Planning a water trip begins long before you first touch the oar. Alloy boat It's not just a vehicle, it's your houseboat, warehouse and lifeline in one person, and a mistake in choosing a boat can turn a romantic trip into an endless struggle with current, leaks and inconvenience, which is why it's important to approach the question of selecting and preparing equipment with the utmost seriousness and attention to detail.
The modern market offers many options, from classic to traditional. PVC catamaran Each type has its own advantages and limitations, which become apparent only in real conditions. inflatable Dominating the rafting tourism segment is how to calculate the load capacity correctly and what you need to take with you to return home with full photo albums, not with damaged nerves.
First of all, you need to decide on the nature of your route. A calm river with a lazy current and a rapid mountain river require fundamentally different approaches to choosing a route. floatability If you're planning to be rafted by a family or a large company, the issue of capacity becomes critical, and it's important to understand that the manufacturer's stated capacity for "humans" often doesn't take into account the weight of your equipment, your water supply, your food supply.
Criteria for the choice of watercraft for water tourism
The first and most important parameter is the fabrication material. reinforced polyvinyl chloride It combines strength, abrasion resistance against rocks and field maintenance, and unlike rubber, PVC does not rot, is less exposed to UV light and retains elasticity even at low temperatures, which is critical for off-season alloys.
The second important factor is the bottom structure. high-pressure It provides an excellent torpedo shape, which improves course stability and speed, but if your route involves frequent landings on rocky shores, it is worth considering an option with enhanced protection or even plywood/aluminum inserts, although this will add weight.
- 🚣 Load capacity: Always take a margin of 30-40% of the real weight of the crew and cargo, so that the sides do not lie on the water.
- 🛡️ Defense: The presence of keel tape, a timber and armored linings on the bottom will prolong the life of the boat.
- 📏 Dimensions: Consider not only the length inflated form, but also the weight in the packaged state, especially if you are far from the water.
⚠️ Warning: Never buy a boat "back-to-back" on the carrying capacity. Overloaded vessel becomes unstable, less manageable and has a minimum margin of buoyancy when punctured.
And the number of compartments is also important. three independent cylindersIf one of them is damaged by a submersible, the other two will allow them to stay afloat and berth safely for repairs, and models with two compartments are only allowed for calm water near the shore, but they risk a serious accident.
Types of alloy boats: from rafts to catamarans
Classification of vessels for alloying is quite extensive, and the choice depends on the specific task. rowing-boat They're versatile, suitable for fishing and family recreation, and they're simple: two cylinders on the sides and an inflatable floor, and they can be easily operated by a single rower, but they can burrow their noses when they're in a high wave.
For complex routes with thresholds are often chosen raftThey're large, round-bottomed, high-buoyancy inflatable vessels that don't sink very much, even when they're completely inverted, and they can carry a huge load, but it's hard to raft alone, and they require crew and good rowing skills, because they have high sailing and inertia.
It is worth mentioning separately. catamaranThese are two inflatable tubes connected by a rigid frame, and this is ideal for mountain rivers: water passes through cylinders without creating resistance, and a rigid frame allows you to attach equipment and seats, and catamarans are very stable, but they take much longer to assemble and disassemble than a normal boat.
| Type of vessel | Load capacity | Difficulty of assembly | Best application |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC boat (PDND) | Medium (200-400 kg) | Low. | Family vacation, fishing, calm rivers |
| raft | High (600+ kg) | Medium | Thresholds, big companies, commercial alloys |
| catamaran | Very high. | High. | Mountain rivers, expeditions, complex terrain |
| Soupboard (SUP) | Low (up to 150 kg) | Minimum | Solo walks, yoga, quiet water |
When choosing between these types, focus on your experience. Beginners should start with the classic one. hard-bottomedExperienced watermen for difficult areas often switch to specialized rafts or catamarans, where maximum unsinkability is important.
Preparation of the boat for rafting: checklist and nuances
The success of the alloy depends on how well you prepare the equipment at home. You can't just take a boat out of the garage and go to the river. revision Check the valves for leaks: pump the boat at home the day before you leave and leave it overnight. If the pressure drops, look for a leak or change the valve.
Pay special attention to the bottom valves and drain-coopThey're the ones that cause water to get in the most, make sure that rubber seals are elastic and non-crackable, and check the slings, the carry handles, and the liner cables, and they have to withstand the jerking loads.
☑️ Boat readiness for rafting
Packaging is an important step, and all sharp and stabbing objects must be securely insulated, and an axe, a knife, a saw, and even hooked fishing rods must be folded into separate, rigid covers. Balloons Do not rub against each other or against rigid elements of equipment while driving on water.
⚠️ Warning: Don't push the boat to the limit in the sun before it goes down. Heating the air inside the cylinders can cause the seams to rupture. It's better to under-pump 10-15 percent than risk the integrity of the structure.
Remember to bring a remix, not the one in the factory box, but the one that's extended, which should include a piece of PVC fabric, adhesive (special polyurethane), degreaser, scissors and press load. The glue should be fresh; the tube that's been at the bottom of the backpack for three years is likely to have dried.
Equipment and attachments
The boat itself is just a platform, and for a comfortable and safe alloy, it must be properly equipped. paddleFor PVC boats, it is better to use oars with plastic or composite blades - they are lighter and do not hit the board as hard as aluminum. The length of the oar should correspond to the width of the boat and the height of the rower.
For fixing the cargo and creating additional seats for sitting are often used bayou If you're planning a multi-day alloy, you have to install a tanner wheel, which will allow you to easily move a heavy boat along the shore without dragging it with a drag, which keeps the fabric from abrasive.
- 🎒 Slings and carbines: necessary for fastening backpacks to the liner cable, so that things do not drift away with the current when overturning.
- 🚩 Flag and anchor: flag is needed for visibility on large rivers with navigation, anchor - for parking on the current or fishing.
- 💧 Cherpak: Even in the most sealed boat accumulates water (from oars, rain, dew), the scoop should always be at hand.
Special attention should be paid to the issue of protection of the sides. If the route involves the passage of narrow stony pins, it makes sense to use additional protector This is especially true for boats made of thin PVC (less than 900 g/sq.m).
Use old car mats or pieces of conveyor belt to protect the sides in contact with rocky shore. It's cheap and very effective.
Safety and behavior on the water
Water doesn't forgive mistakes, so it's a habit to follow safety rules. lifejacket It should be worn on every swimmer, regardless of their ability to swim, and in cold water and heavy clothing and shoes, even a great swimmer can quickly lose strength.
Boat weight distribution is science. Heavy loads (food, water, equipment) must lie on the bottom, in the center of the boat, and be securely secured. Passengers must sit on banks without swinging sharply. tipping in calm water.
When passing difficult areas (thresholds, rolling overs, fallen trees) you need to assess the line of movement in advance. If there is doubt about the cross-country, the boat is better off unloaded and dragged with a drag, or hold an empty boat on insurance, and transfer the cargo separately, the risk of losing all equipment or turning over is too great.
⚠️ Warning: It is strictly forbidden to get up in the boat while driving, especially on the current, this instantly disrupts the stability of the vessel and leads to falling overboard.
It's also important to have an emergency plan, and everyone involved needs to know where they are. escape-end If the boat overturns, don't try to swim against the current, swim to the shore with strength. If it's tied, the current often nails to the shore or gets stuck in the coastal grass.
Care, storage and extension of service life
When you come back from the alloy, the boat is not finished. It needs to be thoroughly washed from silt, sand and sludge. The sand left in the folds works like an abrasive and rubs the fabric the next time you inflate. Wash the boat with a soft sponge using non-aggressive detergents.
Drying is a critical step. wetboat You can't roll it up, and it's going to cause mold to break down PVC, and it's going to cause the seams to sour, and you need to dry it in the shade, straightened or half-flattened, so that the water comes out of all the valves and folds.
How to keep a boat in winter?
Keep the boat in a cool, dry room, away from the heater, optimally hang it inflated or fold it in a spacious bag without ramming. Once every six months, it is advisable to check the pressure and pump it up to avoid cloth cloth cloth on the folds.
Check the seams regularly for layering. If you notice that the fabric has begun to move away from the seam, don't expect a complete tear, glue the site immediately. Use the same glue as you did for repairs, degrease the surface beforehand. Timely minor repairs save you from major accidents.
Proper drying and cleaning of the boat after each alloy increase its service life by 2-3 times, maintaining the tightness of the seams and the elasticity of the material.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you use a regular fishing boat to raft on the river with rapids?
It's very risky to use a regular fishing boat on the doorsteps, and they often have a very low bottom, a very low tank protection, and low sides, and they're good for calm sections of the river, but for a real rafting expedition, it's better to choose a specialized model with a reinforced bottom and high cylinders.
What glue is best for repairing a PVC boat in the field?
The best two-part polyurethane adhesives are those that create an elastic seam that can withstand deformation. Single-part adhesives (like "Moment") are often unstressed and afraid of water. It's convenient to have a special belt in a tube that dries even at low temperatures.
Do I need to register an inflatable boat in GIMS?
Registration is required if the weight of the boat with the engine installed exceeds 200 kg, or if the engine power exceeds 8 hp (for some types of boats). If you have a lightweight rowing boat or a low-power boat, registration may not be required, but having the boat's paperwork and the engine with you is always useful.
How to calculate the load capacity for multi-day alloy?
Add the weight of all the participants, the weight of all the clothes, the weight of the equipment (tents, sleeping bags), the weight of food and water, add 20-30% of the reserve to the resulting amount. This figure should not exceed the maximum carrying capacity specified in the boat's passport. If it does, you need a larger boat or more boats.