Any experienced water-engineer knows that the basic equipment of an inflatable vessel rarely provides the necessary comfort on the water. Standard cans of seats and two oars are the minimum necessary that makes swimming a test of endurance, not a pleasure. high-quality PVC boat anchorages become the first step to full tuning, allowing you to fix the sonar, navigator, spinning or anchor.
The accessories market is full of offers today, but not all of them are equally useful. Some models are versatile, others are tailored for specific tasks, whether it is trolling with multiple tackles or quiet fishing alone. It is important to understand that the wrong choice or installation of accessories can lead to the loss of expensive equipment or even disruption. balloon-structure boat.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the main types of fasteners, materials for their manufacture and installation nuances. You will learn how to turn your inflatable boat into a functional fishing boat without compromising the tightness and safety of the structure.
Main types of anchorages for inflatable vessels
All inflatable boat accessories can be divided into two large groups: those that are attached directly to the cylinders, and those that are mounted on a transom or paioles. Cylinder fasteners usually use a system of belts with buckles or suction cups, which avoids damage to the fabric. transom anchorages require more rigid fixation, as they experience increased loads from the weight of the motor or anchor.
And the universal platforms that we're going to see are really interesting, and they're going to be able to place navigation equipment in line of sight, which is critical for high-speed boating. sea-aluminum Or fiberglass reinforced plastic.
⚠️ Warning: When choosing belt mounts, make sure the buckles are plastic-coated or made of stainless steel. The regular metal will quickly corrosion and can paint the sides of the boat or tear fabric when stretched.
There are also specialized holders designed for specific boat models, taking into account the geometry of their cylinders. versatilesuitable for boats of different brands, such as Flagship, Kaiser or Master..
- 🔹 transom brackets - for installing additional equipment at the back.
- 🔹 Canned platforms - for mounting sonars and GPS on the crossbars.
- 🔹 Balloon holders - are attached with belts directly to PVC pipes.
- 🔹 Anchor nodes - fixed in the nose or on the stern.
Manufacture materials and their durability
Aggressive aquatic environments, ultraviolet light and temperature extremes dictate stringent material requirements. sea-aluminum, which combines lightness, strength and excellent corrosion resistance. Aluminum alloys such as AMG5They do not rust and can withstand serious mechanical stress.
Plastic mounts made from ABS plastic or polypropylene are also popular because of their low cost and lack of reaction with water. However, plastic tends to age when exposed to the sun, becoming brittle. If you plan to leave the boat in the sun for a long time, you'd better prefer metal or quality. composite.
Secrets of the Durability of Plastic
Not all plastics are the same. For marine applications, plastic with UV stabilizers is used. Cheap Chinese plastics can start to crumble in one season of active use under the scorching sun.
Fixing elements such as bolts and nuts must be made of stainless steel brand AISI 304 or AISI 316Conventional galvanized steel rusts in salt water in a matter of weeks. threaderSo that the vibration from the motor does not unwind the connections.
Lubricate threaded joints with graphite lubrication before assembly, which will prevent the metal from "tempering" and make it easy to disassemble the structure at the end of the season.
transom mounts for additional equipment
The Tran is the maximum concentration zone of the equipment, and in addition to the main motor, it is often necessary to attach a second, smaller trolling motor, sonar sensor or anchor winch. transom bracket This allows you to solve this problem without taking up a seat inside the boat.
The design of these mounts is usually an L-shaped or T-shaped platform that covers the top edge of the transom, and it is important that the interior surfaces that come into contact with the tree or aluminum of the transom are protected with soft linings, which will prevent thrust and damage. coatboard under the weight of equipment.
When installing heavy equipment, such as a powerful sonar or a second motor, you need to take into account the loading capacity If the transom is soft or damaged, the use of heavy brackets can cause it to deform and the seam between the bottom and the transom to become leaky.
- 🔹 Adjustable departure allows you to change the distance to the water.
- 🔹 Vandal locks – protection against theft of equipment in the parking lot.
- 🔹 Quick-removal mechanisms for rapid dismantling.
Organization of space: holders of rods and navigation
Comfortable fishing is impossible without a properly organized workplace of a fisherman. Spinning holders They allow you to use multiple tackles at the same time, which is especially true when trolling, and they can be attached to both the transom and the boat.
For navigational devices such as Garmin, Lowrance or HumminbirdVibration resistance is critical. Cheap plastic holders can vibrate on the go, which causes the image to be lubricated on the sounder screen. Professional mounts are often equipped with shock absorbing pads.
The placement of the instruments should be ergonomic, the screen should be read at any angle of sunlight, and the control buttons should be at hand, often using rotary brackets that allow you to change the angle of inclination of the display depending on the position of the sun.
⚠️ Warning: Do not place rod holders too close to the cylinders. With a sharp jerk of fish or a hook, the rod can penetrate the PVC fabric, which will lead to an emergency on the water.
Anchor systems and their PVC anchorage
An anchor is not just a cargo, it is a guarantee of your safety when you are parked on the current or wind. Inflatable boats are most convenient anchor-cat or anchor-fungus, which can easily fit into a bag. However, the issue of attaching the anchor shaft and the anchor itself requires special attention.
The standard solution is anchorIt can be glued into a balloon or strap-mounted, and the rump must withstand a tear load that exceeds the weight of the anchor several times, because there are significant forces when lifting on the current.
For convenient control of the anchor is often used anchor-winches Or simple rollers that are mounted on the bow of the boat, which allows you to choose the anchor without leaning too far overboard, which is especially important in an unstable inflatable boat.
Correctly installed anchor rhym should be located strictly along the diametrical axis of the boat, so that when the anchor rope is stretched, the boat does not turn the side to the wave.
Table of comparison of popular fasteners models
To make it easier to choose, we have compiled a comparison table of the specifications of the different types of mounts on the market, which data will help determine which option is suitable for your boat model and tasks.
| Type of attachment | Materials | Installation | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| transom bracket | aluminum | Invoice | All boats with hard transense |
| Spinning holder | Plastic/Steel | Straps on. | Universal. |
| Platform for sonar | aluminum | On the jar. | Boats with transom banks |
| anchorage | Nerzh. | Plug-in/belt | All types of boats |
| Navigator anchorage | Plastic. | Suction/Spin | Specific to the model |
Instructions for installing fasteners yourself
Most of the mounts don't require special skills, but they require care, and the rule is not to damage the integrity of the cylinders. If you use belt mounts, make sure that the belts don't rub the fabric over long periods of load.
To fit on a transom or jar, you may need a minimum set of tools: a screwdriver, a wrench and possibly a drill if you need to drill a tree. Before the final puff of all bolts, check if the installed elements interfere with the inflating of the boat or packaging into a bag.
☑️ Pre-launch checks
Once installed, be sure to test on the shore or in a safe place at the pier, test the stability of the structure under load, mimicking fish jerks or engine operation, only when you make sure that you are reliable, you can go out into the open water.
⚠️ Warning: Never use screws or nails to attach equipment to cylinders, this is guaranteed to depressurize the boat. Use only regular belts or glued elements.
Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Can I attach a heavy sounder to a soft jar?
Not recommended. A soft inflatable jar will not provide a stable platform, the device will be constantly swinging, and vibration can damage the screen, it is better to use a rigid plywood or aluminum jar, or a transom mount.
How to protect aluminum mounts from oxidation?
Aluminum itself is oxidized to form a protective film, but for aesthetics and added protection, you can use special spray preservatives for sea aluminum. It is also important to wash the fasteners with fresh water after use in salt water.
Will the boats fit from one boat to another?
Most belt mounts are versatile and can be used on boats from different manufacturers if the diameter of the cylinders is the same. transom mounts are also often versatile, but require a check of the thickness of the transom.
Do I need to remove the mounts when storing the boat?
Removed mounts take up less space in the packing bag and do not create stress points on the fabric of cylinders when stored in a folded state for long periods of time, this will extend the life of your boat.