Modern water-motoring and amateur fishing have long outgrown the level of primitive rowing boats. console-boat It has become the standard of comfort and safety for those who value high-speed steering and ergonomics, and it turns an inflatable vessel into a full-fledged small craft, allowing you to fish standing up, drive with one hand and have free access to navigation equipment.
Many aquatic motorists still question whether to sacrifice the useful area of the cockpit for the installation of steering, but practice shows that when using motors from 15 hp and above, the presence of a power source is not very important. console It's not just a whim, it's a necessity, it reduces operator fatigue and it greatly improves safety in difficult weather or in strong currents.
In this article, we will take a look at all aspects of owning such a vessel in detail, from choosing a ready-made model to self-manufacturing and installing steering. You will learn about the hidden nuances of operation that beginners often miss, and get proven recommendations for tuning your boat.
Advantages and disadvantages of steering in inflatable boats
The switch to the control of the roumpel cable radically changes the experience of driving. ergonomicThe operator can sit on a rotary chair with the backrest, which is critical for long transitions or trolling. The hands remain free to work with the sonar, map or spinning while the boat goes on a predetermined course.
But there's a downside to the coin, and the console inevitably eats away at some of the useful space in the cockpit, and if you have a two-seater boat up to 3.2 meters long, having a full-fledged steering post can make it very uncomfortable to find the other passenger, and you also have an extra load point on the transom and the side through the cable control system.
It is also important to consider hydrodynamics. Console control Often requires the installation of a windshield, which creates sailing at high speeds, which can adversely affect the directional stability of the side wind if the boat does not have sufficient displacement or the correct geometry of the cylinders.
- 🚤 Comfort: the ability to drive a boat sitting, reducing the load on the back and legs.
- ⚓ Safety: Both hands are on the steering wheel, which improves control of the vessel on the wave.
- 📉 Loss of space: The console takes up to 30% of the useful area of the cockpit in the bow.
- 💸 Cost: a ready-made set with steering and cables is much more expensive than the standard configuration.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the steering, make sure the cables are as long as your boat. Too short cables will create excessive tension, and too long will lead to backlash steering and loss of handling at speed.
Types of constructions: built-in and removable consoles
The market offers two main ways to get a boat with a steering wheel. The first option is to buy a model with a steering wheel. built-inIn such boats, for example, the series. Badger or FlagshipThe control is integrated into the cylinder design or rigidly fixed to the floorboard by the manufacturer, which ensures maximum rigidity and tightness, since all the holes under the mounts have already been reinforced and processed in the factory.
The second way is installation. plug-inIt's a popular solution for people who use boats in different scenarios, like for a family trip, you put a console and a seat, and for a narrow river rafting or fishing in the thickets, you remove it, freeing up space. Removable models are often attached to a tray board or special shingles.
The fabrication material also plays a role. Aluminum consoles are lighter and can not corrosion, but can rattle when hit by waves. Plastic (from marine fiberglass) look aesthetically pleasing and better at quenching vibrations, but they are heavier and can crack when hit hard. driving You prefer.
And we also have hybrid solutions, where the console is a rigid inflatable element, which is rare, but some Chinese manufacturers have these models that offer softness in collisions, but they don't give the rigidity of fixing that metal frames provide.
Criteria for the selection of a boat for the installation of a steering wheel
If you're planning to buy a boat specifically for steering, pay attention to the length. The optimal size starts at 3.40 meters. At smaller lengths, installing a full control post will create crowding. For comfortable operation with passengers and fishing boxes, it is better to consider models from the top of the boat. 3.60m to 3.90m.
The most important parameter is the floor design. The installation of the console and windscreen requires a hard floor (for example, a hard floor).pyol, NDS or AirDeckOn airfloor boats, it is almost impossible to secure the console, because it will be "cruising" under load, which is dangerous. The hard floor provides the necessary platform for the installation of the chair and the steering rack itself.
Also estimate the height of the transom. The standard 381 mm (15 inches) are suitable for most motors, but if you plan to put a motor with a long leg (20 inches), make sure that the console does not block access to the engine tilt mechanism.
| Parameter | Optimal value | Critical for |
|---|---|---|
| Boat length | 3.40m | Accommodation of passenger and cargo |
| Type of gender | Aluminum floorboard/NDS | Consolidation rigidities |
| Diameter of the cylinder | 42 cm | Stability and capacity |
| Engine power | 15-30 hp. | Sustainability of steering |
The main rule of choice: the more powerful the engine and the longer the transitions, the more you need a boat to install a full console. At least 3.40 meters of length in the outer dimensions.
Self-installation: step-by-step instructions
Installing steering on a boat where it is not provided by the factory requires precision and understanding of the mechanics of the process. The main task is to fasten the steering column and lay the cables to the engine without disturbing the tightness of the cylinders.
First, you need to mark the mounting points. If you're mounting the console to the transom, make sure the screws don't damage the cylinder chamber if it's close to the tree. Use sea-holding stainless steel (A4), as the ordinary metal rusts after the first trips to salt water.
☑️ Installation tools
The ropes are the most important step, the cables should not rub against the inflatable parts of the balloon, in places where you pass through the side or the trawler, you need to use special seals or Cambrians, the tension of the cables is adjusted so that the complete rotation of the steering wheel corresponds to the full angle of the shifting of the lower unit motor, usually 30-40 degrees in each direction.
⚠️ Attention: Never drill cable cylinders! This will break the seal and make it impossible to guarantee, and all communications must pass over the sides or through rigid structural elements (transom, floorboard).
After installation, be sure to do the testing on land. Have your assistant turn the steering wheel while you watch the thrust on the motor. The course should be smooth, without jerks and jamming. If the cables are stretched too hard, the mechanism will work tightly, if weak, there will be a backlash.
Overview of popular models and brands
In the Russian market, a pool of manufacturers has formed that successfully integrate steering into their products. The leader in the segment of affordable boats with a finished console is often the brand. BadgerTheir series models. Badger Cruiser They are equipped with convenient aluminum consoles with space for one device and a windshield in the kit.
Brand Flagship They're offering more premium solutions. Pro or Master The console is often made as a single structure, inscribed in the geometry of the bow, and it looks aesthetically pleasing and provides excellent ergonomics. Solaris, which are famous for high-quality assembly and thoughtful systems of fastening of equipment.
Chinese manufacturers, such as Gladiator or WinBoatThey often have a boat with the console and steering gear installed. Teleflex The advantage is that all the holes are already reinforced, and the cables are correctly matched in length.
The secret to the longevity of cables
Lubricate the steering cables with special silicone grease for the cables once a season, which will prevent moisture from entering the braid and protect against freezing in winter if you keep the boat in an unheated garage.
When choosing, pay attention not only to the brand of the boat, but also to the quality of the steering mechanism itself. Cheap Chinese counterparts can start to "crack" or catch after 10 hours on the water. Better pay for proven brands of steering systems, even if you take the boat budget.
Tuning and additional equipment
The console has a lot of room for upgrades to the boat. windshieldNot only does it protect against splashes and headwinds, it also provides a great place to mount navigation devices if there is little space on the console itself.
The second important element is the rotary seat, which is that standard inflatable seats (banks) do not provide the necessary back support when steering, and the installation of a chair on the slider (with runners) will allow you to adjust its position, which is especially convenient when trolling, when you need to get up and sit often.
- 🔦 Lighting: It is convenient to display the button on the console to switch on running lights or navigation lights.
- 📱 Holders: Install universal mounts for a smartphone or tablet right in front of the steering wheel's eyes.
- 🔋 Battery compartment: the console allows you to hide the battery inside, protecting it from water and splash, and removing only terminals.
And remember to organize the space inside the console, if you can, you can put little things inside, like keys, safety checks, sunglasses, but make sure that there's no water accumulating there, and you can put drainage holes in the bottom.
How to properly store a boat with a console installed?
Keeping a boat with a rigid console installed in a deflated form in a bag is a bad idea. Metal or plastic elements can damage the PVC fabric during prolonged storage under pressure. It is recommended to either completely dismantle the console before packing, or keep the boat inflated (in a garage or on a suspension), or use a separate case for hard elements.
Can I put the console on a boat with an inflatable floor?
In theory, you can use spacers that attach to the sides and rest on the cylinders, creating a platform, but this design will have a significant backlash and will not provide stable control at speeds above 10-15 km / h. For full steering, a rigid floor is mandatory.
How long should the steering cables be?
The length of the cables is individually selected. For boats up to 3.60 m, standard cables 3 meters long are usually enough. For boats from 3.80 m and above, elongated versions (3.3 m or 3.6 m) may be required. Always measure the distance from the mounting of the steering column to the transom with a margin for bends.
Do I need to register a boat with a console in GIMS?
Registration depends on the weight of the boat in gear and the power of the engine. The console itself adds weight (from 5 to 15 kg depending on the model). If the total weight of the boat with the engine and equipment exceeds 200 kg, or the engine power is more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp), registration is required regardless of the presence of the console.
Does the console affect the speed of the boat?
The extra weight (5-10 kg) and windscreen sailing can reduce top speed by 1-2 km/h. However, the benefits of comfortable handling and the ability to troll at low speeds without hand fatigue completely offset this minimum loss of speed.