Every angler who has ever encountered a trophy pike from an inflatable boat knows the value of seconds. The moment when the fish is on board, and the suckers are lying somewhere under your feet or, worse, fell overboard, can cost you the entire catch. Organization of space In an inflatable boat cockpit, it's not just a matter of convenience, it's a critical element of safety and efficiency, and the right gear is designed to be fast and confident.
Inflatable sides of PVC boats dictate their own harsh operating conditions: you can not just drive a nail or screw a heavy bracket, as on a metal "cossack", Any fastening must be reliable, but not damaging the material of the cylinders. Sucker - one of the most cumbersome elements of equipment, which also has the property of getting confused with fishing lines and clinging to tackles, if not fixed properly.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to correctly fix the PVC pod on the boat so that it is always at hand, but does not interfere with rowing or motor control. We will look at the different types of holders, methods for installing them on the soft side and nuances that will help to avoid common mistakes. Security Functionality should go hand in hand.
Requirements for the storage of inflatable suction
The first and most important step is to choose a spot to lock a net, and on a small PVC boat, every centimeter of usable area counts, and the basic rule is that the handle should be available instantly, but the net should not stick out overhead, creating a risk of hooking when the spinning is thrown. middle-class Or a little ahead of her, closer to the nose, if the boat is single.
When choosing a mounting point, it is important to consider the balance of the boat. Heavy metal suction, fixed constantly on one side, can create an imperceptible but noticeable roll, especially in calm water. In addition, the place should be protected from direct sunlight if you plan long stays, as the constant heating of the plastic of the handle and the mesh can reduce their life. Materials They must be in constant contact with water.
⚠️ Attention: Never place the sucker in the immediate vicinity of the transom or the lower unit of the motor. When a fish jerks or the boat moves on the wave, the free net can wind on the screw, which will lead to engine failure or loss of catch.
It should also be possible to quickly dismantle, sometimes you need to make room, for example, to accommodate large cargo or passengers, fastening should allow you to remove the suction in one movement, but still hold it safely during the course. ergonomics The location directly affects the effectiveness of fishing.
Review of types of PVC boat anchorages
The inflatable boat accessories market offers many solutions, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the design of your boat, the presence of a hard floor (sleigh) and personal preferences.
The most common option is to fix on suckerThey are convenient because they do not require drilling or gluing, they are easily transferred from place to place and do not damage PVC. However, they have a significant disadvantage: in cold or in extreme heat, suction cups can lose their elasticity and fall off, leaving the angler without tools at the most inopportune moment.
- 🔹 Fixtures-pins-on: mounted on the upper edge of the inflated side, fixing the handle vertically. Simple, but can interfere with crawling over the side.
- 🔹 Platforms with beltsThey stick to the balloon, they put the suction in the ring and they strap it with a belt.
- 🔹 Magnetic holders: suitable only for boats with hard aluminum floor (HLB), attached to the floor. Very reliable, but limited in use.
- 🔹 Pockets made of PVC fabric: glued on board, stored in a folded form, saves space, but takes time to retrieve.
For those who value reliability over mobility, the ideal solution is fixed holders, glued to the fabric of the boat or fixed to the rigidity elements, such systems withstand severe loads and are not afraid of wave shocks. Construction It must be free of sharp corners so as not to injure the hands or damage the fabric of the boat when rolling.
Can I use homemade mounts from plumbing pipes?
Yes, it's a popular budget option. A 50 mm PVC pipe piece can be mounted on board with wide clamps or glued to PVC liquid nails. The main thing is to carefully treat the edges of the pipe so that they are smooth and do not scratch the lacquer coating of the lift.
Instructions: Installation of the holder with PVC glue
If you choose a stationary mount that will be glued to the cylinder, you will need a special two-part glue for polyvinyl chloride, which provides maximum reliability comparable to factory assembly. Before starting work, make sure that the surface of the boat is dry, fat-free and free of damage.
The installation process requires precision and temperature. PVC glue usually requires the surfaces to be heated by a hairdryer to a certain temperature (about 50-60 degrees) to activate the chemical reaction. Take your time, let each layer dry for the required time, otherwise the mount may move under load.
☑️ Preparation for the adhesion of the holder
The table below shows the specifications of popular adhesive compounds that will be suitable for this task, and choosing the right adhesive is the key to the durability of your tuning.
| Type of glue | Drying time | Temperature conditions | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-component polyurethane | 24-48 hours | -40 to +80 °C | High. |
| Single-component (based on solvent) | 12:24 hours. | -20 to +60 °C | Medium |
| Specialized for PVC (e.g. Texakoll) | 24 hours. | -30 to +70 °C | Very high. |
| Universal "liquid nails" | 48 hours. | -10 to +50 °C | Low (not recommended) |
After the base of the holder is glued, it is recommended to strengthen the structure with additional safety elements, for example, to pass through special holes in the mounting of the sling and fix it on the D-ring of the boat, this will prevent the loss of the holder in the event of extreme load. Tightness The seam also plays a role in preventing water from falling between the PVC layers.
Alternative methods of fixation without glue
Not all boat owners are willing to drill or glue extra elements onto their boats, especially if the boat is new or under warranty. In such cases, mechanical fixation techniques that do not violate the integrity of the cylinders come to the rescue. They may be less reliable in a storm, but are sufficient for a quiet fishing trip.
One of the most effective ways is to use existing D-ring And with carbines and elastic cords, you can attach the suction handle along the side, and it's important to use minimally stretched cords so that the suction doesn't dangle or hit the side when you're driving.
Use plastic fastex buckles for quick fixation, they don't rust, unlike metal carbines, and they're easier to unbutton with wet hands.
Magnetic holders are also popular, but they can only be used on inflatable floor boats (BBBs) with rigid aluminum sleigh profiles. Powerful neodymium magnets, mounted on a plastic basis, allow the metal handle of the suction to be firmly fixed directly to the floor or to the board, if there is a stiffness element. Magnetic force It should be sufficient to keep the weight of the wet sucker on the roll.
Another option is to use attachment organizers that are attached to transom wheels or inflatable tubes using Velcro straps and belts, often with special pockets or rings to fix long objects, a solution that allows you to quickly change the configuration of equipment depending on fishing conditions.
⚠️ Attention: When using mechanical fasteners (belts, ropes), make sure that no knots or buckles rub against the fabric of the boat at sharp corners. Constant friction in the wind or wave can wipe PVC fabric in one season.
Protecting the net and handle from an aggressive environment
Fishing is not just fresh water, but also sun, salt (at sea), fish slime and mud. The materials used to make suction also need protection, especially when it is fixed outside the boat for a long time. The plastic handle becomes brittle when exposed to ultraviolet light, and the metal pipe can corrode.
To prolong life, your tool is recommended to use special covers or at least hide the net in a protective tube, if the design of the holder allows it. The net from the fishing line is less prone to rotting than the cotton one, but it also loses strength under the sun. Regularly rinse the suction with fresh water after fishing, especially if the fishing was conducted in salt water.
If you use a metal handled suctioning (dural, stainless steel), contact the metal with the mounts. The sand stuffed between the pipe and the holder works as an abrasive, erasing the protective oxide coating. Corrosion It can start unnoticed, but lead to breakage at the time of the jerk of a large fish.
Properly storing podsuck is not only about fixing, but also protecting materials from the sun and friction. Use covers and regularly maintain metal parts.
Frequent mistakes in organizing a place for sucking
Experienced anglers often learn from their mistakes, but it's best to learn from the experience that they have, so as not to step on the rake. One of the most common mistakes is to fasten the sucker too high. When the boat is for an outboard motor, the pen sticking up creates sailing and can cause head injuries when abruptly stops or rolls.
At the other extreme, keeping the sucker disassembled in a bag at the bottom of the boat, and when the pike or pike is on board, spending precious seconds assembling a telescopic handle is giving the fish a second chance at freedom.
It's also a mistake to ignore the weight of the tackle, and a heavy suction attached to the very nose of a light inflatable boat can change the dispersion significantly, especially in the squirts, and the boat will start to "nose pecking," which will increase water resistance and fuel consumption. Centrification The boats should remain within reasonable limits.
How to fix the sucker if there are no hard elements on the boat?
If you have an inflatable boat without rigid sleighs (or they are removable), the best option is to use fasteners on large-diameter suction cups or glue soft hinges of PVC fabric into which the handle is inserted. You can also use a sling system that encircles the side and fixes the suction in a horizontal position along the cylinder.
Can I use tape or scotch for temporary fixation?
Absolutely not recommended. Adhesive tape in the sun loses its properties, melts or freezes in the cold. The glue residue is difficult to wash off the PVC cylinder, and the reliability of such fixation is close to zero. Use only the materials designed for this.
How long should the handle of the suction be for a PVC boat?
The optimal length of the handle for a PVC boat is 1.5 to 2 meters. Longer handles (2.5-3 meters) are uncomfortable in a narrow cockpit, they are easy to hook the engine or turn the boat over, making a sharp jerk. Short handles (less than 1.2 m) can be dangerous, as they require too close to the fish, which is fraught with a pierced side hooks.
The proper organization of the sucker place turns chaotic movements into a well-established algorithm. When every thing knows its place, fishing brings only pleasure and trophies. Don't neglect the little things, because they often determine the outcome of the fight against a large predator. Security Comfort on the water depends on careful attention to detail.