Choosing a swimming aid for overgrown waters often turns into a trade-off between maneuverability and sustainability, and this is where specialized designs like this come on the scene. Reed catDesigned to overcome complex areas with dense vegetation, this model has proven to be a reliable assistant for lovers of pike fishing for spinning or float fishing in hard-to-reach places.
The design is unique in that it has a special geometry of the bottom and the arrangement of floating cylinders, which allows the vessel to pass where others get stuck. flatbot The flatboat has a minimal draught and a flat bottom, which is critical for moving through shallow waters, and let's take a look at what makes this boat so popular among domestic fishermen.
Many users have noted that it is Reed cat It has become their primary summer boat for reservoir and river elders, and its ability to slip through water lilies and reeds without losing its course makes it an indispensable tool in the trophy hunter's arsenal. Let's look at the technicalities and nuances of this extraordinary craft.
Design features and geometry of the body
The bottom of any boat is the bottom of it. Reed cat The engineers have used a completely flat-bottomed circuit, which is a stark contrast to traditional PVC inflatable kielson boats, which provides maximum stability afloat and allows the vessel to literally slide across the surface of the overgrown body of water without catching bottom obstacles.
The boats are made in the form of high inflatable tubes, which not only create buoyancy (floating), but also act as buffers when colliding with driftwood or shore. The width of the boat is selected in such a way as to ensure maximum stability even with sharp movements of the angler during the catching of large fish. This is especially true for standing fishing, when you need to kneel or make a sharp jerk with a rod.
⚠️ Attention: Flat bottom makes the boat susceptible to lateral wind load. In open water, high winds make it harder to operate the vessel than a keel boat, so consider weather conditions before leaving.
The material used for the manufacture is high-density reinforced PVC, resistant to puncture and abrasion, and the seams are made by hot welding, which guarantees the tightness and durability of the structure even under intensive operation in harsh conditions. transom hanging reinforced with additional tapes, allowing you to install motors with a capacity of up to 5-8 hp, although for this model, traction electric motors are most often used.
- 🛶 Flat plywood bottom with anti-slip coating provides confident leg setting.
- 🌊 High sides protect against splashes and allow you to swim close to the thickets.
- ⚓ The presence of hinged bars around the perimeter simplifies mooring and protection of the board.
Assembly and preparation for launching
Assembly process Reed cat It doesn't require any special skills, but it has its own nuances to consider for proper operation. Unlike inflatable floor boats, it requires the installation of hard paiola (plywood flooring), which adds a few minutes to the preparation procedure, but significantly improves the comfort of fishing.
First, the main body is laid out and slightly blown to spread the folds, then a plywood floor is laid inside, consisting of several sections that are connected by special locks or profiles. It's important. Ensure that the sections lie flat and do not form cracks through which water can penetrate or small debris can get stuck.
☑️ Checklist for boat assembly
After the flooring is laid, the cylinders are finally pumped, with a working pressure of 0.2 atmosphere, which allows the sides to keep in shape but remain elastic enough to quench the shocks against the wave. Tranza It is inserted into special pockets on the stern and fixed with stops, after which the boat is ready for descent.
It's worth noting that thanks to its modular design, you can keep the plywood bottoms in place every time you keep the boat assembled in your garage or in your country house, saving time on frequent trips, but you still have to remove the floor to transport it in your car, which increases the packing time back into your case.
Driving and maneuverability
The card card. Reed cat The minimum draught allows passages as deep as 15 to 20 cm, allowing access to the most secret fish parking spots, and the boat is virtually silent when driven by an electric motor, which does not scare off the careful fish.
The boat's handling depends on the engine installed. With a low-power gasoline engine, the boat becomes quite agile, but requires careful handling of gas due to the flat bottom, which can cause yaw at high speeds. Electric motor In combination with this boat - an ideal tandem for quiet hunting, allowing hours to quietly plow through the thickets of water lilies.
⚠️ Attention: When using powerful motors (more than 5 hp) on a flat bottom, you may experience a “dolfining” effect (nose jumps), it is recommended to correctly distribute the weight of the cargo and passengers.
The boat behaves predictably but rigidly in the wave, and the absence of a keel means that the boat does not cut the wave, but lies on it with the whole flat bottom, which may be uncomfortable in the wind, but for quiet fishing in reeds, this keeliness is not required. Reed cat It is created for calm water, swamps, sunkens and small lakes.
The secrets of shallow water management
When passing shallow water with grass that winds on the screw, do not immediately try to give full gas. It is better to turn back for a short time to reset the winding, or gently lift the engine without removing the lower unit completely from the water.
Comparison of specifications with analogues
To understand the place Reed cat In the floating market, you have to compare it to the direct competitors, and you often choose between this model, the classic Hunter or Frigate boats, and the specialized motorboats, and each design has its own advantages for certain tasks.
Unlike boats with inflatable bottoms, Reed cat It is a great advantage in terms of stability and the possibility of installing a full hard floor, but it loses in the compactness of the package. Compared to aluminum boats, the PVC variant is lighter, quieter and does not require registration with GIMS (depending on the weight and power of the engine), but is less durable when in contact with sharp objects.
| Parameter | Reed cat | Classic PVC (keel) | Aluminum motobot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of bottom | Hard flat | Inflatable/Strict | Metallic |
| Cross-country | Great. | Medium | Low (noise, inertia) |
| Weight gathered | Medium (35-45 kg) | Low (25-30 kg) | Tall (50+kg) |
| Sustainable | High. | Medium | High. |
Choice in favour Reed cat If you're going to spend 80 percent of your time on the water in overgrown shallow waters, if you're going to go out into big water, cross big reservoirs, or troll, you might want to look at more seaworthy keel models.
Comfort and equipment for fishing
The ergonomics of the boat are designed for the angler, and the wide cockpit space allows you to accommodate two fishing boxes, a sonar and a cage without constraining your movements. seat-canThe interior space that can be moved or removed, allows you to adapt the interior space to specific needs.
Special platforms and mounts are provided for the installation of additional equipment. echoer You can attach it to a transom or a rod, and rod holders are often mounted on board, and many anglers additionally outfit the boat with sun or rain awnings using regular liner racks.
- 🎣 Possibility of installing a platform for mounting spinning.
- 🔋 Convenient placement of the battery compartment in the nose for balancing.
- 💡 Reflective elements for safety in the dark.
For maximum comfort, install additional soft linings on the seats or use fishing boxes-seats of suitable height - this will reduce the load on the back during many hours of fishing.
Care, storage and durability
And Reed cat It's been around for years, and it needs to be properly cared for. PVC doesn't like long-term UV exposure in an inflated state, so after fishing, it's advisable to blow off the boat or at least cover it with an awning when stored on the shore.
Plywood floors require special attention: they must be dried before packaging, and if you remove wet plywood in a sealed case, it can detach or be covered with fungus. transom board It should also be dry, especially if it is laminated, so that the ends do not swell from the water.
⚠️ Warning: Do not keep the boat rolled up at negative temperatures without prior preparation. PVC loses elasticity in the cold, and microcracks can form when deployed.
Check the pressure in the cylinders regularly. A boat pumped in the sun can get a seam break, and a boat that is under-pumped can wear off faster against rocks and sand. It is optimal to pump the boat already on the water after it lies in the sun for 10-15 minutes.
Compliance with the rules of drying plywood deck and PVC fabric is a guarantee that the boat will serve 10 or more seasons without losing its tightness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a boat to raft on the river?
It's possible, but it's limited. With its flat bottom, the boat has a weak course stability and can turn sideways to wave. It's fine for calm sections of the river, but for rough streams, it's better to choose a keel model.
What is the maximum weight of the cargo that this boat can withstand?
Depending on the modification, the load capacity is between 250 and 400 kg, which includes the weight of passengers, motor, fuel and equipment. not recommended to avoid loss of stability and spraying.
Do I need to register a boat with GIMS?
Registration depends on the weight of the boat (with the engine). If the total weight is less than 200 kg and the engine power does not exceed 8 hp (10.88 hp according to the new classification), registration is not required. Reed cat With a light electric motor or a low-power gasoline engine, it often falls into the category of registration-free.
How to repair punctures in the field?
For emergency repairs, use fabric-based remixes with two-component glue (polyurethane) glue or liquid nails are less stable and can unstuck when loaded. It is ideal to have pre-prepared patches of the right size.