Modern fishing or water tourism requires not only a reliable boat, but also a high level of comfort, which is often the deciding factor in long stays on the water. When you decide to buy a bulwark on a PVC boat, you actually invest in the safety of the crew and protect expensive equipment from salt or dirty water entering the cockpit. This element of tuning turns a standard inflatable boat into a full-fledged small boat that can confidently keep the wave.
Many owners PVC boats They face the problem of being splashed against the wind or in a turbulent state, which can interfere with handling and damage equipment, and the addition of additional boards solves this problem radically, increasing the height of the board and creating a closed cockpit effect, especially for models ranging in length from 3.2 to 4.5 meters, where the standard height of the board is often not sufficient for comfortable fishing standing or in bad weather.
The cost question is secondary to the functionality, but it is important to understand what the price is and what options are available in the market. In this article, we will discuss in detail the design features, materials and nuances of installation, so you can make an informed choice.
Why do we need a false board: functionality and advantages
The main function of bulwarks is, of course, spray protection, but that's not limited to their usefulness. stability This is because the center of gravity of the passengers is lower than the top of the cylinder, which makes the boat psychologically and physically more secure, especially when there are sharp maneuvers or gusts of wind.
In addition, the bulwark creates an additional air cushion, which in an emergency situation can play the role of a spare security camera. If the main cylinder gets a puncture, the upper segment will allow the boat to stay afloat longer, which is critical when far from the shore.
⚠️ Attention: Installing false boards increases the sailing of the boat. With strong side winds, control can become more complex, so consider this factor when operating in storm conditions.
Another important aspect is to keep the equipment: fishing boxes, electronics and personal belongings remain dry even when running on full gas, which allows you to avoid wasting time constantly scooping water from the hold and focus on the process of fishing or navigation.
Manufacture materials: PVC, Oxford or reinforced fabric
The choice of material is the foundation of the durability of your tuning. reinforced PVCThe density of such fabrics usually varies from 750 to 1100 g/m2, which provides excellent resistance to abrasion and ultraviolet radiation.
A more budget option is fabric. oxford It's lighter and cheaper, but it's less resilient and cold-resistant. At low temperatures, Oxford can bluff, losing its shape, while quality PVC remains flexible even in sub-zero temperatures.
Notice the quality of the seams. The best ones use a hot welding method that creates a monolithic joint that doesn't require any additional sealing, and the threaded seams eventually start to leak moisture as the thread swells or rubs.
Secrets of tissue density
The 1100 g/m2 thick fabric weighs more, but it protects against sharp objects (hooks, branches) and lasts for decades. 850 g/m2 is enough for a quiet fishing trip on small rivers.
When buying, be sure to check the certificates of quality of the material. Cheap analogues can contain harmful plasticizers, which under the influence of the sun emit an unpleasant odor and lose strength faster than the stated term.
Design features: inflatable or rigid?
The modern market offers two main types of designs, and the choice between them depends on your priorities in ease of storage and operation. Inflatable false-boards These are extra cameras that are mounted on top of a regular tank, and their main advantage is that they are compact and have a minimal weight.
Rigid or semi-rigid structures are made of foamed materials or have an internal frame structure, they hold the shape constantly without requiring pumping, which speeds up the process of assembling the boat on the water, but they take up more space during transportation and can be heavier.
There are also combinations where the base is inflatable but has rigid inserts to preserve geometry, a compromise solution that combines ease of storage and stability of shape.
| Type of design | Weight. | Complexity of installation | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable | Lungs. | Medium (needs pumping) | High. |
| Hard ones. | Heavy. | Low (installation once) | Medium (risk of cracking) |
| Semi-semi-semi-semi-secure | Average. | Low. | High. |
For frequent fishing alone, when the count goes on minutes, semi-rigid falseboards are preferable, since they do not require time to pump a separate element.
Methods of fastening: belts, Velcro or glue
The reliability of the attachment is a matter of your safety on the water. Most models use a combined system that includes a combination of the two. fastex The slings take the main load, preventing the side from moving away under water pressure, and the Velcro ensures that the fit is tight.
It is strongly advised not to use only adhesive joint for temporary false boards, unless it is provided by the design of the boat. The glue creates an irreversible connection, and if necessary to remove the side (for example, to repair the main boat), you will damage the balloon.
When mounting, it is important to adjust the tension of the belts correctly. Too little tension will lead to leaks, and excessive tension will lead to deformation of the main cylinder of the boat. The ideal state is when the side is tightly attached, but the balloon retains its rounded shape.
☑️ Checking the anchorage before going to water
Some manufacturers offer mounting systems on special sleds or guides that are glued to the balloon, a more professional approach that provides perfect geometry, but requires skilled installation.
Instructions for installing false boards yourself
The installation process can be divided into several stages, each of which requires care, first you need to completely clean the surface of the balloon from dirt, sand and moisture, degreasing the surface with alcohol or a special composition will ensure better adhesion of the Velcro.
Next, try on a false-bort without fixing to determine the exact location of the fasteners. Mark the mounting points with a marker, monitoring the symmetry on both sides. Asymmetrical installation can cause the boat to roll on the water.
Sequence of action:1. Cleaning and degreasing.
Marking of anchorages.
3. Fixing the response parts of Velcro straps (if glue is required).
Installation of the bulwark and tightening of the belts.
5. Testing of leakage.
After the initial installation, be sure to run a test run in shallow water, check if the belts are rubbing the cylinder when moving, if there is an intensive spray through the joints, if necessary, tighten the adjustment buckles.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install at temperatures below +15 C. Cold PVC becomes rigid, and the Velcro may not stick properly, and the belts may lose elasticity.
Care and maintenance in the offseason
For the bulwarks to last, they need proper care. After every fishing, especially in salt water, the structure must be washed with fresh water. The salt is crilled in the folds of the fabric and begins to corrode the material and metal fittings when drying.
You can keep a boat with bulwarks installed in a deflated state, but it is better to remove them if you do not plan to go out in the coming days, this will reduce the load on the seams of the main cylinder and prolong the life of the Velcro.
Periodically check the condition of the seams and the integrity of the fabric. Minor damage can be repaired with a remix, which usually comes with a boat. Using specialized sprays to protect against UV radiation will help preserve the color and strength of the material.
Lubricate the metal parts of buckles and fastexes with silicone lubrication once a season - this will prevent corrosion and jamming of mechanisms at the most inopportune moment.
Compliance with these simple rules of operation will allow you to enjoy comfortable fishing for many years without worrying about the technical condition of your boat.
Overview of popular models and manufacturers
The Russian market has been well-established by domestic manufacturers, such as Flagship, hunter and Mev.Their products are adapted to our climatic conditions and can often be fitted to boats of other brands thanks to a universal mounting system.
Chinese counterparts offer lower prices, but the quality of fabric and accessories can vary from batch to batch. When buying such models, carefully inspect the seams and check the operation of the locks directly in the store.
The premium segment is represented by brands offering false-borts made of hypalon or high-tech composites, the price of such products can be 2-3 times higher, but the service life of them is almost unlimited with proper care.
How to determine the quality of false board when buying?
Notice the width of the slings (at least 25 mm), the presence of reinforced attachments and the density of the fabric to the touch. Cheap models often have thin, tearing slings and a sharp chemical smell.
Can I install a false board on a boat without a transom?
Yes, there are models that are only attached around the perimeter of the balloon and do not require a transom, but to install the motor, the presence of a transom or an inflatable transfoil can is still required for balancing.
Does the slack affect the speed of the boat?
Small. The increase in sailing can slightly reduce the top speed in headwinds, but in calm water the difference is almost imperceptible, and comfort compensates for minimal losses.
Do I need to register a boat with false boards in GIMS?
No, bulwarks are considered removable equipment and do not change the design specifications of the boat, affecting the registration (load capacity, passenger capacity), so additional registration is not required.
Are bulges compatible with the inflatable floor?
They're perfectly compatible. Falshborts are attached to cylinders and don't interact with the bottom of the boat, so the type of bottom (NDD, paiola, slate) is irrelevant to their installation.