Choosing a swimming aid for fishing or resting on the water always involves a compromise between price, quality and functionality. PVC boat egoistThese vessels have established themselves as an affordable solution for aspiring water-engineers and avid anglers who are not willing to overpay for premium brands.
These boats are built on time-tested solutions, such as high-pressure inflatable bottoms (HPDBs) or moisture-resistant plywood floors, which determine their performance, assembly speed and, importantly, weight in running order. Unlike more expensive ones, they often use simpler but more reliable components to lower the final cost without critical loss of safety.
It is worth noting that under the brand name "Egoist" or in series with a similar name often hide products of various domestic manufacturers using similar patterns. So when buying it is important to pay attention not only to the beautiful name of the model, but also to the specific specifications, quality of seams and density of the material used. It is the details of the assembly often determine how many seasons your boat will last.
Design features and materials
The basis of any inflatable boat is the material from which its cylinder is made. PVC This material has a high resistance to abrasion, which is critical when pulling a vessel on sandy or rocky shore. Modern technology allows you to make the fabric elastic even at low temperatures.
The connection of the elements of the structure is carried out by hot gluing or welding with high-frequency currents. The second option is considered more reliable, since it eliminates the stratification of the seam over time. However, in the budget segment, it is often glued on polyurethane adhesives. When properly maintained and operated, such a seam lasts for years, but requires periodic inspection for detachment.
⚠️ Warning: When buying a boat, be sure to check the quality of gluing in the bow and in the places where the transom is attached. Any air bubbles under the layer of material or uneven edges of the seam may indicate a violation of production technology, which will lead to loss of tightness.
The design of the bottom deserves special attention, models can be equipped with a rigid floorboard floor of laminated plywood or a low- and high-pressure inflatable floor. seaworthiness It's also a wave-resistant, but it increases assembly time and weight, and the second option makes the boat lighter and more compact when assembled.
PVC production technology
Modern reinforced polyvinyl chloride consists of several layers: a protective layer, a reinforcement grid of synthetic threads for strength, internal layers for tightness, and it is the presence of a mesh that prevents the material from stretching under load, preserving the geometry of the cylinders.
Overview of popular models and modifications
A range of boats that are either Selfish or similar in character are usually divided into several size groups, each designed for a specific operating environment and number of passengers, and understanding these differences will help you choose the model that is ideal for your tasks, whether it is fishing on a small river or cruising on a large reservoir.
The most popular models are models ranging in length from 280 to 360 centimeters. Boats up to 3 meters long are often rowing or under small electric motors. They are lightweight, they can be carried in a backpack behind your back, sharing the load between two fishermen. Models from 320 cm and above are already fully sharpened for the installation of gasoline engines with a capacity of up to 5-8 hp.
There's also a separation by cylinder type: a classic round balloon provides maximum internal volume and load capacity; a flat balloon (a type of "lean") reduces sailing and makes the boat more manageable in the wind, but reduces usable space in the cockpit, and the choice here depends on personal preferences and the conditions in which you plan to swim most often.
specifications comparison table
To organize information and give you a quick look at the product line, we have prepared a summary table that averages the three most common modifications that you can find on sale under the brand or its direct counterparts.
When comparing, look not only at the length, but also at the width of the cockpit, and it's the width of the inside that determines the comfort of the fisherman and the gear. Narrow models can be faster, but they're extremely uncomfortable to catch together or use bulky spinning.
| Parameter | Model "The Selfish 280" | Model "The Selfish 320" | The Selfish 360 model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length full, cm | 280 | 320 | 360 |
| Full width, cm | 130 | 145 | 150 |
| Load capacity, kg | 350 | 450 | 600 |
| Kit weight, kg | 24 | 32 | 41 |
| Max, engine power, hp. | 3-5 | 5-8 | 9.9-15 |
As you can see from the table, as you get bigger, not only does the price increase, but the power requirements increase. Buying a motor that's too weak for a big boat will lead to fuel overruns and the inability to plane, especially when it's full load. Conversely, excess power on a small boat is dangerous.
Operation and care of PVC products
The durability of your boat depends on how you care for it. Polyvinyl chloride is durable, but it does not tolerate neglect. PVC's main enemy is ultraviolet. Exposure to direct sunlight unnecessarily leads to degradation of the top layer of the material, loss of color and microcracks.
After each operation, especially in salt water or in contaminated water bodies, the boat must be washed with fresh water, and the salt and silt, when dried, form an abrasive crust that, when blown and folded, acts like sandpaper, damaging the protective layer.
- 🛡️ Use special protective sprays with UV filters Before long parking in the sun, it will prolong the life of the material.
- 💨 Keep the boat in a case at temperatures between -20 and +40 degrees, avoiding the proximity of sharp objects and chemicals.
- 🧼 For cleaning, use only soap solution or special PVC products, aggressive chemistry can dissolve the glue.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a fully pumped boat in the sun. When heated, the air inside the cylinders expands, the pressure rises and may exceed the permissible limits, leading to rupture of the seams or deformation of the structure.
In winter, storage is best done in a warm, open or semi-folded environment, and if you don't have that option, and the boat is in the garage, make sure that it doesn't get moisture and condensate. The mold that forms on the fabric is very difficult to remove and destroys the structure of the material from the inside.
For quick drying of the boat in the field, use a car compressor in blow mode (if there is such a feature) or simply leave the cylinders in the sun for 15-20 minutes, periodically turning the boat over.
Selection of motor and attachment equipment
The right engine is 50% of the success of a comfortable operation. For the boats of the "Egoist" series, the optimal solution is often two-stroke engines of Chinese or Russian production, ranging from 3.5 to 9.9 hp. They are light, easy to maintain and provide decent speed.
When choosing a motor, it is important to consider not only the power, but also the length of the lower unit. inflatable floor boats often require long-dryer engines to keep the screw from hitting the soft bottom when rolling, and you should also pay attention to the availability of an electronic ignition system that makes it easier to start in cold weather.
Don't forget the attachments, the availability of quality keys, insurance flaps and anchors greatly improves safety and convenience, and many owners install sonars and spinning holders immediately after purchase, which requires additional attachment on the sides.
☑️ Checking before getting on the water
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Like any technology, inflatable boats can have some problems in operation, and knowing the type of malfunctions will allow you to quickly fix them on your own without going to the service center, and most problems are solved with the remix that comes with the product.
One of the common problems is the loss of pressure in the cylinders when the temperature changes, which is not a defect, but a physical property of the gases, when you go out into cold water, the pressure drops, and the boat becomes soft. In the heat, the pressure rises, you need to constantly monitor the condition of the cylinders and pump them as needed.
Mechanical punctures are most common on the shore, a sharp stone, a thorn or a forgotten knife at the bottom can break the tightness, two-piece glue and a patch of the same material are used for repair, and it is important to degrease the surface and let the glue dry the time it is required to press the load.
- 🔧 If the valve is poisoning, try to clean it from the sand or replace the inner spring, often the problem is precisely in the pollution.
- 🩹 When sealing the puncture, be sure to round the corners of the patch with scissors so that they do not pick up during operation.
- 🌡️ Use only special glue for PVC, ordinary "Moment" or superglue will not provide elastic and water-resistant seam.
Timely gluing of the outgoing corners of the translance or stringers prevents water from entering between the layers of PVC and increases the life of the boat at times.
Real feedback and final recommendations
The general trend is to look at the opinions of the owners of the Selfish boats: the users value value value for money; for seasonal fishing on weekends, these boats are perfect; they forgive many of the mistakes of beginners and allow you to enjoy the water without a huge financial investment.
But there are some complaints, some users say that the geometry of the inflatable floor can go around over time if you don't watch the pressure, and there are some imperfect oars that many people change to lighter aluminum or carbon-based ones right after buying.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that PVC boat egoist It's a work tool that, if properly maintained, will last for years, and it's not without the disadvantages of the budget segment, but it's completely at its cost. If you're looking for a reliable workhorse for fishing with friends, this is a good option.
Can I put a powerful motor on the boat?
It's dangerous to install a motor that's more powerful than the manufacturer's recommended, which can cause transoms to break, speed to lose control, and even tip the boat over. Always stick to passport power limits.
What is the optimal pressure in the cylinders?
The optimum pressure is considered to be in the range of 0.2 - 0.25 atmospheres (about 200-250 mBar), the exact values are always specified in the instructions for a particular model, pumping leads to rupture of seams, non-pumping leads to a decrease in driving performance.
Do I need to lubricate the valves with silicone?
Yes, periodic lubrication of rubber valve seals with silicone lubrication prevents them from drying out and cracking, and also facilitates the process of pumping and etching air.
How long has a PVC boat been in operation?
With careful operation and proper storage, the service life of a quality PVC reinforced boat is 7-10 years or more. Intensive use under the sun and on rocks can reduce this period to 3-5 years.