When the navigation season is coming or when planning a long trip to a reservoir, the owner of a water transport inevitably faces the question of logistics. Many beginners mistakenly believe that it is enough to just throw a boat on a platform and fasten a couple of ropes, but such carelessness often leads to damage to the hull, loss of equipment or, even worse, to accidents on the road. boat-carrying requires a balance between reliable fixation and safety of structural elements of the vessel.
You have to pay special attention to the type of trailer, because there are no universal solutions for all models. PVCYour risks are mainly related to rubbing the material and shifting the load, whereas metal boat In this article we will discuss all the stages of preparation, laying and legal aspects of transportation, so that your trip goes without incident and fines.
Selection and preparation of the trailer for the flight
The first step is to assess the technical condition of your towing device. Boat trailer It must have a payload capacity exceeding the weight of the vessel with the engine and equipment by at least 15-20%. If you use a universal onboard trailer, make sure that its paddles or rollers do not have sharp edges that can damage the skin or cylinders when vibrating while driving.
The critical element is lighting equipment. Before each trip, check the operation of the turn signals, stop lights and dimensions, as wet asphalt and splashes from under the wheels significantly reduce the visibility of the signal to other road users. the coupling device for backlashes and make sure that the safety cable is not damaged.
The dirt, sand or salt residue from previous trips can act as an abrasive, rubbing the bottom of the boat when shaking. Wash and dry the trailer thoroughly before loading, especially if it is sensitive materials such as plastic or thin aluminum.
⚠️ Attention: Never exceed the maximum technically permissible weight of the trailer, specified in the documents. Overload leads to the destruction of the frame, overheating of the hubs and loss of controllability of the car on the road.
For heavy boat owners, the question of installing additional supports or lengthening the breath was pressing, if the center of gravity is shifted too far back, there is a "wagging" effect that can lead to the skidding of the train. hanging 10% of the weight of the boat is on the breather of the trailer.
Loading and centreling scheme
The correct positioning of the vessel on the platform is the key to safe driving. The boat must be located strictly along the axis of symmetry of the trailer, so that the load on the wheels is distributed evenly. Shifting the cargo sideways even a few centimeters can cause dangerous rolling when cornering or braking.
Pay special attention to the fulcrum of the nose. Inflatable boats are required to install a wide support pad or use soft rollers to avoid concentration of pressure at one point.
When laid PVC With an inflatable keel or a hard floorboard bottom, it is important to provide support along the entire length of the cylinders. Sagging between the supports under the influence of wind at high speed can cause deformation or rupture of the material. Use additional inflatable sides or soft linings to fill the voids.
If you're carrying a boat with an engine installed, it needs to be either removed or securely fixed in the transport position. outboard It creates a significant lever on the transom when shaking, which can lead to fissured fiberglass cracks or deformation of aluminum, and ideally, the motor is better transported separately.
Nuances of laying boats with console control
Windshield boats require special care. The console creates sailing and shifts the center of gravity. Make sure the front support of the trailer does not press on the console, and the boat itself lies on the beds with the entire surface of the bottom. The windshield is better removed or securely closed with a dense cloth from stones.
Reliable fastening technology (Stropovka)
The process of fixing the cargo requires the use of quality materials. Conventional economic ropes or elastic rubber bands are categorically not suitable for high-speed transportation. transport-belt with a ratchet mechanism (ratchet straps), which do not have the property of stretching under load.
The tying scheme depends on the type of vessel, but the general principle remains unchanged: the boat must be pressed against the trailer and fixed from displacement in the longitudinal and transom directions. Metal boats often use the method of girth through the side, and inflatable boats – attachment to special transport rings or handles, if they are provided by the design.
Avoid direct contact with sharp corners or rubbing surfaces. In the contact areas, use protective covers or soft pads so that when you vibrate, the belt will not rub or damage the side of the boat. The tension should be strong, but without fanaticism: excessive force can deform the cylinders or sides.
☑️ Checking of the attachment reliability
After the initial fixation, be sure to check all the nodes 10-15 kilometers away, and when vibrating, new belts may sit down a little and need to be tightened, and ignoring this stage is a common cause of loss of cargo on the highway.
Specifics of transportation of PVC boats and plastic
Soft inflatable boats and rigid plastic boats require a diametrically opposite approach to transportation. PVC materials It is sensitive to temperature changes and mechanical friction, whereas plastic is afraid of spot impacts and deflections. For PVC, it is critical to avoid overheating in the sun during long standing, as air pressure in cylinders can rise to critical values.
Plastic housings, especially keel housings, can't stand support only in the nose and stern without support in the middle. When driving on rough roads, such a boat can get a crack in the bottom due to its own inertia. Use composite beds or inflatable tubes-supports stacked across the trailer to create a uniform plane of support.
During carriage flyboat When assembled with the cans and console installed, make sure that all removable elements are rigidly fixed inside the cockpit. A control console that flies out at speed can damage not only the boat, but also cause an accident by hitting the windshield of the next car.
⚠️ Attention: If you are carrying a PVC boat in hot weather, stop periodically to vent excess air pressure in the cylinders. In the sun, pressure can rise by 15-20%, which creates a risk of rupturing the seams.
Table of permissible speeds and distances
Speed is not only a requirement of traffic, but also a necessity dictated by the physics of the movement of the train. The higher the speed, the more aerodynamic forces affect the boat, turning it into a kind of sail.
| Type of coating | Max. speed (car) | Max. speed (off-roader) | Recommended stopping distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt (road) | 90 km/h | 80 km/h | Every 200 km. |
| Gravel / Grounds | 40 km/h | 50 km/h | Every 50 km. |
| Beach/Sand | 10-15 km/h | 20 km/h | Continuous monitoring |
| Urban cycle | 60 km/h | 60 km/h | If necessary, |
The data in the table are recommendatory. With strong side winds, the speed should be reduced regardless of the type of coating. Remember that the braking distance of the car with a trailer increases by 1.5-2 times, which requires an earlier start of braking in front of traffic lights and obstacles.
Use bright flags or ribbons on the dimensions of the boat if it protrudes outside the trailer, which will increase the visibility of your road train to other drivers, especially at dusk.
Legal aspects and requirements of GIMS
Registration and the right to drive a trailer is often controversial, and according to the current legislation, if the total mass of the trailer does not exceed 750 kg, the category of the trailer is not more than one of the most important. «B» The driver's license allows driving a road train without additional categories, however, if the trailer mass is more than 750 kg and exceeds the mass of the equipped car, or the total mass of the road train exceeds 3,500 kg, a category will be required. «BE».
Registration of the trailer itself in the traffic police is mandatory if its total weight exceeds 750 kg. On such a trailer must be installed license plates, and the driver - the corresponding certificate of registration (CTC). For light trailers (up to 750 kg) registration is not required, but the purchase documents and the product passport it is desirable to carry with you to confirm the legality of ownership.
The traffic police and the traffic police also pay attention to the dimensions: If the boat protrudes beyond the dimensions of the vehicle by more than 1 meter at the rear or on the sides, it requires the installation of a sign "Big cargo" and, in some cases, special permission or escort, disregard of these rules leads to fines and detention of the vehicle.
Light trailer (up to 750 kg) does not require registration in traffic police and category "E", but the duty to prove its legality during the inspection lies with the driver.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to remove the motor from the boat during transportation?
It is highly recommended to remove the engine, especially if the road is uneven or the trip is long. The trunk plate and the transom may not withstand the vibration load from the heavy engine. If you can not remove it, use a special transport stop (bracket), which will lock the lower unit in a vertical position and relieve the load from the mount.
Can I transport a boat in a swollen state?
Yes, but with limitations. In hot weather, the pressure in the cylinders increases, so they need to be slightly under-performed before the trip or blow the air at stops, and the inflated vessel has a high sailing speed, which requires a slowdown.
Which belt is better: with a rattle or a tensioner?
For a reliable fixation of a heavy boat, it is better to use rattle belts, as they allow you to create a lot of tension. Tension belts (tension buckles) are suitable only for light inflatable boats or as an additional insurance, as they are more difficult to pull hard enough.
Do I need a separate number for a trailer if it is lighter than 750 kg?
No, state registration and issue of license plates for trailers with a gross mass of up to 750 kg is not required, but you must have proof of ownership (purchase agreement, check) in case of inspection by a police officer.
What if the boat is wider than the trailer?
If the boat is out of the trailer, you need to make sure that the overhangs do not exceed the permissible limits (usually no more than 1 meter at the rear without a special sign). Side overhangs should be marked. The main rule: fastening should be carried out for the elements of the trailer itself, not just lie on them. If the boat is wider than the frame, you need special outboard brackets or bed, otherwise the sides can be damaged when compressed by belts.