Stopping on the current or wind during fishing is often a decisive factor in success, but misuse of the anchor can lead to loss of gear or even the flip of an inflatable vessel. The question of how to anchor on a PVC boat correctly worries not only beginners, but also experienced anglers who change the model of the boat. Mistakes in choosing a mounting point or type of cable can turn a calm parking lot into an emergency situation when the boat turns on board to the wave.
Water safety begins with proper training, and anchorage Unlike metal boats, PVC inflatables require a delicate approach to load points and weight distribution, and improper fixation can damage cylinders or damage the stability of the vessel when snatching.
In this article, we will explore all the nuances of anchoring, rope selection and proper anchoring sequences, why you can't tie an anchor to your nose without a vertebrae, and how to avoid entanglement at the most inopportune moment. Proper organization of anchoring is the key to your safety and comfortable fishing.
Selection of anchorage point and setting of rim ring
The first thing you need to do before you install it is to decide where the attachment point is going to be. nose-anchorIt's important to consider the location of the engine, because it provides the best resistance to the wind and current, but on PVC boats with transom engines, it's important to keep the cable out of the screw when you're going off.
The most common way to set the anchorage point is to use reinforced nuts or special duck platforms, and if your boat is not equipped with factory mounts, you can install them yourself using the same system. stainless-steel It is important that the diameter of the hole corresponds to the thickness of the cable or chain used.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to attach the anchor cable directly to the inflatable cylinder or weak element of the railing, which, if a strong jerk, will lead to depressurization of the boat.
When installing a rim bolt on a hard transom or nasal platform, be sure to use wide washers. This helps distribute the point load on the area of PVC material or plywood, preventing pressing and tearing when tensing. The reliability of the knot is your top priority.
Choice of anchor cable: cord, chain or phalanx
The choice of cable type directly affects usability and safety. For PVC inflatable boats, a synthetic cord made of polyamide materials is considered the ideal solution, since it does not rot, does not absorb water and has sufficient elasticity. Heavy anchor chains on small craft are rarely used because of the risk of damage to the bottom of the boat.
The optimal cord thickness is 6 to 10 mm. A thinner cable will cut your hands when sampling, and a too thick one will take up a lot of space and get confused. The cable should be at least 3-4 times as deep as the pond at the fishing site to ensure the correct angle of attack of the anchor.
There are several popular materials for anchor files:
- 🧶 Nylon: durable, elastic, well cushioned jerks, but can stretch under load.
- 🪢 Polypropylene: It does not sink in water, which is convenient, but less durable and wears out faster in the sun.
- 🔗 Combined version: A combination of a short chain (1-2 meters) and a synthetic cable, where the chain lies on the ground, pressing the arms of the anchor.
When choosing a cable, pay attention to its weaving. Twisted ropes They are prone to unwinding and forming a beard, so for anchor systems, a double-weaving cable (boidtail) is better suited, it is less confused and easier to coil or fold.
Instructions: how to properly tie the anchor
The process of anchoring to the cable requires the use of reliable sea junctions. Simply wrapping around a vertebrae or anchor ring is unacceptable, because under load such a junction will inevitably untidy. The main requirement is the ability to quickly drop the anchor in an emergency.
The most common and reliable way is to use baulin (the squat-node) or bayonetThese knots are not tightened tightly under load and are easy to untie even after prolonged tension, and if the anchor has an eye, the cable is passed through it and fixed by the knot.
The vertebrae is an important part of the system, and it prevents the rope from twisting around the anchor axis, which is especially true in windy weather or currents, and the absence of the vertebrae will lead to the formation of loops that will have to be dissolved on the water, risking dropping the anchor overboard.
The cable is often attached to the fry bolt by boat with a vertebrae, which allows you to quickly unfasten the anchor and replace it with another, or just free the deck. The carbine must be made of stainless steel and have a reliable latch lock.
Table: specifications of anchor cables for PVC boats
For convenience of choice, we will give a comparative table of specifications of various types of cables that are suitable for use on inflatable vessels.
| Type of cable | Diameter (mm) | Breaking load (kg) | Floating | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon cord | 8 | 1200 | Thunder | High elasticity, cushioning jerks |
| Polypropylene | 10 | 900 | Swimming. | It doesn't rot, cheap, but hard in the cold. |
| Combined (chain + cable) | 6+4mm. | 1500 | Thunder | Better grip on the ground, heavier |
| Sailing cable | 8 | 1100 | Thunder | Soft, pleasant to the touch, durable |
As you can see from the table, nylon cords have the best combination of strength and shock absorbing properties, but if you plan to fish in the current, where additional loading at the base is important, you should consider the option with a chain.
Rules for safe anchoring from a PVC boat
The safety of anchoring an inflatable boat has its own peculiarities, and the main danger is the loss of stability. If the anchor is jerked sharply or the boat is in the wrong position relative to the wave, the boat can scoop on the side and turn over. anchor-line Never be tied tightly to a boat without the possibility of a quick drop.
When you lower the anchor, you need to draw the cable gradually, controlling its exit. You can not throw the anchor along with the entire bay at once - the cable can get tangled around the legs of the angler or the engine propeller. The anchor is only dropped from the bow of the boat, when facing the wind or current.
⚠️ Attention: Never tie the anchor cable to yourself or to your clothes. In the case of a strong jerk, this can lead to injury or falling overboard.
For emergency release from anchor, a buyrepa system or just a knife is used, which should always be at hand. If the anchor is stuck in the snags and it can not be pulled out, sometimes you have to cut the cable to avoid turning the boat over. junction (for example, a ring sliding on a cable and tied to the anchor's tail) allows you to release the anchor by pulling the back end, but this is rarely implemented on PVC boats due to the complexity of the organization.
It is important to ensure that the cable does not rub against the side of the boat under load, for this purpose, special rollers are installed on the nose or soft linings are used, friction of a synthetic cable against a PVC cylinder can quickly damage the protective layer of the material.
Storage and maintenance of the anchor system
After each fishing, the anchor rope must be dried, and even if synthetic material is used, water can remain inside the weaving, which, when frozen, breaks down the fibers or causes mold and unpleasant odors, and the cable should be dried in the straightened state, in the shade.
Check the knots and mounts regularly. Sunshine ultraviolet and salt water (if fishing is done at sea) gradually destroy the structure of synthetic fibers. If you notice the villiance, color change or thinning of the cable, it should be replaced.
Metal elements — carbines, vertebrae, rim bolts — need to be periodically lubricated with silicone lubrication or WD-40 to prevent corrosion and jamming of moving parts. The rusty carbine may not open at the right time, which will create a dangerous situation.
It is better to store the anchor and cable in a separate sealer or box so that the sand and dirt from the anchor do not soil the clothes and gear. For compactness, the cable is rolled into the bay or use a special coil-holder that is attached to the boat.
How long should I take a cable for a depth of 5 meters?
For a depth of 5 meters, the minimum length of the cable should be 15-20 meters, which is because the anchor holds the weight and angle of attack. If you lower the anchor vertically (length equals depth), it will just hang and not catch the ground. You need to give a margin to form an angle.
Can I use a cat anchor on a PVC boat?
A cat anchor (with four legs) is a great option for PVC boats, because it is foldable and takes up little space. However, it has a disadvantage: it can get stuck in stones or driftwood. For rocky bottoms, it is better to use anchors like Denforth or Grapple with folding paws, or have a detachment system.
What if the anchor is stuck?
Don't push the boat too hard, which is dangerous for an inflatable hull. Try to get as close to the anchoring point as you can, pick out the slack of the cable and fix it on the bow rim. Then slowly back up at low speeds. If it doesn't work, dive (if depth and transparency permits) or use a wedge.
Do you need a load for anchor on the current?
In a strong current, the anchor itself may not be enough, and in this case, an additional chain (5-10 meters) is used, which is placed on the bottom in front of the anchor, and the chain, by its weight, presses the cable to the bottom, reducing the angle of attack and increasing the force of anchor holding.