Choosing an inflatable vessel is always about finding a compromise between mobility, capacity and sustainability on the water. PVC 3200 It's considered the middle ground in most manufacturers' lines, offering enough room for two or three people while still being transportable in the trunk of a passenger car, and unlike more compact ones, you can already stand up confidently in full height or use a more powerful outboard motor.

Many beginners mistakenly believe that the difference in 20-30 centimeters of length does not play a role, but in real operation on the wave or with full loading of equipment, this reserve becomes critical. Overall length At 3.2 meters, it allows you to place full-fledged knobs for storing things without sacrificing legroom for rowers, making the 3200 mm class the most popular request among amateur anglers and tourists.

But it's important to understand that the market is oversaturated with modifications, and each model has its own technical nuances: from the type of connection of cylinders to the density of reinforced material used, all these factors affect durability and driving performance. Next, we will discuss in detail what to look for when buying, so as not to overpay for unnecessary options or, conversely, not to get a "designer" that will fall apart after the season.

Design features and geometry of the body

The basis of any inflatable boat is its balloon system, and in the size of 3200 mm, manufacturers most often use a two- or three-balloon scheme. Diameter of cylinders This class usually ranges from 36 to 42 cm, which provides the necessary buoyancy and additional protection against spray. Wide cylinders increase stability, but increase the sailing capacity of the vessel, which can be noticeable in lateral winds.

Particular attention should be paid to the method of connecting cylinders with floorboard (bottom). H-shaped (H-shaped) and U-shaped (U-shaped) In the first case, the cylinders are attached to the bottom only in the bow and aft, which makes assembly faster, but can reduce the rigidity of the structure in large water. wave-flight.

⚠️ Warning: When inspecting the boat, be sure to check the quality of the gluing of the seams in the places where the stringers (ribs) are connected with the cylinders. This is where the most frequent scuffs occur during intensive assembly and disassembly.

Nose geometry also plays a role: the pointed nose is better at dissecting the wave, providing a softer ride, whereas round shapes are characteristic of budget models and rowing options. For motor operation, the shape of the nose directly affects the rate of exit to planing.

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Underfloor types: plywood to BND

The most important element determining the performance and weight of the assembled boat is the type of bottom. In the 3200 mm segment, two options are most common: plywood floorboard and low-pressure inflatable floor (see below).NDMAPlywood floorboards provide a perfectly flat and rigid surface that is comfortable to walk on, but they are much heavier and take time to assemble.

Boats from NDMA Air Decks are assembled in minutes: just pump the cylinders and the bottom. The absence of heavy plywood slabs reduces the overall weight of the kit, which is critical if you plan to launch the boat alone without a trolley. However, the inflatable floor is more prone to punctures and requires careful handling of prickly vegetation or sharp stones on the shore.

A third, less common option is a slate mat, a set of individual plywood or aluminum slats connected by a sling, lighter than a single paiola, but flexes between slats, which creates discomfort when you're inside for a long time. For a 3200 mm size, this solution is often used in rowing models or economy boats.

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If you're going to go for a plywood floorboard boat, you should get stringer covers right away, and they'll prevent PVC from rubbing against the sharp edges of the aluminum profiles when pumped.

The choice between hard and inflatable bottoms should be based on storage and transportation conditions, unless you have space to store long plywood bags or heavy loads in the car, NDT is the only reasonable optiondespite slightly less stiffness compared to plywood.

Capacity and passenger capacity

The passenger capacity of a boat with a length of 3200 mm is usually between 400 and 550 kg. However, dry figures on paper are often different from reality. Real payload It should take into account not only the weight of people, but also the mass of the engine, fuel, battery, anchor, gear and personal belongings, and even 10-15% of the boat dramatically reduces the height of the board above the water, making the boat dangerous even with small ripples.

The standard seating capacity for this class is 2-3 people. Three adults will fit in a 3200 mm boat, but they will have to sit quite tightly, almost foot to foot. For a comfortable fishing trip with the ability to stand up and reach out or spread out the gear, this size is ideal.

Uneven loading (e.g., a heavy motor and one man on the stern versus two people on the nose) can lead to differentiation and loss of handling. waterline It was at a safe distance from the top of the cylinders.

Parameter Boat 3200 (Phanera) Boat 3200 (NDL) Boat 3000 (for comparison)
Kit weight (kg) 45 - 55 30 - 38 25 - 35
Load capacity (kg) 450 - 500 400 - 450 350 - 400
Assembly time (min) 15 - 20 5 - 7 10 - 15
Whole engine power (hp) 5 - 9.9 5 - 8 2.5 - 5

Compatibility with outboard motors

The 3200mm size opens up the possibility of using more powerful engines than on small boats. The minimum recommended power of the engine for going to planing with one person is 2-3 hp, but comfortable speed and the ability to plane together require 5 hp and above.

Maximum power The engine that can be mounted on such a boat is usually limited by the manufacturer and is 8-10 hp Exceeding this limit is dangerous: the boat can “bury” the nose, lose stability and even flip over.

When choosing a motor, consider the length of the daydwoot. For inflatable boats, the standard length of the S (381 mm) is best. If you plan to walk alone often, the gasoline engine may be overweight, and it is worth considering electric options that are quieter and more environmentally friendly, although they require charging.

☑️ Check before installing the engine

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Electric motors are also popular in this class, allowing you to sneak up on fish and maneuver in the thickets, but their use is limited by battery capacity and swimming range, so for large reservoirs, gasoline is often the only option.

Materials and durability of PVC

The basis of the boat's durability is the material. In 95% of cases, five-layer reinforced PVC (PVC)The density of fabric for a quality boat 3200 mm should be at least 750-850 g / sq.m. Less dense materials (600-700 g / sq.m.) cheaper, but they wear out faster, fade and worse keep pressure in the sun.

An important parameter is the number of layers and the presence of protective additives. UV protection It prevents the destruction of polymer bonds under the influence of ultraviolet light, which is especially important for boats that are often left on the water or stored in the sun, and the material must be resistant to the effects of fuel (gasoline, oil), otherwise an accidental drop of fuel can burn through the cylinder.

⚠️ Warning: Do not leave a pumped boat in direct sunlight without a tent or shelter. The air pressure inside the cylinders rises when heated, which can cause seams to rupture or deform the structure.

The seams can be glued or welded. Welding (heating the material to melt) is considered more reliable and durable, as it forms a monolithic joint. Adhesive seams depend on the quality of the glue and surface preparation, but with the right technology also last for decades.

Package and additional accessories

When you buy a boat, you get a basic kit that often needs to be redesigned, and the standard package usually includes the boat itself, the bag, the pump (often foot or hand), the remix, and sometimes the seats, but it can be quite small to fully operate.

Among the useful additions should be highlighted anchor (preferably a rotary one) that allows you to fasten the anchor, the presence of an inflatable or rigid bottom-curvet floorboard from abrasion and add comfort, and it is also not superfluous to purchase rigid seats with backs, if you come with simple cans (boards).

Hidden opportunities of tuning

Many people forget that on boats 3200 you can install a sonar, holders for spinning and even small awnings from the sun, there are special adapters that are attached to cylinders or in the sockets for stringers.

Don't forget the tanner wheels. For a plywood-bottomed boat with a 20-25-kg engine, dragging it with a drag is hard and harmful to the material. Wheels mounted on a transom allow one person to easily move the boat along the shore to the water.

Rules of operation and storage

For a boat to last, you have to follow the rules of operation, and after every foray into the water, especially salt water, you have to rinse the boat with fresh water, and the sand and salt act as an abrasive, gradually destroying the protective layer of PVC.

Keep the boat in a clean, dry and cool place, before packing it must be completely dry, otherwise mold will form inside the bag, which corrodes the fabric and glue, the optimal storage temperature is from -20 to +40 degrees Celsius, although sudden changes are undesirable.

Check the pressure in the cylinders regularly. A boat that is under-pumped loses its stiffness, rides the wave, wears out faster on the bends. A boat that is over-pumped risks bursting in the heat. Use a pressure gauge for control, especially when the ambient temperature changes.

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Compliance with the temperature regime of storage and regular drying of the boat increase its service life by two times, preventing the decay of the fabric and stratification of the seams.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to go out on a boat 3200 (Ladoga, Onego)?

The only way to reach large open-wave bodies of water is in an inflatable boat of this size in calm weather and near the shore. The 3200 mm boat has a low side and lightweight structure, which makes it vulnerable to large waves. For permanent operation in large waters, it is better to consider larger models or boats.

Which pump is best used for pumping?

Any productive foot or hand pump is suitable for primary pumping (80-90%). To increase pressure to operating values (usually 0.2 atm), it is critical to use a pump with a pressure gauge so as not to pump cylinders and accurately control pressure.

How to fix a puncture in the field?

The remix should always have PVC patches and a special glue (e.g. polyurethane) degrease the puncture site (acetone or alcohol), clean with fine sandpaper, apply glue on both surfaces, dry and press tightly. Full polymerization takes several hours.

Do I need to register a boat 3200 in GIMS?

According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, registration is subject to small vessels weighing more than 200 kg (together with the engine) or with an engine of more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp). Light boat 3200 with an engine up to 5-8 hp is likely not to require registration, but an accurate calculation of the weight of your kit is mandatory.