Improvements in the performance and safety of the craft are a perennial topic of debate among small-size boat owners, and the installation has gained particular popularity in recent years. balloon This solution combines the stability of a heavy boat with the softness and safety of an inflatable board. Owners of plastic kazaks and cruzeks often look for a way to make their boat more versatile, especially if they plan to go out with children or a dog.
The design is PVC cylinder This upgrade not only improves safety in the event of collision with obstacles, but also significantly increases the useful area of the cockpit. Soft sides They allow you to sit comfortably on the edge of the boat while fishing without the risk of overturning, but like any technical upgrade, this process requires careful selection of materials and adherence to installation technology.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of turning a conventional hard boat into a hybrid vessel, you will learn about the types of fasteners, the choice of fabric thickness and the nuances of the operation of composite structures. Competent installation This ensures that your boat will last for years, retaining its unique properties, and the importance of choosing the right glue and surface preparation should not be underestimated, as the reliability of the entire assembly depends on it.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hybrid Structures
The transition to a hybrid scheme has its obvious advantages, which often outweigh the time and cost. persistenceinflatable tubes above the waterline act as additional stabilizers, preventing critical rolling when cargo or passengers move abruptly. The plastic boat becomes less susceptible to excitement, which is especially true for small bodies of water where wind can quickly create ripples.
The second important aspect is securityThe soft side absorbs impacts on the pier, rocks or other boats, not only protects passengers from injury, but also protects the hull from chipping and scratching, and in the event of an accidental fall overboard, grabbing a soft, warm and wide tank is much easier and safer than hard, often slippery plastic.
⚠️ Attention: Installing inflatable sides increases the boat's sailing speed. With strong side winds, handling can deteriorate, and the risk of tipping over with poor engine control increases. Be careful!
However, we must not forget that defectsThe hybrid boat becomes heavier to transport, so the weight of an empty vessel with cylinders can increase by 15-25 kg. Also, the preparation time for launching is increased: you need to pump the cylinders, check the pressure, which takes too much time on shore, Storing such a boat also requires more space, because the deflated cylinders still take up volume.
Selection of materials: fabric, glue and fittings
The basis of durability of your new boards is the quality of the materials used. reinforced PVC The optimal density of fabric for boats with a length of 3-4 meters is considered to be 750-900 g / sq.m. Thinner fabric (640 g / sq.m.) is suitable for miniature boats, but on a plastic case that can have sharp angles, it is better to put the material tighter.
When choosing fabric, look at the manufacturer. Korean materials dominate the market.Wosung), Chinese (Valmex) and Russian production. Five-layer PVC With UV protection and rotting, this is a standard to follow, and cheap ones can quickly lose their elasticity and start cracking on their folds after the first season of active use.
Special attention must be paid fittingsThe lyctross must be of high quality, not stretchable, the fastexes and belts that the balloon will use to pull together must be made of marine plastic or stainless steel, cheap plastic in the sun will become brittle and burst at the most inopportune moment.
Secrets of choosing glue for PVC
Use two-part polyurethane adhesives (like Kleyberg or Teknipol) to glue the sides together, and they create an elastic seam that can withstand deformation, and nitrocleas are not suitable for this purpose, and the seam is tough and brittle.
Below is a comparative table of popular fabrics for self-tailoring or ordering boards:
| Parameter | PVC 640g/sqm | PVC 750 g/sqm | PVC 900+ g/sqm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appointment | Small boats, calm water | Universal boats, rivers | Large boats, stony shores |
| Weight of cylinder | Light. | Medium. | Heavy. |
| Wear resistance | Low. | Medium | High. |
| Price. | Low. | Medium | High. |
Types of fasteners: lyctross, slings or tethered rings?
The most difficult part of the design process is choosing how to attach the balloon to the shell. There are several basic schemes, each of which has its own specifications. lyctroseIn this case, a cable is sewn into the base of the cylinder, which is wound under the beam of a plastic boat, which is reliable, but requires that the design of the boat allows the cable to be put under the board.
A more modern and universal method - fastening on pass-belt The belt is thrown over the side of the boat and pulled by fastexes or buckles inside the cockpit, which is a good way of doing it without drilling the hull or making it difficult to fit the geometry of the timber, but the belts take up useful space inside the boat and can interfere with the legs of rowers or fishermen.
The third option is the use tether-ringThe rings on the balloon are connected to the return parts of the boat with short belts or carabiners, which makes it easy to remove the cylinders, but requires very high-quality gluing of the rings to plastic, which is difficult to do at home.
☑️ Check of the anchorage system
⚠️ Warning: When using a temporary fastener, be sure to use PVC cloth protective linings at points where the belt is in contact with the sharp angle of the boat side. Otherwise, the belt will be worn out in one season!
Step-by-step instructions for installing sides
The installation process requires care and an assistant. fatten Use acetone or a special PVC degreasing agent. If you plan to glue the response elements (rings or pads) directly onto the plastic, you should also hide the surface with fine sandpaper for better adhesion.
Then you try it on. Inflate the cylinders to the working pressure (usually 0.15-0.2 atm) and try them on the boat. Check the symmetry, the absence of gaps between the cylinder and the body. If you use belts, mark their output. It is important that the cylinder sits tight, without lashes, otherwise it will start to day on the water and rub the board.
The final step is fixation. If you use glue, apply it according to the instructions (usually two layers: the first one dries to stick, the second one to join), after gluing or screeding with belts, allow the structure to "lie" under load for at least 24 hours before the first descent. Complete polymerization The glue takes up to 72 hours, but the primary strength it gains faster.
When gluing elements in the cold season, use a dryer to preheat surfaces. Cold PVC does not grasp well, and the seam may be leaky.
Maintenance and care of inflatable elements
A hybrid boat requires no less maintenance than a one-piece boat. freshwaterEspecially if you've been swimming in salt water or dirty water, salt and silt destroy tissue structure and accelerate the aging of the material, dry the boat in the shade, direct sunlight on inflated cylinders can cause the seams to rupture due to air expansion.
Check regularly cylinder pressureA low-pumped side wears out faster on the folds, and a pumped one in the sun can burst. Use a pressure gauge rather than relying on the feeling of touch. Also check the belt and licros attachments for grinding. A timely replacement of a worn belt will save the balloon from loss at the most inopportune moment.
Keeping the boat with the sides installed assembled is not recommended. It is better to blow the cylinders to relieve stress from the fabric and seams. Stack them carefully, avoiding clamps in the same places. Use a spacious bag of breathable cloth to avoid mold.
The service life of high-quality PVC boards with proper care is 10-15 years, the main enemies of the material are ultraviolet, dirt and improper storage.
Impact on driving performance and handling
Installing inflatable sides changes the boat's hydrodynamics. A plastic boat usually has stiff cheekbones that provide a good exit for planing. Soft cylinders They round round the contours, which can slightly reduce top speed and increase fuel consumption, but on small strokes and trolling, the difference is almost invisible.
But comfort The boat stops hitting the wave, the noise in the cockpit decreases, passengers can sit on the sides with their legs hanging, which is impossible on hard plastic. For fishing, this is a huge plus: you can conveniently place your gear and settle down comfortably with your back on the soft side.
It's important to consider the change in the center of gravity. Cylinders add weight at the top, which theoretically reduces stability, but in practice, the wide profile of the inflatable side compensates for this, making the boat more "rolling" but safe when rolling. Motor thrust may have to adjust slightly to match the optimal transom angle.
What pressure should be in the sides for optimal rigidity?
The optimal operating pressure for inflatable sides on a rigid body is 0.15-0.2 atmosphere (150-200 mbar). Do not pump them more, as the pressure will increase in the sun, and the balloon may deform.
Can I install the boards on a boat with a rounded bottom?
Yes, but it's more complicated. For boats with heavily rounded sides (such as Kazanka-M or some Crimean models), you'll need to customize the balloon pattern to fit the geometry, and belt mounting is best because the lyctross can slip.
Do I need to re-register the boat after installing the boards?
Under current GIMS rules, a small vessel design change that affects its carrying capacity or passenger capacity theoretically requires a change in the paperwork. However, if the boards are removable and do not change the basic specifications (length, width on the rigid hull) dramatically, in practice this is rarely checked.
How to seal a puncture on board on a fishing trip?
Always carry a remix. For emergency repairs, a self-adhesive PVC tape or a quick-drying glue patch (for example, a "Crystal Moment" for a temporary solution) will do. The puncture site must be degreased and dried before sticking.
Will the boats increase the load capacity?
Yes, inflatable tubes add buoyancy, and the volume of water displaced increases, allowing more cargo to be taken on board without the risk of drawing water, and the payload will formally increase by a weight equal to the volume of the submerged part of the cylinders, but you shouldn't rely on this as the main buoyancy reserve.