Organization of an effective fishing place on an inflatable boat often puts the owner in front of a dilemma: how to fix the attachment equipment, if the design does not provide a rigid transom. Echo-sensor attachment It's a real puzzle when standard self-tapping or scab methods have nowhere to go, and the absence of a solid vertical plane forces anglers to look for alternative solutions that don't damage the delicate material of the cylinders and ensure that the sonar is stable.
The modern market offers many solutions, from specialized brackets to homemade PVC pipe structures, and the right method depends on the type of boat you have, the sounder model, and the operating conditions. It's important to understandIncorrect installation can lead not only to the loss of expensive equipment, but also to damage to the boat, so the issue of installation should be approached with maximum responsibility and knowledge.
Features of installation on inflatable vessels
The main feature of inflatable watercraft is the flexibility of the structure, which is in constant motion under the influence of waves and wind. Unlike the rigid hull of a metal or plastic boat, the PVC side is bent, which creates difficulties for fixing. sounderAny anchorage must have a certain degree of mobility or depreciation so as not to create excessive stress points in the cylinder material.
In addition, inflatable boats often lack the classic transom, or it is made in the form of an inflatable jar that will not withstand the weight of heavy equipment and the vibration of the engine. transom board In such cases, it must be installed separately and rigidly fixed, or an alternative method of attaching directly to the board or on the outboard bracket is used. Ignoring this fact can lead to the sensor being "walked" in the water, giving incorrect depth readings.
⚠️ Warning: Never attach heavy equipment or rigid brackets directly to an inflated cylinder without using protective pads. Point pressure can cause the material to deform or rupture under load while driving.
Aerodynamics and hydrodynamics are also important, and if you take the sensor far overboard, it creates additional resistance, which is especially noticeable on low-power motors or rowing, and if you design it right, you minimize that effect while maintaining the quality of the sonar signal.
Selection of the type of fastening: brackets and platforms
The first step to a successful installation is to choose the right type of holder. The market offers several basic options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. PVC-boat bracketswhich are attached to the board by means of suction cups or belts.
The second option is to use universal transom plates, which are mounted on a rigid insert in the boat. tranny Or it can be installed, it's the most reliable method, and it keeps the sensor stable, so it doesn't shift when you're in a sharp maneuver or when you're hit by a wave.
- 🔹 Clip-pin brackets: They are attached to the upper edge of the board, suitable for boats with a rigid upper profile.
- 🔹 Suctions: vacuum mounts requiring a perfectly smooth surface of the cylinder without texture protrusions.
- 🔹 Belt systems: They cover the perimeter of the boat, distributing the load and without damaging the material.
- 🔹 Fixed areas: glue to the balloon with a special glue, providing a rigid fastening point.
When choosing between these options, consider the frequency of use of the boat and the need for rapid disassembly. For those who often inflate and blow the boat, removable structures will be optimal. If the boat is stored in assembled form, more capital decisions can be considered.
When choosing a bracket, pay attention to the material of contact with the boat. Rubber or silicone linings are mandatory to prevent abrasion of PVC fabric when rubbing against water.
Methods of installation without drilling of the body
Drilling a balloon is an extreme measure, which is only used in exceptional cases when other methods do not work. Fortunately, modern technologies allow you to securely fix the cylinder. sounder Without breaking the seal of the boat, one of the most effective ways is to use PVC adhesives.
This method uses a special area (a pooh) of PVC fabric, which is glued on board at the site of the intended installation. After the glue is completely dryed, a screw or bolt is screwed into the center of the site, to which the bracket is attached, which provides high reliability, since the load is distributed over the area of the glued tissue, rather than concentrated at one point.
The procedure for the adhesion of the site:1. Degrease the surface with alcohol.
2. Apply glue on both surfaces.
3. Push and roll roll.
4. wait 24 hours until complete polymerization.
Powerful suction cups are an alternative to glue, but their reliability depends on the quality of the surface of the cylinder. Textured or matte surfaces may not provide the proper vacuum, especially in cold weather. In such cases, it is recommended to use a combined method, supplementing the suction cups with a safety cable.
⚠️ Note: Use only two-component polyurethane adhesives specifically designed for PVC. Cyanacrylate-based adhesives ("superglue") make the material brittle and can burn through the fabric.
Manufacture of a homemade holder DIY
For anglers who prefer custom solutions, self-manufactured holders are a great option. Often factory models do not take into account the specifics of the particular boat, so home-block It might be more functional. To make a simple and reliable design, you'd need PVC pipes, fittings and clamps.
The structure is based on a 20-25 mm tube that serves as a barbell, one end of the pipe is attached to the boat by a wide belt or Velcro, and the second end is fixed by a sensor, and the use of plastic pipes makes the structure lightweight, unsinkable and corrosion resistant, which is critical for the aquatic environment.
Drawing of a simple design
Use a 20mm PVC tee, insert a 30cm (vertical) pipe into one exit, a 15cm pipe (horizontal to the side) into the vertical tube, attach a sensor with a clamping clamping, wrap the horizontal part in a porous material and press the belt against the cylinder.
To attach the sensor itself to the homemade bar, you can use conventional plumbing clamps with a rubber pad, which makes it easy to adjust the angle of inclination and the depth of immersion. emitterThe main advantage of this approach is the ability to create a design of any shape and length, perfectly suited to the geometry of your boat.
Comparative specifications of fastening methods
To make a final decision, you need to compare the methods available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, which become apparent when you look at them in detail. Below is a table that helps you organize the information.
| Mounting method | Reliability | Complexity of installation | Risk to the boat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sticked-in pad | High. | Medium | Minimum |
| Clip-pin bracket | Medium | Low. | Low. |
| Vacuum suckers | Low. | Very low. | Missing. |
| Homemade frame | High. | High. | Depends on the execution |
As you can see from the table, the most balanced option is a glued pad, which combines high reliability and safety for the vessel, but suction cups or pins are great for temporary use or testing of equipment. The final choice should be based on the frequency of operation of the boat and the budget allocated for the equipment.
And the cost of each method is also important, because if the brackets can cost a lot of money, the materials for homemade construction will cost a lot less, and the functionality of homemade products is often as good as, and sometimes even better than, factory counterparts.
The optimal balance of price and reliability for permanent operation is the gluing of a PVC site. For seasonal use, a sufficiently high-quality removable bracket.
Customization and calibration after installation
After sensor-holding It's set to set up, and the right orientation of the emitter relative to the surface of the water directly affects the quality of the image on the sounder screen, and the sensor should be submerged in the water strictly horizontally, without skewing left or right.
It is important to check the system at different speeds, if at high speeds the picture begins to crumble or there is interference, perhaps the sensor is too deep or, conversely, captures air, and adjusting the angle of inclination allows you to find a “middle ground” in which the signal remains stable even when moving against the wave.
☑️ Installation verification
You should also pay attention to laying the cable, and it should not loosely dangle or rub against the side, as this can damage it. screed or special clips to fix the wire along the side, leaving a small margin of length at the sensor itself to compensate for its movement.
What to do if the sensor is constantly down?
If the sonar sensor is constantly changing position or getting lost while moving, you need to strengthen the mounting design. Check the tightening of all screws, add additional fixing points or use a stiffer bracket. In some cases, increasing the contact area of the mount with the cylinder helps.
Can I use a sonar in winter?
Using a sonar in winter is possible, but it requires caution: Lithium-ion batteries do not tolerate frost, and the sensor itself can become brittle. If you use a PVC boat in winter, make sure that the mounting material does not lose elasticity in the cold.
How to keep a boat with a glued pad?
A boat with a glued pad can be stored assembled or blown away. The PVC cloth is elastic and does not interfere with folding, but the bracket must be removed before packaging so as not to damage the cloth at the folding site.