Owners of inflatable boats with a length of 320 cm often face a dilemma: on the one hand, the dimensions of the vessel allow you to establish a full-fledged boat. outboardThis is a great way to navigate, and on the other hand, the limited load capacity and cockpit area impose strict limits on the weight of the extra equipment, and a properly selected anchor becomes not just an accessory, but a guarantee of safety, especially when fishing on the current or in windy weather, and a mistake in the calculations can cost you not only the catch, but also lead to the demolition of the boat to dangerous areas or even to its flip.
The main task in the equipment PVC boats 320 It's about balancing the retention force with the weight you're willing to carry around, and it's about keeping a motorized boat too light to hold it in place when it's windy, and it's about too heavy to make the assembly and disassembly a pain and risk damaging the cylinders. It's about the sailing area of a boat with an engine and awning installed (if any) that's much higher than a simple rowing model.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what kind of weight is required for your conditions, analyze the design of various types of anchors and give practical tips for their operation, you will learn why a classic "cat" may not be the best choice for an inflatable board and how modern folding structures solve the problem of storage in a confined space.
Calculation of the required weight of anchor for a boat 320 cm
There is a well-established rule that the weight of the anchor should be approximately 10% of the carrying capacity of the boat, but for modern inflatable boats with engines, this formula requires correction. For a boat with a length of 320 cm with a full load (fishermen, equipment, motor, fuel), the total weight is often up to 400-500 kg, but to carry 40-50 kg of iron in the soft floor or on a transom is impractical and dangerous. 4 to 6 kgprovided that an anchor with a high retention capacity is used.
The key here is not so much the mass of the metal itself as the design of the paws and the angle of their entry into the ground. Heavy but smooth stone weighing 8 kg will be useless on the slurry bottom, while a specialized anchor weighing 3.5 kg with wide paws will reliably catch on the ground. PVC It is critical that the anchor not just lay on the bottom, but buried in it, using the weight of the water and current to strengthen the grip.
If you plan to fish on rivers with strong currents or on large reservoirs where the wave often rises, the weight can be increased to 7 kg, but not more. Exceeding this limit creates an excessive load on the transom and cylinders during jerking, and makes maneuvering during sampling uncomfortable.
⚠️ Warning: Never tie the anchor tile directly to the transom or handle of the balloon without using a shock absorber or anchor ring. A sharp jerk on the flow can pierce the balloon or rip the tray from the sockets.
When calculating weight, also consider the material from which the anchor is made. Cast-iron models are heavier and larger, while steel or lead counterparts take up less space at the same weight. For a three-meter boat, compactness is often more important than absolute mass.
Types of anchors: from classic cats to modern folding models
The market for anchor equipment offers many options, but for flyboat Not everyone fits. The most common and affordable option is the cat anchor, which is a classic of the genre, consisting of a central barbell and 4 folding legs. Its main advantage is versatility: it holds well on a rocky bottom, overgrown with grass and sand. However, the cat has a significant disadvantage - it is bulky when assembled and has sharp edges that can damage. PVC with careless storage.
A more modern solution is folding anchor type denforth or grappling They have great retention power because of the large footprints that burrow quickly into the ground, and they're compact, easy to hide in a fluke or a sealant, and they're usually protected or designed to minimize the risk of a balloon puncture.
Special attention should be paid to iron anchors and reinforcement-framed concrete blocks, which are cheap and heavy, which is good for holding, but extremely inconvenient to transport and use on a soft inflatable surface. Their sharp corners are the main enemy of the PVC boat. If you choose this option, you must carefully wind the edges with a soft material or use a special cover.
For those who value space and are willing to invest in comfort, there are stainless steel telescopic anchors, which, when folded, resemble a thick 30-40 cm tube, and when working, turn into a full-fledged anchor with opening paws, ideal, albeit expensive, for a 320 cm boat.
The secret of the anchor paradox
The paradox of anchoring is that to hold the anchor firmly, the thrust must be directed horizontally along the bottom. If the anchor is pulled vertically upwards (as is often the case with a short phale), it is pulled out of the ground regardless of its weight, which is why the length of the anchor end should be at least 3-4 depths of the parking lot.
Table of conformity of anchor weight to operating conditions
To systematize the choice, let's go to specific numbers: weight choices depend not only on the length of the boat, but also on the conditions you're going to expect: wind strength, current availability, and bottom type. Below is a table that will help you navigate the weight of the anchor from the external factors for a 320 cm long boat.
| Conditions of operation | Type of bottom | Recommended weight (kg) | Type of anchor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake, calm, shallow depth | Il, grass. | 2.5 - 3.5 | Pyramid, little Denforth |
| River, weak current, wind up to 5 m / s | Sand, clay | 4.0 - 5.0 | Folding Cat, Grappling |
| Reservoir, wave, current | Rocks, shells. | 5.5 - 6.5 | A cat with wide paws |
| Strong current, open water | Hard ground. | 7.0 - 8.0 | A heavy plow or admiralty |
Using an anchor of less weight than recommended for these conditions will lead to constant dragging it along the bottom, which will not allow the boat to fix. On the other hand, being overweight on soft ground can lead to the fact that the anchor simply drowns in the silt and cannot be selected without a help boat.
If you use the boat as a platform for spinning fishing at great depths using electric motorThe stabilization requirements may be lower because the sailing is less and the positioning accuracy is provided by the motor.
For a boat 320 cm "golden mean" is an anchor weighing 4-5 kg with the ability to fold paws. This is enough for most reservoirs and safe for cylinders.
Anchor shaft: choice of material and length
Even the best anchor is useless without a properly selected anchor. anchor-endFor PVC boats, it is strongly discouraged to use chains as the main part of the phala. The chain is too heavy, can damage the balloon when sampled, and creates a distinctive loud clanking that scares the fish away. The optimal option is a synthetic cord.
The most popular material is polypropylene cord, which doesn't sink in water, which makes it easy to sample, and it's quite cheap, but it has a disadvantage: in high currents or winds, it sails a lot, putting additional stress on the anchor and the boat, forming a deep arc. A more advanced option is a wicker cord made of high molecular weight polyethylene (such as a high molecular weight polyethylene). Dyneema or SpectraIt is stronger, thinner and less tensile, but it costs more and sinks.
The length of the anchor shaft should be calculated based on the maximum depths at which you plan to stand. The minimum length should be triple the depth of the parking space. For universal use on a boat 320 cm optimally have a shaft length of 20-30 meters. This will allow you to anchor at depths up to 6-8 meters, taking into account the need for horizontal tension.
⚠️ Warning: Never wind an anchor tile on your arm or leg when sampling! A sharp snatch of a boat or anchor can cause serious limb injuries or even drag you underwater.
For ease of storage and use, the falters are best reeled into a special rod that can be fastened on board or in the cockpit, which will prevent cord tangles, which is especially important when fishing actively.
Proper installation and anchoring technique
The process of anchoring a PVC 320 motor boat has its own peculiarities: the main rule is that the anchor is always thrown or lowered from the bow of the boat, even if the engine is fixed to the transom. Anchoring from the stern (transom) in the presence of current or wind can cause the boat to turn on board to the wave, which for an inflatable vessel with soft sides is fraught with tipping and water entering.
If the motor is mounted on a transom, and you need to anchor from the nose, use a special anchor rim or a ring attached to the nose force of the balloon. The fall is passed through this ring. Some anglers use a special scheme where the anchor shaft is held under the bottom of the boat from nose to transmunist, but this creates unnecessary friction and risk of damage to the shell.
The technique of lowering the anchor is simple: the boat stops against the current or the wind. The anchor is lowered to the bottom, after which the boat is allowed to pass back a little (or the current carries it itself), simultaneously embroidering the phala. When the required length is given, the phala is fixed. It is important to give the anchor time and the opportunity to burrow before considering the boat securely anchored.
☑️ Checklist of safe anchoring
With strong wind or current, you can use two anchors, stretching them out (one from the nose, one from the stern) or fan from the nose, which completely eliminates the boat turning side to wave and ensures maximum stability of the fishing platform.
Storage and maintenance of anchor equipment
An anchor for a PVC boat is an object that is in constant contact with water, soil and sand. After every fishing trip, especially in salt water or in polluted water bodies, the anchor and the falt must be thoroughly washed with fresh water. Sand stuffed into the paw folding mechanism can jam the anchor at the most inopportune moment.
The anchor should be stored in a dry place. Metal parts, if not made of stainless steel or coated aluminum, are prone to corrosion. Rust not only reduces strength, but also stains clothing and equipment in the boat. It is recommended to lubricate the hinges with moisture-resistant lubricant (for example, lithium or silicone) to prevent acidification.
For storage in a boat, 320 cm is ideal sealed bags or special cases with a hard bottom, which protect the sharp edges of the anchor from abrasion against the balloon and prevent dirt from staining the cockpit. If you use a cat anchor, it is better to lock its legs with a rubber band or a special loop when folded, so that they do not spontaneously open.
To keep the anchor tile from sinking and always at hand, tie a small float or piece of foam to its end (which is anchored). This will also help untangle the tile if it accidentally gets tangled around the anchor at the bottom.
Regularly check the condition of the falt itself, rubbing, especially in the anchor and boat attachments, can lead to a cliff at the most critical moment, and if damage is detected, the cord section should be replaced or remodeled.
Can I use a bag of stones or a bottle of sand as an anchor?
The only way to use a bag of stones or a plastic bottle filled with sand/stones is as a temporary measure of calm at a shallow depth. The main disadvantage of these anchors is that they don't have paws. They only work on their own weight. During or wind, their holding power is minimal, and the boat will begin to tear. In addition, the bag can break, and the bottle will burst. For permanent operation, it is better to buy an inexpensive metal anchor.
Which anchor is better for a PVC boat: aluminum or steel?
Aluminum anchors are lighter and do not rust, which is ideal for inflatable boats where every kilogram counts. However, they are less durable and can deform when hit by stones. Steel anchors are heavier and stronger, better enter the ground due to weight, but require careful care (painting, lubrication) to avoid corrosion. For boats, 320 cm aluminum is often preferred because of its lightness.
Do I need to buy an anchor ring for the 320?
The anchor ring is a very useful accessory that allows you to quickly and safely uncouple the anchor if it is stuck, changing the thrust vector from horizontal to vertical. For an inflatable boat, it is also a way to remove the mounting point of the thrust from the transom or side to the bow, which is critical for safety. For a boat, 320 cm is a recommended purchase.
What if the anchor is stuck in the stones?
Don't try to pull the boat at full power, you risk damaging the transom or rolling over. Try to approach the anchor from different sides, picking the phala. If you have an anchor ring, use it to change the angle of thrust. In extreme cases, if the anchor is not sorry, you can tie the buoy to the phala, cut it off and try to reach the anchor later with a bugre or a second boat, getting close to it.
Does the color of the anchor affect the fish?
There is a belief that the bright colors of the anchor can scare fish away, especially in clear water in shallow water. Although there is little scientific evidence for this, many experienced anglers prefer to paint the anchors in dark, camouflage colors (black, dark green, camouflage). This also serves as an additional protection against corrosion. For deep-sea fishing, color does not matter.