Any inflatable swimmer is faced with the question of improving the performance of their vessel, and often beginners, when they first buy a boat, do not understand why they need an additional element in a cockpit called a quill, which is not just a stick in the middle, but an important part of the design that affects speed, handling and safety.
Many people confuse this element with floorboard, but their functions are radically different. kielson It's a longitudinal beam that can be laid on top of inflatable tubes or floors, and it gives the hull a keel shape, which allows the boat to steer better and cut the wave more efficiently, and understanding its design will help you to properly equip your boat for fishing or recreation.
The main purpose of the keelson in the construction of the boat
The main purpose of this element is to stiffen the bottom and form a hydrodynamic keel, without which the inflatable sides under the weight of passengers and the engine can deform, and the bottom can bend, which creates sailing and reduces speed. Aluminum quilson or wooden timber take on a part of the load, distributing it along the body.
The second important function is to improve directional stability, because a boat with a pronounced keel prowls less when moving, it doesn't blow as much by the wind or side wave, and this is especially true when going against the current or on high water, where you need to control accurately, and you stop constantly adjusting your course with the engine, saving fuel and engine life.
And we also need to mention inflatable cylinder protection, which is that when you moor to shore or move through shallow water, it's the bottom of the quill that takes the hits on rocks, shells or concrete, which reduces the risk of puncture or damage to PVC tissue in the most vulnerable area, and some models are equipped with special rods that extend the life of the cylinders.
⚠️ Attention: Installing the kielson increases the overall weight of the boat, and if you use a weak motor, it can have a negative impact on planing and top speed.
Importantly, the presence of the keel changes the boat's center of gravity, making the boat more stable on the water, reducing the risk of tipping over when fishermen move abruptly inside the cockpit, but in parking lots or in low winds, the control becomes slightly more difficult due to increased water resistance.
Types of quills: materials and constructions
The market offers different solutions, and the choice depends on your weight, strength and price requirements. wooden and aluminum variants, each of which has its own specifications of operation.
Wooden ciders are often made from plywood or larch arrays. They are cheap and easy to make yourself, but they are rotting and absorb moisture. Aluminum profiles are devoid of these drawbacks, lightweight, non-rusting (with oxide film) and last for decades. There are also composite models made of composite materials.
The design of the elements is divided into:
- 🌊 Whole: They are a single beam, laid immediately after pumping the boat, require a lot of storage space.
- 🔗 Composite: assembled from several sections connected by locks or bushings, convenient for transportation in the trunk of the car.
- 🛡️ Protective: have special linings or runners on the edges to protect against abrasion on the ground.
When choosing a cross-sectional profile, a round profile is better at dissecting a wave, but a flat one is more stable at the bottom. For fishing in overgrown water bodies, smooth surface models are better at avoiding catching algae. For open water, aerodynamics and structural rigidity are important.
Secrets of Tree Processing
If you use a wooden keelson, be sure to soak it in olifa or a special yacht lacquer in 3-4 layers, which will prevent swelling and the appearance of fungus inside the structure of the tree after the season of operation.
Advantages and disadvantages of using
Like any tuning element, the pendant has its pros and cons. Before you buy or make it yourself, you need to weigh all the factors, for some users it will be a salvation, for others it will be an unnecessary burden.
The main advantages include:
- 🚀 Speed increase: The boat is quicker to glid and easier to hold.
- 🎯 Improved handling: The boat is becoming more obedient and predictable on the move.
- 🛡️ Defense: The cylinders wear less in the central part of the bottom.
But there are also disadvantages, and the main one is weight gain, and an aluminum beam can add 3 to 7 kg to the curb weight, which is critical for single boats or shoulder-carrying, and the rigid element inside the inflatable body creates stress points on the PVC fabric at high wavelengths.
The cockpit also takes up useful space in the cockpit, which in narrow boats can interfere with the installation of legs or the placement of gear, and it is important to note that if installed improperly, it can rub the fabric from the inside, which will lead to scuffling and eventual repairs.
The quilson is necessary for high-speed traffic and running fishing, but for quiet fishing in a quiet backwater, it can be an unnecessary weighting agent.
Installation and installation instructions
The right installation is the key to the safety and durability of your vessel, and the process of mounting depends on the type of bottom of your boat, and if you have an inflatable floor, the technology will be different from a hard floorboard.
For inflatable floor boats (BBBs), the quill is usually laid on top after the main cylinders are pumped, but before the final pumping, allowing it to take the correct position under the weight of a person.
Algorithm of action:
- Spread the boat on a flat surface, removing sharp objects.
- Pump the cylinders to the working pressure specified in the data sheet.
- Lay the quill strictly in the center, combining the nose with the forehead.
- Fix the element with standard fasteners or belts, if provided.
☑️ Pre-descent check
If your quilson is composite, make sure that the joints of the sections do not fall on the places of folds or high voltage. Sharp edges of the joints can damage the fabric. It is recommended to lay under metal or wooden elements a soft lining of felt or dense fabric, if the plant does not provide this.
In hard-bottomed boats, the quill is often part of a power kit, and it can be inserted into special pockets or placed in longitudinal slots of the floorboards, and it's important not to overtighten the mounts so as not to deform the floor plane.
specifications comparison table
To make it easier for you to choose, we have prepared a comparison of the basic parameters of different types of kilsons, the data are averaged and can vary depending on the manufacturer and length of the boat.
| Parameter | aluminum | Wooden (Listhall) | Plywood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (by 3.2 m) | 3.5 - 4.5 kg | 5.0 - 6.0 kg | 4.0 - 5.0 kg |
| Durability | High. | Medium | Low. |
| Moisture resistance | 100% | Requires processing | It requires coloring. |
| Price. | High. | Medium | Low. |
As you can see from the table, aluminum It's a long-term gain in weight and life, but it's a low-cost gain. Wood is a compromise that, when properly maintained, lasts a long time, but requires constant attention. Plywood is a budget solution for temporary use or quiet fishing.
You also have to consider thermal conductivity, because metal in the sun can get very hot, and at night it can cool down, giving the temperature to the water, and the tree is more inert and pleasant to the touch if you walk barefoot.
Care, maintenance and storage
For the keelson to last, it needs to be properly cared for. After every fishing, especially in salt water or muddy water, the element must be washed with fresh water. Salt and dirt accelerate the corrosion of the metal and the rotting of the tree.
Wooden structures require periodic drying. Don't keep them in a sealed bag wet, guaranteed to cause mold. It's best to keep them spread out in a dry room or separate from the boat.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use aggressive chemicals to wash aluminum profiles. Alkaline and acidic products can destroy the protective oxide layer, causing white corrosion.
When storing the boat assembled (which is not recommended for PDH with a keel), make sure that the beam does not create points of excessive pressure on the fabric. Ideally, store the keelson separately, especially in winter, to eliminate the risk of deformation of materials during temperature changes.
Check the condition of the mounts and locks regularly. Luft in the compound quills can cause creaks and damage to the inner surfaces of the boat. Lubricate the moving parts with silicone lubricant to protect against oxidation.
Lubricate the movable quilson compounds with silicone lubrication before each season - this will prevent locks from jamming and the appearance of unpleasant creaking when moving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a boat without a keelson?
Yes, it can. The boat will swim without it, but its performance will decrease: it will be worse on course, slower to accelerate and more susceptible to the effects of lateral winds.
Will a hard keelson hurt the inflatable floor?
If you put it right and you have protective linings, it's okay. You have a risk if the pendant has sharp edges, it shifts while you're driving, or if you get sand between the beam and the bottom, and you use the linings if you don't have factory protection.
How to calculate the required length of a kielson?
The optimal length is 80-90% of the length of an inflated boat on the cockpit, and it should not rest on a transom or nose balloon with force, but should occupy most of the working surface for effective load distribution.
Does the kielson affect the boat's loading capacity?
Formally, the capacity is determined by the volume of cylinders, but the keelson itself has a weight that is subtracted from the payload, so the heavier the keelson, the less payload (people, gear) you can take on board without exceeding the limits.