The headwind and waves are not only the romance of long-distance hikes, but also a serious challenge for the crew and equipment. Even on a small rubber or metal boat, the bow takes the brunt of the water element, throwing passengers and the engine compartment with tons of cold water. nose-trapIt has become an indispensable element of comfortable navigation.
This element of equipment not only creates a dry pocket in the front of the cockpit, but also significantly improves the aerodynamics of the vessel, reducing sailing and water resistance. Well-chosen awning allows you to maintain speed and maneuverability even with heavy chop, without requiring the motorist to constantly reduce engine speeds.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the design features of bow shelters, compare materials, and explore the nuances of self-tailoring, and learn how to turn an open boat into a protected cruiser that can travel long distances with minimal discomfort.
Why do you need a bow awning and what tasks it solves
The main function of any tent, whether transhield Or the classic nose visor, which is to redirect the flow of water. When a boat moves, the nasal wave breaks into the sides, forming spray that flies into the cockpit. The awning forms a kind of "shield" by throwing water to the sides and down, overboard, which is critical for safety, because the water in the boat is a risk of loss of stability.
In addition to protecting against moisture, the nose awning acts as a windshield, and at speeds above 25-30 km/h, headwinds put considerable pressure on the driver's chest and face, causing rapid fatigue. Aerodynamic profile The awning allows you to smooth these flows, creating a more calm zone in the cockpit area, which is especially true in the cold season, when the wind quickly cools the body.
⚠️ Warning: Installing an awning too high or too wide on a low-power boat can cause a nose to bury in water and loss of handling. Always check the vessel's behavior at low speeds after installing new equipment.
And it's also worth mentioning the protective function, the nose is often hit by floating objects, branches or debris, and the dense tissue of the awning can mitigate this impact by protecting passengers and things in the nose. window-lightIt allows you to control the situation in front without protruding from under the protection.
Design features and types of bow awnings
The water accessories market offers many options for the design of bow covers, all of which can be divided into several basic types by design and method of attachment. transhield (trench awning), which is attached to the transom and stretched on the nose plugs or special racks.
The second popular option is a bow visor on the arcs, which is installed directly in the bow of the boat, which does not take up space at the transom and allows the use of a full cockpit to accommodate passengers or cargo. There are also combined systems where the bow awning is an extension of the running or parking awning, forming a single protected space.
The key element of the structure is the frame. It can be made of:
- 🌊 Aluminum pipes are light, do not rust, but can bend under strong loads.
- 🌊 Stainless steel - maximum strength and durability, but higher weight and cost.
- 🌊 Fiberglass arcs are flexible, perfectly hold the shape, but require careful storage.
The important aspect is the mounting system. fastex Some models have a skirt that is tucked under a hinge bar or attached to Velcro straps, ensuring that the fabric and the boat are tightly sealed.
Material choice: Oxford, PVC or tarpaulin?
The durability of the nasal awning is directly dependent on the quality of the fabric. The modern industry offers several basic materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Oxford It's a polyurethane or PVC coating, and it's a strong, lightweight, water-resistant material that doesn't rot and is ultraviolet resistant.
Fabric-based PVC (polyvinyl chloride) They're 100 percent waterproof. They're heavier than Oxford, but they're perfect for extreme conditions where the awning is in water or under heavy rainfall, but remember that PVC breathes less, which can lead to condensation inside if not ventilation is provided.
Water-repellent tarp is a classic that goes back to the past: it's heavy, it gets wet quickly with prolonged contact with water and requires regular drying, otherwise it can get moldy. However, the tarp is very strong to break and holds its shape perfectly.
| Characterization | Oxford (PU 2000) | PVC fabric (450 g/m2) | Canvas (BO) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight. | Light. | Medium/Severe | Heavy. |
| Water resistance | High. | Absolute. | Medium (requires processing) |
| Resistance to UV | High. | Very high. | Low (burns out) |
| Flexibility in the cold | Keeps it. | dubet | dubet |
When choosing a material, also pay attention to the density, measured in grams per square meter (g / m2). For a nose awning, the density is considered optimal from 250 to 450 g / m2. Thinner fabrics may not withstand wind load, and excessively thick will create packaging problems.
Pay attention to the seams of the product. In high-quality awnings, all the joints of the fabric must be glued with a special tape or missed with a sealant, otherwise water will seep through the stitches of the needle.
Instructions for installing a bow awning yourself
Installing a bow awning is a process that doesn't require a complicated tool, but requires accuracy and consistency. If you buy a finished product, you usually have arcs, mounts and instructions, and if you plan to install a homemade product, the algorithm will be similar.
First, you have to prepare the anchorages. squirrel Metal boats may require additional brackets, and it is important that the anchorage points are symmetrical to the diametrical plane of the boat, otherwise the awning will skew and it may be blown away by the wind.
☑️ Preparation for the installation of the tent
The frame is assembled on the shore, the arcs are connected according to a pattern (usually a simple docking of pipes), then the frame is applied to the boat without stretching the fabric to make sure the geometry is correct, then the fabric is put on the frame or attached to it, and the whole structure is mounted on the boat.
The final step is to stretch and fix. The fabric has to be pulled like a drum. The sagging is not allowed because it creates a sailing effect and collects water. The fastenings are tightly fastened, and the loose ends of the slings hide so as not to interfere with the control.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave an awning on a boat while being stored in the sun unattended. Internal air pressure when heated can warp the structure or damage the boat's valves.
Nuances of operation and care of tissue elements
Even the most expensive tent of the High-ten polyester The main enemy of the fabric is mold and dirt, which accumulate in the folds, and after each trip, especially if the awning is wet, it must be thoroughly dried, and the wet fabric rolled up into a cover will be covered in a couple of weeks with a fungus that will destroy the structure of the fibers.
Use warm water and soft soap for cleaning. Aggressive chemistrySolvents and hard brushes are strictly prohibited, as they wash away the protective layer and damage the fibers. Pay special attention to transparent inserts (illuminators) - they can not be rubbed with a dry cloth, otherwise micro scratches will appear, making the material cloudy.
Keep the awning unstretched or in a free rolled-up state in a dry, ventilated room. Avoid prolonged contact with sharp objects, fishing hooks or scissors. One accidental puncture can be the beginning of a large break under the influence of the wind.
How to remove cloth after long storage?
To straighten the cloth, you just have to pull the awning over the frame and leave it for a few hours in direct sunlight (but not in extreme cold), heat and tension will spread the folds. If the cloth is badly dented, you can gently iron it through the dense cloth at a minimum temperature, but only if the material is not PVC!
Self-made sewing: is sheepskin worth making?
Many boat owners think about sewing a bow awning DIY, on the one hand, it is saving money and the ability to create a product perfectly for their boat, on the other hand, the need to purchase special equipment and materials. For sewing, you will need an industrial sewing machine that can penetrate several layers of dense tissue, and special threads (lausan or capron).
The key is cutting. The fabric. Oxford Or PVC doesn't forgive mistakes, because the edges can crumble or require complex processing, and you also need to properly calculate the wind load and put the reinforcements in the slings, and an error in the calculations can cause the awning to fly into the water in the middle of the reservoir.
If you don't have experience with sailing fabrics, it's better to buy a ready-made solution or order tailoring in a specialized workshop.