Choosing a first boat is always a complex process, filled with doubts and compromises, at stake is not just budget, but also comfort, safety, and pleasure spent on the water. Beginners often get lost, not realizing what will become more reliable: easy. catamaran heavy-handed aluminum-boat.
Many people mistakenly believe that the solution depends only on the price, but the reality dictates the operating conditions. planing We're going to put up with the weight of the body for the sake of speed, and in this article, we're going to look at all the nuances so you don't buy the extra.
Modern materials have come a long way, and if you had to choose between rotting plywood and heavy metal, today you have to choose between a rotting plywood and a heavy metal. PVC membranes They're as strong as steel, and aluminum alloys are lighter and stronger, but each type has its own fans and critics, and the debate has been going on for years.
The main advantages of inflatable structures from PVC
The great thing about inflatable boats is that they're incredibly mobile, and you can put a boat in a normal backpack, you can put a sedan in the trunk, and you can take it anywhere, even where you can't get on the trailer. PVC-boat It is ideal for those who do not have a garage or trailer.
Designably, these vessels are made up of inflatable tubes that take on impacts on rocks or berths. plywood floppy-bottom Low PressureSoft sides provide excellent cushioning, which is especially appreciated by spinning anglers, who care about silence and lack of echo.
But don't think it's a toy. five-layered PVC They can withstand tremendous stress, they're not afraid of the sun (with UV protection), and they can be easily repaired in the field with a remix, and the weight of the kit often allows one person to control it, without any assistants.
⚠️ Attention: Inflatable boards are sensitive to extreme temperature changes. Never leave a fully pumped boat unattended in the scorching sun - the pressure inside can rise to critical values and damage the seams.
When assembling a PVC boat, always check the pressure in the cylinders with a pressure gauge, not by eye. Insufficient pressure will deform the bottom, and excessive pressure will cause the seams to rupture when heated in the sun.
Strengths of aluminum boats
Aluminum boats are the choice of pragmatists who value durability above all else. Metal hulls are almost impossible to damage in the home. You can safely row in shallow water, cling to driftwood or moor to concrete walls without fear. puncture Or a cut.
Unlike inflatables, aluminum doesn't require constant drying and sand cleaning after every fishing trip. It's enough to roll the hull with hose water. seaworthiness due to a hard keel and are able to confidently hold the wave, which a soft inflatable boat will simply "swallow".
Fire safety is an important aspect, because you can safely put a gas tile in an aluminum boat or provide electricity for a sonar without worrying that the spark will burn the balloon, and the metal is less susceptible to thermal expansion, which makes the behavior of the vessel on the water more predictable.
But there are nuances, too. Aluminum is a great conductor of sound. Any movement, a falling object, or a splash of water will sound louder than in a PVC boat. For hunters sneaking up on a duck or silencers, this can be a serious drawback that requires additional noise insulation.
The myth of aluminum corrosion
Some people think that aluminum rots quickly. In fact, modern alloys (such as AMG5) are coated with an oxide film that self-repairs, and corrosion is only possible when it comes into contact with copper parts in salt water or when electrochemical protection is not correct.
specifications comparison table
So to organize the information and give you a quick sense of the difference, we've created a spreadsheet that will help you understand which parameter is critical for your specific task.
| Characterization | PVC boat | aluminum boat |
|---|---|---|
| Weight in gear | 20–60 kg (depending on size) | 40–150 kg or more |
| Time for preparation | 10-20 minutes (assembly/inflated) | 1-2 minutes (remove from the trailer) |
| Transportation | Car trunk | Trailer or roof (for small ones) |
| Term of service | 10-15 years (with careful care) | 30+ years (practically eternal) |
| Repairability | Tall (glued with his hands) | Requires welding with argon |
As you can see from the table, the difference in weight and logistics is significant. If you're critical of every movement and every trailer being a separate headache, aluminum can be a scary thing. But if the boat stays on the water all summer, then you're not going to be able to get rid of it. metal-frame It's going to benefit usability.
Operation and care of craft
The care of a boat has a direct impact on how long it will last. PVC materials The main rule is cleanliness and dryness. After every trip, especially on muddy rivers, you need to thoroughly wash the bottom and cylinders. Sand stuck between the floorboards works like an abrasive and rubs the fabric.
You need to keep an inflatable boat straightened or at least not tightly folded, so that the folds don't form crevices that eventually turn into cracks. The optimal storage temperature is room temperature. A garage without heating in winter can make the material fragile.
Aluminum, as I said, is more unpretentious. But it does require protection against electrochemical corrosion if you use it in salt water. It's also important to monitor the state of the paint or anodizing. It's better to paint the scratches on the metal immediately to prevent oxidation, although it's not as bad as the rotting of steel.
- 🛶 Always use the transom wheeled passage to move heavy boats along the shore so as not to pull them with a drag.
- 🧼 For PVC washing, use special products that do not contain chlorine and aggressive solvents that can damage the adhesive layer.
- ⚓ When anchored on the current, always attach the phala behind the bow pond, not overboard, to avoid tipping over.
⚠️ Attention: Never keep a PVC boat inflated under pressure for more than 2-3 weeks without use, resulting in irreversible stretching of the seams and loss of product geometry.
Safety and load capacity
Water safety comes first, aluminum boats have unlimited buoyancy by definition — they can't deflate. Even if a bullet or a sharp stone hits the boat, the boat will stay afloat, even though it's gaining water, which gives a huge psychological advantage on big water.
Inflatable boats are also safe, but they're different. ventralWhen one cylinder is punctured, the rest of the boat is kept afloat, and modern models are designed to make it safe to reach the shore with one side pierced.
The load capacity of aluminum models is usually higher at the same dimensions. boat-engine PVC boats are limited by the strength of the transom and the total floor area, and overload can cause the floorboards to deform.
☑️ Security check before exit
Financial aspect: price and liquidity
The budget is often the deciding factor when buying, and the entry threshold for PVC boats is much lower, and for relatively little money you can buy a boat + motor + hinged kit that is fully operational, making them a hit for beginners and summer residents.
Aluminum boats are an investment. The initial investment is big: you need to buy the boat itself, the trailer, get the GIMS paperwork (if the engine is more powerful than 5 hp, although the rules change, but the essence remains). liquidity The quality of metal boats in the secondary market is very high.
If you decide to sell an aluminum boat in 5 years, you will get for it up to 70-80% of the original price, since the metal is almost nothing done. PVC boat over 5 years of active operation will lose much more in value due to the natural aging of polyvinyl chloride.
Repair costs are also different: you can seal a hole in PVC for 100 rubles and 20 minutes. Aluminum repair requires a welder and equipment, which can be a problem and expensive in remote areas.
An aluminum boat is more expensive to buy, but cheaper in the long run due to its high residual resource and liquidity.
The final choice: what is right for you
So to sum up, there's no perfect option, there's only one that fits your needs. If you live in an apartment, don't have a trailer, and you get out on the water 5-10 times a season, take it. high-quality PVC boatYou'll save your nerves on transportation and storage.
If you have a house by the water, a garage or a parking lot, and you plan to spend on the water every weekend, fish in windy weather or walk far away – aluminum He'll be your loyal friend for decades, he'll forgive the novice's mistakes and endure the harsh conditions.
And don't forget about the combinations, like high-pressure inflatable boats that are very close to metal in rigidity, but they're very lightweight, and you have all the information you need to do it.
- 🏠 For storage in the apartment: definitely PVC.
- 🚙 For transportation on the roof of the car: only light models of PVC or small aluminum duraluminium.
- 🎣 For professional fishing with a large number of tackles: an aluminum boat with a wide cockpit.
⚠️ Attention: When buying a used aluminum boat, carefully inspect the welds for cracks and traces of repair. Poor-quality argon welding can lead to depressurization at full speed.
Rule of 10 years
A high-quality PVC boat is thought to last about 10 years of active service, and after that, the material begins to "get old" -- lose elasticity -- aluminum has no such limitation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I put a powerful motor on an inflatable boat?
Yes, you can, but only if the boat's transom is designed to handle that load, and for motors over 5-8 hp, you have to have an inflatable or a hard keel to keep the boat from squandering, and exceeding the recommended power will cause the transom to collapse.
Do I need to register an aluminum boat in GIMS?
Registration is required for all small vessels weighing more than 200 kg (together with the engine) or with an engine power of more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp). However, the legislation is changing, and the availability of rights of category “M” or “A” may be required even for small power, so please specify the current regulations.
How to seal a puncture in PVC on fishing?
For emergency repairs, use a special remix kit that comes with it. If you don't have it, you can use a superglue with fabric temporarily, but it's not reliable. The best way is a two-part polyurethane glue, but it takes time to dry.
Why is an aluminum boat rattling on the wave?
Metal is a sound resonator. To reduce noise, the interior of the board is often pasted with vibration-proofing materials (as in cars) or special coatings that quench vibration from the shocks of waves.