The PVC inflatable boat is a versatile craft that is often used not only for cruising, but also for serious fishing or hunting. anchorage It becomes not just an accessory, but a guarantee of the safety of the crew, and a mistake in choosing this element can lead to the loss of expensive equipment or even a dangerous situation on the water.
There are many opinions about what type of design is best and what weight is needed to hold a boat. Beginners often buy models that are too light, which blows the wind, or too heavy, which create problems when lifting. In this article, we will break down all the nuances so that you can do it. weighted And not to regret the money spent.
Types of anchors: classification and features of structures
The market offers a wide range of parking devices, each with its own physical principles, and understanding these differences allows you to choose the best solution for a particular one. bottom-type The waters where you plan to fish.
The most common are considered anchor Hall and denforthThey're designed to offer excellent holding power on sand and silt, making them favorites among inflatable boat owners, but on a rocky bottom or overgrown grass, their effectiveness plummets, as the paws can simply slide across the surface or get stuck between rocks.
PVC boats also often use what's called "cats," which is a simple sliding paw structure that's good for being compact when folded. Cat anchor It is easy to transport, but its holding power is much lower than that of specialized marine models, and it is suitable for calm waters and shallow depths where no strong engagement is required.
⚠️ Warning: Never use homemade anchors of concrete blocks or bundles of bricks on inflatable boats. When lifted, such a load can damage PVC tubes, leading to instant flooding.
Special attention deserves mushroom-anchorThey're ideal for muddy soil, but they're practically useless on hard sand or rocky bottoms, and the choice of a particular model should be based on the bottom relief of your favorite fishing spots.
Weight calculation: table of conformity and practical tips
One of the most common questions that inflatable boat owners have is how much an anchor should weigh. There is a classic formula that says that the mass of an anchor should be about 10% of the displacement of a vessel. However, for light PVC boats, this calculation often gives excessive values, so in practice more flexible ones are used. weight-regulations.
The holding capacity is affected not only by the weight of the cargo itself, but also by the length of the anchor faline, the size of the boat's sailing area and the strength of the wind. If you plan to anchor in the current or in high winds, the weight should be increased. For standard calm water conditions, you can use the following parameters, shown in the table below.
| Boat length (m) | Minimum weight (kg) | Recommended weight (kg) | Type of bottom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | 2.0 - 3.0 | 4.0 | Sand, silt |
| 3.0 - 3.5 | 3.0 - 4.0 | 5.0 - 6.0 | Sand, clay |
| 3.5 - 4.0 | 4.0 - 5.0 | 7.0 - 8.0 | Mixed |
| 4.0 - 4.5 | 5.0 - 6.0 | 8.0 - 10.0 | Hard ground. |
| more than 4.5 | 6.0 | 10.0 | Anyone. |
It is important to bear in mind that proportion Steel anchors are smaller than cast iron anchors at the same mass that is convenient for storage in a harunduk. If you use an anchor of less weight than recommended, be sure to increase the length of the anchor rope to improve the angle of attack of the paws.
Materials of manufacture and their impact on the operation
Material choice is always a trade-off between weight, cost and corrosion resistance, and steel is the most popular material because of its strength and affordability. Steel anchors Often coated with zinc or hot galvanizing to protect against rust, which is critical for the longevity of the product in salt or fresh water.
Stainless steel is a premium option that looks aesthetically pleasing and requires little to no maintenance, but it is much more expensive and generally lighter than its black counterparts at the same volume, which may require an increase in dimensions to gain weight. Aluminum alloys They are less common due to their low density, making them suitable only for very large structures that are inconvenient to store in a PVC boat.
Cast-iron models are cheap but corrosive and can be brittle when hitting rocks. corrosion-proofingAnd any scratch to the metal will be a rust lesion, which will weaken the structure over time.
After each saltwater fishing, be sure to wash the anchor with fresh water and dry it before packaging, even if it is galvanized.
Anchor cable: rope or chain?
An equally important element of the system is the anchor rope (falin) which depends on its specifications on how well the anchor will lie down and whether it will be able to catch. anchor-chain Or the squatting of the squat has its advantages.
The chain that lies on the bottom in front of the anchor presses the falin to the ground, providing a horizontal force on the spindle. This helps the legs better enter the ground. In addition, the weight of the chain extinguishes the boat's jerks on the wave, preventing the anchor from breaking. Inflatable boats usually use a chain of 1-2 meters long, connecting it to the main one. tether.
The main cable is best used with a wicker nylon cord, which is strong, does not rot, and, unlike the chain, will not scratch the sides of the boat when sampled. Carbines And the vertebrae must be made of stainless steel to avoid jamming and corrosion. The length of the vertebrae must be at least 3-4 times the depth in the parking lot.
⚠️ Warning: Never tie the anchor end to the ducks or handles of the boat. A sharp jerk in high winds can tear the mounting element from the cylinder, which will lead to depressurization.
For mounting on the boat, use a special anchor bolt or reinforced liner system. If you often change parking places, it makes sense to use the anchor-buoyIt will make it easy to find and lift the anchor even if it is stuck.
☑️ Checking the anchor system
Installation technique and choice of parking place
The correct technique of anchoring is to ensure that the boat will not be carried away and the anchor will not get entangled in its own phalinah. First of all, you need to choose a place with the right soil and depth. Avoid places with strong currents if you are not sure of reliability. anchorage.
You can approach the parking point either against the wind or against the current, you can lower the anchor by hand, control the rate of fall, so that the rope does not get tangled around the legs or parts of the boat. Once the anchor has touched the bottom, you need to pit the required length of the cable and slowly roll back on the paddles or motor, so that the paws are entangled. ground-break.
If the boat starts to tear down, the anchor will crawl, in which case you need to add the length of the cable or replace the anchor with a heavier one. For reliable fixation on the current, you often use two anchors, mounting the boat across the current ("in the stretch").
What if the anchor is stuck?
If the anchor is stuck, don't pull it vertically upwards. Get as close to it as you can, pick a slack of the cable and tie it to the nasal ruffle. Then slowly move to the stern or board, changing the angle of force, often allowing the paws to be released from the hook.
Frequent errors in selection and use
Many anglers step on the same rake, buying the first anchor they find without regard to the specifics of operation. sailingThe high side of the PVC boat acts like a sail, and even a slight wind puts a significant load on the anchor, which the lightweight cargo simply cannot withstand.
Another common problem is the lack of a vertebrae, and without that element, the anchor cable twists, forming loops that can jam the anchor in the bottom sediments or get tangled around the engine propeller. vertebrate This is an inexpensive item that saves you from a lot of problems.
And they often forget to mark the anchor end, and if you drop the anchor at the depth, you can't find it without the buoy. Use bright floats or buoys to always know where you are. bottom-load.
The main rule: An anchor should be heavy enough to hold the boat, but light enough so you can safely lift it by hand in an emergency.
Can I use the anchor from a metal boat on PVC?
Technically, you can, as long as it's weighing up to the requirements for your inflatable boat. However, make sure the anchor doesn't have sharp edges that can damage the cylinders when stored or lifted. It's better to use models with smooth contours or protective linings.
Which anchor is better for rocky bottom?
For rocky bottoms, classic paw anchors (Denforth, Hall) are not suitable because they often slip. cat anchor with divorced paws or a heavy mushroom anchor that clings to the irregularities of the relief.
Do I need to lubricate the anchor before storage?
Yes, if it's uncoated or damaged steel, use special preservative lubricants or waste oils to prevent corrosion during off-season storage.
Why does it break the anchor even the right weight?
Most often, the reason is the wrong angle of attack: if the rope is pulled vertically, the anchor is pulled out, you need a horizontal force vector, which is provided by the length of the cable (at least 3 depths) and the weight of the chain at the anchor itself.