Owners of legendary aluminum boats KazankaThe standard configuration of these craft, especially the old ones, often involves minimalism: rigid cans and lack of spray protection. Installing the steering console is a key step in modernization, turning a utilitarian “iron” into a full-fledged pleasure-fishing boat. Console on the boat Kazanka It is not just a beautiful detail, it is a control center that allows you to ergonomically place navigation, steering and control devices.
The decision to install a remote control system changes the nature of the vessel’s operation, allowing the use of remote control of the engine, which frees up the hands and allows you to safely control the gas even at high speeds, and a well-designed design protects the operator from oncoming wind and water dust, which is especially important when turbulent in reservoirs of the Ladoga type or in the Volga Delta.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of the creation and installation of a steering post. We will look at ready-made solutions from manufacturers and options for self-manufactured from plywood or composite materials. You will learn how to properly insert the steering column, where to place the steering column. battery And how to keep the joints tight so that the boat stays afloat even in extreme conditions.
Selection of design type: purchased or homemade console
The first thing you need to decide on the owner KazanThe market offers many off-the-shelf solutions made of ABS plastic or fiberglass that are perfect in size, but many amateurs prefer the path of self-creation, creating unique projects for specific needs. ProSport or FlincThey often have a ready-made shape and holes for devices, which speeds up the process.
On the other hand, homemade makes it possible to account for every millimeter of your boat's interior space. Kazan have a specific curve, and a purchased rectangular box can not stand close, leaving gaps. Homemade console It's made of marine plywood, glazed fiberglass, or argon-coated aluminum sheets, and it can be any shape. Kazanka- 2MEvery centimeter of the cockpit's width counts.
When choosing a material, consider weight. Plastic is light, but fragile when impacted. Aluminum is strong, but requires welding skills and careful insulation from electrochemical corrosion when in contact with other metals. Plywood with epoxy impregnation is the “middle ground” to create a rigid, heavy and very durable structure that extinguishes the vibration of the motor better than thin plastic.
⚠️ Warning: When installing a heavy homemade structure on a transom or bottom, be sure to consider the change in the centering of the boat. Shifting the center of gravity can lead to yaw or differentiation on the nose, which is critical for low-power engines.
If you're buying a finished product, pay attention to the quality of the plastic. Cheap models can burn out in the sun and crack with vibration after the season. Fiberglass It's more durable, but it needs professional repair in case of damage, and it's also important to check the equipment: are there fasteners in the kit, are there seals for appliances.
Required materials and tools for manufacturing
If you choose to make your own, you have to make good tools and materials, and the basis of any good design is the right one. case-stuffFor plywood options, you will need moisture-resistant plywood at least 10-12 mm thick. For metal ones, an aluminum sheet of AMG 2-3 mm thick. You will also need epoxy resins, fiberglass, gelcoat (if we make a composite) or polishing pastes for aluminum.
To cut plywood, you need an electro-cloth with saws for clean cutting, a metal jigsaw or a metal scissors, a drill, a screwdriver and perhaps a welding machine, and you need to pay special attention to sealants: all seams must be processed. polyurethane sealant or anaerobic composition resistant to salt water and gasoline.
- 🛠️ Tools: Electrical jigsaw, drill, Bulgarian, grinder, brushes for resin, strubcines.
- 🧪 Chemistry: Epoxy hardener resin, degreaser, polished paste, sea sealant.
- 📏 Expenditure: Glass fabric (200-300 g / m2), screws made of stainless steel, aluminum corners, sandpaper.
And we should mention wiring, and you need corrugated cables, quality tinting terminals, and shrinkage. Electricity on a boat This is a high-risk area, so you can't save on insulating materials, all compounds should be protected from oxidation and moisture.
Use only stainless fasteners (A2 or A4). Conventional steel rusts in one season, leaving ugly streams on the sides of Kazanka and weakening the console mount.
Step-by-step instructions for assembly and installation
The installation process begins with careful markings, and the optimal location for the console must be determined so that the helmsman has a good view and easy access to the tiller or remote control cable. Kazanka-5 or 5mm The console is often placed in the center or with a shift if you plan to install a second seat, and you first do a "try-out" of cardboard to assess the ergonomics.
Then there's the cutting and assembling of the frame, and if you make a plywood remote, you first assemble the box, then you paste it with a glass fiberglass layer to give it strength and water resistance, you weld it or you put it together on rivets with a sealed sealant, and you need to make the process holes for wires and appliances before they're ready.
☑️ Steering console installation plan
The most critical thing is to attach the hull to the boat, you can't just screw the console to the thin bottom, you need to use large-diameter reinforcement washers, or you need to stick plywood or aluminum response blankets inside the boat, and you need to put a layer of vibrating sealant under the base of the console, which also acts as glue. Once installed, let the sealant be fully polymerized according to the instructions before getting on the water.
| Work phase | Materials | Implementation time | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designing | Paper, ruler, cardboard. | 2-4 hours | Low. |
| Manufacturing of the shell | Plywood/Aluminum, resin | 1-3 days | Medium |
| Electrical installation | Wires, terminals, appliances | 4-6 hours | High. |
| Final assembly | Sealer, fastener | 2 hours + drying | Low. |
After the mechanical installation, they go to the filling. The steering column is inserted into the prepared hole and fixed by a nut. The steering cable is reached to the transom. Here it is important to observe the radii of the bend of the cable — they should not be too steep, otherwise the steering wheel will become tight and the cable will quickly fail. Steering mechanism You have to walk smoothly, without jamming.
Equipment: appliances, navigation and electrics
Modern boat-board The minimum set includes a tachometer, an engine temperature indicator and a voltmeter. KazanThese are often used for trolling or fishing, and they're an indispensable GPS cartplotter sonar, so that they don't shine in the sun and are visible in any position of the operator.
The circuitry should be simple and reliable, and from the battery, the current goes to the common mass switch, then to the fuses, and then to the consumers. Be sure to use the fuses on each device separately, which will find the fault and protect the wiring from short circuit. For navigation and sonar, it is better to allocate a separate line with your own automatic machine.
⚠️ Warning: Never run wires in the vicinity of fuel hoses. In the case of a leak of gasoline, a spark in the damaged wiring can cause fuel vapor to explode.
For ease of control, you can install a signature switch panel, which can be simple moisture-protected toggles or more complex backlit keyboards. The placement of the battery mass switch should be as accessible as possible so that in an emergency situation it is possible to immediately turn off the boat. Also do not forget about the USB socket for charging phones, it will come in handy in long exits.
Secrets of reliable wiring
Use double-insulated polycore copper wire. All twists are prohibited, only soldering or crimping terminals. After installation, treat the joints with Contact Cleaner to displace moisture.
Ergonomics and protection from external factors
The installation of the console changes the windshield properties of the boat. The high transparent screen (windwind) saves from splashes and oncoming air flow, but can create sailing. Kazan 5M With its relatively flat bottom, high sailing can be dangerous in lateral winds, so the height and angle of the windbreaker should be calculated carefully, and it is optimal to use polycarbonate 4-5 mm thick or organic glass.
The interior space of the console also requires organization. They often hide the battery, which is the right thing to do in terms of centering, but you need to have access for maintenance and ventilation. Lead batteries can emit gas when charging, so a deaf box without ventilation is a bad idea. It's better to make a removable cap or vents with a mesh.
- 🌊 Windbreaker: It should be wide enough to cover the shoulders of the helmsman, but not to block the view on the sides.
- 🔋 Block AKB: Requires reliable fastening of the battery so that it does not dangle when moving along the wave.
- 💡 Backlight: The instruments must have adjustable brightness so as not to blind the helmsman at night.
And the comfort of the legs is also important, because the console is often a foothold, especially at high speeds, so the front panel should be flat, without sharp corners or prominent nuts, and you can wrap the interior with a soft material or set a special stop.
A properly installed windbreaker reduces helmsman fatigue by 40% by protecting against constant blowing and splashing, which directly affects driving safety.
Frequent mistakes in the modernization of Kazanka
Experienced boat mechanics often see the same rakes that beginners step on. The first and most common mistake is overloading the nose. Installing a heavy console, a massive windbreaker and a large battery in the bow. Kazan It can cause the boat to stop going plane or to burrow its nose in the wave, which is not only uncomfortable, but dangerous.
The second mistake is poor sealing, and the water that gets inside the console to the appliances will knock them out instantly, or worse, the water through the loose anchor holes will start filling the boat hull. Hermetization must be made with a margin of safety, using special marine compositions.
The third problem is the wrong steering cable installation, so if the bend radius is too small or the cable is squeezed, the steering becomes tight. At high speeds, this can lead to loss of control, and the backlash in the joints is often forgotten, which only increases over time.
⚠️ Note: Do not install the console so that it blocks access to the nose or anchor box, if they are structurally located in this place. accessibility of important nodes should be preserved.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I install the console on the old Kazanka-2M without welding?
Yes, you can. This is done with plastic or plywood structures that are attached to the floor of the boat through reinforced washers on bolts, and the main thing is to distribute the weight correctly so that the nose of the narrow boat does not overload.
Which material is better for windscreen: polycarbonate or plexiglass?
Polycarbonate is stronger and hardly beats, but it scratches more easily and can become cloudy over time. Plexiglas (acrylic) is more transparent and better polished, but it is fragile and can crack from the impact of a branch or stone.
Do I need to ground a metal console?
If the console is metal and has engine-related instruments (tachometer), grounding is necessary for proper operation of sensors and protection against galvanic corrosion.
How to protect the appliances from the sun when the boat is on the trailer?
The best way to do this is to use removable protective covers or awnings, and you can also design a niche with instrument covers, although this makes it difficult to access them while you're driving.
How Much Does a Standard Homemade Console Weigh?
Weight depends on the materials. A lightweight plastic console weighs about 5-7 kg. The plywood and fiberglass design will come out in the area of 10-15 kg. A metal weld can weigh more than 20 kg, which is essential for small boats.