A sudden downpour in open water can turn a pleasant walk or fishing into a real test of the strength of nerves and equipment. PVC boatsDespite their ease of transportation, they have an open cockpit that fills up instantly with water when unprotected, and a wet bottom is not only a discomfort, but also a real safety hazard, as excess water reduces the stability of the vessel and increases the risk of overturning.
Many water-engineers underestimate the importance of timely shelter installation, relying on raincoats or hoping for short-term rainfall. storm It can be taken by surprise a few kilometers from the shore, and a well-organized shelter allows you to wait out the weather, keeping your things dry, your electronics and, most importantly, your boatmaster.
There are many ways to organize protection, from factory solutions to artisanal but effective designs. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to create a reliable system. tentWhat materials are best to use and how to properly drain water to your PVC cylinder It's important to understand the physics of the process: water must not just roll over, it must quickly move overboard without creating sailing.
Risk assessment and equipment preparation
Before getting on the water, each captain is required to analyze the weather forecast, but sudden changes in the atmospheric front are common. The main enemy of the open boat is not so much the rain itself, but the accumulation of water at the bottom and wet equipment. Inflatable boards They are waterproof in themselves, but internal elements such as seats, anchor flaps and transom slabs can absorb moisture or slide.
A critical element of training is the availability of a special package kit If you're planning long-distance exits, you need to plan for the mounting points, and often owners forget that standard liner racks can't withstand the wind gusts under a strained awning.
⚠️ Warning: Never use controls to fasten the awning mounted-engineThe vomit-tali or the rummel may not give out loads, which will lead to engine failure or loss of control in a storm.
There are several basic protection scenarios that depend on the design of your vessel, and below is a table comparing the main types of shelters by their effectiveness and installation complexity.
| Type of shelter | Complexity of installation | Wind protection | Horizon review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raincoat poncho | Minimum | Low. | Great. |
| Awning on the arcs | Medium | High. | Limited. |
| Tranza tent | Low. | Medium | Good. |
| Full running awning | High. | Maximum | Bad. |
Tent design: choice of materials and frame
Creating an effective shelter starts with choosing the right material. A conventional plastic film, which is often taken with you "just in case", has the ability to quickly break from tension and wind load. Oxford s PU-coating Or a thick tarp with water-repellent impregnation.
The awning frame requires special attention. Aluminum arcs are preferable to steel arcs, because they are not corrosive and lighter in weight. It is important that the racks have soft tips or gaskets at points of contact with the surface of the awning. boat-boatHard contact points can cause scuffing and eventual depressurization.
When designing or buying an awning, you have to consider its aerodynamics: a flat roof will collect water and create a huge sailing, which can overturn a light boat, and the optimal shape is an arched or gable with a steep ramp, which ensures rapid water flow.
Why is the color of the awning important?
Dark awnings heat up faster in the sun, creating a greenhouse effect inside, but they get less dirty. Light awnings (gray, light green) better reflect the sun's rays, keeping cool, but they show dirt. For rainy weather, color is not critical, but for summer heat it is better to choose light colors.
Installation of arcs and attachment systems
Installation of the frame on the water or in a hurry before the onset of the rain should occur as quickly and reliably as possible. flyboat They have a stretcher that you can attach to them, but you can't rely on them alone, because the leer can slip off in high winds.
For reliable fixation, use special belts with fastecami Or carabiners that cover cylinders, and don't tighten the belts too much to keep the cylinders from deforming, but also keep them from running freely, and the scaffold will cause rapid wear and tear of the awning fabric and drafts.
- 🌧️ Use carbines with a lock so that the gusts of wind do not unbutton the fasteners.
- 🌧️ Lay soft fabric or tape under the metal elements of the fasteners.
- 🌧️ Check the tent tension every 30 minutes in a severe storm.
Pay special attention to the front pillars. They carry the main wind load, and if your awning does not have a rigid front arc, it must be made independently from a duraluminium pipe with a diameter of at least 20 mm.
Use a rapsn (thin, strong cable) to create additional drag-storm-tricks, which stabilize the awning in the side wind, preventing it from collapsing into the boat.
Water flow management and sanitation
The most common mistake when installing shelters is the lack of organized drainage: water flowing from the awning should not get inside the boat or accumulate in the pockets of fabric. If the awning sags, the resulting water bubble can weigh tens of kilograms, which is dangerous for the stability of the vessel.
To ensure the flow, the awning must be tilted, and at the back, above the transom, the fabric must be hung overboard, forming a kind of trough. At the lowest point, you can carefully make a small hole and insert a luver or a piece of hose into it, so that the water flows out in a stream rather than blurring the fabric.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to make drain holes in areas that, when tensed, will contact the sharp corners of the transom or motor, this will lead to rapid tearing of the material under the influence of the wind.
If it rains with a strong side wind, water can flow under the sidewalls of the awning. side-skirt from waterproof fabric, which fall below the level of the sides of the boat, directing the flow of water immediately into the reservoir.
Protection of equipment and personal comfort
Even with a tent, splashes and humidity, it's all about putting things inside the cockpit. Hermashers. They should be mounted on or under banks, but not on the floor where water can accumulate. Electronics such as sonars and navigators should be further closed with transparent moisture cover.
A fully enclosed polyethylene awning will quickly create a sauna effect, and condensation on the inner surface will drip on the head, which is no better than the rain itself. Leave small gaps at the sides for air circulation.
☑️ Storm preparedness check
Clothing also plays a role, and even in the best tent you can get wet from splashes or condensation. diaphragm When combined with the waterproof shelter of the boat, it provides maximum comfort, and remember that wet clothes in the wind quickly lead to hypothermia.
Emergency situations and actions in a severe storm
If rain turns into a storm and the wind gets more intense, the awning can turn from rescue into a sail that will carry the boat into open water or turn it over, and in such a situation, you need to act quickly and decisively.
The first rule of storm warning on the water is to reduce sailing. If you can't securely fix the awning and ensure it runs safely without the risk of tipping over, it's better to remove the shelter completely. A wet person will endure the weather more easily than an overturned boat.
- ⛈️ When the wind is increased, immediately switch to the displacement mode (if possible) or slow down.
- ⛈️ Remove all unsecured items from the cockpit so they don’t damage. PVC tubes when rolling.
- ⛈️ Keep the wave or wind at an angle to reduce the risk of overflow.
The metal arcs of the awning and the motor can act as a lightning rod, and in case of a thunderstorm, you must immediately dock on the shore and move away from the water.
The main principle of safety: the tent is temporary protection from precipitation, but not from a storm. When weather conditions deteriorate, the priority is to land, not keep the boat dry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use conventional construction polyethylene for the tent?
You can only use building polyethylene as a last resort, it breaks quickly, it makes a lot of noise in the wind and it creates a greenhouse effect, and for regular use, you'd better buy a finished awning from Oxford fabric or sew it yourself from awning fabric.
How to prevent the accumulation of water in the center of a sagging awning?
This is done with a wooden or plastic strut (rogaten) that is mounted inside the boat, propping up the center of the awning from the bottom, creating a cone that drains water to the edges, and also helps with the strong tension of the awning around the perimeter.
Do I need to remove the awning when stopping the boat at anchor in the rain?
No, when anchored, the awning is actually necessary to protect against continuous rainfall, and the key is to make sure that the anchorage is secure and that the boat does not turn sideways to the wave, which could lead to water flooding under the awning.
Does the constant humidity under the tent damage the PVC boat materials?
Modern PVC materials are water resistant, but constant dampness in an enclosed space can lead to mold on fabric and metal elements (fittings, arcs). After rain, the boat must be dried and wiped dry.