Boat for rafting on the river: choice, preparation and safety

With the onset of the warm season, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts are eager to leave the bustling cities and get on the water. River rafting It's not just a fun way to go, it's also a way to test your strength, to enjoy the wildlife, to see places that you can't get to on foot or by car, but the success of any water expedition depends on how well you choose the boat.

Choice flyboat For a multi-day hike, it's very different from buying a model for a fishing trip on the nearest lake, where your safety, comfort and safety are at stake, and if you don't have the right payload or the right material, you can make a romantic trip a tough test of survival.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what specifications are critical to expedition-boatYou'll learn why tissue density and floor design are more important than having an inflatable keel, and how to prepare equipment for contact with the rocky bottom.

Criteria for the choice of watercraft for water tourism

The first thing to consider when choosing raft-boatFor rivers with rocky bottoms and possible contact with snags, the optimal solution would be five-layer reinforced PVC. This material has a high resistance to abrasion and puncture, which is critical when mooring to unequipped banks.

The second key is floor design, and for calm rivers with a quiet current, an inflatable floor will do. NDND However, if the route involves passing rapids or dragging the vessel with a drag, it is better to consider options with inflatable stringers or reinforced ReFloorThey provide better germination on the wave and protection from shocks from below.

Third, the load capacity. Never pick a boat "back-to-back." If your passport says you can hold 3 people or 400 kg, that means you have a maximum load limit, and you have to have at least 30-40% of your load capacity for comfortable rafting.

• 🛡️ Tissue density: A minimum of 750 g/sq.m. for calm rivers and 1100 g/sq.m. for stormy streams.
• ⚓ Keel design: Inflatable keel improves course stability, but increases assembly time.
• 🎒 Presence of liner cables: A mandatory element for fastening luggage and insurance on the doorsteps.

⚠️ Attention: The use of low-pressure inflatable floor boats (LDPBs) on rocky rivers requires additional protection in the form of mats or special linings, since the risk of puncture when landing is much higher.

Types of constructions: PVC vs Rubber

The modern market offers two main types of materials for inflatable vessels: traditional boat rubber and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). inflatable boatsThe legendary Ufimki or Kazanki are exceptionally elastic and can forgive stones by bouncing off them, but they are much heavier than PVC and require more time to dry before packing.

Models from PVC It's lighter, it's better to keep its shape and it's brighter, more watery, and it's hot seam technology that makes it monolithic, it's not afraid of temperature changes, but it gets tough in the cold, and it can get overheated in the sun, which increases the internal pressure.

For multi-day alloys with lots of gear, many experienced watermen choose hybrid solutions or specialized catamarans. reinforced PVC It remains the gold standard due to its balance of weight, strength and price.

It's important to understand that the choice of material is dictated not only by budget, but also by the logistics of the route, so if you have to carry a boat for several kilometers in the woods, every gram of weight will matter. lightweight They become an uncontested choice.

Equipment and equipment required

On my own. flyboat It's just a platform, it requires proper equipment to be fully rafted, the first thing you need to do is take care of the anchor system, and on a river with fast flow, you might not have a normal anchor, so you often use an anchor shaft with a carbine, which you can quickly drop in case of danger.

The second element is the germ bags, and putting things in a backpack and putting them down is a risky proposition, and the water will inevitably get in through splashes or during rain. sealed-bag different capacities allow you to distribute weight on the sides, turning them into additional buoyancy cylinders, and keep the clothes dry.

The third component is a hinged motor or paddle. Even if you plan to row, having a low-power motor (2-5 hp) can save you from headwinds or having to quickly leave a dangerous area. However, for quiet rivers, oars remain the main and most reliable means of transportation.

• 🔦 Lantern: Head and spare, as it darkens on water faster than on land.
• 🔪 Knife: Sharp, fixed blade, hanging around the neck or belt for emergency sling circumcision.
• 🛠️ Remset: Glue, patches, degreaser and pressure pump.

Remember personal protective equipment. A life jacket should always be worn, even if you are confidently on the water. Cold water and heavy clothing can nullify all swimming skills in minutes.

Packaging and distribution of goods

Proper booting boat It has a major impact on its performance and safety, and the center of gravity should be as low as possible and shifted to the diametric axis, and heavy things like water canisters, food and equipment are laid down along the sides.

Lightweight but bulky things (sleepers, down jackets) are placed in the top of the sealers or in the nose/feed so that they do not interfere with the rowers. It is important to leave free space in the center for legs and maneuvers. An overloaded boat becomes a roller and does not respond well to control.

All cargoes must be securely secured, and the use of liner cables running along the sides allows the bags to be fastened with carabiners, which prevents the loss of belongings in the event of a loss of life. oxidation (Turn over) boats on the doorstep.

⚠️ Warning: Never place heavy canisters or crates across the boat on the seats, which dramatically raises the center of gravity and can cause the boat to flip over even at a small wavelength.

Safety techniques on the water

The river doesn't forgive mistakes. The basic rule of water tourism is: predictabilityAll maneuvers should be clear to the rest of the group, and before getting on the water, an instruction is given, where roles are assigned and signals are explained.

When passing difficult sections (thresholds, Shiver), boats go at a distance of sight, but not too close to react in the event of an accident.

If a person gets overboard, the team should not panic, and the task of others is not to swim up and hit the victim with a paddle or board, but to throw the end of a life jacket or paddle. Life jacket He will bring the man to the surface, if he does not get entangled in the equipment.

• 📢 Signals: One whistle – attention, a series of whistles – anxiety / help.
• 🤿 Bathing: Only in quiet places after the exploration of the bottom and with the consent of the group.
• 🌡️ Hypothermia: Monitor the condition of participants, at the first signs of freezing - ashore and warming.

Field maintenance and repair

Even the strongest boat can get damaged, puncture or cut is common on alloy routes. PVC In the field, this is a skill that every participant should have.

Repairs require cleaning and degreasing of the damaged area. If two-part glue is used, it must be mixed immediately before application. The patch must be 2-3 cm more than the damaged area on all sides. After gluing the repair site must be pressed hard (rolled) and allowed to dry according to the instructions.

In the rain or cold, glue is difficult, so it is better to have spare patches glued in advance in the workshops, or use special repair tapes for emergencies.

After the alloying is complete, the boat must be thoroughly washed, dried and treated with a protective composition (for example, based on silicone) to restore the elasticity of the material. fly-boat It is either loose or loosely folded, in a cool, dry place.