Installation of additional inflatable tubes, known as crinolineThis simple but ingenious design makes it possible to significantly improve the stability of the boat, increase the useful area of the deck and improve the performance of the ride in choppy conditions. For many owners of flat-bottomed "Kozak" or narrow PVC boats, this becomes the only way to comfortably fish in standing positions.
Unlike the technical complexities, the installation borough The key here is to calculate the volume correctly and choose a quality material that can withstand the aggressive effects of salt water, ultraviolet light and mechanical stress, and in this article we will discuss in detail all the nuances that will help you make the right choice.
What is Krinolin and Why You Need It on a Boat
In essence, crinoline It's an extra inflatable side that attaches to the existing hull from the outside, visually reminiscent of outriggers on catamarans, but in a more compact and versatile design, and the main purpose of the element is to shift the center of gravity and create additional water support, which is critical for narrow and light vessels.
The use of these cylinders solves several engineering problems at once. First, safety: the probability of tipping over when a passenger moves sharply or a gust of wind decreases to almost zero. Second, it is comfort: the boat becomes softer on the move, it stops “traversing” and more easily overcomes the oncoming wave. Floating buoys They also protect the main board from impacts on the pier or other vessels when mooring.
There is a common misconception that crinolines are slowing down dramatically, and in practice, when properly fitted and shaped, the speed loss is no more than 5 to 10 percent, which is completely offset by the increased stability and comfort of being on the water. For anglers, who often have to stand up to throw tackles, this is an indispensable element of tuning.
- 🚤 Improved stability: It allows you to safely stay on board and get up in full growth.
- 🛡️ Shell protection: Takes on strikes when in contact with obstacles, shore or other boats.
- ⚓ Increased capacity: The additional displacement surface helps the boat to carry more weight without losing the height of the board.
- 🌊 Smoothing: reduces roll and onboard swing, making the movement more smooth.
⚠️ Attention: Installing crinoline changes the fluid dynamics of the vessel. After installation, be sure to conduct test swims at low speed to get used to the new behavior of the boat on the water and adjust the distribution of the cargo.
Types of materials: PVC vs Hypalon
Selection of material for manufacture flyboard The current market is dominated by two main types of fabrics: polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and synthetic rubber-coated fabric known as Hypalon Each of them has its own unique specifications and scope.
Fabric-based PVC (PVCs) are most popular because of their affordable price and ease of repair, they are polyester-based, coated with layers of polyvinyl chloride. Modern reinforced PVC fabrics have high tensile strength and are excellent at keeping pressure. However, they are more sensitive to prolonged UV exposure and extreme temperatures, and can lose elasticity over time.
Type materials Hypalon (chlorosulfonated polyethylene) is considered a premium segment, and their key advantage is their exceptional resistance to chemicals, oil, gasoline and solar radiation. These crinolines last much longer, especially in hot climates, but they can cost 2 to 3 times more than PVC counterparts, and gluing requires special adhesives and skills.
| Characterization | PVC (PVC) | Hypalon (CSM) | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term of service | 5-10 years | 15-20 years | 8-12 years |
| Resistance to UV | Medium | Very high. | High. |
| Repairability | High (glue + patch) | Complicated (requires vulcanization) | Medium |
| Cost | Low/Mediocre | High. | Medium |
How do you check the quality of the seam?
In a quality product, the seam must be drilled or glued along the entire length without bubbles. Press the seam with your finger, it must not diverge or crunch. If you see the stitch threads, then you have used stitching, which is critical and less reliable for inflatable elements than hot gluing.
Design features and shape of cylinders
Geometry crinoline Simple cylinders are easier to manufacture, but they create more drag and can interfere with rowing if the boat is equipped with oars. More advanced models have a streamlined, sickle-shaped shape that repeats the contours of the hull, which minimizes water resistance.
An important element of the design is the system slingReliable crinolines are equipped with reinforced belts with carabiners or Velcro straps that cover the main side of the boat. The number of attachment points varies from 4 to 8 per cylinder. The more attachment points, the more evenly the load is distributed and the less the cylinder walks relative to the hull when moving.
It is also worth paying attention to the presence of internal bulkheads. Multi-chamber system This ensures unsinkability: if one section is punctured, the rest will remain buoyant, a requirement often regulated by the GIMS rules for homemade craft, although it is a quality standard for factory accessories.
- 📏 Diameter: The optimal diameter is 25-35 cm, which gives a sufficient volume, without making the boat too wide.
- 🔗 Fixtures: D-shaped stainless steel or brass rings glued into fabric rather than sewn.
- 🎈 Valves: Use high pressure petal valves that do not poison the air when vibrating.
- 🛡️ KILSON: The presence of protective belt-Kilson at the bottom of the crinoline will prolong the life of the product when dragging along the shore.
⚠️ Note: When ordering or manufacturing crinoline, make sure that the diameter of the balloon in an inflated state does not exceed the height of the side of your boat by more than 10-15 cm Otherwise, the cylinders will work as sails in lateral wind, worsening handling.
To reduce water resistance at high speeds, you can use cone nozzles on the nose of the crinoline, which are sold in water-motor stores.
Step-by-step instructions for installing crinolin
Installation extraboules Errors at this stage can lead to loss of water cylinders or damage to the main body of the boat, the installation process can be divided into several logical steps, the implementation of which guarantees a reliable result.
First, you need to determine the optimal place of attachment. Mounting point It's usually in the area of the maximum diameter of the main cylinder or just below the timber, and it's important that the crinoline doesn't touch the water in a static position (when the boat is flat), but it goes into the water when it rolls, and it will keep the system running exactly when it's needed.
Then there is the fixation process: if you use belts, you need to put them through special hinges or attach them to the hull. If you use adhesive linings (for PVC boats), the surface should be defatted and cleaned. adhesion It is a key factor of success, so you can not ignore the preparation of the surface.
☑️ Pre-launch checks
The final stage is the adjustment of tension. Slings It should not be pulled to a state where the main side is deformed (flattened), but sagging is unacceptable. Perfect tension allows crinoline to fit tightly to the hull, but does not squeeze it. After installation, it is recommended to leave the boat under load for several hours and check the tension again.
Procedure for installation:1. Clean and degrease the contact areas (alcohol or special means).
2. Try on crinoline without pumping.
Lock the central anchorages.
4. Inflate cylinders to working pressure (usually 0.2-0.25 atm).
Strengthen and lock the side mounts.
6. Check the symmetry and landing height.
Impact on driving performance and fuel consumption
Boat owners are often concerned about how crinoline The physics of the process is that any additional water resistance requires more engine power to maintain the same speed, but the effect of crinolines is not always negative and depends on the mode of operation.
In planing, when the boat is on the pillow, the main resistance is the transom and the bottom, and if the crinolines are set high and not submerged in water on the move, their effect is minimal. engine It can grow by 10 to 15 percent, but at low speeds, in displacement mode, the boat with the crinoline often goes smoother without burrowing its nose.
And what's interesting is that when you're excited, you have side support, you get a higher average speed, because you're less likely to drop gas because you're afraid of rolling over. speed-effective And if you go from point A to point B in bad weather, you can actually go up, and for fishing, where speed is secondary, that tradeoff is more than justified.
- 📉 Speed reduction: average 2-5 km/h on full gas depending on the shape of the cylinders.
- ⛽ Fuel consumption: increases in proportion to the decrease in speed and increase in resistance.
- 🌪️ Wave behavior: It improves significantly, the boat prowls less and lands softer.
- 🔄 Turn radius: This may increase slightly due to the increased width of the boat.
Crinolins are an investment in safety and comfort, not speed. A small loss in dynamics pays off completely with the ability to fish in a wider range of weather conditions.
Operational rules and care for inflatable boards
And crinoline They've been in the air for a long time, and they've been kept in the air at a critical time, and they need to be taken care of, and the main enemy of all inflatable structures is the temperature pressure drop, and in the sun, the air inside the cylinders expands, which can cause the seams to rupture if you don't smack the excess.
After each release, especially in salt water, the products must be rinsed with fresh water, and the salt, when dried, crystallizes and destroys the fabric and glue structure. Regular washing With a mild soap solution, it will help remove dirt and oil stains from the engine.
Keeping crinoline in a deflated state, but not compressed, is best kept straightened or slightly folded in a spacious bag. Sharp cloth cloth in the cold can lead to the formation of microcracks in the layer. PVCAnd those who will become the ones who will be the ones who will be the ones.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave pumped crinoline in the direct sun unattended in hot weather. The pressure inside can grow so much that the tissue will burst, even if everything was pumped normally initially.
What do you do to fix a puncture?
For express repair, use a two-part polyurethane adhesive (such as Uranus or specialty PVC adhesives). Clean the area around the puncture, degrease, apply the glue to both surfaces, let it dry for 10-15 minutes, then press hard and warm up with a hairdryer or put under load.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I make crinoline myself from old PVC?
Theoretically, if you have access to industrial equipment for gluing or welding with high-frequency currents (HFV), it is difficult to glue large volumes together qualitatively at home, there is a high risk of joints divergence under pressure, it is easier and safer to order tailoring in a specialized workshop for your size.
Will the boat be wider in the trailer with crinoline?
Yes, the overall width will increase by double the thickness of the pumped cylinders (usually 40-60 cm in total), which must be considered when transporting on the trailer and passing bottlenecks. However, many models allow rapid removal, which solves the problem during storage.
Do I need to re-register the boat after the crinoline is installed?
Under current GIMS regulations, the installation of removable inflatable boards does not require changes to documents unless they are a non-removable part of the design and do not change the load capacity dramatically, but if the crinolines are rigidly glued and change the data-sheet figures of the vessel, theoretically there may be questions during the inspection.
What is the optimal pressure to pump into crinoline?
The optimum pressure is considered to be in the range 0.2 - 0.25 atmosphere (200-250 mbar). The cylinder should be elastic to the touch, but with a strong press of the finger should feel a slight cushioning. Pumping is dangerous in the heat, under-pumping reduces the effectiveness of protection.