Choosing an anchor for an inflatable vessel is not just about buying an accessory, it's about your safety and comfort on the water. PVC They make the mistake of thinking that any lightweight cargo found in a garage would be suitable for a lightweight inflatable structure, but the water element dictates its own strict rules, and an improperly chosen anchor can cause the boat to be demolished on rocks, in a trunk or on the fairway with passing boats.
Unlike heavy metal or wooden boats, inflatable boats are sailable and lightweight, making them extremely vulnerable to wind and current. fixation You have to be engineered to do this, and you have to balance enough mass to hold and safety inside the limited space of the inflatable balloon.
The wrong choice will cause you to be constantly torn down while fishing, or the anchor will damage sensitive material of the floor and board when lifting, and let's figure out which parameters are critical and how not to overpay for the extra pounds that you have to carry by hand.
Calculation of the required mass of the anchor
The first thing that a customer encounters is the myth that an anchor must weigh as much as a boat with a crew, which is completely false. flyboat The weight of the anchor is calculated based on the length of the hull and the expected operating conditions. There is a rule of thumb: per 1 meter of the length of the vessel, approximately 1 kg of the mass of the anchor is required, but this is only true for calm water and no current.
If you plan to fish on a river with a noticeable current or in windy weather in open waters, the mass must be increased. However, you can not indefinitely weight the anchor, as its lifting by hand will require considerable effort, and a sharp jerk can injure the angler or break. anchorageThe optimal range for most popular models with a length of 320-360 cm is considered to be a weight of 4 to 6 kg.
⚠️ Warning: Never anchor objects with sharp edges, such as pieces of reinforcement, old engines or irregularly shaped stones, and can easily pierce the balloon when pitched or inactively handled, making resting an emergency.
Also worth considering is the material of the bottom. The sticking principle works on the slurry soil, and the weight can be less. On a rocky bottom, where the anchor must catch on the protrusions, the mass plays a secondary role compared to the shape of the paws. The clay bottom, which is often found in reservoirs, requires an anchor that can be buried deep, which also affects the choice of design, not only weight.
Types of anchors for inflatable boats
The market offers many designs, but not all of them are suitable for use on PVC. The main criteria here are compactness in folded form and the absence of sharp angles that can damage the material. "Cat"It is a folding structure with four legs, which, when folded, is a compact cylinder, convenient for transportation in a bag with a boat.
The second common type is anchors. denforth They're a plate with two sharp horns that hit the ground, and they have the advantage of having excellent holding power on the sand and the silt, but they can be bulky and have protruding parts that are dangerous to cylinders. Inflatable boats often have rotary spindle models that allow the legs to fold along the axis.
There are also anchor cargoes, which are simply heavy bars (often in rubber or plastic shells) that operate only on their own weight and friction, which are the safest option for cylinders, but the least efficient for currents, and are only useful in calm or as an additional safety cargo.
- 🪢 Cat anchor: Ideal for transportation, the paws fold but can get stuck in stones.
- ⚓ Danforth anchor: It perfectly keeps on soft ground, but requires careful handling due to sharp edges.
- 🛑 Anchor cargo: It is absolutely safe for PVC, but useless on a hard or sluggish bottom in the wind.
- 🧱 Pyramid anchor: A good alternative, stable, but takes up a lot of space in the trunk.
Why is Hall's anchor not suitable for PVC?
The classic Hall anchor has a massive head and legs that rotate at a 90 degree angle. When assembled, it takes up a huge volume and has many protruding sharp parts. Even in a case, the risk of damage to the inflated side if you carelessly move in a cramped boat is too great, so these models are better to abandon.
Materials of manufacture and their influence on the choice
When choosing an anchor for fly-boat The material is key not only in terms of durability, but also in terms of safety. Steel is the most common material. It's strong, cheap and provides the necessary weight. However, ordinary black steel rusts, and rust that drains onto the floor of boats or clothes can be unpleasant. Also, steel is heavier than water, which creates the risk of abrupt immersion of the anchor to the bottom if dropped overboard.
Aluminum alloys are less commonly used because of their high cost, but they don't rust and are easier to process. You can often find combinations where the legs are made of steel and the spindle is made of lighter metal. It's important to pay attention to the quality of the painting. Powder paint is preferable to regular enamel, because it better resists chipping against stones.
Plastic or composite anchors are not afraid of corrosion and are safe for PVC. Some models are designed to be filled with sand or water on site, which solves the problem of transporting gravity. However, their holding capacity is often inferior to metal counterparts, and they are more suitable for small boats up to 3 meters or as a secondary anchor.
⚠️ Warning: If you buy a powder-coated steel anchor, avoid hitting hard surfaces when loading. The paint chip will become a hotbed of corrosion that quickly spreads throughout the structure, weakening the metal.
Also important is the material of the chain or cable connecting the anchor to the boat. Use of pure metal cable is not recommended, as it can rub against stones and injure the hands. anchor-falina It's made of synthetic cords, and it presses the spindle against the ground, and it's more tractable, and it's more convenient to use.
Anchor falin: choice of rope and mounting scheme
Even the best anchor won't work without a properly matched faline. The rope must be 4-5 times as deep in the parking lot. This is necessary to create an angle of attack where the anchor is buried in the ground rather than being pulled upwards. It takes about 15-18 meters of cord to reach a depth of 3 meters. Using a too short faline is a common mistake of beginners.
The cord material also matters. Nylon (capron) is strong, but it stretches heavily under load and absorbs water as it becomes heavy. Polypropylene does not absorb water and floats on the surface, which is convenient, but it is less durable and afraid of ultraphylolets. For PVC boats, the optimal choice is a 6-8 mm wicker polyamide cord. It is strong, soft to the touch and does not rot.
☑️ Checking the anchor system
Falina should not be fastened to the seat (bank), which can fly out, but to special bolts on the transom or in the nose. anchor-duck Or tie the cans to the slings, letting the rope under them, and it's important to be able to quickly drop the anchor in case of danger, so the assemblies must be reliable but untidy, or special resetting mechanisms must be used.
- 📏 Length: At least 15 meters for small boats, 20-25 meters for medium ones.
- 🧶 Diameter: At least 6 mm for ease of use in gloves.
- 🌊 Floating: It is desirable that the cord does not sink, so that it can be seen in the water.
Comparative table of specifications of anchors
To help you make your choice, we compare the main types of anchors available on the market, and the data is relevant for PVC boats up to 4 meters long.
| Type of anchor | Optimal weight (kg) | Type of bottom | Safety for PVC | Compactness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folding cat | 4 - 6 | Stones, grass, silt | Medium (needs case) | High. |
| Danforth (light) | 3 - 5 | Sand, silt, clay | Low (sharp edges) | Medium |
| Anchor cargo (block) | 6 - 10 | Any (by weight) | High (if in the shell) | Low. |
| Pyramidal | 5 - 7 | Il, sand. | High. | Low. |
| Mushroom (plastic/metal) | 4 - 6 | Il, algae. | High. | Medium |
The table shows that the universal solution for most situations is folding-catIt combines acceptable holding power and storage convenience, but for specific conditions, like a clean sandy bottom without grass, Danforth's anchor will do better, although it will require more care.
To store the cat anchor in the boat, sew or buy a tight tarp or old jeans cover, which will protect not only the cylinders from sharp paws, but also the fisherman's clothes from dirt and rust.
Rules for safe anchoring and storage
Safety on the water begins with proper preparation. Before getting on the water, always check the status of the anchor end. It should not have no nodes that can jam during sampling, or scuffs. The anchor itself in the boat should lie in a special compartment or be securely fixed so that in a sharp maneuver or wave, it does not fly overboard or hit the passenger.
When lowering the anchor, never throw it in a sweep, especially if there is a person sitting on the nose. Drop it smoothly, putting a rope. If the anchor is stuck (which often happens on a rocky bottom or in driftwoods), do not try to pull the boat forward at the limit of the engine power - this can lead to a rollover. Get as close as possible above the hook, select a slack and pull vertically up.
⚠️ Attention: In high winds or currents, anchor falin places a significant strain on the transom. Make sure your boat's trawler board is reinforced and able to withstand jerks, or you risk tearing off the transom and staying in the water.
After returning from fishing, the anchor should be thoroughly washed with fresh water, especially if you were at sea or in a body of water with blooming water. The metal parts should be wiped dry and smeared with a light layer of oil or corrosion-resistant compound. It is better to store the anchor in a disassembled (if possible) or folded dry place.
The main principle of choosing an anchor for PVC is the safety of cylinders above all else. It is better to take the anchor a little heavier, but in a reliable soft case, than a lightweight, but with sharp corners sticking out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a bunch of bricks or stones be used instead of an anchor?
Theoretically, it can, but it's not recommended. Bricks have sharp edges and a rough surface that guarantees damage to the bottom of the boat when laid or pitched carelessly. Bricks can split, leaving you without anchor in the middle of the pond. A specialized anchor is inexpensive, but it will save your possessions and nerves.
How long should an anchor cable be for a depth of 2 meters?
To operate the anchor effectively, the cable must be 4-5 depths, so for 2 meters of depth, the minimum length of the falin is 8-10 meters, but always take with a margin of about 15 meters, as the bottom relief can change, and the wind carries the boat, increasing tension.
Should I tie the buoy to the anchor?
A buoy (lining with a float) is only needed if you plan to uncouple the anchor from the back (method). looseFor normal inflatable boat fishing, the buoy will only create unnecessary confusion and hooks. It is easier to find the right anchor type and parking place.
Why doesn't the anchor keep the boat in place?
There may be several reasons: insufficient mass of the anchor, too short falin (the anchor did not lie on the ground, but hangs), a smooth slippery bottom (stone, concrete) where there is nothing to catch, or the presence of a powerful current that exceeds the capabilities of your anchor system.
How fast to lift anchor if a storm starts?
In an emergency situation, when the count goes on for seconds, if the anchor cannot be selected manually due to the hook, sometimes you have to cut the falin with a knife to avoid turning the boat over, which is why on the falin closer to the boat it makes sense to have a marking or a knot showing where to cut it, saving part of the rope with the buoy for later search, if possible.