Comfort on the water begins with the proper organization of the internal space of the boat, often owners of inflatable boats are faced with a lack of storage space for gear or the desire to place additional equipment in the bow. noseowl bankIt's a ergonomic system that turns a vacant triangle into a functional platform, and it's not just a board, it's an important piece of ergonomics that affects the weighting and stability of the boat.
Installation of slug in the nose allows you to fix electric motorOr you can place an anchor box or you can create a comfortable foot pad when you're fishing for a throw. PVC The boats are equipped with only aft and center seats, leaving the nose empty, and a well-designed design is able to withstand significant loads without disturbing the boat's balance on the water.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of creating and installing a nose platform. You will learn what materials are better to choose, how to calculate the dimensions for a particular model and avoid typical assembly errors. tuning ensure the durability of the structure and safety during operation.
Selection of materials for the nose platform
The first step to building a reliable design is to find quality raw materials. plywoodIn the construction materials market, the de facto standard is the brand. FSFIt's designed for outdoor work, and it's not afraid of constant contact with water, and it's very quick to use conventional building plywood to detach and lose strength.
To reinforce the edges and create a frame, aluminum profiles or wooden bars are often used. Aluminum is lighter and does not rot, but requires careful cutting treatment so as not to damage the boat's cylinders. Wood is easier to handle and cheaper, but requires careful impregnation. antiseptic The weight of the finished product is critical, especially if the boat is used for sea fishing and is often carried by hand.
⚠️ Warning: Never use FBA plywood or conventional furniture plywood to make water-contact elements that swell after the first season, lose strength and can cause a water emergency.
The surface is also very attention-grabbing, and the best option is sea paint or specialized deck formulations, which create a slippery but strong film that protects the tree from ultraphylete and mechanical damage. linoleum or carpet, which improves the grip of shoes and reduces noise when moving.
- 🌊 Plywood FFS thickness of 9-12 mm - the ideal balance of weight and strength.
- 🔩 Aluminum corner 20x20 mm - for edging the ends and protecting the cylinders.
- 🛡️ Sea lacquer or epoxy resin - for sealing and protection from moisture.
- 📏 Neoprene tape - for laying between metal and PVC fabric.
Slim size calculation and slat geometry
Geometry of the bow of boats PVC It's a triangle, or trapezoid, that tapers into the forehead, and to get the exact dimensions, you need to inflate the boat to the working pressure and put a piece of paper or cardboard on the floor, and carefully circle the interior space, leaving small gaps on the sides for the cylinders to pass freely when they are deformed on the wave.
It is important to consider the location stringer The bank must either rely on them or have its own attachment points that do not violate the integrity of the inflatable elements. The standard width of the bow platform varies from 40 to 60 cm, which allows you to sit comfortably or place equipment without blocking the view and without disturbing the rowing.
Nuances shaped nose
In high-pressure inflatable floor (HPD) boats, the nose is often sharper and slate may require complex curly cutting. In paiole bottom boats, the space is usually smoother but is limited by the joints of the paiole docking.
The thickness of the material directly affects the carrying capacity. 9 mm is enough for single fishing, but if you plan to install it, electric motor Or two people, 12 mm is better. The thickness increases, but it makes sure you don't have any deflections under load.
| Type of boat | Recommended thickness | Maximum loading | Structure weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat up to 3m | 9 mm | 80 kg | 3-4 kg |
| Boat 3-3.5m | 10-12 mm | 120 kg | 5-7 kg |
| Boat from 3.5m | 12-15 mm | 150 kg | 8-10 kg |
Tools and preparation for work
A good nose can doesn't require complex industrial equipment, but a toolkit must be carefully selected. jigsaw You can use a sawsaw, but you can have a rough cut that you have to grind for a long time, and you need a metal hacksaw or a Bulgarian with a cut-off disc to work with an aluminum profile.
It is not possible to build a structure without high-quality fasteners. It is recommended to use stainless screws or bolts, since ordinary ferrous metal will rust after the first release into the water, leaving rust streams on light plywood and clothing. drill with a set of drills, a grinder or sandpaper of different grains, brushes for coating and a measuring tool.
☑️ Tools for work
Prepare the workplace in advance. Saw and paint better in a well-ventilated room or on the street. Cover the surface with a protective film to avoid spoiling the floor with varnish or dust. Check the sharpness of saws and disks in advance: a blunt tool leaves chips on plywood. FSFThis reduces the appearance and the quality of the protection of the ends.
Step-by-step instructions for manufacturing
The process starts with putting the dimensions on a sheet of plywood. Use a pencil and a square to mark them accurately. If the shape is complicated, you'd better make a pattern out of cardboard first, try it on in a boat, and then circle it on a clean material. bladeMoving slowly so as not to damage the cutting lines.
The next step is to treat the ends, and this is the most vulnerable part of the product, where moisture enters first, and the ends must be thoroughly polished, all the burrs removed, and coated with several layers of epoxy resin or special sealant, and if you plan to be bordered with an aluminum profile, drill holes under the fasteners in advance, zinging them under the screws.
⚠️ Attention: When drilling holes for fasteners, be sure to use a drill slightly smaller in diameter than the screw itself, and pre-jink the holes. This will prevent plywood from splitting and allow the fastener hats to go level with the surface without scratching the cylinders.
In addition, the boat often requires additional elements, such as stops, latchers or belts, which can be made from residual material. transom-wheel Or an anchor winch, the attachment points are reinforced by additional linings from the inside. After assembling all the wooden elements, proceed to the finishing paint in 2-3 layers.
- 📐 The outline marking on the pattern on plywood.
- 🪚 Sawing the mold with an electro-cloth.
- 🔨 Stripping edges and drilling holes.
- 🎨 Printing and painting of ends and planes.
Installation and fastening of the bank in the boat
Installation of a ready-made nose can in the PVC boat The main condition is that there are no sharp corners and protruding parts of the fastener that can damage the cylinders when moving or rolling, the structure must lie freely, without tension, but with the ability to fix from displacement when moving along the wave.
There are several ways to fix it. The simple way is to use a regular one. face They're going to be filled with reactive locks, or they're going to be just the edge of the jar, and a more reliable method is to use carbine belts that are thrown overboard or attached to the rims. For hard bottom boats, slate can be directly supported by the bottom beams.
If you plan to use a nose jar as a platform for your feet when catching standing, make sure it has sufficient footing area. In some cases, it is advisable to make not one solid plate, but two separate ones. consoleThis will make it easier to pack the boat and reduce the weight of each individual element.
Safety comes first: any metal attachment elements inside the boat should be thoroughly ground, painted or covered with plastic plugs to prevent puncture of PVC fabric.
Operation and care of wooden sleigh
Even the best plywood. FSF And you need to keep it clean, and you need to have it cleaned, and you need to keep it clean, and you need to keep it clean, and you can't keep it in a closed case, because it's going to start rotting and mold, and it's almost impossible to remove it.
Once a season, before you start navigation, you should do a condition review. Small scratches and chips of the varnish should be immediately painted or varnished, without waiting for moisture to reach the inner layers of the wood. If you notice that the plywood has begun to layer or bloating, you need to dry the product and re-dry the product. sealing trouble spots.
When stored for long periods in winter, it is recommended to remove all removable elements, including the nose jar, and store them in a warm dry room. Dramatic temperature changes and humidity in an unheated garage can adversely affect the geometry of the product and the state of the glue in the plywood. Proper care will extend the life of your homemade product for many years.
Can I use the nose jar as a seat?
Yes, you can, if the design is designed for the appropriate load and has a sufficient width, but for a comfortable seat, it is better to provide a removable soft pillow or use special fishing boxes that are installed on the can.
Do I need to remove the can when transporting the boat in assembled form?
In paiole bottom boats, the nose jar is usually taken out for packaging. In boats with NDNDM (inflatable floor), light inserts are sometimes left, but a heavy full-fledged jar is better removed so as not to create unnecessary pressure on the cylinders when folding.
How to replace plywood if there is no jigsaw?
Alternatives to plywood are sheet aluminum (about 3-4 mm thick) or composite materials, but they are harder to process at home without special tools. Plastic is also possible, but it can be too slippery and less rigid on large spans.