Transporting a boat over long distances is always a risk of damage to the hull if proper support is not provided, and the issue of proper stowage is especially relevant for owners of homemade or converted onboard trailers, where the regular geometry rarely coincides with the contours of the boat. Lodges In this context, they are not just a soft lining, but a load-bearing element that distributes the weight of the boat along the entire length of the side.
Using inappropriate materials or improperly mounting support points can cause the keel to deform, crack in fiberglass, or the aluminum bottom to deflect. In this article, we will detail how to design a padding system that will turn a conventional trailer into a reliable platform for transporting your boat, whether it is a vehicle or a vehicle. PVC Or metal.
The key is to understand that the paving must repeat the curve of the body, not just touch it at several points. Mistakes in the design phase often become noticeable only after the first trip on rough roads, when it will be more difficult and expensive to fix the situation.
Materials for the manufacture of lozenges: comparison and selection
The choice of material for the support surface is the first and most important step. There are many solutions on the market, but for the on-board trailer, where versatility and reliability are important, three main options are most often considered, each of which has its advantages depending on the type of boat and operating conditions.
The most common material is carpet It's a very high density, strung on a wooden or metal base, it's very protective against scratches, it's very cushioning, but it absorbs moisture quickly, which, if stored for a long time, can cause the base to rot or corrosion of the metal underneath.
The alternative is rubber They're fully moisture-resistant and easy to wash, but they have a lower friction ratio, which requires more careful strap-fixing of the boat, and composite materials that combine rigidity and softness are also gaining popularity.
- 🌲 Wood + Carpet: A classic solution that is affordable, but requires regular drying and replacement of the coating.
- 🛡️ Rubber: Ideal for aluminum boats, water-free, durable, but can be slippery when wet.
- 🧱 Polyurethane foam: Light and does not rot, but can deform under heavy weight at high temperatures.
⚠️ Warning: Never use pure plywood or uncoated OSB to contact the hull of the boat. Even brief friction on the rough surface when vibrating can leave irremovable scratches on the gelcoat.
Before you finalize your material, run a friction test: run the sample over the clean section of your boat with little effort. If there are traces, look for a softer coating.
Calculation of geometry and support points for different types of housings
The geometry of the pads depends on the type of bottom of your boat. For flat-bottomers, it is critical to provide support along the entire width of the transom and along the keel line to avoid cross-cutting, while keel boats require that the support be precisely placed under the keel, otherwise a hammock effect occurs when the middle of the hull sags.
When designing a system for an on-board trailer, you need to take into account not only the static load, but also dynamic jerks during braking. Pivot points They must be positioned so that when the trailer rolls on a turn, the boat does not slip off the bed, often requiring a shift in the center of gravity closer to the wheel axis.
For boats from PVC With inflatable tubes, the pressure is evenly distributed, so the pawns can be wider and softer. Hard cases of AMG alloy or fiberglass require more pointy but rigid support in places of strength gain.
The optimal step is considered when the deflection of the bottom between the supports does not exceed the permissible values for a particular material of the housing.
Technology of installation of pawns on board of trailer
Mounting the support elements on the trailer boards is a process that requires precision and the right fastener. Because the trailer sides are often made of thin metal, you can't just screw a heavy padding, you need to reinforce the structure.
First, the anchorages are marked, then the holes are drilled, and the inside of the side is set up to distribute the load, and the fastening must be done with bolts of strength class not lower than 8.8, to prevent the hats from being cut off when vibrating.
To adjust the height and angle of inclination often used threaded studs or telescopic racks, which allows you to adapt the same trailer for different boats, changing the height of the pad.
☑️ Procedure for installation of pawns
Once the base is installed, you need to check the rigidity of the structure, it should not stagger when you press it hard with your hand, if you have a backlash, you need additional skewering or a tighter fit of fasteners.
Comparison of materials: specifications table
To systematize the information and help you make the final choice, we have prepared a comparative table of the main materials used to create the support surface of the spodles.
| Materials | Durability | Moisture resistance | Protection of the hull | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet (sea) | Medium (3-5 years) | Low (requires drying) | High. | Low. |
| Rubber (automobile) | High (10+ years) | Great. | Medium | Low. |
| polyurethane | Medium | High. | Very high. | Medium |
| Tree (Lilchwy) | High. | Medium (polish needed) | High. | Medium |
As you can see from the table, there is no universal solution. Larch-dresser It is often the middle ground for those who value natural materials and are willing to care for them, whereas rubber is the choice of pragmatic users who need reliability “put and forget”.
Protection of the body: prevention of damage during transportation
The main goal of building quality pads is to keep the boat safe, and even perfectly mounted supports will not save you if you don't take into account friction and vibration, and when you move along the track, you get microvibrations that can wipe the coating into holes in minutes if the points of contact are wrongly selected.
Special attention should be paid to the edges of the passement, they should be rounded and have no sharp corners that can crash into the side when side-swinging. foam or a special tape around the perimeter of the padden significantly reduces the risks.
- 🚫 Avoid using metal as a contact surface without a thick layer of soft pad.
- 🧼 Regularly clean the pads of sand and fine dirt that work as an abrasive.
- 🔧 Check the tension of the fasteners of the pads before each long trip.
⚠️ Note: If you are carrying a boat with an engine, make sure that the rear lozenge does not press on the lower unit or bottom of the transom where the sounder or water intake sensors are located.
The Secret to Long-Term Carpet Service
If you've chosen carpet, use a two-layer system, the bottom layer is a hard technical felt, the top layer is a pile carpet, which will improve cushioning and prolong the life of the top layer.
Maintenance and care of the pawns system
Logs, like any element of a trailer, require regular maintenance; wood bases must be covered once a season with antiseptic or varnish to prevent rotting from contact with water and dampness; metal frames should be checked for corrosion, especially in welding sites.
The fabric coatings must be removed, cleaned and completely dried before winter storage, and the moisture left behind is the main enemy of any boat storage system, and if rubber is used, just wash it with hose water and inspect it for cracks.
In the off-season, it is recommended to loosen the fasteners of the pads if they are under tension so that the metal “rests” and does not lose elasticity by the next season, this is especially true for spring fastening systems.
Regular maintenance of the lodgings prolongs the life of not only the support system itself, but also prevents expensive repairs of the boat hull.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use regular car mats for lodgings?
You can use regular rubber mats, but with caution. They often have too smooth a surface, which reduces friction, it is better to combine them with an anti-slip coating or choose mats with a pronounced elevation of the "cell".
What is the minimum width for a PVC boat?
For inflatable boats, the width of the lobe should be at least 10-15 cm This is necessary to uniformly distribute the pressure and prevent the formation of "cracks" on cylinders in the support areas.
Do I need to clean the boat before installing the boat?
No, you don't have to lubricate the lozenges. The lubricant (oil, solidol) will collect dust and sand, turning into an abrasive paste that will quickly spoil the boat's coating. The surface should be clean and dry.
How often should I change the wooden bars under the carpet?
The life of the tree depends on the species and storage conditions. Pine may require replacement after 2-3 seasons, whereas larch or oak lasts 5-7 years or more. Change the bar if it is blackened, soft to the touch or lost geometry.