Owners of compact inflatable boats without a hard transom often face a dilemma: how to turn a fun rowing into a comfortable swim for an outboard motor. Lack of a regular space for the engine attachment is not a sentence for your boat. There are several proven ways to safely operate the boat. outboard It's inflatable.
The main difficulty is the distribution of the load: inflatable tubes are not designed to sense the torque of the screw and the vibration of the operating engine. Incorrect installation can lead to deformation. PVC materialIn this article, we will examine in detail the technical nuances of the various mounting options, their advantages and hidden risks that are not discussed by retailers in stores.
Before you start mounting, you need to evaluate the real specifications of your boat. Not every model allows you to install the engine even with the help of additional equipment. maximum permissible power of the motor specified by the manufacturer in the product passportExceeding this parameter creates excessive pressure on the inflatable elements, which can lead to tissue rupture in the attachment area.
Design of suspended transcens for inflatable boats
The most common and reliable solution is to use a hinged transcent, a rigid plate, usually made of plywood or aluminum, which is attached to the stern of the boat with slings and belts. The design transfers the thrust of the motor not to one point, but distributes it throughout the stern of the boat. shock-absorbing, quenching the vibration.
The installation process requires care. First, the squirrel board is fixed by straps that are hinged through special loops or wrapped around cylinders. It is important to make sure that the belts do not twist and fit tightly to the surface. Then the motor is hung on the board. The height of the installation is adjusted so that the anti-cavitation plate is just below the water level, but not too deep, so as not to create unnecessary resistance.
☑️ Checking of the attachment reliability
Particular attention should be paid to the material of the board itself. Cheap plywood can be layered from constant contact with water, even if it is lacquered. Aluminum structures are lighter and more durable, but require careful handling so as not to damage. PVC coating Make sure all contact surfaces are smooth and have no burrs.
Mounting the motor on a removable can (seat)
An alternative to the classic transom is a special bank with integrated motor mounting, which is often found in the configuration of fishing boats, where mobility and the ability to change positions are important. engine-strubs.
The advantage of this is that it's easy to fit, you don't have to mess with the straps and girths of the stern, you just put a jar across the boat and you lock it in the grooves or with special attachments, but there's a significant disadvantage to this method, which is that the center of gravity shifts higher and the load is concentrated at one point, which can be critical for light boat models.
⚠️ Attention: With a transom jar, maximum speed is strictly forbidden. Sharp steering creates a lever that can knock the jar out of the grooves or turn the boat over. Only move at low speed.
To compensate for rolling and increase stability, it is recommended to use banks of increased width or models with additional side stops. If your boat does not have regular slots under such a can, it can be secured using the help of a can. sling, passed through the bottom or tethered rings, if the design allows.
Use of transom arcs for electric motors
If you are planning to use a quiet motorThe solution is the transom arcs, which are lightweight aluminum structures that attach to the sides of the boat and act out the stern, and are ideal for low power, where the engine weight is less than 10-15 kg.
The arcs take minutes to be installed, they are fixed on the sides with clamps or belts, forming a reliable platform, the main advantage is the lack of contact with water of the mounting structure itself, which reduces corrosion, and the arcs are easily removed and do not take up much space when transported in the trunk of the car.
Arcs can loosen the mounts or damage the sides when the internal combustion engine works. For electric motors, this is perhaps the most aesthetic and functional option, allowing you to save space inside the cockpit.
| Type of attachment | Max, engine power. | Complexity of installation | Impact on sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|
| The hinged transom | Up to 15 hp. | Medium | Minimum |
| Trans Bank | Up to 5 hp. | Low. | Medium (high CG) |
| Trans arches | Up to 2 hp (electric) | Low. | Low. |
| Hard transnec (paste) | boat data sheet. | High. | Absent (staff) |
Safety and load distribution
Water safety is priority number one. When you attach the motor to a boat without a regular transom, you take responsibility for the engineering calculations that the plant was supposed to do. The main danger is that if one belt is pulled harder than the other, with a sharp gas, the transom can skew, and the motor will go into the water along with part of the cylinder.
To minimize the risks, experienced water motors use additional safety ropes. tethered If the main anchorage fails (a break in the belt, a break in the rod), insurance will hold the engine, allowing you to safely get to shore.
Use stainless steel carbines for safety cables. Conventional steel will quickly rust from salt water and can fail at a critical moment.
It is also necessary to regularly check the condition of the belts and slings. Friction on the rough surface of the balloon or sand, caught under the belt, can rub the fabric. It is recommended to put special protective linings under the belts or use wide slings with a soft inner surface.
Choosing a motor for boats without a transpant
Not every engine is suitable for an improvised transom; heavy four-stroke engines will create excessive pressure on the stern, causing the boat to bury its nose in the wave and lose control. electric motors.
When choosing a lower unit, inflatable boats with hinged transoms often require a short leg motor (S), as the transom height is less than standard. Installing a long leg motor (L) will require excessive swelling, which will increase water resistance and the risk of damage to the screw on the bottom when coming ashore.
The type of control is also important. For small boats without transom, tiller-controlled motors are most often used. Remote control will require the ropes to be laid through the entire cockpit, which can be uncomfortable and unsafe in the tight space of an inflatable boat.
Secrets of adjusting the angle of the different
The angle of the motor (different) is critical. If the boat's nose is upward, the angle of the engine should be reduced (tilt the lower unit forward). If the nose is burrowing into the water, deflect the engine back. Experiment at low speeds until you find the optimal position for your loading.
Maintenance and care of anchorages
The operation of a boat with attachments requires more care. After each trip, especially on salt water, not only the engine, but all the attachments: belts, slings, metal transom straps, salt and silt accelerate the corrosion of metal and the destruction of synthetic fibers.
Keeping a boat with a mounted hinged transom in a deflated state is not recommended. Constant pressure of a rigid board on deflated cylinders can lead to the formation of cracks and microcracks in the material. PVCBefore packing the boat, it is better to remove the transom and store it separately.
Regularly inspect the condition of the fittings. Luft in the places of fastening of belts, scuffing on slings or cracks on a wooden board - signals to immediately replace the element. Saving on small things is unacceptable here, since the cost of losing the engine or damage to the boat is much higher than the cost of new components.
The reliability of the motor attachment depends not so much on the engine power, but on the quality and condition of the hinged transom and the correctness of its installation. Regular inspection is the key to a safe walk.
Can I fasten the motor on the boat if the instructions say "without the motor"?
Theoretically, you can use attachment systems, but it takes the manufacturer's warranty and puts all the responsibility on the owner, so if the boat is not designed to be loaded from the engine, its cylinders may not withstand vibration and water pressure at high speed, even with a hinged transom, and you should not risk life in this case.
What is the maximum weight of the engine will withstand an inflatable boat?
This depends on the density of PVC and the design of the bottom. Usually for boats up to 3 meters long, the limit is 5-8 hp (about 20-25 kg). Heavy motors require boats with a hard or inflatable high pressure bottom (HPD) and reinforced stern.
Do I need to lubricate the places of friction of the transom belts?
You can't use liquid lubricants (oils, solidol) because they destroy PVC and belt fabric. If the belts creak or rub, use special silicone sprays for rubber or put fluoroplastic gaskets on, the main thing is to avoid petroleum products.