Possibility of installation outboard The inflatable boat, which doesn't have a hard transom, is often used by many owners of simple PVC boats, often when a fisherman or hunter decides to upgrade his fleet to get rid of the grueling paddles. But many budget models are designed solely with the thrust of oars or an electric motor on the nose, which creates the illusion that a full-fledged ICE cannot be installed.
In fact, there are a number of ways to technically implement the plan, but each requires careful risk weighing and an understanding of the physics of the process. Inflatable boards They don't have the stiffness to withstand the vibration and the propeller's stress, so building an artificial prop becomes the main engineering challenge in such a situation, and ignoring this principle can lead to the loss of expensive equipment or even a dangerous situation on the water.
In this article, we will examine in detail all known methods of adapting boats to the engine, evaluate their reliability and consider why some solutions work better than others. squirrel-board, the use of removable structures and features of balancing the boat with a new type of engine.
Why the lack of transance is a problem
The tran is not just a piece of plywood in the stern, it's a critical piece of design that can handle enormous loads. outboard It's spinning, it creates thrust, which pushes the boat forward, but it also creates a jet moment, presses the daywil against the vertical surface, and if that vertical hard surface is not there, the motor will simply go underwater or up without creating any useful movement.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to fix the motor directly on the inflatable cylinder without rigid struts will lead to an instant rotor turning around its axis and loss of control, which can cause a rollover.
Also, the vibration from work combustion engine Soft PVC, even high density, starts to walk under the influence of these vibrations, which leads to rapid wear of the material at the point of contact with the fasteners and possible depressurization of the cylinder. bondage Between the engine and the hull of the boat is a prerequisite for safe operation.
Another factor is the shifting of the center of gravity, and if you put a heavy unit on the stern without a properly designed platform, you can change the boat's trim, the nose can go up too high, which can make your vision and handling worse, especially when you're excited, so you have to plan for the fuel tank and the passengers when you're thinking about whether you can put the engine in.
- 🚫 The lack of vertical support does not allow you to create a focus for the screw.
- 📉 The vibration of the engine destroys the structure of the inflatable material.
- ⚖️ The balance and stability of the vessel is disturbed.
The hinged transanz (transboard) method
The most common and relatively safe way to solve the problem is to use a hinged transom, often called a “trans board”, a rigid plate made of moisture-resistant plywood or composite that is attached to the sides of the boat using special brackets or belts that cover cylinders. transom board distributes the load from the motor over a large area, preventing local squeezing.
The design of these boards can be different. The simplest options are a rectangle with two "ears" or hooks that hook overboard. The more complex models have a system of screed belts with rattles, which allows you to securely fix the board even on boats with round cross-section of cylinders. It is important that the surface of the board is smooth and has no sharp corners that can damage the board. PVC when pitching.
When choosing or manufacturing such a board, you need to consider the power of the planned engine. For engines up to 3-4 hp, a board 20-25 mm thick is enough. For more powerful units, a reinforced design is required, possibly with additional sideways resting on the sides to compensate for the loss of power. torque at a sharp set of speeds.
When making a transom board yourself, use only marine plywood FSF and be sure to treat the edges with epoxy resin to protect against water.
But remember, even the best hinged board is not part of the boat's design, it's based on tension and friction, and when you get into a strong wave or when you maneuver abruptly, you run the risk of the entire structure shifting relative to the cylinders, so the mounting should be as reliable as possible, and the testing of the tension of the belts is a must before each step into the water.
Use of solder boats and hidden transoms
Some models of inflatable boats, especially those with a rigid floorboard bottom, have hidden engine-mounting capabilities, and sometimes have special pockets or reinforcements in the aft section where a removable transom can be inserted. constructors And tested for strength.
If your boat doesn't have a regular seat, but there's a hard slate or plywood bottom, you might consider mounting the engine stove directly to the stiffness elements of the bottom. But there's a serious danger here: the bottom of the boat is not designed to perceive traction forces in the horizontal plane. paiola They may break down and break down their heads.
There are adapters that attach to stringers (longitudinal beams) under floorboard, which take the engine mounting point out of the cylinders, mimicking a classic transom, which requires precise fitting to a particular boat model and is often custom-made. Stiffness of connection In this case, it depends on the rigidity of the boat floor.
| Type of attachment | Max power (hp) | Difficulty of installation | Risk of damage to the boat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paddyboard | 5.0 | Low. | Medium (rub) |
| Plug-in-the-trans | 15.0 | High. | Low (if performed correctly) |
| Firming to the paiole | up to 3.5 | Medium | High (underbody rupture) |
| Rama catalogue | 6.0 | Medium | Medium (centre shift) |
Can I reinforce the hinged board?
Yes, for this purpose, additional vertical rigidity ribs are installed on the sides of the board, which rest on the sides of the boat through soft gaskets, distributing the load.
Homemade frames and brackets: pros and cons
For people who like to build things themselves, there is a way to create unique fastening systems, and you can often find structures from a profile pipe or corner that cover the aft part of the boat. metal-frame rest on the sides through wide areas, sheathed with rubber or felt, so as not to damage the material.
The main advantage of homemade frames is that they can be adapted to specific needs and motors, and you can design the mount so that it doesn't interfere with fishing when folded, but metal has the ability to rust, and the sharp edges of welds can cause cuts, and the weight of the mount can be significant, which is a lightweight inflatable boat. negative.
When designing a frame, it is important to provide for rapid dismantling. A boat without a transom is often used in a rowing mode, and no one wants to carry an extra 10-15 kg of metal when transporting in the trunk of a car, so the mounting units should be made on bolts or quick-removal clips, not on a blank weld.
⚠️ Warning: Any metal elements in contact with the boat or near water should be coated with corrosion-resistant compounds and should not have sharp edges to avoid injury and damage to property.
Another nuance is the height of the diewood installation: homemade structures often do not allow you to adjust the height of the suspension of the motor as flexibly as the standard transom, this can lead to cavitation of the screw or, conversely, to increased water resistance, you need to provide at least a minimum range of adjustment vertically.
Electric motors as an alternative to ICE
If the issue of installing the engine arises because of the desire to facilitate movement, but there is no possibility to create a reliable focus for the gasoline engine, you should pay attention to the need for a reliable engine. motor-boatThey are significantly lighter, have less vibration and, most importantly, can often be mounted on temporary brackets or even on the bow of a boat.
The bow mount eliminates the problem of not having a feed transom, and the motor is attached to a platform on the nose that in turn rests on the sides, and because the electric motors rarely exceed the power equivalent of 3-4 hp, the load on the sides is minimal. slow-fishing And moving through shallow water.
And electric propulsion allows you to use simple rods that can be mounted on any rigid bar that is thrown over the sides, which can be made from a lightweight aluminum pipe and removed in seconds, and the absence of exhaust gas and noise makes this option environmentally friendly and allowed in waters where gasoline is prohibited.
☑️ Choosing the type of motorization
Safety and legal aspects
Installation of the motor on a boat not intended for this by the manufacturer carries not only technical but also legal risks. According to the rules of registration of small craft, the boat must be manned according to the passport of the product. PVC boats The maximum weight of the engine is not specified or the presence of a transom is not provided constructively, the inspector of the GIMS may not register such a vessel with an engine or write a fine.
Water safety is priority number one. Motor mounting is always a "time bomb"; vibration has the ability to unwind bolts, belts to stretch, and plastic to get tired; before every season, and ideally before every fishing trip, you need to make a thorough review of all mounting nodes.
And if you have an accident, if it's proven that the boat's design was artisanal, the insurance company can refuse to pay, so you take full responsibility for this. Sober assessment Your engineering skills and the state of the boat here is more important than the desire to save money on the purchase of a new model with a transom.
The safest way is to buy a boat with a factory transom, and artisanal methods are only acceptable for small capacities and require constant monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I glue a transom to a boat without a transom on my own?
Theoretically, it can, but it requires professional skills in working with PVC and special adhesives, carving ears out of the same material as the boat and gluing them to the cylinder, reinforcing the sticking with strips, but without factory technology (HTV or high-temperature gluing), the reliability of such a connection under the load of the engine remains questionable.
What is the maximum weight of the engine will withstand the hinged board?
For a standard homemade or purchased hinged board of 20 mm plywood, the safe limit is 3-4 hp (about 13-15 kg). Exceeding this weight dramatically increases the risk of breaking the board or damaging the sides of the boat. For more powerful engines, you need a boat with a rigid glued transmelon.
Do I need to register a boat if I put the motor through the hinged board?
Yes, if the engine power is greater than 5 hp (or 8 hp depending on current GIMS rules and engine type), registration is required regardless of the way the engine is attached. The fact that the motor is present and its power is the determining factor, not the way it is installed.
Will the hinged transom damage the boat's cylinder over time?
Yes, the risk of damage is high. Constant friction, pressure and vibration lead to the abrasion of the protective layer of PVC. To minimize the damage, the contact areas must be laid with tight rubber, felt or special linings, and regularly lubricate them with silicone lubrication.