVC Most often, polystyrene foam (penoplex) or foamed polyethylene are used. The foam, 20-30 mm thick, has excellent rigidity and does not absorb water, making it an ideal material for a budget and easy solution.
For more advanced and durable designs, composite materials or multi-layer plywood glued with PVC fabric are used. However, plywood is heavier and requires perfect waterproofing of the ends, otherwise it will quickly dissipate. The optimal choice for most anglers is a bundle: hard foam for the shape and strong fabric. Oxford or PVC 850 g/m2 for the skin.
As fasteners, screw screws with a wide hat (often called a "press puck") are used, as well as special pistons or luvers to connect to the fastening tape. Klejcoll ViniColl 350 or its analogues intended for gluing PVC.
Use a nichrome string or a special thermoknife to cut the foam, and this will make perfectly smooth cuts without crumbled material, which is impossible to do with a conventional stationery knife with a large sheet thickness.
Don't forget to prepare the tools for marking and fixing. You'll need a long ruler or building level, a marker, fabric scissors and a screwdriver. For good stitching, it's recommended to use a roller to help remove air bubbles between the layers.
Measurement and setting of templates
The first and most critical step is to take the exact sizes, and PVC boats, even one model, can have small variations in geometry due to different pressures in the cylinders or the assemblies of the shop, so you need to take the measurements directly from your fully pumped boat.
Place the boat on a flat surface, set up floorboards and pump the cylinders to working pressure. Measure the length of each side from the transom to the bow, where the bulge is scheduled to end. You also need to measure the height of the board at several points, since it can change smoothly from nose to stern.
| Measurement parameter | Place of measurement | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Length of the side | From transmutation to nose narrowing | Individually (usually 2.5 to 3.2 m) |
| The height of the bulwark | From the thonger up. | 200-300 mm |
| Thickness of material | Penoplex/Penopolostyrene | 20 - 30 mm |
| Rounding stock | Nose part | + 10-15 cm in length |
Once the measurements are taken, the squirrels are made of cardboard or old wallpaper, which will allow you to try on the shape of the future side of the boat and adjust the curves, especially in the bow, where the cylinders have complex geometry, and only after fitting the paper patterns can you transfer the contours to the main material.
Nuances of the nasal part
The bow of the bulwark is often made removable or cut, making it easier to pack the boat into a bag and allowing quick access to the anchor snare or nose handle without dismantling the entire structure.
Step-by-step instructions for the assembly of the structure
The assembly process begins with cutting the main material. Using the prepared templates, cut the blanks out of the foam. If you use a material 30 mm thick and the desired height of the board is greater, you may have to glue two layers together, but for standard tasks, usually one sheet is enough.
Then there's the cloth sheathing step, where PVC or Oxford is painted with a margin of 3-4 cm on each side to twist to the inside, a layer of glue is applied to the inner surface of the foam and to the fabric, and after drying the first layer (usually 10-15 minutes), a second layer is applied, and the surfaces are joined.
☑️ Checklist for false-board assembly
The important thing is to install a fastening tape, and on the bottom edge of the bulwark, on the inside, a PVC tape is glued or sewn on, which at certain intervals (usually 15-20 cm) is installed, or pistons, through which the bulwark will be screwed to the boat stringer.
To enhance the structure and give it an aesthetic appearance, the upper end can be wrapped in a strip of dense fabric or a special rod, which will prevent the stratification of the foam with careless handling and make the board more pleasant to the touch.
⚠️ Attention: When working with PVC glue, ensure good ventilation. solvent vapors are toxic, and getting glue on exposed areas of skin or mucous membranes can cause chemical burns.
Installation of a false board on a boat
Putting the finished product on a boat is a very careful process, and at first, the bulwark is just tried on without attachment to make sure the geometry is correct, and it has to fit tightly to the cylinder along its entire length, repeating its curves.
The swelling is carried out to stringer The stringer already has holes or puncture spaces, combine the holes on the false-bort fastening tape with the stringer anchorages, and lock the structure with screw screws.
Don't twist the screws right away. First, make all the perimeter mounts, pull the fabric evenly, and then make the final puff, which will ensure that the voltage is evenly distributed and prevent distortion.
The key to reliable installation is using washers under screws, which increases the area of the pin and prevents the bulwark from breaking through under heavy wave loads.
Once installed, check the boat for sagging. If there are gaps between the balloon and the bulwark in any places, you can eliminate them by placing small pieces of foam or adjusting the tension of the fastener belt.
Care, maintenance and safety of operation
A self-made raft requires the same care as the boat itself. After every fishing, especially in salt water or muddy water, the structure must be washed with fresh water and wiped dry. Mud stuck between the bulwark and the cylinder can act as an abrasive, rubbing the protective layer of PVC.
Check the condition of the fasteners regularly, the screws may weaken from vibration, and the fabric in the puncture sites will wear out. If you find signs of wear of the tape or eyebrows, repair immediately so that you do not lose the side at the most inopportune time.
- 🧼 Wash the structure with a soft sponge using special PVC products, avoiding aggressive chemistry.
- 🔍 Examine the joints of the glue for detachment, especially after prolonged storage.
- 📦 Keep the boat with the installed false board only in the straightened form, avoiding cracks at an acute angle.
Remember that the false board is not only comfort, but also an additional load on the cylinders. In hot weather, the pressure in the cylinders increases, and the hard side can put excessive pressure on the mounting sites, in such cases, it is recommended to slightly eject the pressure or control it with a pressure gauge.
Can the slack be completely removable?
Yes, you can. Instead of being rigidly screwed to the stringer, you use a system of fastex or Velcro belts that cover the balloon, but this is less reliable at high speed and is more suitable for quiet fishing.
Which glue is better to use to glue the fabric to the foam?
Two-component polyurethane adhesives are best suited to create an elastic seam that does not blow in the cold and withstands repeated deformations. A conventional "moment" or chloroprene-based adhesives can dissolve polystyrene foam.
Does the slack affect the speed of the boat?
Small. The increase in sailing can slightly reduce the top speed in headwinds, but in practice, the difference of 1-2 km / h for a fishing boat is not noticeable, but the comfort and dryness in the cockpit are worth it.