Any owner of an inflatable boat sooner or later faces the need to install the engine, so as not to rely solely on the arm power and oars. motor mount It becomes a critical component that ensures the safety of the crew and the safety of expensive equipment, and the wrong choice or installation of a tray board can lead to loss of the engine or, much worse, serious injury while driving on water.
The inflatable boat accessories market today offers a variety of options, from simple plywood inserts to complex adjustable stainless steel systems. It is important to understand that the standard tranza board, which comes with a budget boat, is often not designed for powerful engines and requires replacement or reinforcement. In this article, we will discuss in detail the types of fasteners, fabrication materials and nuances of installation that will help you feel confident on the water.
Types of transom anchorages for PVC boats
The main separation of mounts is by type of design and the way in which they are integrated into the cylinders of the boat. prairieThis is a rigid plate that is placed between the sides in the aft section, which can be fixed or removable, and their rigidity depends on the thickness of the material and the presence of additional stiffness ribs. Small boats often use simple inserts that fix the pressure of the inflated cylinders, while heavy motors require systems with a metal frame.
The second type is transom-boardThey're part of the boat design, and they're glued in by the manufacturer, and they provide the best distributed load, but they can't be installed on a boat that you've already bought without a lot of complicated alterations. regulated-trans, allowing you to change the angle of inclination of the engine, which is especially important for boats with a flat bottom, where the correct different is important.
- 🚤 Standard hinged transom - universal solution for motors up to 5 hp, easily removed for transportation.
- ⚓ Reinforced transboard - has a metal edging and increased thickness, designed for motors up to 10-15 hp.
- 🔧 Altitude Adapter - allows you to raise or lower the engine, compensating for the load of the boat.
⚠️ Warning: Never use transoms designed for low-power motors with engines exceeding the recommended mass, which can cause fasteners to collapse and the motor to fall into water.
Materials of manufacture: wood, plastic or metal?
The choice of material directly affects the durability of the attachment and its resistance to aggressive aquatic environment. plywoodIt has a high bending strength, but requires constant maintenance: if the lacquer coating is damaged, water quickly penetrates the structure of the tree, causing stratification and rotting. Quality plywood is usually at least 12-18 mm thick to ensure the necessary rigidity.
The most modern solution is composite materials and plasticPlastic transes are not susceptible to corrosion and rotting, they are lighter than wood, but can be less rigid at low temperatures. Metal elements such as stainless steel or aluminum are used to create frames of reinforced transverses. Aluminum is light and durable, but requires protection from electrochemical corrosion when in contact with other metals in salt water.
When choosing, you should pay attention to edge-workingSharp edges can damage boat cylinders when frictioned or waved. Ideally, if the squirrel board has a soft edge or rounded edges. Also important is weight: too heavy mounting will eat up the useful capacity of the boat, which is critical for single models.
- 🌲 Sea plywood - classic, high strength, but is afraid of damage to the coating and moisture.
- 🛡️ Plastic. - absolute moisture resistance, light weight, but deformation is possible in the cold.
- ⚙️ Metal frame Maximum stiffness for heavy motors, resistance to twisting.
Loading capacity calculation and engine compatibility
Before buying or manufacturing the mounting must be clearly defined maximum capacity The PVC boat manufacturers always indicate the maximum permissible power of the engine in the product passport, exceeding this parameter creates excessive pressure on the transom and cylinders, which can lead to rupture of the seams or tearing off the transmutor board at the most inopportune time.
An important parameter is also stringer-distance The transom board must be supported by them or have sufficient stiffness of its own to avoid bending under the weight of the engine. If the boat has an inflatable floor, the transom takes over the load, so its thickness and material play a crucial role.
| Engine power (hp) | Motor weight (kg) | Recommended transnese thickness | Type of attachment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 - 5 hp. | 25 kg | 12 - 15 mm | Paddyboard |
| 6 - 9.9bhp. | 25 - 35 kg | 18 - 20 mm | Reinforced metal transom |
| 10 - 15 hp. | 35-45 kg | 20 - 25 mm | Frame-traffic |
| 18+ hp | 45+ kg | 25 mm | Specialized reinforced transnec |
Remember to consider not only static weight, but also dynamic loads. When moving along the wave, the force acting on the mount can increase many times. Therefore, the safety margin should be at least 30-40% of the calculated weight of the motor. supplementary safety ropes (topenants) for suspension of the motor to cylinders is good practice for heavy engines.
Instructions for transmessel installation and adjustment
The installation of the transom board is a process that requires careful and consistent action, first of all, you need to make sure that the cylinders of the boat are pumped to working pressure, because they provide rigidity of the structure, then the transmolant is carefully inserted between the sides in the aft, relying on stringers or special pockets.
☑️ Verification of transone installation
Once the transom is installed, it must be checked relative to the water plane; the engine must enter the water at the right angle to ensure effective support and avoid cavitation; the angle of inclination is adjusted by changing the position of the motor's rods or using adjustable gaskets; if the motor is too high, the propeller will capture air; if it is too low, water resistance will increase.
To fix the motor, rods are used, which must be tightened with sufficient force to prevent displacement, but not damage the transom material. It is recommended to use rubber gaskets between the metal parts of the rods and the board surface, this will reduce vibration and prevent the formation of scuffs.
⚠️ Warning: Before each outing, check the puff of the rods. The vibration of the working engine can gradually weaken the fixation, which can lead to the slide of the engine.
Strengthening and upgrading of staff fasteners
Often, regular tranza boards, especially on low-end boats, require rework to install a more powerful engine. metal-corner Or a profile on the top and bottom edges of the board, which prevents plywood from being bundled and increases the overall rigidity of the structure by bending.
How to properly strengthen the transom yourself?
To reinforce, use an aluminum profile at least 3 mm thick. Secure it along the top and bottom end of the transom board with stainless screws, pre-drilling the holes and treating them with a sealant. This will create a rigid frame that distributes the load.
Another option of modernization – the creation of compound-transIn this case, the board is used as an internal support, and the outside is a more powerful stainless steel frame, often with removable elements, which makes transportation easier, and the installation of additional inflatable tubes or rigid supports, which take on part of the weight of the engine, unloading the aft part of the boat, is also popular.
In the modernization, it is important not to disturb the tightness of the boat. Any drilling or mechanical impact on the cylinders should be excluded. All additional elements are attached only to the transom board itself or wrap around the cylinders outside with soft slings.
- 🔨 Metal edging - prevents chipping and stratification of the edges of plywood.
- 📏 Increase in contact area Use of wider boards to distribute pressure.
- 🔗 Additional safety ropes prevent loss of the motor when the rods are weakened.
Care for trans-mounting and safety
The durability of the motor attachment depends not only on the quality of the materials, but also on the proper maintenance. After each release, especially if it was salt water, the transom must be washed with fresh water and wiped dry, which will prevent corrosion of metal elements and the destruction of the wood lacquer coating.
Regularly inspect the surface of the tanning board for cracks, bloating or traces of moisture penetration. Even a microscopic crack in the varnish can be the beginning of the end for a wooden base. If defects are detected, the damaged area should be cleaned, dried and coated with a new layer of moisture-resistant varnish or epoxy resin.
Safety also depends on the correct balancing of the boat. A heavy motor at the stern can make the boat unstable, especially in lateral wave. The distribution of cargo and passengers must compensate for the weight of the engine to maintain optimal difference.
⚠️ Warning: Do not keep a boat with a transom-mounted motor for a long time, especially in limbo. Constant load can cause deformation of the transom board and weakening of the boat seams.
Regular inspection and maintenance of the transom board is not just a recommendation, but a prerequisite for the safe operation of the boat with the engine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a small boat on my boat?
You can only use a transom from a smaller boat if it is exactly the width of the distance between the sides of your boat at the installation site, and the load capacity exceeds the weight of your engine. However, most often the geometry of cylinders of different models is different, making such a replacement impossible without impairing leakage or stability.
How often should I change the lacquer coating on a wooden transom?
The frequency of renewal of the lacquer coating depends on the intensity of operation. When used actively in the season, it is recommended to inspect after each fishing and fully coat with varnish every 1-2 years. If you notice that the water has stopped rolling off the surface and began to soak up, varnishing should be done immediately.
Is it safe to make a transom board yourself from ordinary plywood?
The use of conventional construction plywood is highly recommended, as it quickly absorbs moisture and loses strength. FFS (moisture-resistant) or, ideally, sea-plywood, and be sure to treat it with several layers of epoxy resin or yacht lacquer.
Why does the engine slide down while driving?
The main reason for the motor slip is the insufficient tightening of the rods or the smooth surface of the transuccines, which can also occur if the bottom of the transucci is inversely inclined, the solution is to install anti-slip rubber linings on the contact points of the rods and check the angle of inclination of the transcusi board.