Choosing a swimming aid for fishing or recreation is always about finding a balance between weight, load capacity and comfort. PVC Big BoatThe vessel, which has gained a reputation as a reliable workhorse for Russian water bodies, is designed with complex operation in mind, when you need not just to get on the water, but to confidently stay on the wave and withstand loads.
Many aqueous motorists are wondering what drives the brand’s popularity and whether to overpay for well-known competitors’ names, and the answer lies in the combination of affordable prices and the use of modern materials such as dense five-layer PVC, which allow boats to maintain tightness and strength even when in contact with rocky bottoms or sharp objects.
In this article, we will discuss the design features, compare the series with inflatable and hard bottom, and give practical tips for maintenance. Understanding the nuances of assembly and the right choice of engine will help you avoid typical errors and prolong the life of your vessel.
Key design features and materials
The basis of durability of any inflatable vessel is the quality of the polyvinyl chloride used. Big Boat They're made of specialized reinforced fabric, which is made up of several layers, including synthetic cord threads. tensile and resistance to stretching when water and air temperature change.
The most important safety element is the seam sealing system. Manufacturers use a two-component polyurethane adhesive, which, with the right gluing technology, creates a monolithic bond. The seams are not afraid of moisture, salt water and ultraviet radiation, which is critical for operation in southern latitudes. The temperature range of fabric operation is from -40 to +50 degrees Celsius, which allows you to use the boat almost all year round.
The design of the cylinders often includes independent compartments, which means that even if one of the cylinders is punctured, the boat will remain afloat and allow the crew to safely reach the shore. keel (in the appropriate models) adds rigidity to the bottom, improving driving performance on the wave.
To protect against mechanical damage, the outer part of the cylinders is covered with a special composition that prevents algae fouling and abrasion. The inner part of the cylinders, in turn, has antibacterial impregnation, which is especially important for long-term storage of the vessel in assembled form in a wet state.
⚠️ Warning: Despite the high strength of the material, avoid contact with open fire or sparks from the fire. PVC is a combustible material, and its damage in such conditions is not subject to warranty repair.
The quality of the fittings also plays a role: injection molding plastic elements such as carry handles and sling arcs are made of frost-resistant plastic that does not lose elasticity in the cold. Metal parts, such as ducks for anchoring or transom plates, are coated with anti-corrosion compounds.
inflatable floor series (BBD)
Series NDMA (Low Pressure inflatable floor) is the ultimate comfort for inflatable boats, and instead of plywood floorboard, they use a high-pressure balloon to form a flat, hard surface, and they allow you to navigate comfortably through the cockpit without fear of scooping up water or damaging the bottom fabric.
The main advantage of this design is that you can build a boat directly on the water, so you don't have to look for a solid shore or a clean place to lay out the floorboard, just pump the cylinders and flip the boat over. operation It is as convenient for fishing in hard-to-reach places.
However, it is worth considering that boats with inflatable bottoms have more weight and dimensions in packaged form. Low pressure cylinder occupies a significant volume, which can be critical for owners of small cars. In addition, the inflated bottom is more sensitive to punctures from below, so caution is required when mooring to unequipped shores.
In the series Big Boat The NDNDM models are often equipped with a reinforced bolt that takes the main blows when in contact with the pier, which prolongs the life of the main cylinders and keeps the seams tight in critical areas.
For quick assembly of boats with NDND in the cold, use a pump with a battery, as manual pumping of a large volume of air can take a lot of time and effort.
Driving qualities of such vessels are excellent: they easily get on plane even with less powerful engines due to the optimal hydroform of the bottom. The rigidity of the cylinder allows you to develop high speed without the effect of "slapping" the bottom on water, which is often found in budget counterparts.
Models with sleigh and hard bottom
The classic solution for fishermen and hunters are boats with removable plywoodThese models are generally lighter and more compact to transport than their inflatable-bottomed counterparts, and are built on stringers, aluminum profiles that give a flat bottom a stiffness.
Water-resistant plywood slate (usually 9-12 mm thick) provides a flat surface on which heavy equipment, gearboxes or electric motors can be mounted. It is important that the plywood is coated with a special varnish to protect against moisture, but regular drying after use is still necessary to prevent stratification.
Some versions use a single, rigid paiola, which consists of several sheets connected together, which increases the rigidity of the structure, but complicates the assembly process. You will take longer to decompose the sheets, insert a stringer and fix them in the slots of the cylinders.
☑️ Sludge boat assembly
Hard-bottom boats are often chosen by those who care about the maximum amount of water. loading capacity The absence of a massive inflatable cylinder at the bottom allows you to win several kilograms, which is essential when carrying equipment with a fiber.
⚠️ Warning: When assembling a sleigh boat on stringers, make sure that the edges of the plywood do not get squeezed between the cylinder and the stringer. This can lead to a cut of the fabric and depressurization of the cylinder under pressure.
To improve seaworthiness, these models often have a removable inflatable keel, which sticks to the bottom of the cylinders and, when pumped, creates a sharp cheekbones that cut through the wave, which reduces splashing and improves handling on the go.
specifications comparison table
To make it easier to choose a particular model, you should refer to the numbers. Below is a comparison of popular modifications, which will help determine which one is the most popular. PVC Big Boat It's better suited to your tasks.
| Model | Length (cm) | Width (cm) | Load capacity (kg) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Boat 280 | 280 | 130 | 350 | 24 |
| Big Boat 320 NDNDM | 320 | 150 | 500 | 42 |
| Big Boat 350 Phaner | 350 | 155 | 600 | 38 |
| Big Boat 400 Kiel | 400 | 165 | 800 | 55 |
Analyzing the table, you can see a direct relationship: increasing the size leads to an increase in carrying capacity, but also weight. For single fishing with a light engine, the optimal models are up to 320 cm For family holidays or transporting large loads, it is better to look towards the four-meter versions.
It is worth noting that the weight in the table is approximate and can vary depending on the equipment (availability of bags, pump, oars).
The optimal length of the boat for two people with an engine of 5-9.9 hp is 320-340 cm, which provides a balance between comfort and transportability.
Motor selection and transom board
The right engine is the key to a safe and fast ride. Big Boat It's made of moisture-resistant plywood or composite materials, and it's reinforced with linings, and it's designed to accommodate the torque and the weight of the motor.
For models up to 3 meters in length, it is recommended to use engines up to 5 hp This is enough to get on plane with one passenger. Larger vessels, from 3.2 meters and above, confidently work with engines 9.9 hp and even 15 hp, allowing speeds up to 30-35 km / h.
When installing the motor, it is important to observe centreIf the motor is too heavy for this model, the transom can go underwater, which will lead to a flood of the cockpit wave, in such cases, it is recommended to use a remote fuel tank to unload the stern.
The motor is fastened by rods. Make sure that the height of the transom (usually 380 mm or 500 mm) corresponds to the daywidth of your motor. Incorrectly mounting in height will lead to cavitation or, conversely, to the "choking" of the engine with water.
Trans tuning
For frequent operation with a heavy motor, an additional aluminum transom plate can be installed, which will distribute the load over a large area and prevent deformation of the plywood.
Remember, insurance is a safety feature, and if you break the strings or the hairpins, you don't drown or injure people, you'll have to use a safety tack to tie the motor to the boat.
Care, storage and repair
The life of the boat depends on how you care for it. After every layout on the water, especially in salt water or muddy rivers, the boat needs to be rinsed with fresh water, which will wash away the sand that works as an abrasive, and the salt that can crystallize in the seams.
Drying is a critical step, and even if the boat seems dry, there may be moisture in the folds of the fabric and under the sludge, wet storage causes mold, bad smell and destruction of the adhesive layer, and drying should be done in the shade, because direct sunlight on the pumped cylinders can cause them to break due to air expansion.
For storage, use spacious bags so that the fabric is not crumpled into a tight lump. The ideal storage temperature is room, but storage in unheated rooms is also allowed, provided that the temperature does not fall below the minus values indicated in the instructions.
- 🧼 Wash the boat with a soft sponge using soap solution, avoid aggressive chemistry.
- ☀️ Dry in the shade, avoiding direct sun.
- 🔧 Check the pressure in the cylinders with a pressure gauge regularly, especially when the weather changes.
- 📦 Store in a dry place, protecting against rodents that can damage the fabric.
If you have a puncture, use the kits that come with it, degrease the surface, clean it, and stick a patch of the same material, and for serious damage, you should contact a specialized service that uses hot vulcanization.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a pumped boat in the sun or in a hot room. The pressure inside the cylinders increases proportionally to the temperature, which can cause the seams or valves to rupture.
Regular inspection for minor cuts and scuffs will help identify problems at an early stage, and pay special attention to the docking places of cylinders with the bottom and the timber.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best glue to use for repairing a Big Boat boat?
For PVC repairs, two-component polyurethane adhesives (such as Texacol or their analogues) are best used, providing a seam that is as strong as the material itself. Single-component adhesives are less reliable in prolonged contact with water.
Can I leave a boat full of NDND for the winter?
Keeping the boat in a pumped state is not recommended, as this creates a constant stress on the seams and material, which leads to its stretching and loss of elasticity.
What is the optimal pumping pressure for cylinders?
The optimal working pressure is usually 0.2-0.25 atm (about 200-250 mbar), exceeding this value does not give a significant gain in stiffness, but increases the risk of damage to the seams when hitting a wave. The pressure in the keel can be higher - up to 0.3-0.35 atm.
Does the Big Boat Boat stand up to rocks and shells?
The material is highly resistant to abrasion, but the sharp edges of stones and shells can damage the fabric with a strong impact or prolonged friction, it is recommended to use protective linings on cylinders or choose places for mooring with caution.