Any inflatable boat owner will come to the conclusion that standard equipment is not enough for a comfortable time on the water, especially for fans of fishing or snorkeling, who need a stable place in the front of the vessel. PVC boat-sideIt's a complex tuning element that turns a normal inflatable balloon into a full-fledged work station, and it's not just a piece of plywood, but a complex tuning element that requires the right approach to materials and attachment.
The main difficulty is that the inflatable sides do not have the rigidity of a classical body, so the installation of any stationary element requires careful calculation of loads and the use of specific fixation methods. Nose platform So, it allows you to attach the sonar, the navigator, or just to position the gear comfortably without fear of falling into the water in a sharp maneuver, and a well-designed design does not disturb the balance of the vessel and does not create sailing.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of creating and installing a nasal transomb. You will learn which materials are best suited for harsh operating conditions, how to avoid common mistakes in drilling and gluing, and also get ready-made mounting schemes. The right choice of components will ensure the durability of your homemade and safety on the water.
Why do we need a nose platform and what tasks it solves?
Many anglers underestimate the importance of extra nose space, preferring to sit on upside down banks or inflatable seats. nasal It's a completely new way to complete the boat, and it's the perfect place to put a sonar sensor, and placing it in the nose minimizes the impact of the air bubbles from the engine, which is critical to getting a clean picture of the bottom at high speeds.
In addition, the platform serves as a reliable footrest, which significantly increases comfort during prolonged stay in the boat. Platform in the nose It also allows for a rational distribution of the weight of the load, and by placing heavy gear boxes or batteries closer to the nose, you can align the boat's differential, which is often shifted to the stern when you install a powerful engine and a full tank of gasoline.
⚠️ Attention: Overloading the bow can cause the boat to bury in the wave and reduce the course stability. Calculate the weight of the equipment so that the nose does not sink into the water more than 1/3 of the height of the cylinder.
And safety is also important, because when you stop or hit a wave, loose things tend to fly overboard, and if you have a hard area with sides or fasteners, you can lock in valuable gadgets, and this is especially true for owners. PVC boats without built-in anchor locks, since on the site you can organize a convenient anchoring assembly.
Selection of materials: plywood, composite or plastic
The basis of any design is the material from which it is made. Traditionally, moisture-resistant plywood is used for boat tuning, but the modern market offers lighter and stronger alternatives. Sea plywood (often labeled as FSF) remains the leader in price-to-availability ratio, but requires quality protection with varnish or epoxy, a element that can be significant in weight, which is important for small boats.
A more advanced solution is the use of composite materials such as fiberglass or carbon fiber. Plateau-glass It is highly durable, water resistant and lighter than wood, but it requires resin and fabric skills and drying technology to make it. ABS plastic is also popular for its lightness and UV resistance, but it is less durable at low temperatures.
When choosing a material, you should focus not only on budget, but also on operating conditions. If you fish mainly in warm weather and keep the boat in a dry room, you can also use high-quality plywood. composites.
| Materials | Weight (kg/sqm) | Water resistance | Difficulty of manufacture | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSF phanera | ~12-15 | Medium (requires coverage) | Low. | Low. |
| Fiberglass | ~2-4 | High. | High. | Medium |
| ABS plastic | ~1.2 | High. | Medium | High. |
| aluminum | ~2.7 | High. | Medium | High. |
The comparison table helps you quickly navigate the specifications. Note that the weight is approximate and depends on the thickness of the sheet. For the bow pad, the optimal thickness is 8-10 mm for plywood and 4-6 mm for plastic. Thinner sheets can bend under the weight of the equipment, and too thick will create an unnecessary load.
Design features and types of fastenings
The design of the bow pad depends on the type of boat you have and the functionality you want, and the simplest option is a semicircular or trapezoidal board that rests on cylinders and is fixed by slings. rigidity It's not like you're going to move to the design of the boat, like the beams or the pockets, so you can't move the platform when you're moving.
There are several popular installation schemes: the first involves the use of inflatable canisters-supports, which are attached to the sides and serve as the foundation for the site; the second option is the use of rigid brackets that cover the cylinders from the outside. Fixing to the timber It is considered the most reliable, but requires a reinforced timber that can withstand the load on the cut. When using soft fasteners (slings, straps), it is important to provide an anti-slip coating.
Secrets of reliable fixation
Use wide polyester slings that do not stretch under load. The mounting nodes should be protected from abrasion by PVC fabric with special linings or bushings. Do not use pure cotton braid, as it will rot quickly and lose strength.
An important element of the design is the presence of beams or limiters. Even a small height of the side of the side of 2-3 cm will prevent objects from rolling overboard when rolling. If the site is planned as a table for cutting fish or installing appliances, the surface should be absolutely flat. anchor-holeThis allows you to remove the anchor line from the board and avoid hooks.
⚠️ Attention: When designing mounts, avoid using sharp metal elements that can come into contact with cylinders. Any vibration will cause rapid wear of PVC fabric and the appearance of scabs.
Step-by-step instructions for the manufacture of a nasal transmolant
The process of creating a bow pad yourself requires precision and precision. Start by taking measurements from your boat inflated. It's important to measure not only the width of the nose, but also the angle of convergence of the cylinders, as well as the distance to the hinge beam, and from this data, you create a pattern of cardboard that allows you to try on the shape of the future site without risking damage to the main material.
Once the template is approved, the main material is cut. If you work with plywood, the edges must be carefully sanded and covered with several layers of yacht lacquer or epoxy mixture. For plastic sheets, the edges can be melted or treated with a special edge. Next, the installation of fasteners. Use stainless fittings: bolts, nuts and washers must be made of bolts, nuts and washers. stainless steel AISI 304 or 316.
☑️ Checklist before installation
The final step is to install a slip coating, which is ideal for a special abrasive-spray self-adhesive film used on yacht decks, which provides a reliable grip even with wet hands and protects the site from scratches. An alternative is a carpet for boats, but it absorbs moisture and odors faster. The finished structure should be tested on land, mimicking the loads that will occur on the water.
When drilling holes under the fastener in multilayered materials (such as sandwich panels), use a stepped drill to avoid stratification of the internal structure.
Installation of equipment and navigation on the site
One of the main functions of the bow pad is to place navigation equipment, sonar, GPS and radar require rigid fixation. 1/4" or 3/8"You can pre-mount the mountings in the back, or you can use a universal sled that allows you to quickly remove the instruments, which is especially convenient if the boat is stored in the apartment and the equipment needs to be removed constantly.
The wires are a separate topic to discuss, and the cables from the sounder and the navigator should be laid so that they don't get damaged. corrugated Or cable channels to protect the wiring, wires that should not be hung in a loop that could get entangled in a fishing line or anchor bed, and the ideal solution is to wind the wires inside the site, if the thickness and design allow.
Also on the site are often placed spinning holders, organizers for trifles and cupholders, all of which must be attached to screws or bolts with a wide hat and rubber pad. Rubber pad It prevents the fastener from being twisted from vibrating, so don't overload the pad with extra elements, keep the space for maneuvering and safe movement inside the boat.
⚠️ Warning: When installing electronics, make sure all connections are sealed. Use connectors with a protection class at least lower. IP67Salt water in the contacts can bring expensive equipment out of action in minutes.
Structure care and extension of service life
Even the best quality. nose-platform After every fishing, especially in salt water, the structure must be rinsed with fresh water. The salt, when dried, forms crystals that can damage the protective coating and accelerate the corrosion of metal fittings. Periodically check the condition of the fasteners and tighten them if necessary.
Keep the boat with the installed platform should be spread out, avoiding PVC cloth clogs in the areas of contact with rigid elements. If the site is removable, it is better to store it separately in a dry room. Once a season, it is recommended to inspect the state of the anti-slip coating and, if necessary, restore it. Timely repairs Small defects will prevent the development of more serious problems, such as plywood stratification or cracks in plastic.
Regular washing with fresh water and checking the tightening of bolts is the key to the long service of the bow pad and the safety of your equipment.
Keeping simple rules of operation will allow your homemade to last for years, and you should not use aggressive chemistry to clean the site, because it can damage both the base material and the anti-slip coating, enough soft soap solution and a soft bristles brush, careful tuning will pay off with stable operation of all systems and comfort on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use regular plywood for the bow?
It's not recommended to use conventional building plywood, it absorbs moisture quickly, it swells and loses strength, even a few layers of lacquer do not guarantee full tightness in a constant water environment. sea-plywood (FSF) with increased moisture resistance or composite materials.
What is the maximum weight of the bow pad?
The load capacity depends on the design of the mounts and the type of boat. For standard inflatable boats, a weight of up to 15-20 kg distributed over the area of the site is considered safe. Exceeding this value can disrupt the balance of the vessel and create a dangerous divergence on the nose. Always consider the load capacity of the boat itself when planning tuning.
Do I need to remove the site when transporting the boat in folded form?
In most cases, a rigid bow pad must be removed before the boat is packed. A folded structure with rigid elements can damage the PVC fabric of cylinders when compressed. There are models of removable sites that are easily dismantled, or soft inflatable platforms, but they are inferior in rigidity to stationary solutions.
How to protect the site from ultraviolet light?
Use materials with appropriate additives to protect against UV radiation, or cover the surface with specialized varnishes and paints for marine application. ABS plastic and fiberglass inherently are more resistant to the sun than wood. Regular treatment with protective compounds will prolong the life of the product.