How to choose and buy a quality tape for booking the bottom of the PVC boat

Inflatable vessel operation inevitably involves risks of mechanical damage. Rocky beaches, shells, dry grass and concrete slips all ruthlessly erase the protective layer PVCThat is why the question of where and what tape to buy for booking the bottom of the boat becomes one of the first for any owner after buying the boat itself. Properly selected protection can extend the life of your vessel by 5-7 years, keeping it tight.

The water accessories market is now saturated with offers, but not all are equally effective. Cheap counterparts often come off in the cold or melt in the sun, leaving a sticky trace that is almost impossible to remove. In this article, we will analyze the technical nuances of choice, compare materials and give clear installation recommendations so that you do not spend money on rework.

Before making a purchase, you need to clearly understand the difference between the types of tapes, because protector-belt and quilt They're different, and it's also important to consider the density of your boat's material, whether it's in the boat. Flagship, Solar. or Master.The wrong choice of glue or tape thickness can lead to detachment at the most inopportune moment.

Why is it necessary to book the bottom of an inflatable boat

The main purpose of the booking is to create a sacrificial layer, which is a sacrificial layer that takes on an abrasive effect, and when you drag a boat on the sand or moor off an unequipped shore, it is the tape that is worn out, not the main cylinder. tightness sutures and tissue integrity.

In addition to mechanical protection, the high-quality armor profile serves as a reinforcement function. Sticking additional strips in the maximum load areas (stringer zones, jar attachments) distributes voltage during pumping and excitement, this is especially true for boats that are used in conjunction with powerful engines, where vibration and hydrodynamic loads are maximum.

⚠️ Attention: The lack of reservation on keel boats leads to uneven wear of the keel, which over time changes the geometry of the bottom and worsens the running quality of the vessel.

There is a common misconception that expensive fabric density of 1100 g/m2 does not require protection. reinforced PVC It's vulnerable to the sharp edges of shells or concrete crumb, and buying a tape is an investment in safety, because repairing a punctured cylinder in the field is often impossible, and replacing the entire bottom costs up to 40% of the price of a new boat.

Types of belts for protection: PVC, PVC and treads

When you choose a material for protection, you will be asked: what exactly to buy? There are two main competitors: tapes made of dense PVC and composite materials with the addition of a new product. kevlar PVC tapes (often called flat-shaft timbers) are good because they are chemically homogeneous with the balloon, and the glue penetrates into the structure, creating a monolithic compound.

The kernel ribbons (or kevral cord ribbons) are a multilayered structure, the outer layer is usually smooth and slippery, which improves glides, and the inner layer contains strong fibers, which are much more expensive, but they are 3-4 times more durable, for hard use on rocky rivers in Siberia or Karelia. The Kevlar Ribbon is a no-alternative choice To save the bottom.

Also worth mentioning is tread linings, which are often confused with tapes, which are finished products of complex shapes that repeat the curves of cylinders, and their advantage is in the accuracy of landing, but you can buy such a tape only for a particular model of a boat, whereas roll protection can be adapted for any vessel.

• 🛡️ PVC tape - Budget option, ideal for descending with the material of the boat, easy to glue, but quickly wears off.
• 🧱 Kevral-PVC - compromise solution with increased tensile strength, suitable for medium loads.
• 🚀 Polyurethane profiles - maximum wear resistance, often used on inflatable boats-catamarans and rafts.

It's important to understand that the thickness of the tape is not always equal to its strength. Cheap thick PVC can be soft and quickly "eat", while thin tape with fiberglass reinforced will withstand years of use. When buying, pay attention to the stated density of the material - it must be at least 650-700 g / m2 for bottom linings.

Selection criteria: density, glue and compatibility

The main criterion for buying is material compatibility. If you decide to buy a tape to book the bottom of a PVC boat, make sure it is for your type of fabric. There is a difference between PVC-coated fabrics and polyurethane fabrics (TPUs). The adhesives are different, and if you confuse them, you get a sticky mass instead of holding on.

The material density should match or exceed the density of the cylinder fabric. It is pointless to glue a 500 g/m2 tape on a boat of 850 g/m2 - it will wear off faster than you notice. The optimal choice for most mid-range boats (density 850-950 g/m2) will be tapes with a density of 900 to 1100 g/m2.

Pay special attention to the issue of glue. Often sellers offer to buy a ready-made kit, but experienced boaters prefer to choose the right one. two-component Single-component compounds (such as "Moment" for PVC) give elastic seam, but less strength to break. Two-component (with hardener) create a chemical reaction, turning the compound into virtually indestructible.

The table below will help you compare popular types of protective materials by key parameters:

Type of material	Density (g/m2)	Resistance to abrasion	Difficulty of installation	Price.
PVC (standard)	650-750	Medium	Low.	Low.
PVC (reinforced)	900-1100	High.	Medium	Medium
Kevral-PVC	800-950	Very high.	High.	High.
Polyurethane	1200+	Maximum	Very high.	Premium

Installation technology: step-by-step instructions

The process of tape gluing requires patience and compliance with the temperature regime. The ideal temperature for working with PVC is from +20 to +25 ° C. At lower temperatures, the glue may not react, and at high temperatures it may grab too quickly, without giving time to adjust the position.

The first step is always to prepare the surface, and the boat needs to be washed, dried and, most importantly, degreased. acetone Or a special PVC degreaser. Don't use Kalosha gasoline or white spirits, they can leave a greasy film that will reduce adhesion. The surface should be matte and clean.

The technique depends on the type of adhesive: for a single component, often one layer is enough on both surfaces, for a two-component one, two layers with intermediate drying, and it is important to let the first layer dry completely to a stick (usually 10-15 minutes) before applying the second one.

Secrets of the professionals

Many people forget to roll the seam. Once the tape and the cylinder are connected, be sure to walk with a hard roller (or screwdriver handle through the cloth) with a force from center to edges to expel all the air bubbles. The air under the tape is the point of future detachment.

Once the parts are joined, they need to be pressed very tightly, and at home, they use sandbags that are evenly distributed over the surface of the glue, the time to fully polymerize the glue is 24 to 72 hours, and don't rush to pump the boat immediately after the sticker, which can cause the tape to shift.

• 🧹 Carefully clean the surface with sandpaper (grain 220-400) for better adhesion.
• 🌡️ Warm up the glued surfaces with a hair dryer to 40-50 C before the final joint - this will activate the glue.
• 🕰️ Keep the exposure after rolling at least a day before pumping the boat.

Manufacturers review and where to buy

The question of where to buy has several answers: you can order the tape directly from boat manufacturers (ORI, Solar, Flagman, Riviera), but this often comes out more expensive and requires waiting. Specialty water utility stores offer a wider selection of roll materials.

Among the proven brands it is worth highlighting German materials Heydi or Wurth (although they sell glue more often, they also have quality tapes) Among the available and high-quality options in the CIS market, tapes from fabric manufacturers show themselves well. Belgomplast and PVC TextileThey offer a material of the same density and color as used in factories.

⚠️ Warning: Buying tape in the construction markets "in weight" without density labeling is a lottery, often selling material for awnings or pools that does not have the necessary elasticity and will burst on the bend of the balloon.

When buying in online stores, pay attention to the width of the roll. Standard widths - 10, 15, 20 cm For the bottom, it is more convenient to take a wide tape (20-30 cm) to cover a large area with one piece, minimizing the number of seams. The seam is always a weak spot where detachment can begin.

Common mistakes in protecting the

The most common mistake is saving on degreasing, because the dust that you can't see works like a separation layer, and the tape can stick, but after the season it will start to leave in stockings, because the clutch happened with dust, not with fabric.

The second mistake is that you don't properly prepare the edges of the tape, and if you just cut the ribbon and stick it, the sharp corners will be picked up first, and the professionals recommend that you round the corners of the stickers with scissors or make a beam (cut the edges of the ribbon in a nitty-picking way) to create a smooth transition.

The third mistake is that the two-part glue is not proportionally proportional, so if you add too much hardener, the seam becomes brittle and crumbly, if you don't, the glue will stay sticky forever, and use syringes to get the components exactly dosage.

Caring for the armored bottom

Once the shield is installed, the boat is easier to operate, but it doesn't stop requiring attention. The armor does not make the boat immortal. Periodically, once a season, check the condition of the sticker edges. If you notice that the tape has begun to move, glue this area immediately until water and dirt have come under it.

When washing a boat after the season, avoid using aggressive chemicals and hard brushes in the places of gluing. Karcher is also dangerous - a pressure jet can drive water under the edge of the tape if it moves away even a little. Wash such boats with a soft sponge and moderate water pressure.

Keeping a boat with a sticker protection is better in straightened form or with a minimum number of folds at the reservation site. Constant bending at the same point can lead to microcracks in the glue layer. If the boat is stored in a deflated form, try to ensure that the bottom area is not clamped with heavy objects.

Can I put the armored tape on an already scratched bottom?

Yes, you can, and you should, if the scratches are superficial, the tape will block the water and stop the tissue from breaking down, but if the damage is deep, you need to put a full patch first, and glue the armor on top.

Is one color compatible with another?

Technically, yes, the glue holds equally well. Visually, the boat will look "multicolored." Often, gray boats are put black protection for contrast, it's a matter of taste.

How to remove the old tape if it has moved away?

Carefully warm the edge with a building hair dryer and tuck in with a blade. The glue residue is removed with a special PVC solvent or mechanically (with a neat finger rolling), Do not use metal brushes to avoid damaging the cloth cords.

Do I need to book the boat sides?

It doesn't make sense, because the sides are less likely to come into contact with the abrasive, except if you often dock on the side against concrete walls or stones, and then you can put a narrow strip of protection along the beam.

Does the ribbon affect the weight of the boat?

A full armour of the bottom with a wide ribbon can add 1.5 to 3 kg to the weight of the boat. For inflatable boats, it's a minor loss of load capacity, but when assembling an all-in-one kit, it's worth considering.