Choosing the first swimmer is always a balance between wanting to get the most comfort and having to keep a budget. PVC Flink 320 It has proven to be one of the most affordable options for going out on the water, a model that often becomes a pass to the world of water tourism and fishing for beginners who are not yet ready to spend large sums on professional equipment.
However, the low price raises many questions about reliability, safety, and real suitability for serious tasks. specificationThe design and the hidden nuances of operation, which are rarely mentioned in the booklets, you will learn whether to save on the purchase or better consider alternatives, and what is hidden behind the 320 marking.
Understanding the actual capabilities of the vessel will help to avoid disappointments on the first fishing trip, and we will analyze how the hull behaves on the wave, how convenient it is to operate. chunk This guide will help you make an informed decision before buying.
Dimensions and weight parameters of the shell
The 320 in the model name indicates the total length of the vessel in centimeters. rowboatThe thong can accommodate two people of average size or one fisherman with a full set of equipment, and the width of balloon stringers is usually about 138 cm, which provides acceptable stability, but requires careful movement inside the cockpit.
The weight of the kit assembled is one of the key advantages of this model. Depending on the year of production and the specific modification, the weight of the boat varies between 23-25 kg. This weight allows you to transport the boat in the trunk of a passenger car without using a special trailer, although it will still require a knack or trolley to carry it alone for comfortable carrying.
It is important to note that the declared dimensions may differ slightly from the actual ones due to the peculiarities of production of PVC materials. Accuracies of up to 5% are allowed, which is the norm for inflatable products. When the cylinders are fully pumped, the internal pressure must be 0.2-0.25 atmospheres, which ensures the necessary rigidity of the structure.
- 📏 Total length: 320 cm
- 📏 Bulk width: 138 cm
- ⚖️ Packaging weight: about 24 kg
- 🎒 Packaging volume: compact bag, dimensions approximately 110x40x30 cm
Design features and materials
The main material for manufacturing Flink 320 In budget models, a double-layer material with a density of about 750 g/sq.m. This provides basic protection against puncture and abrasion, but is inferior in strength to more expensive five-layer counterparts. The seams in high-quality copies are made by hot gluing, which guarantees tightness, but requires careful handling during assembly.
The bottom of the boat is made of inflatable floorboard, which is the standard for this price segment. This design allows you to quickly assemble and disassemble the vessel, but has its own specifications of operation. inflatable floor gives additional buoyancy, but reduces the rigidity of the hull compared to aluminum or plywood floorboards. When driving on a motor or strong wave, the bottom can “play”, which creates discomfort.
The cylinders are divided into three independent compartments, and this is a critical safety feature: if one of the compartments is damaged, the boat will remain buoyant and allow it to reach the shore. flat-bar, which protect the sides from impacts on the pier or stones, and also serve as handles for grabbing when pulling ashore.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a fully pumped boat in direct sunlight in hot weather. The air pressure inside the cylinders is rising faster than it seems, which can cause seams to rupture or deform the material.
The transom board, which is built into the aft compartment, allows outboard motors to be installed, and as a standard, it is usually a plywood plate covered with water-resistant paint, and its thickness and mounting quality directly affect the safety of operation with the engine.
Capacity and passenger capacity
The manufacturer's stated payload capacity is often controversial among experienced water-engineers. Formally, data-sheet figures may indicate the possibility of a 400 kg payload. However, in practice, these figures are calculated on the basis of the minimum buoyancy margin necessary to prevent the boat from sinking.
For comfortable and safe operation, it is recommended not to exceed the load of 250-280 kg. This weight includes the mass of passengers, engine, fuel, anchor, gear and personal belongings. Exceeding this limit leads to the fact that the sides become too low above the water, increases the risk of flooding with a wave and reduces handling.
Passenger capacity is officially limited to two adults, but it is worth considering that when two large passengers are fully loaded, there is almost no room for maneuver inside the cockpit. Any sudden movement can lead to a dangerous roll.
| Parameter | Meaning | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Max. Load capacity. | 400 kg | No more than 280 kg for safety |
| Passenger capacity | 2 people. | Comfortable for 1+1 or 1+ child |
| Max, engine power. | 3.5 - 5 hp | Optimal 2-3 hp. |
| Pressure in cylinders | 0.25 atm | Manometer control |
The real safe load for the Flink 320 is about 70 percent of the rated carrying capacity.
Outboard operation
Although Flink 320 It's positioned as a rowing boat, and many owners are eager to install a motor on it. The design of the tanner board allows you to fasten engines with a capacity of up to 3.5 horsepower. Some craftsmen put 5-horsepower units, but this requires extreme caution and perfectly level water.
When the engine is installed, the center of gravity shifts, and the boat becomes more sensitive to weight distribution. An engine weighing more than 15 kg on a short transom board can cause a different on the stern, which significantly worsens driving performance. The speed of movement with a 2-3 hp engine usually does not exceed 10-12 km / h, which is enough for a quiet movement on a reservoir.
It is important to remember engine fixation. On budget models, transom fasteners can be made of plastic or thin metal. Regularly check the screw tightening before each outing, as the vibration of the motor can weaken the connections.
- 🚤 Optimal engine power: 2-3.5 hp
- 🚤 Maximum speed: up to 12 km/h
- 🚤 Fuel consumption: economical, about 1-1.5 l / hour
- 🚤 Type of fastening: hinged transom (built-in)
Can I put an electric motor on?
Yes, electric traction motors are a great alternative to gasoline engines for this model: they are quieter, lighter, and don't require complex preparation for winter storage, but consider the weight of the battery, which is also part of the overall payload.
Package and additional accessories
Standard equipment PVC Flink 320 boats Usually includes the vessel itself, two inflatable seats (bank seats), a remix with glue and fabric, and a bag-package.
The cans are inflatable cushions, lightweight and easy to transport, but not orthopedic. Long-term fishing can cause you to get tired, so many owners order or make their own rigid seats with mounts.
The remake comes in the same color as the boat and the tube of glue. The quality of the glue can vary, so for major repairs, it is better to purchase a specialized two-part polyurethane adhesive, which will provide a more reliable connection in the event of a serious cut.
☑️ Checking the completeness when buying
Care, storage and service life
Durability Flink 320 The PVC material is afraid of ultraviolet light, so it is strictly forbidden to keep the boat assembled under the sun. After each operation, the vessel must be thoroughly washed with fresh water, removing sand, silt and especially fish mucus, which can erode the protective layer.
The boat should be folded carefully, trying to avoid the formation of sharp cliffs in the same places. When stored in the cold season, the material becomes fragile, so you should arrange and assemble the boat at temperatures below +5 ° C with extreme caution, allowing it to warm up in a warm room.
The service life of careful operation is 5-7 years, but budget models can start to “fall down” earlier: tissue dissection, unstitching of the seams or loss of sealed valves are typical problems of aging PVC. Regular inspection and gluing of small defects will prolong the life of your boat.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use aggressive chemicals, gasoline, acetone or solvents to clean the boat, which instantly destroy the structure of the polyvinyl chloride, making the material sticky and unusable.
Tip: Before long-term storage (winter), lubricate the valves with silicone grease and leave the boat slightly inflated (literally 10-15% of normal) to avoid clumping the inner layers of the fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can Flink 320 be accessed by a large reservoir?
Going to large open-wave bodies of water on this model is highly discouraged, because the low side and low weight make the boat vulnerable to lateral wind and wave, and this vessel is designed for calm rivers, lakes and coastal areas.
What is the best glue for repairing the Flink 320?
It is best to use special two-component polyurethane adhesives for PVC (e.g. Texacol, Kleyberg or specialized adhesives from boat manufacturers) that provide an elastic and water-resistant seam that withstands deformation.
Do I need to register this boat with GIMS?
Under current Russian law, boats with a curb weight of more than 200 kg or an engine of more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp) are subject to registration. Since the Flink 320 weighs about 24 kg and the engines are installed in low-power, registration is usually not required. However, laws can change, and the final decision is always up to the inspector on the water.
How to properly pump a boat in winter?
In winter, you need to inflate the boat in a warm room, and in the cold, you just need to pump it to the right pressure, and if you pump the boat with warm air in the cold, the pressure will drop when it cools, and it will become soft, and vice versa, if you leave it in the sun after a cold night, the pressure will rise sharply.