Choosing a swimming vehicle for fishing or water recreation is often a challenge, especially when budgets are tight and reliability requirements are high. In the world of homemade and small-sized vessels, designs developed by enthusiasts who have been tested over the years are a special niche. boat Azimuth NDND, whose drawings and modifications are widely distributed among boaters and lovers of tinkering DIY.
Why is this particular model attracting so much attention? The fact is that the project combines the ease of manufacturing with available materials with the excellent driving performance characteristic of more expensive factory counterparts. Low pressure inflatable floor (NDND) provides comfort on the water, allowing you to stand in full growth and feel confident even in the presence of a small wave.
This article is an expert analysis of the design, technical nuances and features of the assembly of this vessel. project It's not just a set of instructions, it's a deep analysis of the engineering solutions that underlie this model.
Design features of the Azimuth project
The basis of any high-quality boat is competent geometry of the hull, and in this regard, project It's a very sophisticated approach to hydrodynamics, and it's designed with an inflatable floor, which is very different from the classic hard plywood bottom boats, which reduces the overall weight of the gear, makes it easier to build and makes it easier to sit on board, because the inflated bottom acts as an additional shock absorber.
The most important element is a system of stringers and inflatable tubes, which form the rigidity of the shell. When assembled, the principle of tension is used, where the cylinders, as they inflate, create the necessary stress in the material, turning the soft shell into a rigid structure. The critical parameter here is the accuracy of cutting patterns, since even a minimal deviation in the geometry of the seams can lead to a skewed boat during assembly. That is why the drawings must be observed with maximum accuracy.
Use of modern materials such as reinforced PVC The boat Azimuth NDND is designed with the need to install an outboard motor, so the transom part is reinforced with a special insert or use of a denser material, which allows you to safely operate the vessel with engines up to 5-8 hp, making it a versatile tool for fishing.
⚠️ Attention: When you cut your own fabric, you should carefully monitor the direction of the reinforcement threads. If you run the fabric across the fibers, the boat can deform under water pressure and lose its driving performance.
Technical specifications and dimensions
Discuss technical The Azimuth boats, which are compact in their assembled form and capable of squatting, are often about 2.8-3.0 meters long, which is the optimal size for single or double operation, and are typically about 1.3-1.4 meters wide, providing sufficient stability, allowing you to feel confident even when fishing or moving around the cabin.
The load capacity of the structure depends on the volume of cylinders used and the quality of the seams. On average, a properly assembled boat can carry up to 250-300 kg of payload, including the weight of passengers, engine, fuel and equipment. work pressure in cylinders shall be maintained at 0.2 to 0.25 atmosphere to ensure the declared rigidity without the risk of stretching of the seams.
The weight of the kit assembled is one of the key advantages of the project: due to the absence of heavy plywood paiola and the use of lightweight aluminum or composite stringers, the total weight often does not exceed 25-30 kg. This allows you to transport the boat in the trunk of a passenger car or even in a large backpack, which is critical for anglers without a trailer.
- 🚣♂️ Length full: varies from 2800 to 3200 mm depending on the modification.
- 📏 Full width: standard is 1350-1,450 mm in external dimensions of cylinders.
- ⚖️ Load capacity: up to 300 kg, subject to the rules of weight distribution.
- 🌬️ Operating pressure: 0.2-0.25 atm (do not exceed to avoid rupture of the seams).
Materials and tools for manufacturing
To implement the project boat Azimuth NDND The main material is boat reinforced PVC, which has high resistance to ultraviolet, fuel and mechanical damage, and it is not recommended to use awning fabric or cheap analogues, as they will not withstand cyclic loads for inflating and compression.
The adhesive system is also critical. To connect PVC parts, two-component polyurethane adhesives specially designed for boat materials must be used. A conventional "moment" or chloroprene-based adhesives may not provide the necessary tightness and elasticity of the seam, especially at temperature extremes. The gluing process requires degreasing of surfaces and activation by a special primer.
In addition to fabric and glue, you'll need fittings: pump valves, carry handles, liner cable and ducks to anchor or motor. All metal elements must be made of stainless steel or high-quality aluminum alloy to prevent corrosion in aggressive aqueous environments. Water-resistant plywood or composite materials are often used to strengthen the transom.
☑️ Preparation for the construction of the boat
Tools for work must be tailored to the specifics of working with polymers. You will need sharp scissors or a special knive, rollers for rolling seams, a dryer for thermal activation of adhesive (if the technology requires) and a high-precision measuring tool. Marking errors during the cutting stage are almost impossible to correct without losing material.
Step-by-step instructions for assembling the body
The process of assembling the boat begins with the preparation of patterns. After the patterns are transferred to the fabric and made cutting to the seams (usually 20-30 mm), the gluing stage begins. The first thing is to form the main seams of the cylinders. The surfaces are thoroughly cleaned, degreased and covered with adhesive composition in two layers with intermediate drying.
The interconnection of the parts requires special care. After combining the edges, the seam is carefully rolled from the center to the edges to drive out all the air bubbles. Particular attention should be paid to the corners and joints where several planes converge, and it is in these areas that defects often occur that can lead to depressurization in the future.
The temperature in the room during gluing: +18... + 25 ° CTime of polymerization of glue: 24-48 hours
Seam rolling pressure: 2-3 kg/cm2
Once the main cylinders are assembled, partitions are installed if they are designed to create compartments, then an inflatable floor is mounted to the sides through special slots or tapes, the final step is to install fittings: valves are glued, handles and liner cable are installed around the perimeter, only after all seams are fully polymerized can testing be done.
Secrets of high-quality gluing of seams
For the perfect seam, use a Teflon tape or a special pressurized tape over the joint during drying, which will ensure uniform pressure along the entire length of the seam and prevent the formation of "waves" or bubbles that often occur when rolling with a roller manually, and it is also important to control the humidity in the room - it should not exceed 60%.
Driving performance and operation on water
On the water. boat Azimuth NDND It shows itself as a stable and maneuverable vessel, and because of the keeliness of the bottom, which is formed by inflated cylinders and stringers, the boat holds its course well and is less prone to lateral rolling compared to flat-floaters, this is especially noticeable when going into planing, when the vessel stands on a redone and reduces water resistance.
The boat's handling depends on the correct engine and weight distribution. The center of gravity should be closer to the transom without overloading the stern. When moving against the wave, the soft bottom of the NDNDM effectively extinguishes the impacts, making the journey smoother and more comfortable for passengers. However, it should be remembered that the inflatable floor is more vulnerable to punctures than the hard one, so getting on the water and getting ashore requires caution.
| Parameter | Meaning / Description | Impact on the move |
|---|---|---|
| Length in the KWL | ~2.7 - 2.9 m | Determines maximum speed and stability |
| Kieliness | Medium (through NDND) | Improves the germination on the wave, reduces the impact |
| Max, engine power. | up to 8 hp | Allows you to reach speeds of 25-30 km / h |
| Passenger capacity | 2 people | Best for fishing together. |
Operating in the cold season requires a special approach. PVC material in the cold becomes less elastic, so you should pump the boat with warm air, and in the cold the pressure may drop - this is normal, but you need to pump the chilling boat carefully. Storage in the deflated state should occur in a warm room to avoid microcracks in the PVC layer.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a fully pumped boat in direct sunlight for long periods of time. The pressure inside the cylinders rises with the temperature and may exceed critical values, rupture of the seams.
To extend the life of the boat Azimut NDND, after each fishing be sure to wash the hull with fresh water, especially if you swim in salt water or water with blooming water.
Comparison with factory analogues and modifications
Comparing the homemade Azimuth boat with factory models such as Flagship, hunter or Pella-FiordThere are a number of advantages and disadvantages to building your own, and the main advantage of building your own is the price: the cost of materials is 2-3 times lower than the cost of buying the finished product, and you control the quality of the seams and the choice of fittings, which is often better than the budget factory series.
But factory boats are the ones that benefit from the technology and the safeguards, and they get certified and tested in a barochamber, which is not possible for a homemade boat. boat It can be equal to, and in some aspects (for example, in the maintenance suitability in the field) even superior to industrial designs.
There are many modifications to the project, from pure rowing options to versions with inflatable cans and full-fledged cockpits for the installation of sonars and navigation. Some craftsmen integrate elements from other boats into the design of Azimuth, creating hybrids with improved seaworthiness.
Azimuth is the choice of those who appreciate the possibility of complete control over quality and want to save the budget without losing functionality, but it takes time and skills to build.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the minimum thickness of PVC required for the boat Azimuth?
For safe operation, it is recommended to use a material with a density of at least 850 g / m2. Fabric 750 g / m2 is permissible only for very small boats without a motor, but for a full-fledged BND with a motor it is better to take 900-1000 g / m2 for a margin of safety.
How long does the glue dry during assembly?
The initial grip time is about 15-30 minutes, but full polymerization and maximum seam strength set occur within 24-48 hours at room temperature.
Can I make the Azimuth boat a single?
Yes, it's easy to scale. If you reduce it to 2.2 to 2.4 meters, you get a great single-seat raft that's lighter and more compact, but you need to recalculate the number of sections in the inflatable floor.
What is dangerous overheating of seams when gluing?
Using a dryer at too high a temperature can burn out the top protective layer of PVC, making it porous and brittle, which will cause the seam to hold the load mechanically, but quickly collapse from ultraviolet light and water.