The question is, What is the name of a small boat?It often confuses not only beginners, but also experienced water-engines who are faced with a narrow specialization of boats. In everyday life, we often use the common word "boat", but the professional environment requires accuracy: not only comfort but also safety on the water depends on the type of hull and method of rowing.
There are many classifications based on the hull material, the way the vessel is propelled and the purpose of the vessel. Rowing boats, inflatable dinghyhard Scythians These terms are all about compact vessels, but they have fundamental differences in design, and understanding these nuances will help you choose the perfect boat for fishing, cruising or athletic achievement.
In this article we will discuss in detail what types of small-sized vessels exist, how they are called in the technical documentation and what to choose for specific operating conditions. The key factor in choosing is not only the name, but also the permissible load and class of waters for which the vessel is certified.
Rowing boats: classics and sports
The oldest and most common type of small boat is rowing boats, which derives its name from the way a person is set in motion: physical strength transmitted through oars. squirreland modern sports equipment.
One of the most famous types is kayakerIt's a narrow, long vessel with a closed deck, where the rowers sit on the bottom with their legs outstretched forward, operated by a two-blade paddle, and can be single, double or even four-seater, and designed to be fast.
Unlike the kayak, canoe The canoe rower is not sitting on the bottom, but on an elevation (bank) and works as a single-bladed paddle, often on one knee, and this vessel has historically been used by the Native Americans to navigate rivers and lakes.
⚠️ Attention: Rowing boats, especially narrow sports kayaks, have low initial stability and without proper training and a life jacket, getting out on the water can be dangerous.
For fishing and recreation, wider and more sustainable options are more often used, such as: boat or yalikiYalik is a small rowing boat with blunt lines of nose and stern, often used as a support vessel for a yacht. It is very stable, but slow.
Inflatable boats: from PVC to Haipa
With the development of polymer chemistry, lightweight and transportable vessels have appeared on the water. What is the name of a small boat?, which can be carried in a backpack, then we are almost certainly talking about inflatable models of PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
In professional environments, the term is often used. dinghy Originally, that was the name of small Indian boats, but now it's the general name for small inflatable or rigid vessels used as tenders for yachts or for short walks. PVC boats They are divided into flat and low pressure inflatable bottoms (LDP).
The boats are made of material. Hypalon It's synthetic rubber, which is more resistant to ultraviolet and abrasion than conventional PVC, but also much more expensive, and it's chosen for serious expeditions and seawater.
For ease of transportation and storage, manufacturers develop various designs of the bottom:
- 🚣 Slate mat: It's a waterproof plywood floor that fits on inflatable tubes, easy to assemble, but takes time to install.
- 🚣 NDNDM: It's a low-pressure inflatable floor, it's collected in 5 minutes, but it's sensitive to punctures on rocky shores.
- 🚣 Hard Piol: It's a solid sheet of plywood or aluminum, it's very good, but it takes up a lot of space in the trunk when it's disassembled.
Hard hulls: Scythians, Dori and boats
When it comes to durability and the possibility of installing a powerful engine, hard-hulled vessels come to the fore. scythia It's a common name for a small open boat with a flat bottom and straight sides, ideal for calm water, shallow water and fishing in overgrown areas.
Another popular type is doryIt's a boat with characteristic high sides that expand upwards, and it's shaped to offer excellent stability and allow for safe wave boarding, making the Dories popular with professional fishermen.
There are also planing Unlike displacement housings (which float in water), glissers float up and slide across the surface when they set speed, and this allows speeds of 30 km/h and up even on small boats.
What is the difference between a displacement and a slinging regime?
Displacement mode is movement where the boat displaces a volume of water equal to its weight. Speed is limited by the length of the hull. Gleasure is movement on the surface of the water, where the main support is provided by the dynamic pressure of water on the bottom. To move to planing, you need sufficient engine power and the appropriate shape of the stern.
When choosing a hard boat, it is important to consider the material. boat They're lightweight and they don't rust, but they're noisy on the wave. They make complex contours for better performance, but repairing for serious injuries requires special skills.
Specialized small craft
The world of small boats is not limited to fishing and cruising, but there are specific names for narrow-field tasks. raft It is a multi-seat inflatable boat designed for rafting on rough rivers, which has a round shape and reinforced cylinders for fighting stones.
For underwater hunting and diving are often used kayaker It's a special design, or it's a small inflatable single deck that's not afraid of coming into contact with sharp objects. sappord (SUP) are large standing rowing boards that are not formally boats but are functionally replaced by one person.
In military affairs and special services are used RIB (RIB) Rigid Inflatable Boat, a hybrid: a rigid fiberglass or aluminum underbody (like a boat) and inflatable tubes on the sides, combining the vigor of a rigid hull with the unsinkability and softness of an inflatable side.
⚠️ Attention: Using specialized vessels (rafters, RIBs) for normal walks can be unnecessarily expensive and difficult to maintain.
For children and learning, small plastic boats are often used, "kayuks" or "kayuks". pedal They are as safe as possible, have a low center of gravity and are often made of solid cast plastic, which eliminates leakage.
Table of comparison of types of small boats
To systematize the information about, What is the name of a small boat? And what's different is that you can use a comparative chart to help you navigate your specifications quickly.
| Type of boat | Case material | Principal appointment | Load capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| baidarka | Plastic/Carbon | Sport, tourism | 100-150 kg |
| PVC boat (PDND) | PVC | Fishing, resting | 200-400 kg |
| Scyth (aluminum) | aluminum | Fishing, household needs | 300-500 kg |
| RIB (RIB) | Glass plastic + PVC | Sea, diving, rescue work | 500+ kg |
| jeal | Wood/Plastic glass | Auxiliary vessel | 150-250 kg |
As you can see from the table, the range of specifications is huge. Load capacity - a critical parameter, which is always indicated in the product passport, it is strictly forbidden to exceed it, as this leads to loss of stability and possible rollover.
How to choose and register a boat
The choice of vessel depends on where and how you plan to use it. flyboat With a transom for an outboard motor 2-3 hp To access large reservoirs or the sea will already require a more serious device with a hard bottom and keel.
In Russia (and many other countries), small vessels are subject to registration with the GIMS if their weight together with the engine exceeds 200 kg. Registration is also mandatory for all boats with an engine of more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp), regardless of weight.
☑️ Checklist before buying a boat
When buying, pay attention to the quality of the seams. In PVC boats, they should be glued For hard boats, it is important to check for dents (aluminum) or "web" (fiberglass gelcoat).
When buying a used PVC boat, be sure to pump it up and leave it inflated for a day. This is the only way you can detect slow-eating valves or micropunctures that are invisible visually.
Care and storage of small vessels
The life of your boat depends on the care. PVC materials They are afraid of long-term storage in a deflated state with traces of moisture, which leads to the development of mold and the destruction of tissue, and after each fishing, the vessel must be washed with fresh water and dried.
Hard aluminum boats are susceptible to electrochemical corrosion, especially in salt water, and are recommended to be painted with special anti-corrosion compounds or use anode protection, while glass plastic is afraid of impacts and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which can lead to fading and microcracks.
It is better to store boats indoors or under a tight awning. In winter, inflatable tubes should not lie under heavy objects, and the motor (if it remains on the transom) is better to remove and conserve.
⚠️ Warning: Never keep a PVC boat fully pumped in a warm room in winter, and when temperatures drop, the air pressure changes, which can cause seams to rupture or, conversely, the formation of folds and crevices.
Regular lubrication of fittings, checking the valves and integrity of stringers (inflatable keels) - the guarantee that your boat will last for many years. Don't ignore minor damage: taped in time puncture will save you from major problems on the water.
Choosing the right type of boat and taking care of it in a timely manner ensures safety and enjoyment of the water, whether it is fishing or a family picnic.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
What is the name of a small boat for one person?
This boat is often called the boat. single-seaterif it is narrow and fast, or single-boat It's a universal PVC vessel, and it's also a common term for a single person called a solo canoe.
What is the difference between a boat and a motorboat?
The border is blurred, but usually boat A boat with a cabin or cockpit, designed for longer passages and equipped with a more powerful engine. Motorboat It is usually a smaller open-air vessel, often with an outboard motor, for use near shore.
Can I swim in an inflatable boat by sea?
Only if it is certified (water content category C or D) and is equipped with keel Normal flat-bottomed flat-slopes are not suitable for the sea and are dangerous even with a slight wind.
What is a transom on a boat?
Tranza It is a rigid plate (usually made of plywood or aluminum) in the stern of the boat, designed to attach an outboard motor, which can be glued (hard) or hinged on inflatable boats.
Do I need a license for a small boat?
The rights (boatmaster's certificate) are required if the engine power exceeds 8 kW (about 10.8 hp) or if the weight of the equipped vessel with an engine exceeds 200 kg. On rowing boats and boats with engines up to 5 hp, rights are usually not required, but registration in the GIMS may be required depending on the weight.