The question of how much weighs aluminum-boatThe equipment becomes critical for the owner at the stage of purchase, when it comes time to solve the problem of transportation. Southerner 2One of the most popular models of the Soviet and post-Soviet period, often inherited by new owners or purchased on the secondary market in different conditions. trailerBut also to calculate the permissible load on the roof of the car or the frame of a homemade trailer.
Many owners mistakenly rely on the dry numbers from the 70s passports, forgetting that over decades of operation, the metal could have become overgrown with layers of paint, epoxy and additional equipment. boat In practice, it is always different from factory specifications, and ignoring this fact can lead to unpleasant surprises when lifting the board on brackets or when trying to start a loaded boat on the slosh shore.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the weight of the hull, the impact of attachments and the methods of accurate weighing so that you can plan the operation of your vessel without risk to your equipment and your own health.
Factory specifications and body weight
Official documentation accompanying Southerner 2 Since the start of production in Nikolaev, the weight of the hull was 250 kilograms, which became a kind of standard that many aqueous engines use when planning the load capacity of the trailer. However, it is worth considering that at that time welding technologies and sheet thickness could vary slightly from batch to batch, which made its own adjustments to the final weight.
The design of the body is made of aluminum-magnesium alloy AMg5M, which is famous for its strength and corrosion resistance, but has a certain density. Body length It is 4.5 meters and 1.7 meters wide, which, at a standard height of 0.72 meters, creates a significant surface area of the metal. It is the area and thickness of the sheet, which is usually 2 mm for the bottom and 1.5-2 mm for the side, that form the main weight.
If you Southerner 2 preserved in its original form, without unnecessary modifications, its weight will be close to the passport, but such copies every year becomes less and less.
Why is the real weight different from the passport?
In the production in different years, sheets of metal of different thicknesses could be used, and the technology of welding seams changed, which added or reduced the final weight by 10-15 kg.
Factors Affecting Real Weight
When you buy a used boat, you're almost guaranteed to get an object that's over the factory mass. Over decades of operation, the sides and bottoms have been repainted many times, and each layer of enamel or epoxy soil adds its own kilograms. A thick coat at the bottom can quietly add up to 15-20 kg to the total mass.
The second factor is the upgrade and the repair, and the owners often reinforce the transom, install additional ones. lensEven the installation of a standard windshield in a metal frame or the installation of awning arcs (which are often made from steel pipes, not aluminum) significantly changes the center of gravity and overall weight.
- 🛠️ Additional equipment: Insert fuel tanks, installation of stationary navigation systems, sonars and fasteners for batteries.
- 🎨 Coating layers: The accumulation of anticorrosion compounds, bitumen mastics on the transom and multiple painting of the sides.
- ⚓ The hinged elements: Welded ducks, bollards, carry handles and reinforced motor suspension loops.
Before transporting over long distances, try to dismantle all removable elements: cans, knuckles and windshield. This can reduce weight by 15-20 kg and make loading easier.
Influence of motor and attachment equipment
Talking about weight. Southerners 2It is impossible to consider only the body, since it is needed for full operation. outboardThis model was originally designed for engines up to 25 hp, which is perfectly combined with the engine. Wind 8 or Wind 12.The weight of these engines complete with a lower unit is about 40-45 kilograms, which is relatively small for such a case.
However, modern owners often install more powerful imported units, for example, Tohatsu or Yamaha with a capacity of 15-20 hp Weight four-stroke engine can reach 50-60 kg, and two-stroke - about 40 kg The difference of 10-20 kg may seem insignificant, but when lifting the boat on the brackets or when calculating the load on the breather trailer, each kilogram matters.
In addition to the engine, weight must be taken into account. fuel-tankA standard 22-litre tank mounted in a cockpit, when fueled, will add about 16-17 kg. If you use a takeaway tank, its weight will also fall on the boat's structure or on a transom if it is fixed there.
Load distribution during transportation
Proper weight distribution during transportation The southerly 2 on the roof of the car or trailer is a guarantee of safety on the road. The center of gravity of the boat is shifted closer to the transom due to the massive motor, so when installed on the roof, the nose part should be secured especially carefully so that the sailing does not play a cruel joke in the side wind.
When using a trailer, it is important to balance: trailer-breath It should not be overloaded, but the back should not put too much pressure on the farcope. The optimal distribution is considered that 10-15% of the weight of the boat with the engine is breathable. South 2 with a motor is about 30-45 kg of load on the ball of the farcope.
If you plan to transport the boat in assembled form (with the engine and tank), make sure that the trailer frame withstands dynamic loads. When driving over irregularities, the weight of the cargo can increase several times due to inertia, and a weak trailer may not withstand.
☑️ Checking transport readiness
Table of comparison of weight with analogues
To better understand the place Southerners 2 In the range of aluminum boats, it is useful to compare its parameters with its nearest competitors and predecessors. CrimeaIt is heavier because of its length and width, and Kazanka-M It's lighter, but less spacious.
| Model boat | Body weight (kg) | Length (m) | Width (m) | Load capacity (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southerner 2 | 250 | 4.50 | 1.70 | 400 |
| Crimea | 290 | 4.30 | 1.80 | 450 |
| Kazanka-M | 145 | 3.90 | 1.45 | 300 |
| Ob-M | 190 | 4.06 | 1.52 | 350 |
| voronezh | 180 | 3.80 | 1.50 | 350 |
As you can see from the table, The South 2 occupies a niche between lightweight Kazankas and heavier Crimeans, making it a versatile option for family holidays, but requires a more serious approach to transportation than lightweight models.
The southern 2 is heavier than the Ob-M and Voronezh, but lighter than the Crimea, which makes it a “golden mean” in capacity, but requires a reliable trailer for transportation.
How to weigh the boat yourself
If you need to know the exact weight of your boat to paper or buy a trailer, don't rely on data-sheet figures. The easiest way is to use a car scale. You'll need to drive the wheels of one side of the trailer and boat onto the scale platform, record the reading, then repeat the procedure for the other side.
The sum of the readings will give the total weight of the kit. To determine the weight of the boat itself, you need to subtract the mass of the trailer, which can be measured separately, and this method allows you to get an error of no more than 5-10 kg, which is quite enough for technical calculations.
You can also use a bezmen or dynamometer if you can hang a boat, but for the purpose of Southerners 2 are complex because of the size. In garage conditions, the lever method is often used, but it gives a large margin of error and requires caution not to damage the body.
⚠️ Attention: When weighing on a car scale, make sure the boat is securely attached to the trailer and does not move at the time of arrival on the platform.
Weight loss tips for transportation
If you plan to often carry a boat on the roof of a passenger car, it makes sense to think about reducing weight. The first step is to stop carrying the motor on a transom on long trips. outboard And if you take it in the trunk or separately, it will reduce the load on the transom and reduce the overall weight.
The second tip is to remove heavy elements inside the cockpit: removable cans, rundooks, anchor boxes and even the windshield (if designed) is better removed before loading, which will not only facilitate lifting, but also reduce the risk of damage to fragile elements during transportation.
The third way is to revisit the bottom, if you have a thick layer of old paint, algae or epoxy on the bottom, removing it can save you a few pounds, and use a scraper or grinder to clean the surface before the season.
Should I drill additional drainage holes?
You can drill new holes into the bottom of the water drain, but only if you are sure that the welds around are tight, you should use regular drain plugs or rubber plugs.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I transport the South 2 on the roof of a passenger car?
Technically, this is possible, because many foreign cars have a roof load capacity of 75-100 kg. However, 250 kg of body plus motor and trailers is too much. You can only load an empty body on the roof (without motor and tanks), and then it will be at the limit.
Which trailer is best for South 2?
The best option is a single-axle trailer with a carrying capacity of up to 750 kg. Double-axle trailers will be unnecessarily heavy and will require category B+E. It is important that the lozenges or rollers are tuned so as not to deform the flat bottom of the boat during prolonged parking.
How critical is excess weight by 20-30 kg?
For a trailer, an excess of 20-30 kg is not critical if the total weight does not exceed the technical specifications. However, for a roof of a car or weak brackets, even 10 kg can be decisive. Always leave a safety margin of about 15-20%.
Does the weight of the boat affect speed and fuel consumption?
The heavier the boat, the more power it takes for the motor to get on plane. Southern 2 will take longer to go into mode, increase fuel consumption and reduce top speed, and also increase the risk of burrowing nose on the wave.
⚠️ Attention: Never exceed the maximum load capacity indicated on the onboard plate, even if the boat appears stable. The aluminum hull can deform or get cracked on the weld when overloaded on the turbulence.
In summary, it can be said that Southerner 2 It is a reliable and time-tested boat, the weight of which is manageable with the right approach, knowing the exact weight and following the rules of load distribution will allow you to enjoy fishing and cruising without unnecessary hassle and technical problems.