Choosing the right anchor for a 320 cm inflatable boat is often a stumbling block for beginners and even experienced water-engineers. Many people mistakenly believe that throwing overboard any heavy iron to keep the boat secure. mismatched It can lead to drift into a dangerous zone or, conversely, to the inability to raise the anchor in a strong wind. PVC 320 boatsThose with low draught and high sailing, this parameter is critically important.
There is a well-established formula linking the length of the vessel and the required mass of the anchor, but it does not take into account many external factors: wind strength, current speed, type of bottom and even wave height make their own adjustments. The right calculation This will help to avoid situations where fishing becomes a fight against the elements, and rest on the water becomes unsafe. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances in detail.
Owners floater We often face the dilemma of whether to take an anchor with a margin of mass or limit ourselves to the minimum permissible weight in order to save space, and the answer lies in understanding the physics of the process and the specifications of your particular boat model, and let's figure out what the reliability of the parking lot really depends on.
Calculation formulas and theoretical basis
The basis for the selection of anchor device is the classical formula, derived in Soviet times and still relevant for small craft. According to it, the mass of the anchor should be one tenth of the length of the vessel in meters. For a boat with a length of 320 cm (3.2 meters), the basic calculation gives a value of 0.32 kg. minimumIt works only in perfect calm conditions on calm water.
In practice. PVC They have very low weight and low landing, which makes them extremely sensitive to wind loads. inflatable tubes have a much higher sailing capacity than metal cylinders. So you need to add correction factors to the baseline. Experienced water engines recommend increasing the design mass by 20-30% to ensure safety margin. three-meter The optimal starting value will be a weight of about 0.4-0.5 kg.
⚠️ Attention: The use of an anchor weighing less than 0.3 kg for a boat of 320 cm is possible only in the absence of wind and current. If the wind is increased to 5-7 m / s, such a cargo will not hold the boat, which can lead to demolition on the fairway or stones.
There's an alternative approach that takes into account the area of sailing. tent Or high spinning posts, the weight of the anchor should be increased by another 10-15%, and it is also important to consider the material of the bottom: on the slurry ground, the engagement is better than on a smooth stony bed, where large masses or special shaped paws are required.
Influence of External Factors: Wind and Current
Theoretical calculations are broken into the harsh reality when the wind rises on the water. Sailing boat The inflatable sides, which are 30-40 cm high, act like a sail, creating a powerful thrust. Even at an anchor weight of 1 kg, a strong gust of wind can move the air. PVC 320 from the spot, if the angle of attack of the wind will be favorable for demolition.
The current has an even more insidious effect, especially on fast-flowing rivers, and unlike the wind that acts on the surface, the current is pulled by the underwater hull and the anchor cable itself. Hydrodynamic resistance The cable can be comparable to the resistance of the boat itself, so when fishing on the current, the weight of the anchor often has to be increased to 1.5-2 kg, which is already a serious load for such a small vessel.
And it's important to consider the bottom, because in the sand, an anchor can just drag around without burrowing if it's not big enough to get the first hook, and on grass or algae, the legs can slide across the surface without reaching solid ground. anchorage It's just as important as its weight, and complex conditions often require a combination of mass and the right anchor-cat geometry or plow.
Types of anchors for inflatable boats
Choosing the type of anchor for 320 cm boats are as important as their weight. Not all designs are equally efficient and safe for inflatable tubes. The most popular option is the cat anchor, which folds compactly and fits easily into a funduk, but it has its own operating features that you need to know about.
Other types of anchors, such as Admiralty or plough-likeThey can be too bulky for a three-meter boat, and they can be transported in an inflatable vessel because of their sharp edges and large volume, but for certain conditions (such as a muddy bottom), they can be more efficient than a cat. Let's look at the main options in the table below.
| Type of anchor | Optimum weight for 320 cm | Type of bottom | Pluses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat anchor | 0.5 - 1.0 kg | Sand, stone, grass. | Compact, folding structure |
| Cargo iron | 1.0 - 1.5 kg | Il, algae. | Simplicity, cheapness, reliability |
| Plow (Denforth) | 0.4 - 0.8 kg | Sand, clay | High holding power, burrows quickly |
| fungus | 1.5 - 2.0 kg | Sludge, soft ground | Stability on the flow, does not catch the network |
For PVC And so, it's critical that there are no sharp angles that can damage cylinders when lifted or stored, and so many factory cat anchors for inflatable boats have rubber tips on their paws, and it's not just a marketing ploy, it's a safety measure that's necessary when you use homemade cargoes made of concrete or metal. cylinder protection It must be provided by the owner himself.
Practical recommendations on mass
Based on operational experience 320 cm long boats, you can formulate specific recommendations on the weight of anchors. For calm lakes and small reservoirs, where the wind rarely exceeds 3-4 m / s, it is enough anchor mass 0.5 kgIt's the optimal balance between reliability and ease of transportation, and it's easy to lift that weight by hand, even overboard, without risking turning the boat over.
If you plan to go out on the river with a moderate current or often get into windy weather, the mass should be increased to 1.0 - 1.2 kgThis is the "golden mean" for three-meter PVC boats. An anchor of such a mass is already able to hold a vessel with one or two passengers in the wind to 6-7 m / s. Exceeding this weight (more than 1.5 kg) for a boat 320 cm is no longer advisable: lift such a load from a depth of 3-4 meters will be difficult, and the risk of damaging the balloon with careless lift increases.
☑️ Checking anchoring readiness
However, for steel or cast iron anchors, this difference is small, around 10 to 15 percent, so it is often neglected in calculations, counting the mass by weight on land. For concrete anchors, the correction will be more significant, but their holding power is lower due to the smooth surface.
The Importance of the Anchor Table and the Right Coating
The mass of the anchor is only half the equation. The second half is the answer. anchor-line The use of a thin line or fishing cord for anchoring is strictly prohibited, the rope must have a tensile safety margin that exceeds the weight of the anchor by 20-30 times, and be made of a material that does not absorb water (nylon, polypropylene). For a boat of 320 cm, the optimal diameter of the cable is 4-6 mm.
The length of the cable is also key, and it has to be 3-5 times the depth of the parking lot. thrust If you pull the anchor vertically (as is often the case with a short cable), it will pull out of the ground, not burrow into it. The horizontal force component presses the anchor paws to the bottom, ensuring reliable engagement.
How do you tie the anchor properly?
The anchor is never tied directly to the rim on the bow of the boat. The cable must pass through the bolt, but must be attached to a special bracket or duck inside the boat, so that when you jerk (for example, if the boat is sharply thrust by a wave), you can immediately untie the knot or untie the carbine without risking turning the boat over. In addition, a direct knot on the rim can cause the anchor to hang under the boat and hit the bottom in the wind.
⚠️ Warning: Never wind an anchor cable around your arm or body when sampling an anchor! A sharp snatch of a boat or anchor hooking on a snag can lead to serious limb injury or even pulling a person into the water.
For ease of use at the end of the cable, which is attached to the anchor, it is useful to have buerop A thin cord tied to the back of the anchor (kaloda) if the anchor is firmly embedded in the stones, you can pull the cord in the opposite direction and release the paws. PVC This is especially true, since pulling a stuck heavy anchor directly means risking the integrity of the transmolor or cylinders.
Safety and storage of anchor device
Storage of anchors in floatboat Metal objects should not be just on the floor or in a bag of things. When rolling or moving sharply, the anchor can damage the bottom of the boat or penetrate the cylinder. The ideal solution is a special sealer or a hard container fixed in the bow. Some models of boats 320 cm have built-in pockets for anchor, but their strength is often questionable.
Before each fishing, check the condition of the cable, rubbing, knots for memory and damaged braid are signs that it is time to change the cable. Anchor break In addition, the loss of cargo at the depth is not only a potential hazard to other boatmasters if the anchor is in the fairway, and the loss of anchor in an unfamiliar place can leave you unable to anchor at the right time.
Tip: Use bright Cambrians or nodes every 5 meters to mark the anchor cable, which will help you to determine by eye how much cable has already been etched, and not to go too far from the parking lot if you do not use a GPS sonar.
Keep in mind the rules of good tone and safety: if you anchor in a crowded place, make sure that the length of your cable will not interfere with boats passing by. In narrow areas and in the fairways, anchorage is often prohibited. Always carry with you. anchor Or a lightweight load that can be lifted quickly if the situation on the water changes.
The optimal weight of the anchor for the PVC boat 320 cm is 0.5-1.0 kg for calm water and up to 1.5 kg for the current. The main thing is not so much the mass as the correct shape of the anchor and the proper organization of the anchor system (tether, mounting, staging technique).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a bag of stones or a bottle of sand instead of an anchor?
The problem is that the bag or bottle doesn't have legs that dig into the ground. They only work on their own weight (like an iron). To hold a boat 320 cm in the wind, the bag must weigh 3-4 kg, which is inconvenient to carry. In addition, the bag can break against stones, and the bottle can burst. A specialized anchor cat weighing 0.5 kg at the expense of the shape holds better than 3 kg of stones.
Do I need an anchor for a boat 320 cm when fishing spinning in motion?
If you're on the move (trolling or alloying), you don't need an anchor all the time, but you need a lightweight folding anchor (0.3-0.4 kg) in the boat, and you need it if the motor breaks down in the current or wind, and you need to fix the boat immediately so that it doesn't carry on the doorsteps or the dam. It's an emergency kit.
Which cable is better: chain or rope?
For a 320 cm inflatable boat, chain use is not recommended. The chain is too heavy, can damage cylinders when lifting and requires a special anchor lock. The optimal option is a synthetic cable (nylon or polypropylene) with a diameter of 5-6 mm. Nylon is good in that it stretches, cushioning the boat's jerks on the wave, which reduces the risk of pulling the anchor.
Is it true that the anchor should be 10% of the length of the boat?
This rule (1/10 length) works for large boats and yachts where the weight of the vessel is high. For light inflatable boats, this rule gives too small values (320 grams) that are ineffective in the wind. PVC boats It is better to focus on the weight of 1 kg per 1 meter of length (conditionally) or simply adhere to the range of 0.5-1.5 kg depending on the conditions described in the article.
How do I lift the anchor if it's stuck?
Don't pull as hard as you can vertically upwards, which is dangerous for the boat. Try to change the angle of thrust: swim a little to the side or circle around the anchor, choosing the rope. If the anchor has a rope to turn back (trip-rep), pull it. In extreme cases, if the anchor is sitting in the driftwood, you can use the buoy to make space, and try to rescue the anchor later or cut the cable (so don't use an overly expensive anchor without insurance).