Choosing a boat for fishing or resting on the water often turns into a complex compromise between the comfort of inflatable PVC boats and the reliability of the rigid hull. RIB Navigator 370RIt's a hybrid of a solid aluminum bottom and inflatable tubes, and it's designed for those who are looking for a middle ground, not wanting to put up with the disadvantages of purely inflatable designs.
The aluminum boat of this series attracts attention with its design feature. Reinforced Inflatable Boat It's a rigid V-shaped boat, and unlike the classic Kanak, it's not just metal that dampens the waves, but it's also airbags that make the movement much softer, and you get the main advantage of metal, which is that you can't accidentally puncture the side against a snag or a sharp stone in shallow water.
Model Navigator 370R It's a very common choice for medium-power outboard motor owners, because the transom beam can withstand a lot of stress, and it's important to understand that this is not just a pipe-and-pipe iron, but a very clever engineering project where every element, from the timber to the stringer, has its own seaworthiness function. Let's look at what's lurking inside this popular housing.
⚠️ Attention: Despite the strength of the aluminum alloy, there is always a risk of deformation of the bottom contours in heavy impact when operating at high speeds in rocky rivers.
Design features and geometry of the body
The basis of the boat is an all-welded body made of aviation aluminum alloy AMG5MThis material is not chosen by chance: it has high corrosion resistance and excellent weldability. The bottom is 3 mm thick, which ensures the rigidity of the structure, and the sides are made of 2 mm sheet, which allows you to reduce the overall weight without losing strength. V-shaped with a keeliness of about 12-14 degrees in the bow provides a good exit for slate.
The perimeter-mounted inflatable tubes are made of a five-layer reinforced PVC with a density of 750-850 g/m2. They are attached to the aluminum shaft profile with reliable brackets and bolt connections. This system allows you to replace the cylinders or remove them for transportation, turning the boat into a classic aluminum boat, although operation without them on the waves is not recommended due to low stability.
The internal layout provides for the presence of two sealed airbook It's a critical safety feature: even if the inflatable sides are completely damaged and the cockpit is flooded, the boat will remain positively buoyant and will not sink, and the aeroboks also act as structural rigidities, working like spars.
Body welding technology
The Navigator 370R is welded using the argono-arc method (TIG) in an inert gas environment, which allows you to obtain a seam that is not inferior in strength to the base metal, and avoid corrosion in the thermal influence zone, which often happens when using electrodes.
Technical specifications and load capacity
The overall specifications of the 370R make it versatile for transportation on the roof of a passenger car or on a light trailer. the length of the body is 3700 mm, and the width is 1650 mm. the height of the side together with the inflated part reaches 850 mm, which provides good protection against splashes even during the course against the wave. the dry weight of the body with installed elements (without motor and equipment) varies from 130-140 kg.
The model's load capacity allows you to comfortably accommodate 3-4 people of medium build with a full set of fishing equipment. The maximum power of the recommended engine is 30-40 hp, but many owners install 50-horsepower units, getting excellent dynamics. It is important to maintain balance, placing passengers and cargo evenly along the cockpit.
Below is a table with the main technical parameters that will help determine the choice:
| Parameter | Meaning | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum length | 3.70 | n |
| maximum width | 1.65 | n |
| Height of board | 0.85 | n |
| Load capacity | 550 | kilogram |
| Passenger capacity | 4 | man. |
Managing and Behavior on Water
On the water. Navigator 370R It's predictable and stable. With a combination of a hard keel and soft sides, the boat doesn't have the kind of redness that some flat-bottomers have. When you go into plane with a 25-30 hp engine, the boat skis in 3-4 seconds at full load, and the angle of the differential is regulated by the position of the transom plate and the weight distribution of the passengers.
When trolling, the boat is very stable, and the aluminum bottom doesn't sail as much as the fully inflatable ones, making it easier to steer in the side wind, but it's worth considering that the sailing of the high inflatable sides is still present, and in the case of strong winds, the demolition can be noticeable.
At a height of 0.5 meters, the boat is soft, the impacts on the water are extinguished by the pneumatic system. When exceeding this height, the bottom begins to slap, characteristic of light aluminum hulls, but the inflatable sides continue to perform their shock-absorbing function, protecting the crew from impacts on the board. Seaworthiness The model is rated as good for closed water bodies and the coastal zone of large rivers.
⚠️ Warning: It is not recommended to go out into open water when turbulent above 0.75 meters. RIB design, although stable, is not designed for stormy conditions of the high seas.
Compatibility with motors and tuning
The boat's transom beam is designed to accommodate short leg (S) and standard leg (L) outboard motors, depending on the height of the transom. The optimal choice will be the 20-40 hp Yamaha, Tohatsu or Hidea engines. Two-stroke motors are preferred due to the lower weight, which shifts the center of gravity and improves driving performance.
Owners often equip the boat with additional equipment. sonar And the navigational cartplotters are mounted on the rotary brackets in the bow, and often the arced chassis is mounted on the chassis, which is attached to the loose bolts in the sides, which turns the fishing boat into a full-fledged pleasure boat, protecting from the sun and rain.
When installing the motor, use a dynamometer key to tighten the diewood fastening nuts. Aluminum is prone to "flow" under load, and regular lifting of the mounts will prolong the life of the transom beam.
Of the modifications, it is often found to install nose tubes of increased capacity to increase buoyancy or install additional kunduks in the nose.
Care, maintenance and storage
Aluminum housing requires minimal maintenance compared to (glass plastic) or wood, but there are nuances. After each discharge on water, especially salt water, you need to thoroughly wash the body with fresh water. Although the AMg5M alloy is resistant to corrosion, galvanic vapors that occur when they come into contact with other metals (for example, steel mount bolts) can be oxidized.
Before a long parking on the water (more than 3-5 days), it is recommended to treat PVC fabric with special compounds that protect against ultraphylete and algae fouling. It is better to store the boat in a dry room, slightly lowering the pressure in the cylinders (up to 0.1-0.15 atm) to relieve static load on the seams in winter.
☑️ Annual TO boats
Particular attention should be paid to the state of timber This is where the most common scab occurs, and if you check the area regularly and replace the tread belt in a timely manner, you can save the cylinders from premature wear, and if you notice that the fabric is rubbing against the metal, you can immediately install additional protection.
Comparison with competitors and final conclusions
There are several direct competitors on the market, such as the Cayman, Flagman boats or imported type counterparts. YamarinCompared to fully inflatable boats (NPVs), the 370R Navigator benefits in the durability of the bottom and the ability to install powerful equipment (echo sounders, anchor winches). Compared to all-metal boats (Crimea, Ob), the RIB wins in weight, safety (not sinking) and gentleness.
The price segment is middle class, an investment in comfort and safety that pays off over years of seamless operation, and if you fish in large reservoirs where waves often rise, or you have to moor frequently on rocky shores, a hard case is a big bet.
The 370R is the perfect compromise for a motor fisherman who is cramped in a PVC boat, but it is too early or expensive to buy a full-fledged fiberglass or aluminum boat.
In conclusion, this boat requires respect for weight and proper operation, and it will last decades without losing its driving qualities, a reliable tool for fishing and recreation, which has proven itself in real-world conditions of Russian water bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I leave the Navigator 370R on the water all summer long?
Theoretically, it can, because aluminum alloy does not rot and PVC is resistant to water. However, prolonged exposure to water (more than 2-3 weeks without lifting) contributes to the fouling of the bottom with algae and shells, which increases weight and reduces speed. In addition, the constant temperature drop day and night can cause pressure fluctuations in the cylinders.
Which motor is better to choose: 2 or 4 stroke?
For a boat 3.7 meters long and weighing about 140 kg, a two-stroke engine is often preferred. It is lighter, which is critical for low power (20-30 hp), where every kilogram on the transom affects the output to plane. four-stroke engine will be quieter and more economical, but its weight can "buried" the transom, deteriorating driving performance. If the budget allows and weight is not so important (for example, the boat is on the water constantly), you can consider a four-stroke.
Do I need to register this boat with GIMS?
According to the current legislation of the Russian Federation, vessels weighing more than 200 kg (in running order) OR with an engine of more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp) are subject to registration. Since the 370R Navigator with an engine is likely to exceed the limit of 200 kg (hull ~ 135 kg + motor ~ 25-30 kg + equipment + tank), registration will have to be done.
How to repair balloon punctures in the field?
For temporary repairs, use a remix kit that comes with a patch and glue. The surface should be degreased (alcohol or acetone), glue on both surfaces, dry for 10-15 minutes, then press hard. For reliable repairs at home, it is better to use two-component polyurethane adhesive and dryer heating, but in the field, a standard "Moment" or specialized glue for PVC will also work.