Owners of inflatable boats 320 centimeters long often face a dilemma: how to ensure a safe parking without overloading the vessel with excess weight. A boat of this size is considered versatile — it is already roomy enough for trophy fishing, but still easy to transport and assemble. However, it is at the stage of configuration that the question arises, which anchor to choose for a PVC 320 boat to cope with the wind and current, but not occupying half the cylinder.
Wrong choice. anchorage For a three-meter hull that has a relatively low displacement and high sailing, weight-to-engagement ratio is critical. In this article, we will take a closer look at the physics of the process, review popular designs and help determine the best solution for your use case.
Many newcomers mistakenly believe that the heavier the load, the better. This is not always the case, especially when it comes to the heavy load. flyboardA heavy metal object can damage the bottom when handled carelessly or simply make the boat unstable when moving cargo, and our challenge is to find a balance between the reliability of fixation on the ground and the safety of operation on the water.
Calculation of the required weight of the anchor for the housing 3.2 meters
The first step in equipment selection is mathematical calculation. There is a well-established rule that the mass of the anchor should be approximately 10% of the length of the hull in meters, but for light inflatable vessels this parameter is often adjusted. For a PVC boat 320 cm, the optimal starting value is considered to be a weight in the range of 3 to 5 kilograms. Less weight may not provide the necessary inertia during the course, and more will create discomfort during loading.
It is important to consider not only the length, but also the sailability If you plan to use a tent, a high transom, or if the sides are large in diameter, the wind load increases many times over, in such cases the standard weight of 3-4 kg may not be enough, and you will need either weighting or changing the design of the legs for a better hook. It is always better to have a small margin by weight than to risk demolition on the fairway.
⚠️ Warning: Never tie the anchor tile to an inflatable balloon or handles. The only place to attach is a rump bolt on the transom or a special duck in the bow, reinforced by an insert. When jerking along the course, the thin PVC will not withstand the load and burst.
Also worth remembering is the material of the bottom of the pond. On slurry or sandy bottom, the engagement is different from on a rocky or overgrown grass. Soft soils often require a large footprint, and hard ones require their sharpness and ability to penetrate between stones. So there is no universal solution for all occasions, but there are average values that should be started when buying.
Types of anchor structures: from classics to folding models
The market offers many options, but for small boats, a few specific types are the most relevant. cat anchorIt's a classic four-fold structure that's done really well on a rocky, overgrown bottom, and its main advantage is that it's compact when folded and it's very likely to be hooked by lots of hooks.
The second popular option is anchor It's a design that provides great traction on sand and silt, because the legs are buried deep in the ground. But they have a disadvantage: they don't work well on rocky bottoms, where the legs can slip, and they're harder to extract if they suck in viscous clay. For a boat, a 320-cm Danforth 2-3-kg model is often more efficient than a 5-kilogram cat.
The third type is mushroom-anchorThey're a heavy load with no legs, and they work by their own weight and suction to the bottom, and they're the perfect choice for calm water, muddy bottoms and plumb fishing, and they're absolutely safe for an inflatable balloon, because they don't have sharp corners, but they're completely useless on hard or rocky ground, where they have nothing to catch.
The Secret of Admiralty Anchors
The classic Admiralty anchor has great power, but for a PVC 320 it is too bulky. Its horns can easily pierce a cylinder, and it is extremely inconvenient to store it in the trunk of a car because of its shape. For inflatable boats, it is better to choose more modern folding analogues.
Separately, homemade options are often made from rail crutches or concrete blocks. Although this saves the budget, such structures often have unpredictable aerodynamics when falling into the water and can be dangerous for the water. floor-floorBetter to spend on a factory product made of corrosion-resistant materials that will last for decades.
Manufacture materials and corrosion resistance
The aquatic environment is aggressive, especially when it comes to salt water or bodies of water with chemical emissions. So the anchor material plays no less a role than its shape. Most budget models are made of regular paint steel. This is acceptable if you are willing to thoroughly wipe and dry the product after every fishing, but over time the paint peels off, and the metal begins to rust, soiling the boat and clothes.
A more advanced version. galvanized steelZinc coating provides reliable protection against corrosion even in the presence of chipped anchors, which last much longer and look neater. For the PVC 320 boat, which is often used for tourist purposes, galvanizing is a reasonable trade-off between price and durability, the weight of such anchor will be slightly less than the steel counterpart at the same dimensions.
The elite segment is considered anchors from stainless steelThey're practically eternal, they don't require painting and they don't leave rusty marks. However, they can cost 3-4 times more than conventional models. For a small boat, 320 cm, buying a fully stainless anchor can be a waste, unless you live by the sea. In fresh water, there's a pretty good galvanized version.
| Type of material | Resistance to corrosion | Weight (roughly) | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel (painted) | Low. | Highly | Low. |
| Galvanized steel | Medium/High | Medium. | Medium |
| Stainless steel | Maximum | Medium. | High. |
| Cast iron | Low (rusting) | Very tall. | Low. |
To extend the life of a painted anchor, use car anticor or asphalt smear for the bottom. Apply 2-3 thin layers after thoroughly cleaning the rust - this will create additional protection.
Anchor cable and rope: choice of length and type
The anchor itself is only half the system. The second, equally important part is the anchor. anchor-line For a PVC 320, the length of the phala should be at least 3-4 times the maximum depth at which you plan to stand. The standard length is 20-30 meters. If the cable is too short, the angle of attack of the anchor on the ground will be too large, and it will simply be pulled out of the ground in the wind.
The material also matters. The nylon cord is strong and doesn't rot, but it's very tight under load, which can create a pendulum effect in high winds. The polypropylene phala is cheaper and doesn't stretch, but it's tougher and can get confused. The optimal solution for an inflatable boat is a combination of 1-2 meters of the chain at the anchor itself and then a synthetic cable. The chain presses the phalat to the bottom, ensuring the correct angle of the legs.
The thawing of the phalox to the boat must be reliable. vertebrae And stainless steel carbines, to avoid twisting the cable when the wind or current changes, the end of the cable you hold in your hands should be fixed inside the boat so that when it snatchs the anchor system out of your hands and pulls it overboard.
☑️ Checking the anchor system
Rules for safe installation and lifting
The anchoring process requires safety, especially on inflatable vessels. The main rule is never to tie the anchor shaft rigidly to the nose or stern if you are standing on a strong current across the wave. The boat can flip over or suffer structural damage. For PVC 320 boats, the anchor is most often placed from the nose, but in strong lateral winds it is better to use two anchors (stern and nose) to fix the position.
When lifting the anchor, never pull it with your hands over the side if it is stuck. Abruptly escaping a heavy object from the water can cause you to lose balance and fall overboard, or the anchor will hit the anchor. balloonUse the "pull" method: take a boat over the anchor, pick a sagging cable and hold it on your nose, then slowly move your motor or paddles, pulling the cable vertically up until the anchor breaks off.
⚠️ Attention: If the anchor is sucked into the clay and the boat starts to drag along with it, do not try to pull as hard as you can. It is better to lose the anchor than to turn the boat over or break the fall with a blow to the head. Use a junction or buoy to climb the lower part.
Always carry a knife with a floating blade. In an emergency situation, when the anchor cable is wound on the engine screw or entangled in the driftwood, the ability to quickly cut the faucet can save the situation.
TOP-3 models of a boat with a length of 320 cm
By analyzing the feedback from anglers and technical specifications, we can identify the leaders in the segment for small boats. cat anchor It's a workhorse that's 80 percent suitable for situations, it's compact, it's heavy enough to flow, and it's ground-variant.
Second place is occupied anchor It weighs 3 kg. It's ideal for those who fish on rivers with a sandy bottom and a temperate current. Its paws are so deep that 3 kg work like 6 kg of a normal cat. However, owners of soft bottom boats (NDB) need to be careful when climbing so as not to damage the fabric.
The third option is fungus-anchor It weighs 5-6 kg. It's a choice for those who like to fish quietly on lakes and reservoirs. It's quiet (not rattling against the side), safe and reliable on silt. It's less suitable for trolling or fishing in windy weather in open water because of its low engagement.
For versatile use on a 320 cm PVC boat, the best choice is a folding anchor cat weighing 4 kg with galvanized coating, which is a balance of price, weight and reliability on any soil.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a 2 kg anchor for a 320 cm boat?
The 2kg anchor is only available in calm weather at depths of 3-4 meters and on soft ground. If the wind is stronger or there is a current, this weight will not ensure a safe parking, and the boat will begin to demolish. A minimum weight of 3 kg is recommended.
Do I need to lubricate the folding mechanism of the anchor-cat?
Yes, the paw folding mechanism is recommended to be periodically lubricated with lithium lubricant or WD-40 so that it does not oxide from water and dirt. However, after lubrication, make sure that there is no excess left on the paws that can stain the boat.
What if the anchor is stuck between the stones?
Don't pull hard. Try to change the tension angle by going around the parking lot in a circle. If that doesn't work and you have a carbine, use it. At the very least, leave the anchor with the buoy and try to pull it out later with a bugre or a long pole.
How long should the anchor cable be?
For a confident parking, the cable should be 3-4 depths of the reservoir. For a boat 320 cm, it is optimal to have a reserve of 20-25 meters. This will allow you to anchor even at depths of 5-7 meters, taking into account the angle of attack.