Many anglers and hunters put up with the discomfort of sitting on hard cans or inflatable tubes for years while waiting for cool things to happen. flyboat In fact, putting an office chair in a PVC boat is not just a whim, it's a real way to keep your back healthy and make fishing more efficient.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of this tuningFrom choosing the right furniture model to creating a reliable mount that will withstand the storm and active pecking, you will learn what tools you will need, how to avoid typical errors and why standard solutions can be dangerous to the boat.
Before purchasing materials, you need to clearly understand that stationary The weight of the equipment, the sailing structure and the center of gravity of the boat are key factors that should not be ignored. The right decision will make your fishing unforgettable, and can lead to loss of equipment or even a coup.
Choosing the Right Fishing Seat
The first step is to find the right candidate for the captain's seat, and not every office chair is suitable for high humidity and vibration. metal-frame, since plastic may not withstand loads when rolling or impacting the side.
Notice the upholstery material, the fabric coatings quickly absorb water, fish smell and dampness, which will lead to mold. eco-leather Or specialized mesh materials that are easy to wipe and dry, and the ability to adjust the height and tilt of the back to adapt the landing to specific fishing conditions is also important.
The size of the product is crucial. A seat that is too wide can occupy the useful area of the solder floor, interfering with the passage or placement of boxes with gear. computer chair Often they are less stable, so it is better to look for a middle ground among budget models for visitors or conference rooms, which are usually more compact.
- ๐ช Look for models with all-metal cross, not plastic.
- ๐ง Give preference to upholstery made of eco-leather or durable polymer.
- ๐ The width of the seat should not exceed 50-55 cm for comfortable accommodation.
- ๐ง Having removable armrests will make it easier to store the chair at home.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Avoid low-quality gaslift seats. When temperatures drop sharply (for example, overnight stays in a boat in the fall), a cheap gas lift can lose its tightness or, conversely, clam in one position.
Design of the anchorage system
The most critical aspect of the whole process is the organization of reliable fixationYou can't just attach a cross to the floor: the metal's contact point with PVC must be eliminated or insulated as much as possible. Any friction of metal against the cylinder when the boat is moving will inevitably lead to scuffling and eventually puncture.
The most common way to do this is to use a staging plate, a plywood sheet at least 18-21 mm thick, which is moisture-proof, and this platform distributes the point load from the cross leg over a large area of the floorboards, and the plywood needs to be coated with several layers of yacht lacquer or taped.
There are two basic approaches to fixation: removable and stationary. Removable involves the use of reciprocating parts of the mounts, which allow you to quickly remove the chair and remove it into the hazel or trunk of the car. Stationary method is more reliable, but it makes it impossible to quickly free up the space of the boat for overnight stays or transportation of large cargo.
โ๏ธ Action plan for strengthening
And when you design, you have to remember that the center of gravity of a human chair is quite high, and that increases the risk of a boat tipping over when you're moving abruptly. base-width fastenings should be maximum, and the platform itself is rigidly fixed relative to cylinders or floorboards.
Required tools and materials
To do the job properly, you'll need a standard home craftsman kit, supplemented by a few specific elements. Don't skimp on hardware: cheap water fasteners rust instantly, becoming a source of dirt and losing their strength.
The main building material will be moisture-resistant plywood or composite panels, metal elements are better treated immediately with anti-corrosion compounds. To connect wooden parts with the elements of the boat often use special PVC tapes or reinforced belts, if drilling the floor is not possible.
Here is a list of what needs to be done before the work begins:
- ๐ ๏ธ A drill or screwdriver with a set was drilled on metal and wood.
- ๐ฉ Stainless steel bolts (M6, M8) and grover washers.
- ๐ช Lobzik for sawing platform in the form of paiola.
- ๐งด Sealer for PVC or polyurethane glue for fixing elements.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Never use conventional building silicone or "Moment" glue to fix elements on PVC. They do not provide proper elasticity and can detach when the balloon deforms in the sun, damaging the fabric.
Step-by-step installation instructions
The installation process begins with the preparation of the base. Cut out a plywood area that repeats the contours of the paiola or occupies the space between two cylinders. In the center of the site, mark and drill holes under the bolts of the cross-chair mount. The distance between the holes should strictly correspond to the layout of your particular chair.
Then we go to the platform fixation on the boat, and if the pile floor design allows, you can use regular slings or straps, put them under the cylinders and hold them on top, and if you want to drill, use special PVC pads that stick onto the balloon and the fastener passes through them, and this will prevent tissue damage.
Assemblance sequence of anchorage assembly:Plywood base (bottom)
2. A layer of foam or rubber (for depreciation)
3. PVC boat bottom
4. Metal washer of increased diameter
5. nut with plastic ring (so as not to rust)
After you install the platform, try on the chair. Make sure it's flat and doesn't stagger. If you're using a gas lift, check it under load. If necessary, add additional fixing points at the corners of the platform to prevent it from shifting when the boat rolls.
The Secret to Sustainability
How not to turn over?: To increase stability, you can weld additional "ears" with holes to the bottom of the cross and fasten them to the plywood platform with long bolts, effectively clamping the platform into a sandwich. This completely eliminates the backlash of the chair relative to the floor.
Comparison of installation options
The choice of installation method depends on the type of boat you are using and the frequency of use of the chair. Below is a comparative table to help determine the best solution for your situation.
| Parameter | Removable anchorage | Fixed-in insert | Inflatable chair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complexity of installation | Medium | High. | Minimum |
| Level of comfort | Highly | maximum | Medium. |
| Mobility | High. | Missing. | High. |
| Risk to the boat | Low. | Medium (drilling) | Minimum |
Removable systems are good because they allow you to use the boat in different modes: with and without a fishing chair for cruising or transporting goods. Stationary options are chosen by those who use the boat exclusively as a floating platform for spinning and are willing to sacrifice versatility for maximum comfort.
Useful advice: Before you finish all the bolts, miss the thread with graphite lubricant or a special sourcing compound. On water, salt moisture quickly turns a regular fastener into a monolith that can not be disassembled.
Safety and maintenance of the design
Operating homemade structures on water requires constant monitoring. fixing-pieceThe vibration from the motor and the excitement can unwind even well-tightened nuts. Use a thread or counternut fixer when you build.
After each fishing trip, be sure to remove the chair and dry the platform. Moisture trapped between the plywood and the bottom of the boat will lead to rotting of the tree and unpleasant smells that are difficult to get rid of, and wet wood is much heavier than dry, which affects the carrying capacity.
Pay special attention to the sharp corners of the metal cross. If they protrude outside the seat, they must be closed with plugs or wrapped with tape/powder. If a boat rolls sharply or an unsecured fisherman falls, these corners can easily damage. balloonAnd that at the depths is fraught with serious problems.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Do not place the chair too close to the sides. If large fish are caught or winds are strong, you may be pressed against the hard cross elements, causing injury or damage to equipment.
The main conclusion: safety and reliability of the mount is more important than aesthetics, it is better to spend more time strengthening the platform than risk the integrity of the boat and your stay on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I attach an office chair directly to the inflatable floor without plywood?
Not recommended, point loads from the legs of the cross will cause deformation and rapid wear of the PVC fabric, and without a hard base, the chair will constantly fall down, making fishing impossible, plywood platform is mandatory for weight distribution.
How to protect the metal from corrosion?
The ideal option is to paint the frame and cross with epoxy primer and enamel for metal in 2-3 layers. Pay special attention to welds. You can also use chrome models, but even chromium can become cloudy in an aggressive environment.
Will the chair be floating in the wind?
High back does create sailing, and in high winds, it can interfere with the boat's handling or demolish it from the parking spot, and in such cases, it is recommended to use low back models or temporarily dismantle the backrest, leaving only the seat.
How much weight will this design bear?
A standard office chair is designed for 100-120 kg. With proper installation on a plywood platform of 21 mm and a reliable attachment to the elements of the boat, the design will withstand the weight of a person with a margin.