Comfortable fishing on an inflatable swimming platform is impossible without a properly organized workplace. PVC When you have to hold the sensor and you have to look for a place on the bottom, you have to place the navigation equipment, and you have to have a table that's designed to be ergonomic, and you have to focus on the fishing process.
The modern market offers many solutions, from simple plastic stands to complex aluminum structures with adjustable brackets. echoer These are the fisherman's eyes underwater, and the screen must be in line of sight, without interfering with the control of the motor or oars, and a well-chosen mount eliminates vibration that can distort the sonar readings, and protects expensive electronics from falling into the water.
Before you buy a sounder table in a PVC boat, you need to analyze the design of your boat and the type of equipment used. There is no one-size-fits-all solution that is suitable for all models of inflatable boats. In this article, we will discuss the key aspects of selection, materials features and installation methods that will help you make the right choice.
Why you need a special table for navigation
The use of standard mounts or improvisation (improvisation) with plywood boards often leads to unstable operation of the device. Echo-tub It acts as a rigid platform that dampens vibrations from engine operation or water turbulence, and it's critical to get a clear picture of the bottom and detect fish.
In addition, the correct positioning of the screen reduces fatigue of the eyes and neck of the fisherman. During long transitions or many hours of trolling, constantly tilting the head down or looking for a viewing angle becomes a serious irritant. The design of the table allows you to fix the device at the optimal height and angle of inclination.
Safety of equipment is another powerful argument in favor of buying a quality accessory. PVC There's a high risk of hitting the device with your hand or tackle, and a strong attachment minimizes the likelihood that the sonar will fall overboard or hit the side of the balloon.
⚠️ Attention: Using homemade wire or tape attachments can cause the device to fall into the water. In the event of a boat rolling over, an unattached screen can cause acute angle injury or damage to the cylinder.
Specialty models often have additional holes or slots for laying wires, which eliminates chaotic hanging cables. This is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also safe, since it eliminates the risk of getting caught by the wire on the gear or motor controls.
The main types of fasteners and structures
The choice of design depends on how you plan to use the boat and where your equipment is installed, and the market offers several basic solutions, each with its own advantages and limitations.
The hinged tables are attached directly to the tray board or inflatable tubes with belts and Velcro straps. PVCIt doesn't require drilling of the body, and it's usually a base structure and a vertical rack with a tool pad.
There are also models with a rotary mechanism that allows you to change the angle of view of the screen depending on the position of the sun or the height of the angler. More complex systems can include a shelf for the battery and power supply, which allows you to unload the space on the floor of the boat.
- 🛶 transom anchorages: mounted on a rigid board, provide maximum rigidity, but can interfere with the control of the motor.
- 🎈 Inflatable anchorages: They are fixed on cylinders, universal, but can bend under strong vibration.
- 🔩 Fixed platforms: require installation on the bottom (sometimes with glue), suitable for boats with a hard floor.
When choosing the type of fastening, it is important to consider the presence of cross-plate If the transom is soft or not, you'll have to consider attachment options to stringers or inflatables, which requires a more careful approach to load distribution.
If you plan to use a boat with a powerful motor, choose tables with additional stiffness ribs, as vibration from the engine can quickly shake a lightweight plastic structure.
Manufacture materials: plastic, aluminum or composite
The durability of the table depends on the materials it's made of. In aqueous environments, in constant contact with moisture and ultraviolet light, the material plays a crucial role. sea-aluminumIt combines lightness and high strength.
Aluminum alloys such as duraluminum do not rust and can withstand considerable mechanical stress. However, when in contact with other metals (for example, steel bolts), electrochemical corrosion may occur, so all fasteners must also be made of stainless steel or aluminum.
Plastic models made from ABS plastic or polypropylene are cheaper and lighter, and they don't corrosion at all, but they can become brittle in extreme frost or burn out in the scorching sun. Composite materials (glass fiber, carbon) are less common due to the high cost, but have excellent performance specifications.
| Materials | Weight. | Strength | Resistance to corrosion | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| aluminum | Medium. | High. | High. | Medium |
| Plastic (ABS) | Low. | Medium | High. | Low. |
| Stainless steel | Highly | Very high. | Very high. | High. |
| Fiberglass | Low. | High. | High. | High. |
When buying, pay attention to the quality of painting or anodizing metal parts. The coating should be uniform, without chipping and scratching, which can become centers of oxidation. PVC It is preferable to choose materials with a matte surface so that the glare from the sun does not interfere with reading information from the screen.
Compatibility with sounder and sensor models
Not all tables are universal. Before you buy a sonar table in a PVC boat, you need to know the dimensions of your appliance and the type of standard mount. Most sonar manufacturers (Garmin, Lowrance, Humminbird) use standard brackets, but seat sizes may vary.
It's important to consider the size of the screen and the case. If the table is too small, the device will hang from the edges, creating a risk of falling. If it's too big, it will take up extra space in the cockpit. Some table models have perforated surfaces, which allows you to attach devices of different sizes anywhere on the site.
Sensor attachment nuances
If your sonar has a separate block processor, make sure that the table will withstand the weight of both devices, or provide a separate space for the processor, as it cannot be hung on the screen bracket due to vibration.
Special attention should be paid to the issue of laying the cable from the sensor to the screen, the table should be able to fix the wire so that it does not hang, often using plastic clamps or special cable channels integrated into the structure of the rack.
If you plan to use it mapplotter With a large screen, make sure that the center of gravity of the structure is on the axis of the mounting, otherwise, when the boat rolls, the heavy screen can turn the entire table with the device.
- 📏 Dimensions: Measure the width and depth of your sonar seat.
- 🔌 Access to ports: Make sure that the design of the table does not block access to the power connectors and memory card.
- 🌞 Blizzard: for bright screens, it is desirable to have a visor or the possibility of installing it.
Installation and installation instructions
The process of installing a table requires accuracy and adherence to technology, especially when it comes to inflatable elements of the boat. An error can lead to damage to PVC fabric or unreliable fixation of equipment at the most inopportune time.
First, you need to determine the location of the installation. It should be easy to see, but not interfere with oars, engine rhumel or fish catching. Try on a table without fixing, sit in a boat simulating the process of fishing.
☑️ Preparation for installation
If you use a cylinder mount, make sure that the belts or Velcro straps do not overly clamp the camera, but do not hang. It is recommended to put soft pads made of porous rubber or felt under the contact points of the rigid elements of the table with the soft fabric of the cylinder. PVC from rubbing.
Sequence of action:1. Inflate the boat to working pressure.
2. Attach a table and mark the places of contact.
3. Set up safety pads.
Set the belts/Velcro straps evenly spreading the tension.
5. Check stability with a light sway.
For transom options, it is important that the table does not block access to the drain valve and does not interfere with the engine recline into the transport position. After installation, be sure to check the reliability of fixation with a jerk of medium strength.
⚠️ Warning: Never drill inflatable tubes for mounting unless it is provided by the design of the boat and is not part of professional tuning using special bushings and sealants.
Equipment care and winter storage
For a table to last, it needs to be properly cared for. After every fishing trip, especially in salt water, metal elements must be rinsed with fresh water. Salt is an aggressive electrolyte and accelerates corrosion even on anodized surfaces.
Plastic parts should be wiped with a soft cloth, avoiding the use of abrasive cleaning products that can leave micro-scratches, and over time, dirt will clog in them, and the plastic will lose its appearance. Rubber seals And it's useful to treat the gaskets with silicone lubrication so that they don't dry out and crack.
It is better to dismantle the table for winter storage, keep it straightened, in a dry room, away from the heater, and the extreme temperature changes and direct sunlight in winter can adversely affect the properties of materials.
Regularly checking the tightening of the fasteners is a guarantee of safety. Vibration when the motor is running can gradually weaken the connections, so check them before every fishing.
If you notice damage to the metal coating, immediately paint them with a special paint for metal or coat them with a transparent varnish, which will prevent the development of a rust source, which can eventually spread to other parts of the structure.
Can I use a sounder table on other types of boats?
Yes, many versatile models are suitable for small metal or wooden boats if the transom or side design allows the base to be fixed, but larger boats usually require more powerful stationary solutions.
How to protect the sonar from splashes when installed on a table?
The table itself does not protect against splashes, and this requires the use of protective covers that come with the device, or the purchase of special waterproof cases with a transparent window, and the installation of a visor that partially covers the screen on top also helps.
Does the material of the table affect the sounder?
Metal tables (especially steel) can interfere with the GPS antenna if it's embedded in the sonar body, or shield the signal. Aluminum and plastic are neutral in this regard. The sonar sensor should be attached separately, regardless of the material of the table.
Do I need to lubricate the threaded connections?
Yes, all threaded joints, especially outdoors, are recommended to be treated with graphite lubricant or a thread fixer (Loctite), so that they do not unwind from vibration and do not become clumsy from corrosion.