Transportation of an inflatable craft is always a risk of damaging the sides or bottom of the protruding parts of the body, sharp corners of the trunk or spiny branches of a bush. PVC-bag It's not just packaging, it's full-fledged protective armor that keeps your gear intact for years, and many owners underestimate the importance of quality packaging until they're punctured on a fishing trip or scuffed after the first trip.
Unlike simple awnings, a specialized bag should have increased tensile strength and resistance to ultraviolet radiation. Oxford (Oxford) and tarpaulin These are materials that have proven to be the most reliable basis for creating durable covers. If you plan to actively operate a vessel, you should not save on storage and transportation accessories.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how factory solutions differ from homemade ones, which seams will withstand maximum loads and why ordinary fabric will not work for this purpose. You will learn how to extend the life of your boat, providing it with competent protection from external mechanical influences and aggressive environments.
Why you need a special cover for transportation
The main function of any inflatable packaging is to protect against mechanical damage, and the road to the pond is full of surprises: gravel on the side of the road, nails sticking out in the back of the truck, or even just dirt and sand that can get inside the valves. boat-bag Takes all these blows on itself, maintaining the tightness of the cylinders.
The right packaging also makes logistics easier: a boat folded in a case becomes compact, convenient to carry, load in the trunk or put on the roof of a car. Without a hard or dense soft frame of a bag, carrying a heavy vessel with a plywood bottom is extremely inconvenient, since soft PVC constantly tries to slip out of hand.
⚠️ Warning: Never keep the boat in a sealed bag if it is wet, which will cause mold and decay of the fabric, and also the destruction of the adhesive seams.
There's also the aspect of sun protection, and although modern materials are resistant to UV radiation, being exposed to direct light without additional protection reduces the life of the polyurethane coating, and a dense case, especially if it's light in color, reflects some of the heat and slows down the aging process.
Comparison of materials: Oxford, Tarpaulin and tarpaulin
The choice of material is the first and most important step, and the market offers many options, but not all are suitable for serious loads. Oxford fabric It's a polyurethane or PVC coating that's the most popular because it's a combination of lightness and high tensile strength, and it doesn't rot, it cleans easily, and it keeps its shape very well.
tarpaulin It's a more budget-friendly, but very durable, option, and it's completely waterproof, and it's often used to create outer layers of covers that protect against rain and dirt, but in the cold, it can tan and crack, losing its elasticity.
Classical. tarp It's a conservative choice, it breathes, which is good for storage, but it gets wet and becomes very heavy over time. For active fishing, where every kilogram of weight is important, the tarp can be too cumbersome.
Below is a comparative table of the main specifications of materials used for sewing packaging:
| Characterization | Oxford (PU/PVC) | tarpaulin | Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight. | Light. | Medium. | Heavy. |
| Water resistance | High. | Absolute. | Medium (requires processing) |
| Frost resistance | Up to -40°C | Up to -30°C (cracking) | High. |
| Resistance to UV | High. | Medium | High. |
When choosing a fabric, pay attention to the density of thread weaving, which is indicated in den (den). For boat bags, the optimal indicator is the density of 600 den and above. Thinner fabrics (210-400 den) are only suitable for light single boats without hard floorboard.
The best choice for all-season use is the Oxford 600D fabric with PU impregnation - it combines lightness, strength and frost resistance.
Design features of a quality bag
Just stitching two pieces of fabric isn't enough. The PVC boat bag has sustained a weight of 30-50 kg and did not break through the seams at the first port, it requires the correct design, special attention is paid to the bottom, which experiences maximum pressure from the contents.
Seams are the weak spot of any textile product, and quality products use double or even triple stitches using high-strength threads. 45LL or 70LL. Ordinary household threads will quickly rub against the rough surface of PVC or break when jerked.
- 🎒 Carrier handles shall be made of a sling at least 40 mm wide and cross-stitched to distribute the load.
- 🔒 Lightning (if provided) should be tractor-type, with large teeth that will not jam with sand or silt.
- 🌬️ Ventilation holes (lovers) are necessary to get moisture out if you plan to pack the boat not completely dry.
Also important is the closing system, which can be perimeter lightning, a lingering lace (curtain lace) or a Velcro valve, and for heavy boats with plywood floors, lightning has proven to be the best, as it allows you to fully open the bag and easily extract the contents.
⚠️ Warning: When choosing lightning, choose metal or reinforced plastic models. Cheap fittings are the first part that will fail under load.
The secret of the longevity of lightning
If the lightning starts to catch, don't use force, but use paraffin (a normal candle) or a special silicone spray to restore the runner's slide and prolong the life of the fittings for years.
Instructions: how to sew a boat bag yourself
Making a case yourself can save up to 70% of the cost of the finished product and get something that fits perfectly the dimensions of your vessel.
First, you need to take measurements from the already packed and folded boat, add to the resulting size of 5-10 cm on each side for free fit and seams. Don't make the bag back, otherwise stuffing the boat there will be torture.
The step-by-step process of sewing is as follows:
- Untie the fabric by the removed standards, taking into account the sutures (3-4 cm).
- Cross-linking of side seams and bottom with a double line.
- Sewing lightning or forming a shoelace.
- Sewing handles from the sling with reinforcement of the mounting places.
- Installation of luvers for ventilation and water runoff.
The best way to connect the parts is to use a sewing machine that can penetrate thick fabrics (such as "Podolsk" or modern analogues with a metal frame). If this is not possible, you can use the method of manual firmware with capron thread, but this will take much longer.
☑️ Check before sewing starts
Rules of packing and storage of boats
Even the most durable. boat-bag The main mistake is the packaging of wet products, and the water left in the folds turns into the perfect incubator for bacteria that destroy the structure of tissue and glue.
Before packing, the boat must be thoroughly washed from sand and silt, wiped with dry rags and allowed to dry completely in the air, preferably in the shade. Sun rays will accelerate drying, but regular drying in the scorching sun is harmful to PVC.
Stacking the boat carefully, avoiding the same clamps, causing microcracks in the material, and changing the fold line at each package or using special soft rollers at the folding points is recommended.
- 🌡️ Store the packed boat should be at a temperature of -10 C to +30 C.
- 🐀 In garages and sheds, protection from rodents that can chew through the cloth for heat or food is mandatory.
- 🚫 Do not place heavy objects on a packed boat that can push the bottom inside the cylinders.
If you rarely use the boat, it is recommended to unpack it every six months, check the pressure and condition of the seams, which will help to identify minor defects before they become critical.
Advice from the past: Put a bag of silica gel inside the boat bag, it will absorb residual moisture and prevent the appearance of a musty smell during long-term storage.
Common mistakes in selection and operation
Many users make mistakes that negate all the protective features of the case, the most common of which is buying a product that is too cheap in fine synthetics, which will be wiped to the bottom of the car in one season, and the money will be wasted.
At the other extreme, it's too tight, and some owners wrap the boat in plastic film "just in case," which is absolutely not allowed, because PVC has to "breathe," or the condensation that comes from the temperature changes will stay inside and cause valve corrosion and tissue decay.
Also worth mentioning is the misuse of lightning, which is that when you try to zip the zipper when the cloth is between your teeth, you break the runner, and you always straighten the edges of the cloth before you close.
⚠️ Warning: Never use a boat case as a seat or mat on the ground. Sharp stones or sparks from a fire will instantly damage the material, detaching the bag from its leakage.
The proper care of the bag is also important, because the dirty bag should be shaken out and washed with soft soap and water, and it is better to keep it straightened or rolled up, but not crumpled into a lump.
Can I wash a boat bag in the washing machine?
Most modern fabrics like Oxford can be washed in a typewriter in a delicate mode at a temperature of no more than 30 ° C. However, be sure to remove all plastic elements if possible and use a liquid detergent.
What size bag to choose for a boat with an engine?
You can't put the motor in the boat bag! You can transport the motor separately. You can pick the bag strictly to the dimensions of the folded boat, the paiola and the cans. If you try to shove the engine in there, you risk breaking the seams or damaging the propeller blades against the hard parts of the package.
How to replace professional fabric for a cover?
As a budget alternative, you can use an old truck awning, tarpaulin fire hoses or dense advertising fabric (banner), these materials are highly durable, but can be inferior in aesthetics and weight to specialized fabrics.
How to remove the smell of dampness from the boat in the bag?
You need to completely unpack the boat, wash it and a bag of disinfectant (for example, vinegar solution or special PVC product). After a thorough drying, put inside the bag bag of activated carbon or soda, which absorb unpleasant odors.