And keeping a swimmer securely on the water is not just a matter of comfort, it's a matter of your safety. anchorage For boats, PVC prevents the vessel from drifting under the influence of wind or current, which is especially critical during fishing or overnight stays. Mistakes in the organization of the anchor system can lead to the loss of expensive equipment or even to the flipping of a light inflatable vessel.
Unlike metal boats, where the anchor-crunch is part of the structure, the PVC boats All of the elements have to be self-mounted or used in regular, but often unreliable, points, and it's important to understand the difference between temporary parking and long-term anchoring, because the load on the cylinders and the transom is distributed differently in these cases.
In this article, we will go into detail all aspects of creating an effective anchor system, we will look at the types of mounts, methods of knitting knots that are guaranteed not to untidy under load, and the features of installing fixed rump bolts, you will learn how to avoid common errors that can damage the side of the boat.
Selection of installation site: transom or nose
The first and most important question that the owner of an inflatable boat faces is where exactly to attach the flap. tannerous and nose-on The choice depends on the operating conditions, the design of your vessel and the type of bottom of the reservoir.
The transom option is the most popular among anglers, and it allows you to lock the boat sideways to the wind or current, which is convenient for catching a throw, but there is a risk: if the wind increases, the boat can turn sideways to the wave, which is fraught with high-sided PVC vessels. tippingIn addition, the anchor rope can get under the working propeller of the engine when trying to start quickly.
⚠️ Attention: Never tie the anchor thack directly to the boat handles or to the liner cable without the use of additional carbines. In a sharp jerk (for example, when the anchor is hooked), these elements can not withstand the load and break off, damaging the balloon.
The bow mount is considered safer from the point of view of stability of the vessel. The boat stands up against the wave, dissecting it, which reduces the risk of overflowing. To implement this option, often use a regular liner cable running along the side, or install an additional rim bolt on the bow.
- 🎣 The transom mount is ideal for calm water and fishing with spinning from the side.
- 🌊 The nose installation is mandatory for conditions of large water, strong wind and current.
- ⚓ The combined version (two ends) provides maximum stability, but requires two anchors.
The methods of knotting: reliability above all else
Even the strongest anchorage is useless if the knot connecting the anchor end to the boat untied at a critical moment. The water environment is aggressive, the rope gets wet, the hands are cold, and a simple "grandmother" loop can play a cruel joke. sea-nodes, tested for centuries.
One of the most reliable options is the Vyblenochny knot, or variations of it, often used to attach the façade to the bolt, and its advantage is that it tightens under load and does not crawl, but it is relatively easy to untie if you pull the free end.
Don't use regular school bows or simple single knots that tighten tightly ("dead knots"). If the anchor gets stuck and you have to poison the rope, you just cut the rope and lose the anchor, as it will be impossible to untie such a knot under tension. Always leave a free end of sufficient length for manipulation.
Always leave the "mustache" at the knot length of 5-7 cm on a wet slippery synthetic rope, the knot can crawl and untie if the ends are too short.
Installation of a stationary rim bolt DIY
PVC boats' standard rings are often made of plastic or thin stainless steel and are not designed for serious loads. squirt-bolt This element will provide a reliable anchorage point, capable of withstanding the jerks of the anchor.
The installation process requires care, as it involves drilling the cylinder. You will need a special glue for PVC (usually two-component polyurethane), the part itself (a rim bolt with a wide washer-five) and a degreasing agent. The installation site is selected on a rigid element, for example, on a shaft bar or a special five-strip, if it is provided by the design.
- Carefully degrease the surface of the balloon at the site of the future installation.
- Apply glue to the washer of the fry bolt and on the surface of the balloon, let it dry according to the instructions.
- Put a five-piece patch (if not) or the loose bolt itself, providing a tight press.
- After complete polymerization of the adhesive (usually 24-48 hours), you can drill the hole and fasten the bolt with a nut through wide washers.
It is important not to pull the nut during the final assembly, so as not to deform the PVC fabric. Between the metal and the fabric must be wide washers that distribute pressure. Bolt thread is better treated with silicone lubrication, so that it does not sour from salt water.
☑️ Check before installing the bolt
Organization of anchor end and gack
The anchor end itself (the phala) is not just a piece of rope. For convenience and safety, it should be at least two depths of the reservoir where you plan to fish, but at least 15-20 meters. The optimal diameter of the synthetic cord is 4-6 mm. The thinner will cut your hands, and the thicker one will take up a lot of space and sail in the wind.
The end of the anchor has to be marked, usually by weaving a colored thread every 5 meters or tying tags, so you can visually monitor how much rope has already been etched. At the end, which is attached to the boat, you have to do it. quick-release Or a carbine with a safety lock.
A special system is used to break off a stuck anchor: if an anchor is stuck between the stones, the pull is not the top (where the main rope is tied), but the heel (the stupid end), to this end, a thin molt (buyrep) is tied to the heel of the anchor, which runs parallel to the main phala, if necessary, the main phala is weakened, and the buyrep is pulled, and the anchor comes out of the hook with the back.
| Type of rope | Floating | Extensibility | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polypropylene | Swimming. | Low. | Buyrep, markings |
| Nylon (Polyamide) | Thunder | High. | Mooring, anchoring. |
| kevlar | Thunder | Missing. | Special cables (not for anchors) |
| Henka (Natur) | Thunder | Medium | Retro style, rotting |
⚠️ Attention: Never wind the anchor end around your arm or body when sampling the anchor! If the boat pulls the entangled anchor sharply or a passing boat creates a wave, the rope can instantly wind itself onto a limb, leading to severe injuries or pulling the person into the water.
Rules for safe anchorage
Safety on the water depends on proper anchoring techniques. When approaching a parking lot, the boat should be turned against the current or wind. The anchor is lowered (not thrown!) from the leeward side when the boat is still a short course or drifting back, which ensures that the anchor rope does not get tangled by the tray or motor.
Once the anchor has touched the bottom, you need to draw the required length of the rope and only then slowly reverse or pull the rope manually to anchor "buried." Sharp jerks when installing the anchor are unacceptable — it will simply flip over and not catch on the ground. For reliable holding, the angle between the bottom and the stretched anchor rope must be minimal (almost parallel to the bottom).
If you anchor in a traffic-intensive place, be sure to set the "Anchorage" signal (black ball during the day, white light at night), although this is often ignored for small craft, the rule remains the safety rule.
What if the anchor is not holding?
If the boat starts to roll, it's not the anchor that's caught, try to roll back a little bit to increase the angle of burying, or change your position. On a rocky bottom, normal cat anchors often slide, so you need a Grapple-like anchor with folded paws or a load of heavy weight.
Maintenance and storage of equipment
After each foray into the water, especially if it was sea water or just muddy river water, the anchor rope and fasteners require care. The salt and sand, stuck in the turns of the rope, act as an abrasive, rubbing the internal fibers. Rump-bolts. Ordinary steel can rust even if it is coated with zinc.
Dry the anchor end in the shade, straight sunlight, UV light breaks down the structure of polypropylene and nylon, making the rope breakable after a couple of seasons, and it's better to store the equipment in a dry room rolled up in a bay, but not in a sealed bag to avoid debate.
Check the condition of the knots and attachments regularly. If you notice that the rope has begun to "fluff" or thinned in some place, do not risk replacing the site or the entire rope. The cost of 20 meters of a good rope is not comparable to the loss of a boat or risk to life.
Regular check of the condition of the anchor rope and fasteners is not just a recommendation, but a mandatory procedure before each release to the water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use an anchor weighing more than 1/10 of the displacement of a boat?
For light inflatable boats, heavy anchoring can be dangerous. When sampling a heavy anchor, there is a risk of turning the boat over if it is light and narrow. The optimal weight of an anchor for a PVC boat 3-4 meters long is 3-5 kg. If the bottom is slurry and anchor is not holding, it is better to increase the length of the rope or use an anchor with a larger paw area, rather than just adding weight.
What if the anchor rope gets tangled around the engine screw?
This is a critical situation. In no case do you try to start the motor to wind the rope, it will break the lower unit or damage the gearbox. You need to carefully tighten the rope with your hands, trying to free the screw. If that is not possible, you will have to climb into the water or use the bumpor if the depth allows. Prevention (cleaning the rope while moving) is better than any repair.
Which knot is best for tying an anchor to a ring?
The most reliable and easy to untie is considered to be a Fisherman's knot for connecting the two ends, or a scotch knot if you want to tie a rope to a scoop, the main requirement is that the knot should be kept under constant variable load and not untie itself when wet.
Do I need to lubricate the bolt thread?
Use silicone lubricant or special formulations for marine equipment (e.g., based on molybdenum disulfide, but make sure they do not contain copper, which causes aluminum corrosion), which will prevent the thread from boiling after contact with salt water.