Legendary Baby 2The Soviet-era raft still plows through our waterways, drawing respect for its indestructibility and simplicity. However, originally designed as a lightweight rowboat, it often requires improvements in modern conditions for comfortable operation. Owners are looking to improve seaworthiness, increase payload and adapt the vessel to the outboard motor. It is the competent tuning that allows this retro boat to be turned into a full-fledged vessel for fishing or recreation.
The process of modernization begins with an assessment of the current condition of the hull and the definition of the owner's goals, someone just wants to paint the sides in fashionable camouflage, and someone plans a radical overhaul of the cockpit with the installation of a tiller console. aluminum-alloyThe silk that makes the boat requires a special approach in welding and processing, and improper actions can lead to leakage or a decrease in the strength of the structure, which is unacceptable on water.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the main areas of improvements, from strengthening the transom to installing navigation equipment. You will learn how to correctly calculate the engine power, which materials are best used for skinning and how to make a swim on the ground. baby Preparing for tuning is half the success, so you should not neglect the theoretical part before picking up a Bulgarian.
⚠️ Attention: Any changes to the design of a small vessel that affect its stability and carrying capacity theoretically require re-registration in GIMS. In practice, older boats often remain on the factory record, but the responsibility for safety on the water always lies with the boatmaster.
Strengthening the transence and preparation for the installation of the motor
The first and most critically important development is the reinforcement of the transom. Baby 2 It was often powered by a low-powered transom, or by very weak engines. A modern gasoline engine, even a low-power one, creates a lot of vibration and a lot of stress on the mounting points. If you just screw the motor to a thin sheet of aluminum, you're at high risk of tearing off the transom or cracking the body when you first get a big jitter.
To strengthen, the method of welding additional sheets of aluminum or installing powerful corners is used. The optimal metal thickness for a new transom should be at least 4-5 mm if you plan to install a motor with a capacity of up to 5 hp. For more powerful engines, the design is made even more massive, sometimes with a double bottom in the aft for additional rigidity. Welded seams must be performed by argon-arc welding using a filler material similar to the main alloy of the body.
It's also important to have the right angle of inclination of the lower unit, which is that on rowboats, the transom is often vertical, whereas the motor needs to be folded, either by forming a special profile when welding, or by using adjustable transmutation boards. kielson - a longitudinal beam running from the transom to the bottom, which will distribute the load from the motor to the entire body, preventing deformation of the stern.
☑️ Testing transence readiness
Once welding is complete, make sure to have a visual inspection and, if possible, a seam defect. Even a microscopic crack, under constant water and vibration, can quickly turn into a serious hole. The reinforced transom is the foundation of all further modernization, on which you can not save.
Upgrade of the bottom and improvement of driving qualities
The regular flat bottom Little ones. It's great for standing water, but it's unpredictable on the wave, creating hard bumps and splashes, and to turn a boat into a full-fledged motorcycle, many owners resort to bulwarks and reds. redane - this is a longitudinal ledge on the bottom, which helps the vessel to more easily get on plane and improves the course stability.
The bottom redesign process often involves welding zygomatic linings, which are strips of metal that go along the side to the bottom, not only protecting the body from impacts on the pier or rocky bottom, but also acting as splash-pumpers. Properly executed cheekbones significantly reduce the amount of spray that flies into the cockpit, which is especially important when driving against the wind. This uses 2 to 3 mm thick sheet aluminum that curves.
⚠️ Attention: When welding elements to the bottom, monitor the heating temperature. Overheating aluminum changes the structure of the metal, making the metal brittle. Use a intermittent seam and let the metal cool between the passages.
Another important aspect is corrosion protection. Even if the boat is made of AMG alloy, a galvanic vapor in salt water or in contact with a steel screw can cause accelerated destruction. zinc protector It's a small bar of zinc that takes over electrochemical corrosion, sacrificing itself to preserve the body.
Mathematics of glossing
To go to the planing boat of the Little 2 with a full load requires power of about 1 hp. for every 25-30 kg of weight. Given the weight of the boat about 130 kg and passengers, the minimum engine should be 10-15 hp, but the body needs to be seriously strengthened.
Cockpit organization and seat installation
Comfort on the water depends on the ergonomics of the cockpit. Little ones. They're only comfortable for short paddle rides, the motor version requires a fixed or removable seat with backrests, and most commonly, decommissioned car seats or specialised sea seats with swivel brackets, which allows the driver to comfortably control the motor and monitor the situation.
When installing new interior elements, it is important to balance: heavy batteries and seats are better shifted closer to the diametric plane and distribute the weight evenly. The cockpit floor is often covered with non-slip plywood or grooved aluminum sheet "quintet", which not only improves the appearance, but also protects the legs from the cold of metal and condensate.
The storage system deserves special attention. Little ones. Every centimeter counts, and you can have a rundoo along the sides, where you can hide anchors, life jackets and spare parts, and the lids can serve as extra seats for passengers, as long as all the hatches have reliable latches and do not open spontaneously on the wave.
| Tuning element | Materials | Complexity | Effect on weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| transom board | Aluminum 4-5 mm | High. | +3-5 kg |
| Blobing pads | Aluminum 2-3 mm | Medium | +2-3 kg |
| Runduks on board | Plywood/Aluminum | Medium | +5-7 kg |
| flooring | Rifled leaf | Low. | +4-6 kg |
Electrical equipment and navigation
Modern fishing or cruising is unthinkable without a sonar, a navigator and the ability to charge the phone. Electrical equipment on an aluminum boat has its own peculiarities. The wires must be laid in corrugated hoses to avoid contact with the metal body and rubbing. All connections must be securely insulated and preferably filled with a thermal shrinkage with adhesive layer to protect against moisture.
The energy source is usually a starter battery, fixed in a special box, the box must be sealed and have ventilation if an acid battery is used, or simply a reliable fixation for lithium analogues. Battery mass It also plays a role in centering, so it is often placed under the front seat or in a stern rod, closer to the motor, to shorten the length of power cables.
To control the lights and appliances, you have a small tumbler panel, and you have to have a common mass switch that will allow you to turn off the boat when you're standing for a long time, and it will save the battery from self-discharge and prevent fire in the event of a short circuit. Don't forget to use the running lights if you plan to go out at night, because they're strictly regulated by the rules.
When you put your instruments on a torpedo or console, use vibratory sound. The aluminum body is very good at transmitting vibration from the motor, which can quickly disable sensitive electronics. Simple rubber pads under the instrument mounts will significantly extend their life.
Protection against corrosion and painting
Aluminum doesn't rust like steel, but it oxidizes and is electrochemically corroded. You have to prepare the surface carefully before painting. You remove the old paint with sandblasts or chemical washes to the pure metal. You grind all the irregularities and welds. You better degrease with special solvents that don't leave the film behind.
As a soil is perfect for the epoxyIt's a chemical bond that creates a strong aluminium adhesion, and you can choose any paint that's designed for boats, polyurethane, acrylic or alkyd, and two-component enamels that provide a strong glossy coating, and you can choose colors based on your personal preferences, but remember that light colors are less heated in the sun.
The critical point is the isolation of dissimilar metals. If you install steel brackets or use brass fittings, make sure to seal the contact areas or use insulating pads. Otherwise, the seawater will quickly break down the aluminum around the fastener.The finish is applied in several layers with intermediate drying. After painting, the boat needs to be given time for full polymerization — usually 5-7 days at room temperature. Only then you can launch the vessel into the water. Quality painting not only improves the appearance, but also serves as an additional protection against algae fouling.
Use good quality paint tape to create geometric patterns or split colors when painting. Remove the tape immediately after applying the last layer of paint, without waiting for full drying to get a perfectly flat line.
Security and additional accessories
The final stage of tuning is the installation of security systems. baby There must be ducks for mooring, unless they are designed, welded to the sides or mounted on removable brackets, and the anchor flogging and rim bolt attachments for safety ends should be provided.
For ease of loading and unloading, they often make removable ladders or use wide boards with anti-slip coating. If the boat is used for night fishing, it is not superfluous to install an LED cockpit light with a red filter to avoid blinding yourself and other anglers. LEDs consume minimal energy and can operate from the main battery all night.
Remember personal protective equipment. Even on a tuning and stable boat, life jackets are a must. Place them in an easily accessible place, but in a way that does not interfere with your movement. A first aid kit, an anchor with a reserve of cable and a scoop are the minimum that should be on board any boat.
The main principle of tuning Baby 2 is not to overload the boat. The aluminum hull has a margin of safety, but exceeding the estimated displacement will make the boat rolling and dangerous on the wave.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum power of the engine can be put on the Little 2?
Factory recommendation for the rowing version - up to 5 hp However, with proper strengthening of the transom and reworking the body experienced water engines successfully operate Little ones. with engines up to 15-18 hp The main condition is the observance of centering and control of the load on the transom.
What is the best way to paint an aluminum boat at home?
The best option is two-part polyurethane paints, which provide a durable, abrasion-resistant and ultraviolet coating, and a prerequisite is the use of a special soil for non-ferrous metals, and ordinary nitro-enamel will not last long.
Do I need to cook with argon or can I use conventional electric welding?
Aluminum is cooked only by argon-argon welding (TIG/MIG). Conventional electric welding with a coating is not suitable for this, as it does not protect the welding bath from oxidation, which will lead to the formation of pores and cracks.
Is Baby 2 Extremely Corrodant in Salt Water?
The AMG alloys that make up the boat are quite resistant, but in salt water, the risk of electrochemical corrosion is high, and zinc treads must be installed and a high-quality paint coating without chipping.
Where can I find the plans for the remodeling of the Little One?
There are no official tuning drawings, because it's a creative process. Trenza reinforcement and zygomatic slatting schemes are often found in specialized powerboating forums or in aluminum boat communities.