Choosing the first boat for fishing or family vacation on the water is always a search for a balance between cost, size in the assembled form and driving performance. PVC Legion 300The 3-meter long model is a kind of “golden mean” that allows two adult passengers to comfortably accommodate with a minimum set of equipment, while remaining light enough to transport in the trunk of a passenger car.
The manufacturer, Novosibirsk company "Fregat-M", specializes in the production of high-quality products from reinforced PVC, and this model is no exception. It is a classic inflatable boat with a hard or soft bottom, equipped with inflatable tubes and a transom for the installation of an outboard motor. Legion 300 attracts attention not only democratic price, but also time-tested design, which is devoid of excessive complexity, which makes it repairable and understandable even for a beginner.
But despite its simplicity, this boat has its own features that you need to know before buying, and in this review, we'll go through the technical details, compare the different modifications to the bottom, and find out who really should pay attention to this option, and who better look at the more oversized brothers.
Structural features and materials of the body
The basis of durability of any inflatable boat is the material from which it is made. Legion 300 It is a high-density five-layer reinforced PVC material that is resistant to ultraviolet, fuel and lubricants and mechanical damage. It is important to note that seams in critical locations such as connecting cylinders to a transom or bottom are made by “liquid welding” method, which ensures tightness and strength of the joint, which excludes the stratification of the material under load.
The cylinders are separated into independent compartments, which is the standard of safety for all modern craft. In the event of a puncture of one of the cylinders, the boat will remain afloat, allowing the crew to safely reach the shore, and the design provides for a hump beam around the perimeter, which protects the sides from impacts on the berths, rocks or the sides of other boats. Layer-bar It is also a convenient place to grab your hands when boarding a boat from the water.
The inflating system is particularly important, because petal valves or their modern counterparts allow the boat to be pumped quickly and hold pressure reliably. pressure-out in hot weather can lead to deformation of the seams, and insufficient - to reduce the rigidity of the structure and deterioration of driving qualities.
⚠️ Attention! When operating a boat in sunny weather, always consider the thermal expansion of air. If you pump the boat in the shade or in the morning, the pressure in the cylinders may increase by noon. It is recommended to periodically blow excess air through the valve to avoid rupture of the seams.
The trawler to which the motor is attached is made of waterproof plywood and is covered with plastic or reinforced coating, and this place is under maximum stress, so the quality of its attachment to the cylinders directly affects safety. Legion 300 applied a reliable system of slings or stickers, which distributes the traction force of the engine throughout the area of the transom unit.
Comparison of modifications: Pillet bottom (F) vs. Inflatable (NDND)
One of the most important questions when choosing a particular version Legion 300 The manufacturer offers two main options: a removable plywood floorboard (often labeled as "F" or "Pyol") and a low-pressure inflatable floor (LDPB). These modifications are radically different in their driving performance and weight.
Version C plywood It's a prefabricated structure of several sheets of waterproof plywood, connected by aluminum profiles, which provides excellent rigidity and stability on the water, it's better on course, it's easier to glid, and it's more stable when you throw a spinning or when you're standing. However, it takes longer to assemble and disassemble a boat, and the weight of the pedal floor can be significant for one person.
Modification with NDMA (Low Pressure inflatable floor) is much lighter and more compact when assembled. The bottom is a separate inflatable compartment that swells to working pressure. The main advantages are assembly speed (in fact, the boat only needs to be pumped) and low weight. But there are also disadvantages: the inflatable floor is less rigid, it can bend under the weight of passengers, and on the wave the boat with NDNDM behaves like a “swing”, which can cause discomfort and motion sickness.
Below is a comparative table of the main specifications of the two types of bottom for the Model 300:
| Parameter | Pillet bottom (F) | inflatable floor (NDB) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight of kit | About 35-40 kg | About 25-28 kg |
| Underbody rigidity | High. | Medium (depending on pressure) |
| Assembly time | 15-20 minutes. | 5-10 minutes |
| Driving performance | The best (easier gleaming) | Good (higher water resistance) |
The choice between these options depends on your priorities, and if you plan to walk on water often and you care about speed and stability, choose a paiole. If you need a boat for rare trips, and every kilogram of weight counts, NDNDM is a smarter solution.
Technical specifications and load capacity
When looking at data-sheet figures, it is important to understand that the stated figures are often the limit values reached under ideal conditions. Boats Legion 300 The standard length is 300 cm and the width is 136 cm These are the classic proportions for a two-seater boat, providing sufficient stability. The height of the cylinder usually varies between 36-38 cm, which gives a sufficient margin of buoyancy and protection from splashes.
The model has a load capacity of about 350-400 kg. However, it should be borne in mind that this number includes the weight of not only passengers, but also the boat itself, the engine, the battery, fuel and equipment. The real payload for comfortable operation rarely exceeds 200-220 kg. Exceeding this limit leads to a decrease in the height of the board above the water, an increase in the risk of flooding with a wave and loss of handling.
The operating pressure in cylinders is usually 0.25 atm (250 mbar), although some manufacturers allow a short-term increase to 0.28 atm. the bottom of the NDNDM, as a rule, requires higher pressure, on the order of 0.6-0.8 atm (600-800 mbar), to ensure the necessary rigidity. The use of an electric pump with the auto-stop function greatly simplifies the process of preparing for the water and ensures compliance with technological standards.
Outboard operation
Despite the fact that Legion 300 Often used with oars, the presence of a transom opens up the possibility of installing an outboard motor. The recommended engine power for this model is from 2 to 5 hp Installation of a motor with a capacity of more than 5 hp is not recommended, as this can lead to transom overload and loss of controllability by the boat, especially in choppy conditions.
To go to the planing (sliding mode on the surface of the water) with one person and a minimum load is usually enough motor capacity of 3.5-4 hp However, if two people are on board or there is a significant load, the boat may not go to the plane even with a 5-horsepower engine due to large drag and weight. In such cases, the boat will move in displacement mode, which is more economical in fuel consumption, but much slower.
When installing the motor, it is critically important to set the correct propeller-deepeningToo high will lead to cavitation (air capture) and loss of traction, and too low will lead to increased water resistance and risk of damage to the screw to the bottom, adjusted by the inclination of the lower unit and the depth of landing of the motor on the transom.
⚠️ Warning! Never leave the motor-mounted boat ashore in direct sunlight unattended. Heating the transom and cylinders can cause glue deformation and permanent damage to the structure, even if the motor is removed, but the transom plate is heated.
Using an anti-cavitation plate and properly balancing the load in the boat also affect the efficiency of the engine. Shifting the load closer to the transom (within reasonable limits) helps to bring the boat to plane faster, reducing the load on the engine.
Package and additional accessories
Standard equipment Legion 300 Usually includes the boat itself, oars (aluminum or wooden), a carry-on backpack, a remake and instruction. The oars coming in the basic set often have plastic plugs and blades. They are suitable for quiet swimming, but for frequent operation or rowing against the wind they may not be enough.
Among the useful accessories that should be purchased separately, first of all, you should highlight the anchor. For a boat with a length of 3 meters, an anchor weighing 1.5-2 kg is enough. It is also extremely useful to purchase an anchor phalanx with a carbine and a rump ring that is attached to the bow of the boat, which will allow you to safely anchor without tying the rope directly to the handles, which can be dangerous with strong wind or current.
☑️ Basic safety kit for access to the water
To protect the bottom from punctures and abrasion on sand or shells, many owners order or make their own protective carpets ("linoleum"), which are laid to the bottom inside the cockpit, which prolongs the life of the PVC material and makes it more comfortable to be in the boat, since the bottom is not as much heated in the sun and does not slide.
Care, storage and preparation for winter
Durability of the boat Legion 300 is very much dependent on how you care for it. Every time you go out, especially if you've been swimming in salt water or contaminated water, you have to rinse the boat with fresh water. The sand that gets into the folds of the material, when folded, acts like an abrasive, gradually destroying the protective layer of PVC.
Drying before packaging is a must. Even the minimum amount of moisture inside a rolled-up boat can lead to mold and an unpleasant odor that is very difficult to get rid of. Dry the boat in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight, which can overheat the material while it is in a strained state.
To clean strong contaminants (oil, gasoline) use special PVC cleaners or ordinary alcohol. Do not use aggressive solvents, acetone or chlorine-containing agents, as they can damage the structure of the material and make it brittle.
Keeping the boat is best in straightened or semi-assembled form at room temperature. However, if this is not possible, it is allowed to store in a rolled-up form. The main thing is to avoid extremely low temperatures (below -30 ° C) without special preparation of the material, since PVC becomes fragile in the cold. Before pumping in the cold, it is advisable to bring the boat into a warm room for at least a few hours.
⚠️ Attention! If you find a puncture, do not glue a wet or dirty boat on your knee using superglue. This is a temporary measure that will spoil the material for normal patching. Use only specialized PVC glue and thoroughly degrease the surface before repair.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I pump a Legion 300 Boat with a car pump?
You can use a car compressor, but with great care. Most car pumps do not have a shutdown function when a certain pressure is reached and can "pump" cylinders, which will cause the seams to break. If you use such a pump, monitor the process constantly using a separate pressure gauge, and stop before reaching the maximum value. It is better to use specialized foot or electric pumps for boats.
How many people can comfortably fit in a 300 model boat?
The boat is technically designed for 2 people, but it is most comfortable for one adult with a full set of fishing gear, two adults will accommodate without problems, but there will be little room for maneuver, and the plane with two passengers will require the maximum power allowed and the perfect balance of the load.
How to keep a boat in winter: in a deflated or inflated state?
The best storage option is to be half-deflated at room temperature, which relieves internal stress from the material and seams, is permissible if there is space, but requires pressure control, and is not recommended for years to be stored in a highly compressed, tightly folded state, as there may be crumbs on the material.
What is the optimal engine weight for the Legion 300?
The optimal is a motor weighing up to 10-12 kg (usually 2-3.5 hp). More powerful motors (5 hp) weigh already about 13-15 kg or more, which, combined with the weight of the boat and equipment, makes transportation by one person difficult. For the 300 model, light two-stroke motors are often chosen, which are easy to carry and that provide sufficient traction.
In summary, it can be said that PVC Legion 300 It's a reliable and proven option for those looking for a simple and functional boat, which is not a speedboat, but it does a great job of fishing, hunting and relaxing in calm water, and the right choice of modification of the bottom and compliance with the rules of operation will allow you to enjoy water walks for many seasons.