The PVC inflatable boat has long ceased to be just a means for quiet fishing on paddles, turning into a full-fledged boat that requires a serious power plant. boat-engine It is becoming a key factor that not only speed but also safety and longevity of the boat itself depends on, and the market offers hundreds of models, and it is easy for a beginner to get confused about the specifications, types of control and additional options.
Mistakes in the selection of the unit for the inflatable side can be expensive: from a banal advantage and loss of controllability to the destruction of the transom at high speed. Two-stroke and four-stroke The engines have their own operating features that you need to consider when planning your budget and conditions of use, and in this article we will discuss all the nuances to make your sailing comfortable.
A properly assembled kit, including the engine itself, the fuel system and the mounting elements, unlocks the potential of even a compact PVC boat. engine The vessel must comply strictly with the boat's data-sheet figures specified by the manufacturer, and exceeding the permissible values creates critical stress on the structure.
Criteria for the power selection and type of engine
The first thing the boat owner faces is a dilemma: a two-stroke or four-stroke engine. Two-stroke units They're traditionally easier, cheaper to maintain and easier to transport, because they can be transported on any side, but they require a fuel mix and make more noise. Four-stroke They are more economical, quieter and more environmentally friendly, but their weight often becomes critical for light inflatable vessels.
Power is the second most important parameter. To glid a standard two-seater boat with a length of 320-360 cm, 5-9.9 hp is usually enough. door-wheel And you can take three people with a load, and you can consider options up to 15 hp and up, but always remember the power limit on the boat's passport.
When choosing, you should also pay attention to the ignition system and the availability of an electric starter. For small power, manual start is standard, but for engines over 15 hp, the presence of a manual starter is also necessary. electric starter The weight of the motor assembled with a lower unit coil should be evenly distributed so as not to overload the aft.
⚠️ Warning: Installing a motor above the manufacturer's recommended boat can lead to deformation of the transom board and rupture of cylinders in the joint area at high speed.
Design features and attachments
The modern PVC outboard motor is a complex mechanism where each element plays a role. lower unit, or the bottom, must be made of corrosion-resistant alloys, because contact with water, especially salty water, is inevitable. The propeller It is selected depending on the type of tasks: for heavy loads you need a screw with a smaller pitch, and for high-speed getting on plane - with a large one.
An integral part of comfortable operation is door-wheelThey're attached to a lower unit or a transom, and they allow one person to easily move a motorboat along the shore, and without that accessory, dragging a heavy unit across sand or rocks becomes a challenge, and it's also important to have a quality lower unit stove that provides a rigid fixation.
- 🌊 Anti-cavitation plate: protects the propeller from air capture and improves thrust in shallow water.
- ⛓️ Spurs of the tiller: provide accurate control and fixation of the position of the gas handle.
- 🛡️ Screw protection: safety veneer or friction saves the gearbox when hitting an underwater obstacle.
It is important to check the condition regularly. thermostat And the engine is one of the most common causes of engine failure, especially when you're driving at full speed, and visualizing the lower unit after each outing will help you identify foreign objects that have wound up on the screw.
Installation of the motor and adjustment of the angle of the different
Properly mounting the motor on the transom is key to efficient planing and safety, the engine must be fixed strictly in the center of the transom board, and for reliable fixation, rods are used, which must be tightened with the force recommended by the manufacturer to avoid vibration. transom board shall be reinforced with moisture-resistant plywood or aluminum linings.
The critical parameter is the angle of the differential. By adjusting the tilt of the lower unit with holes in the rod or hydraulic stop, you change the angle of attack of the boat. If the boat's nose is too high, it loses its course stability; if it is lowered, water resistance and fuel consumption increase. The optimal position is selected experimentally.
☑️ Checklist of engine installation
The height of the lower unit installation also affects the work anticavitationalIt should be parallel to the bottom of the boat or at a small angle. If the plate is too high, the screw will start to grab air, if low, resistance will increase. On inflatable boats, because of the flexibility of the transom, this parameter requires periodic checks.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting, always check for a water jet from the control hole. The absence of a jet indicates a malfunction of the pump or a clogging of the cooling system.
Fuel system and preparation for the season
The reliability of the fuel system directly affects the stability of the engine. For two-stroke engines, the ratio of mixing gasoline and oil must be carefully observed, usually this ratio is 1:50 or 1:25, depending on the manufacturer's recommendations. motor-oilThe use of poor quality fuel or old gasoline leads to the formation of soot and the failure of the piston group.
The fuel hose and pear must be elastic and not crack in the cold. When assembling the system, it is important to monitor the direction of the arrows on the settling filter and the correct orientation of the fuel connections. Fuel tank It must be securely anchored in the boat to prevent it from tipping over in case of sudden maneuvers or excitement.
| Parameter | Two-stroke engine | Four-stroke engine |
|---|---|---|
| Type of fuel | Gasoline + butter | Clean gasoline. |
| Weight (average) | Lighter (20-30 kg) | Heavyer (35-50 kg) |
| Noise | High. | Low. |
| Service | Simple. | Requires oil change |
When you can preserve for the winter, be sure to drain the residue of fuel from the carburetor and fuel hoses. Gasoline has the ability to oxidize and turn into resins that clog the jelly. Engine conservation It extends its life and guarantees an easy launch in the spring.
How to store the engine in winter?
Pour all the fuel, release the residues in the carburetor, grease the cylinders with special conservation oil through the candle hole, store the engine upright in the dry room, remove the candle and check the gap.
Water operation and safety
Getting out on the water requires a number of safety rules. lifejacketMake sure that the kill switch checks are fastened to the driver's clothing, which instantly silences the engine if a person falls overboard or loses control.
When driving a PVC boat, consider its sailing and low landing. overturn The wave must be entered at an angle or perpendicular to avoid a hard nose impact on the water, which is dangerous for the inflatable side.
- 🚤 Always carry a spare set with you. spark plug And a tool to replace them.
- ⚓ Carry an anchor of sufficient weight and a reliable phalt to stop on the current.
- 🔋 Have spare oil and candle key in a sealed bag.
Pay special attention to the state transom-wheel If they go too low, they can create resistance or even damage cylinders, and in some models, you can lift or remove the wheels before you go into the slate.
Maintenance and frequent malfunctions
Regular maintenance is the key to a long life of the motor, and after every saltwater fishing, you have to flush the cooling system with fresh water, and for that, you have special connections, or you just put lower unit in a barrel of water. Corrosion is the main enemy. aluminum-alloy and magnesium alloy, from which the bodies of lower unit are often made.
Once a season, it is recommended to check the compression, condition of the candle and the purity of the air filter. If the engine began to lose power or stall on idles, most likely, the carburetor's jellyboxes were clogged or the tightness of the fuel hoses was violated. Diagnostics It starts with visual inspection and spark inspection.
Use only fresh fuel. Gasoline that has been in the tank for more than 2-3 months loses its properties and can spoil the rubber elements of the fuel system.
Replacing the lower unit lubricant in the gearbox is a procedure that is easy to do yourself, and the oil in the gearbox is changed once a year or after hitting an obstacle, and if there is an emulsion in the leaked oil (white), then the sealing of the omentums is broken and water is in the gearbox.
⚠️ Warning: Never start the engine without dipping the lower unit in water or connecting to a forced cooling system. Dry operation will cause instantaneous overheating and pump deformation.
Regular flushing of the cooling system with fresh water after use in a salty environment increases the life of the engine by 2-3 times.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
What power to choose for a boat with a length of 340 cm?
For a boat with a length of 340 cm, the optimal power is in the range of 9.9 - 15 hp This will provide a confident getting on plane with two passengers and cargo.
Do I need to run a new outboard motor?
Yes, it's mandatory. It usually takes 5-10 hours, you can't give it a full load (more than 50-70% of the gas) and it's necessary to grind the piston group and bearings, and ignoring the break-in reduces the engine life.
Can I use AI-92 gasoline?
Yes, most modern outboard motors are designed for AI-92 gasoline, the main requirement is freshness of fuel and no impurities. For two-stroke engines, gasoline is mixed with a special oil for water technology in the proportion specified in the instructions.
Why does the engine stop at high speeds?
Most often, the reason for the "starvation" of the engine: a fuel filter is clogged, a tank lid is blocked, or a carburetor's jet lag is clogged, and the problem may be a violation of the ventilation of the tank or an inflection of the fuel hose.