Soviet heritage in the world of water-motor technology is represented by many samples, but aluminum boat Little This compact vessel, designed in the 1960s at the Leningrad Experimental Plant, was designed as an affordable transport for fishermen and hunters, and its lightness, transportability and maintainability made it a hit of the day, and today interest in it is not fading, but only transformed into nostalgia and a desire for restoration.
Owners often look for information on how to breathe a second life into this metal, even after decades of research. duraluminium The boat's hull is designed to be used in small water bodies, calm rivers and in the coastal zone of large lakes, but modern requirements for safety and comfort dictate their conditions, forcing owners to think about modernization.
In this article, we will discuss the specifications, the typical operational problems and the feasibility of buying or restoring this boat today, you will learn which motor will work best and how to properly strengthen the structure for a confident launch.
Historical background and design features
The project, codenamed "Baby," was developed between 1963 and 1965, and was designed by A. N. Petrov, who set out to create the lightest and cheapest boat possible to carry on the trunk of a passenger car, and was launched at the LOZ (Leningrad Experimental Plant), and soon these boats became mass-produced.
The main material of the body became duraluminium D16AT is 1.5 mm thick, a highly durable alloy that requires careful handling when welding or riveting, and is designed to be a flat-bottom with high sides and a transom, designed for a low-power outboard motor, and a unique feature is the presence of removable spans that give the set a rigidity.
It is worth noting that the "Baby" was produced in two main versions: the rowing version and the engine version. The engine version was characterized by a reinforced transcension and the presence of a harunduk in the nose. Dimensions The boat was allowed to place it in the garage or even on the balcony, which ensured it such popularity in the conditions of space shortage.
⚠️ Warning: When buying a used boat, carefully inspect the bottom for cracks, especially in the area of the pier and the fastening of spanaces. Duraluminium is prone to fatigue destruction with frequent shocks to waves.
Technical specifications and dimensions
To understand the boat's capabilities, we need to look at the dry numbers, the Baby was designed as a single or double boat for calm water, and its weight in gear allowed one person to easily drag it along the shore, which was critical for fishermen without a trailer.
The table below shows the basic parameters that will help you assess the suitability of the boat to your needs. The data may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture and the specific modification.
| Parameter | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Longest length | 2.60 m | Compact length |
| largest width | 1.20 m | Parking stability |
| Height of board | 0.40 m | Splash protection |
| Load capacity | 180 kg | Including the crew. |
| Body weight | 24 kg | No equipment. |
The boat’s capacity is formally designed for two people, but only one fisherman with a minimum set of gear can comfortably accommodate. Passenger capacity Two people can only be provided with calm water and no excess load. Internal combustion engine with a capacity of up to 5 hp is the best choice for this case.
Performance and behaviour on the water
On the water, Baby behaves predictably, but with an eye on its flat-bottom design, and has excellent parking stability, which allows fishermen to stand up safely to throw gear, but when going out to sleeve or move against the wave, its main disadvantage is its rigidity and splashiness.
When the boat is above 0.5 meters, it starts to pound the waves, transmitting blows to the hull and passenger, which is explained by the lack of keeliness in the bow. Speed. for an outboard motor 5 hp with one person is about 15-18 km / h, which is enough to move between fishing points.
The boat's handling is mediocre, especially when it's in reverse, and its lack of zygomatic keels and short length make it sensitive to lateral wind, but it's dry enough for its size to go without trying to reach top speed.
To improve driving qualities, install a hydraulic lift (hydrowing) on the transom - this will reduce yaw and improve the output for planing.
Typical problems and ways to fix them
Most of the surviving specimens are decades old, so owners face a number of characteristic problems: the main enemy of duraluminium is electrochemical corrosion, especially if the boat is stored with residues of water or in contact with ferrous metal.
Cracks usually occur in stress concentration areas, such as the pier, the corners of the transom and around the lower unit, and repairing these damages requires argon welding or aluminium patches on sealed rivets, and simply paint the cracks, and the metal will continue to break down.
- 🛠️ Corrosion: Clean the affected areas to pure metal, treat with a rust converter (if there are oxides) and primed with epoxy soil.
- 🔩 Rivets: If backlash appears, drill old rivets carefully, without breaking holes, and put new, larger diameters.
- 🚤 Tranza: Often requires digestion or reinforcement with linings, as the standard version is designed for very weak engines of the past.
Particular attention should be paid donnife Removable boards that often rot or break, replacing them with moisture-resistant plywood or composite materials will greatly improve comfort, and check the condition of the beams - they take the blows when mooring.
The Secret of Durability
Anodizing the bottom of the boat significantly extends the life of the boat, but at home it is difficult to do this. Use zinc treads fixed to the transom to protect against wandering currents.
Modernization and tuning of the body
Baby owners often struggle to resist the desire to improve factory design, and the most popular type of tuning is to reinforce the transom under more powerful engines, but it is important to keep a balance: installing a motor that is more powerful than 6-8 hp can lead to the boat tipping over due to the short length and stern shape of the stern.
Another common improvement is the installation quilt Or extra stringers to increase the stiffness of the bottom, which reduces vibration and noise during the course, and some enthusiasts install small boots in their nose to accommodate the fuel tank, which unloads the cockpit.
☑️ The plan of modernization of Little
When upgrading, it is important not to overload the boat, and installing massive anchor systems or heavy batteries shifts the center of gravity and reduces the payload. aluminum light, but the reserve of buoyancy of the "Baby" is not so much as that of modern inflatable boats with inflatable tubes.
⚠️ Warning: It is strictly forbidden to use steel to strengthen the transom without high-quality aluminum insulation, contact of these metals in water will cause instant galvanic corrosion.
Choosing a motor for a boat Little
The choice of engine is a question for every owner. Factory recommendations talked about engines like "Salute" or "Pioneer" with a capacity of 2-3 hp Today, it is difficult to find such, and they are not necessary if you want at least a little agility. The optimal option is considered modern two-stroke or four-stroke in the range of 2.5-5 hp.
Chinese engines, sort of. Hidea or Yamaha This power weighs about 10-13 kg, which is already palpable for Baby, but it is acceptable. A four-stroke engine is preferable because of its efficiency and the lack of need to mix oil with gasoline, which makes it easier to operate.
If you plan to use a boat together, the 5 hp engine will be the limit. More powerful units (6-8 hp) can only be put to an experienced driver who knows how to correctly distribute weight. Plunge The screw must be aligned with the pitch of the screw so as not to overload the lower unit.
The optimal motor for the baby is 2-4 hp, as it allows you to keep the boat balancing and does not require transom reinforcement.
Should I buy a baby in 2026?
The answer to this question depends on your goals and conditions. If you want a boat to fish in a small forest lake that you can't drive through, or to keep in a cramped garage, the Baby remains one of the few options available. It's often symbolic on the secondary market and maintainable.
However, if you plan an active holiday on the big water, frequent exits in windy weather or you need comfort for two, it is better to consider modern aluminum boats of the "Crimea" type (although there are few of them left) or high-quality PVC boats.
The restoration of this vessel can be a great project for a weekend, saving budget and getting a reliable, albeit simple, fishing tool, the main thing is to soberly assess your strength and the condition of a particular specimen before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum weight of the engine can be put on the baby?
The factory allowed up to 3-4 hp Practice shows that the transom can withstand up to 6-8 hp, but this requires the mandatory strengthening of the transmutation board and displacement of seats closer to the nose for balancing. A more powerful motor can lead to burrowing with the nose and loss of controllability.
How to seal a hole in the aluminum bottom?
For temporary repairs, you can use epoxy adhesive with aluminum powder. For major repairs, it is better to drill the edges of the crack, cut the seam and brew with argon or put a rivet with a gasket made of meadow or sealant.
How many people can the boat Baby by the standards?
Officially, the boat is designed for 2 people, but taking into account the carrying capacity of 180 kg, it is more comfortable and safer to use it for one adult with a minimum set of equipment.
Where can I find the plans for Little Boy's boat?
The drawings can be found in old Boats and Yachts magazines from the 60s and 70s, as well as in specialized powerboating forums in the documentation and archives sections. Often enthusiasts share scanned copies of boat passports.