Inflatable boats, regardless of their size and purpose, require proper preparation for the water, and one of the key elements of safety and comfort is the presence of an anchor device. PVC boats They need to improvise so as not to damage the delicate balloon. Proper anchor anchorage This is not just a matter of convenience of fishing, but also a guarantee that with a sharp jerk of gear you will not lose expensive property.
Many beginners make the mistake of simply tying a rope to a nose handle or a transom handle, which can lead to the boat tipping over in strong wind or current. The anchoring point on PVC boats should be located strictly along the diametric axis in the bow, as close as possible to the waterline. This allows you to extinguish inertia and keep the vessel nose-to-head against the wave, and in this article we will discuss all the nuances of the choice of anchorage points, the scheme of installing rump bolts and the technique of knitting reliable sea knots.
Before you start installing, you need to decide on the type of anchor and weight of the cargo, because it depends on the load on the mounting unit. Light pleasure craft require less massive solutions than full-fledged trolling platforms. Breaking load The thrust and strength of the fastener must match each other with the stock.
Selection of the mounting point: nose and waterline
The physics of boat behavior on the water dictates strict rules about where exactly the anchor tile should be. If you attach the anchor too high, for example, on a transom arc or a carrier handle located on a cylinder, when the wind is strong, there will be a dangerous moment. The boat will begin to burrow its nose in the wave or, worse, can turn lag to the wind, which is fraught with danger. tippingThat's why the gold standard is to have a mount at the bottom of your nose.
To meet this requirement, inflatable boats often require special elements from manufacturers. lever-boltIt's a mount that's stuck in the bow, or a special loop that's made of strong tape, and if you don't have any regular elements, you have to install them yourself, and it's important to understand that the mounting has to withstand not only the static weight of the anchor, but also the dynamic load when the boat is jerking in the wind.
The use of transom handles to anchor is strongly discouraged, especially on boats less than 3.5 meters long. When the anchor is sampled or the wind is abruptly changed, the center of gravity shifts and the boat becomes unstable. Nasal mount It provides stability and allows the vessel to navigate properly with respect to the current.
Installation of a rim-bolt: step-by-step instructions
If your boat does not have a regular place for mounting, the best solution is to install an additional one. squirtIt's a metal element with a ring that is screwed into a base welded into a special site, and inflatable boats use a wide-cushioned bolt to spread pressure on the PVC fabric without damaging it.
The installation process requires precision and temperature, because the PVC glue dries for a certain time, first you need to degrease the installation site and the pit, then apply a layer of glue on both surfaces, pause according to the instructions, then apply the second layer and the parts are tightly pressed together. Leakproofness of the connection A critical parameter that cannot be ignored.
☑️ Installation of a bolt
Once the site is glued, you have to let the glue fully polymerize, which usually takes 12 to 24 hours depending on the temperature of the air, and then you can twist the bolt and put a load on it, and then you try to use the dried-up crust, and it will tear off with the cloth under load, leaving a hole in the cylinder.
⚠️ Warning: Never drill holes in a cylinder to install a fry bolt! The attachment is made exclusively by glue to the outer surface of the fabric. Any mechanical disruption of the integrity of the cylinder will lead to depressurization and loss of buoyancy.
Armor tack anchorage arrangements
There are several proven schemes that allow safe and efficient use of the anchor on an inflatable boat. The choice of the scheme depends on the conditions of navigation and the availability of additional equipment. The simplest scheme involves tying the fail directly to the bow dip. However, for increased safety and convenience, it is recommended to use more complex configurations.
One of the most popular is the scheme using junction In this case, the anchor skuntel (short rope from the anchor) is attached to the ditch on the boat, and the anchor itself is tied to the end of the skuntel through a system that allows you to release the anchor when you hook, which is especially true for fishing in a trunk or on a rocky bottom.
- 🔗 Direct binding: The pellet is knitted directly to the squirrel with a simple knot or carbine, suitable for clean bottoms and calm water.
- 🪢 Separator circuit: It allows you to drop the anchor from the stern or the side if it gets stuck, requires an additional buoy or a long phalt.
- ⚓ Combined diagram: using the chain between the anchor and the rope to quench the jerks and protect the fabric from rubbing.
Using a too short façade reduces the effectiveness of anchoring, and too long creates confusion. Optimal length It is calculated based on the maximum depths where you plan to fish.
Why can't we use a clean chain?
Using a metal chain as the main phala on a PVC boat is dangerous. The chain has a large weight, which creates an excessive load on the bow and can damage the cylinder when rolling. In addition, a cold heavy chain can damage the inner covering of the boat. It is recommended to use a combination of 1-2 meters of the chain at the anchor and then a synthetic phala.
Marine nodes for anchor system
The reliability of anchorages depends on the ability to tie the knot correctly. On water, especially in a stressful situation or in high winds, a poorly tightened knot can untie and the boat will carry away. To attach the thal to the bolt or anchor itself, it is best to use knots that do not crawl under load and easily untie after wetting.
The classic solution is double-slag or baleen The good thing about the buckle is that it holds the load securely, but it can be difficult to untie after prolonged tension, and it is not tightened tightly and can be easily spread with one hand, making it ideal for attaching the thalf to the ditch on a boat.
To connect the anchor to a chain or skankel is often used anchorageIt's specifically designed for those operating conditions where there's constant jerking and vibration, and it's important to make sure that the running end of the rope is securely fixed, otherwise the knot can start to untie itself.
Boulin's mating scheme:1. Make a loop on the running end.
2. Run the root end through the loop from the bottom up.
3. Wrap the running end around the root end.
4. Put the running end back into the loop.
5. Tighten the knot.
Practice knitting these knots at home in good light so that your hands do everything automatically on the water. Knotting skills This is a basic safety requirement for any motor.
Table of selection of weight anchor
Choosing the right weight for an anchor is as important as the way it's attached: An anchor that's too light won't keep the boat flowing, and an anchor that's too heavy will risk damage to the balloon and make it difficult to maneuver, and the weight of the anchor depends on the length of the boat, its sailing, and the conditions on the pond.
Below is a table that helps you determine the necessary parameters for anchoring PVC boats of various lengths, the data is relevant for anchors such as "Cat" or "Grapple", which are most popular among owners of inflatable boats.
| Boat length (m) | Recommended weight of anchor (kg) | Diameter of the fale (mm) | Type of bottom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | 3 - 4 | 6 - 8 | Sand, silt, grass. |
| 3.0 - 3.6 | 4 - 6 | 8 - 10 | Sand, clay, small stone |
| 3.6 - 4.2 | 6 - 8 | 10 - 12 | Anything but a rock. |
| more than 4.2 | 8 - 10+ | 12 - 14 | Universal. |
To increase the holding power of the anchor on the slurry bottom, you can use an additional load fixed above the anchor paws, or choose an anchor with an increased paw area.
Safety Techniques and Common Errors
Safety on the water is priority number one. Incorrect use of the anchor can lead not only to loss of gear, but also to serious injury or loss of life. One of the most common mistakes is to attempt to anchor on fast current, fixing the shaft rigidly without the possibility of quick recoil. If the boat turns lag, the wave can easily turn it over.
Always keep your hand on hand sharp-knife Or a special anchor knife with a surretor sharpening, where the anchor is stuck in a snag or entangled in nets, the only way to escape is to cut the phala, and the knife must be mounted on the belt or on the strap of the vest, so that it can be reached with one hand in any situation.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to tie the anchor phala to yourself, to your legs or to clothing items, and if a sharp jerk or a boat tips over, this can lead to a person being pulled under water or serious injuries to the limbs.
Another mistake is to use substandard synthetic ropes that can rub against the side of the boat. The fall should be smooth but strong, such as polyamide or polypropylene. Before each season, check the condition of the rope for scuffs and tears of fibers. Wear of the phala It often occurs unnoticed, especially in places of contact with carabiners or rims.
The main rule of anchoring on a PVC boat: always be able to immediately give anchor (free the phala) in case of danger.
Care for anchor gear
After every fishing, the anchor and the falters require attention. Metal parts, especially if they are not stainless steel, are susceptible to corrosion; fresh water washes out lubrication; salt water accelerates rust; the anchor must be thoroughly washed with fresh water, dried and lubricated with (if any) movable parts with a consistent lubricant.
The anchor shaft also needs care, and wet ropes cannot be kept rolled up in a sealed bag, as this causes mold to appear and the internal fibers to rot. Drying the fala It should be spread out in the shade, away from direct sunlight, which destroys the structure of the polymer.
Regularly inspect the attachment of carbines and crumbs. Metal tends to get tired and crack. If you notice microcracks on the carbine or the crum bolt, immediately replace the element. The cost of a new part is not commensurate with the risk of losing a boat in the middle of the reservoir. Preventive examination It only takes a few minutes, but saves you from big problems.
What if the anchor is stuck?
If the anchor is stuck, don't pull the boat forward, which can cause damage to the transom or balloon. Try to approach the anchor point from different sides, changing the angle of tension of the tile. Often the approach on the motor perpendicular to the direction of tension helps. If it doesn't help, use the "pull" method: attach an additional tile to the armature paw (if there is access), or try to shake it using the inertia of the boat on the wave. At the last resort, cut the tile.
Can I use the camera as an anchor?
Car cameras are only a temporary fix in a calm water emergency, they have very low holding power and high sailing capacity, and for a full fishing or parking course, this is inefficient and dangerous, and it's better to have a regular cat anchor weighing 4-5 kg.
Which color of the fala is better to choose?
The optimal color of the anchor shaft is bright (orange, salad, red), which is necessary to ensure that the rope is clearly visible on the water, in the grass and against the background of the bottom. White or gray shaft is easily lost from view, which increases the risk of getting entangled in it by the propeller of the motor or stepping on it.