The transition from traditional motor control to full-fledged steering gear is a qualitative leap in comfort and safety on the water. PVC boat with steering console It is no longer just a means of getting the fisherman to the fishing point, becoming a comfortable boat that can travel long distances with minimal operator fatigue, and it is the ability to steer the vessel, sitting in a soft seat and holding the wheel with both hands, opens new horizons for trolling and long crossings.
Many inflatable owners mistakenly believe that steering is exclusively for metal or fiberglass cases, but modern technology and materials allow the integration of complex navigation and control systems even in the field of water. balloon The key here is to distribute the weight correctly, because the console itself, even made of lightweight composites, together with the battery and the motor, creates a serious moment on the transom.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of equipping an inflatable vessel with a steering wheel: from the choice of the type of console to the nuances of connecting remote control of gas. hard-ply This is a prerequisite for this modernization, and what kind of installation errors can lead to critical differentiation at the stern, and a willingness to change and an understanding of the physics of the boat's movement is what distinguishes a successful upgrade from a failed experiment.
Advantages and disadvantages of steering on an inflatable vessel
The main argument for the installation of the steering system is ergonomics and safety. When driving a tiller, the operator is forced to constantly be in a tense position, controlling the gas with one hand and the other direction. In the case of a sudden impact on a wave or obstacle, the tiller can be snatched from his hands, which will lead to an uncontrolled turn of the boat. Steering control Eliminates this risk by fixing the position of the motor and allowing the operator to react instantly to changes in the environment.
And the console also frees up the bow of the boat, and you can put the operator in the same place that you used to be. sounderThis is especially true for troll fishermen who need free access to gear and appliances, but the cost of comfort is that the weight of the structure increases, and the speed of assembly and disassembly of the vessel decreases significantly.
And don't forget the cost, and in addition to the cost of the console or the cable system, you'll need to buy one. gas-control (a gas machine), lay the steering cables and possibly replace the battery with a more capacious one if you plan to install a powerful audio system or backlight. For some boat models, the installation of the steering wheel may require a reinforcement of the transom, which also entails additional costs and labor.
- 🚤 Safety: reliable fixation of the course and the ability to quickly escape from danger without letting go of the steering wheel.
- 🎣 Comfort of fishing: free hands to work with gear and appliances during movement.
- 📉 Speed reduction: Due to the increase in drag and weight of the vessel, the maximum speed can fall by 5-10 km / h.
- ⚖️ The problem of the gap: Removing the center of gravity backward requires careful balancing of the load in the nose.
It's important to understand that steering changes the way a boat behaves on the water, it becomes more inert, but it's also more predictable. If you plan to use the vessel primarily for quiet fishing in large reservoirs or in the surf, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. Otherwise, for quick exits in shallow water with frequent unloading, the romple may be more practical.
Types of steering consoles and their design features
The market offers several basic options for organizing the steering seat on a PVC boat. steering-consoleThis is a thong that is attached to stringers or paiola with brackets, often made of aluminum profiles or moisture-resistant plywood, and their main advantage is the ability to quickly dismantle, which allows you to turn the boat back into a workhorse for transporting goods.
A more advanced version. consoleIt's a solution that's part of the floor structure or rigidly attached to cylinders, and it's often found in the factory of premium boats, and it provides better rigidity and stability because it's built on a larger area, but it's not going to be easy to dismantle, and it takes up useful space when folded.
⚠️ Attention: When choosing or manufacturing a console, make sure the material withstands constant contact with water and ultraviolet light. Cheap plywood without quality paint or varnishing will layer in one season, which can lead to a break in the steering mechanism at the most inopportune moment.
A separate point to mention is the cable steering system, which allows you to take the steering wheel to any point of the cockpit, even if the ram itself is attached to the transom. This solution is often used to minimize the weight in the nose. Teleflex or its analogues) requires precise tension adjustment, but gives a huge gain in ergonomics, allowing you to place the steering seat as close as possible to the center of mass of the boat.
Comparison of Consoles Materials
Aluminum is light and non-rust, but expensive and cold to the touch. Plastic (ABS) is beautiful and durable, but fragile when struck in the cold. Plywood is cheap and angry, but requires constant maintenance and is heavier than aluminum at equal strength.
Technical requirements for the boat for installation of steering wheel
Not every inflatable boat is ready to take on a steering console. The first and most important requirement is that you have a steering console. hard-floorOn inflatable sleighs or air floors (Air Deck), it is almost impossible to securely fix the console - the structure will walk, and the control efficiency will tend to zero.
The second critical parameter is load capacity and size. Installing the console, battery and steering gear adds 15 to 30 kg of weight. If you have a boat that is 320-340 cm long with a 5-8 hp engine, adding a steering wheel can cause the boat to stop planing or burrow with its nose. The optimal length for such an upgrade starts from 360 cm and engine power from 9.9 hp.
And you also need to assess the state of the transom. The steering drive creates an extra force on the steering pen, which is transmitted to the lower unit of the motor and eventually to the trunk of the boat. If the transom has a backlash or is made of thin plywood, the vibrations will quickly destroy its structure. In some cases, installation is required. reinforcement Or replace the squirrel board with a more powerful one.
| Parameter of the boat | Minimum requirement | Optimal value | Risk of nonconformity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body length | 340 cm | 380 cm or more | Loss of stability, rolling |
| Type of gender | Hard floorboard (aluminum/plywood) | Aluminum profile with stringers | Instability of attachment, breakdown |
| Engine power | 9.9 hp | 15-20 hp. | Failure to planing, fuel overconsumption |
| Load capacity | 450 kg | 600 kg and above | Overload, low landing, risk of flooding |
| Data averaged for standard operating conditions | |||
Without a hard floor and a payload margin, the installation of a steering console not only makes no sense, but can also be dangerous to operate.
Installation of the steering mechanism: step-by-step instructions
The process of mounting the steering requires precision and adherence to technology, first you need to determine the location of the console itself, it must be located so that the operator has a good view and access to the instruments, but does not interfere with the movement of the cockpit. Often the console is shifted slightly on the side (usually right, in maritime tradition) to free the center.
Next, the installation steering-rodFor propeller groups up to 50 hp, mechanical cable systems are usually used. The cable is laid from the steering column to the bracket on the motor. It is important to observe the minimum permissible bend radii of the cable specified by the manufacturer (usually at least 20 cm), otherwise it will quickly fail.
☑️ Checklist before first exit
Special attention should be paid to sealing the passage of cables through the console or sides, if any. Water should not enter the structure. After mechanical assembly, adjustment should be made. The steering wheel should be turned from stop to stop with uniform force, without jamming. In the neutral position, the steering wheel should be strictly parallel to the diametric plane of the vessel.
⚠️ Attention: Never use oil-based lubricants (litol, solidol) to lubricate cable shirts and internal steering gear. They break down plastic and rubber seals. Use only silicone lubricants or specialized formulations for marine applications.
If you install a remote control system (machine), make sure that the gas cable has a sufficient range and is not pulled into the string. The tension can lead to spontaneous opening of the throttle valve, which is extremely dangerous. The gas machine must have clear locks of neutral position and full forward/back mode.
Selection of navigation equipment and accessories
The steering console allows you to install stationary navigation equipment, so instead of taking the sonar out of your backpack every time, you can fix it. GPS-navigator And the sounder on the console brackets, which is not only convenient, but also safe -- the instruments are securely fixed and will not fall when hit by a wave.
Powering the equipment and possibly installing running lights (unless provided by the boat design) will require a battery. Inflatable boats most often use sealed lead-acid (AGM/GEL) or lithium (LiFePO4) batteries. Their placement is a separate task. The battery box should be fastened as close to the center of mass as possible, usually under the seat or in a special compartment on the floor, to compensate for the weight of the motor on the transom.
Keep your lights in mind. If you have an LED tape on the perimeter of your console or a running light on your mast, you can be very visible when you're at night or in fog. If you're on a boat less than 7 meters long, you'll need one white light visible from all sides, but if you have lights on your side (red and green) you'll be safer and more professional.
Use adhesive-layered shrink tubes for all electrical connections. Conventional insulation in humid air and under the influence of the sun will quickly lose its properties, leading to oxidation of the contacts and equipment failure.
Maintenance and care of the steering system
The steering system on an inflatable boat is more aggressive than on a rigid boat. Constant vibration, shocks against the wave and folding-folding of the boat require regular checks of fasteners. After each step out on the water, especially in salt water, all metal parts must be rinsed with fresh water.
Steering cables need periodic lubrication and check for braid damage. If you notice that the steering wheel is turning tight or jerking, it's a signal to service. In some cases, a replacement cable is required, because its life is limited by the number of rotation cycles and operating conditions.
The console, especially if it's made of composite materials or painted, requires UV protection. Use special polishes to protect against burnout. Plastic elements can become brittle over time, so avoid impact loads when transported when folded.
How often should the steering cable be changed?
The average life of a cable in active operation is 3-5 years, however, if the boat is stored in adverse conditions (rawness, temperature changes), the period may be shortened.
Can I install a hydraulic steering wheel on a PVC boat?
Technically possible, but impractical. Hydraulics make sense on engines over 70-80 hp, where the tiller is very hard. For PVC boats with engines up to 30-40 hp, a mechanical cable drive is optimal for price, weight and ease of maintenance.
Does the steering wheel affect the speed of the boat?
Yes, it does. An extra 15-25 kg of weight and a higher sailing speed (if the console is high) reduces speed, and a cable mechanism creates a little drag on the transom, and expect a 3-7 km/h drop in top speed depending on the engine's power.
Do I need to register a boat with a steering wheel?
Registration with GIMS depends on the length of the vessel and the power of the engine, not on the presence of a steering wheel. If the length of the boat is more than 20 meters or the power of the engine exceeds 8 kW (about 10.8 hp), registration is mandatory regardless of the steering type. The presence of a steering console may attract the attention of inspectors when checking the safety, but the legal status of the vessel does not change.
Regular maintenance of the steering system is not just a matter of comfort, but a guarantee of your safety on the water.