Fishing standing for several hours is a tremendous strain on the spine and legs, especially when fishing on the current or in windy weather. PVC-board It becomes not just a comfort accessory, but an essential ergonomic element that allows you to stay focused and fit while waiting for hours to bite, and a properly selected rack turns an inflatable vessel into a full-fledged floating fisherman's office, ensuring the stability of landing.
However, the process of selecting and installing this design requires careful approach, since the inflatable sides and soft floor are not designed for point loads without special preparation. support-post This article can damage cylinders or roll over when you roll, which can lead to a fall into the water. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of the choice of materials, types of attachments and the sequence of actions to make your seat safe and reliable.
There are many options for implementing a seat, from simple trans-mounts to complex systems based on removable decks, a key factor here is the balance between rigidity of the structure and maintaining the tightness of the cylinders. Fixing the chair must withstand dynamic loads arising from pitching, but not injure the PVC material with prolonged contact.
Selection of material and structure of support rack
The first step to comfortable fishing is to determine the type of material the rack itself will be made of. The market offers solutions in stainless steel, aluminum and reinforced plastic. AISI 316 It is considered a standard of durability, as it is practically not subject to corrosion in salt water, but has a significant weight, which is critical for light inflatable vessels.
Aluminum alloys, such as D16TThey are much lighter and often used in factory kits, however, they require high-quality anodizing or painting to protect against oxidation. polyamide-reinforcedThey are becoming more popular due to their lightness and lack of thermal conductivity, which is important in the cold season, when the metal cools rapidly.
Structurally, the supports are divided into all-welded and prefabricated. Whole versions are more reliable, because they do not have movable joints that can be loosened from the vibration of the engine. Prefabricated structures are easier to transport, but require regular inspection of threaded joints. When choosing, you should also consider the diameter of the pipe, which is usually 40-50 mm, to meet the standard mounts of fishing seats.
- 🔩 Stainless steel Maximum strength, high weight, high price, ideal for constant operation in an aggressive environment.
- ⚖️ Aluminum alloy - optimal ratio of weight and stiffness, requires maintenance of the coating, suitable for mobile complexes.
- 🛡️ Reinforced plastic - does not rust, pleasant to the touch, cheaper than metal, but has restrictions on the maximum load on the kink.
⚠️ Warning: When buying prefabricated aluminum construction, be sure to check the quality of the treatment of the pipe ends. Sharp edges of aluminum can cut through the fabric of the inflatable floor or damage personal belongings when assembled carelessly.
Types of fasteners: transom, cut and overhead
The way you fix the rack depends on your boat's design and your personal preferences. transom-holdingThis solution does not require the integrity of the cylinders to be broken, but shifts the centre of gravity to the stern and limits the fisherman's maneuverability by tying him to the back of the vessel.
A more advanced option is moulded glasses that are installed directly into inflatable tubes or hard floorboard, requiring a hole in fabric or plywood to be cut, which is irreversible, and provide maximum stability and allow the seat to be placed anywhere in the cockpit, but require high qualifications for installation.
The third type is the overhead platforms, or "petaks," which stick to the cylinder from the outside or from the inside, and they attach the back part of the mount, which is less traumatic to the design of the boat than the inset, but requires the use of quality two-component adhesives that are compatible with the material. PVCIt is important that the contact area is sufficient to distribute the load.
When choosing a fastening method, you should consider whether you will use a boat for overnight stays or active running fishing. For sea fishing, removable options are preferable, which can be quickly dismantled. For stationary anchoring or overnight stays, rigidly fixed systems that ensure immobility will suit.
Necessary tools and materials for installation
You can't have a high-quality installation without the right tool. If you plan to build the supports yourself, you'll need a set of specific equipment. You'll need a metal hacksaw or a thin-disk Bulgarian, a drill with a set of metal and wood drills, and burrs.
To work with PVC and plywood, a special knife for cutting fabrics, a roller for rolling, a dryer for warming up the glue and a degreasing agent are required. Adhesive compounds must be two-component, for example, based on polyurethane, specially designed for gluing. reinforced PVCThe use of household adhesives like Moment is unacceptable, because they will not withstand the strain of tearing off.
You also need a marking tool: a roulette, a coal miner and a marker that is easy to wash off. Mistakes in marking can cost the integrity of an expensive balloon. To seal the threaded joints of cut-in glasses, you better use a plumbing sealant or water-resistant FUM tape.
- 🔨 Mechanical tool - drill, screwdriver, hacksaw, filets, wrenches of appropriate sizes.
- 🧪 Chemistry and consumables - two-component glue for PVC, degreasing agent (acetone or special agent), sealant, FUM tape.
- 📏 Marking and protection - Roulette, coalstone, washable marker, gloves, respirator for working with glue pairs.
⚠️ Attention: PVC glue should only be used in a well-ventilated area or outdoors, solvent vapors are toxic, and sparks from the tool can ignite the adhesive vapor.
Step-by-step instructions for installing a cut glass
Installing a cut glass is the most time-consuming, but also the most reliable way to organize a seat, the process begins with a careful marking of the installation site on a rigid floorboard or inflatable cylinder, and you need to make sure that there are no hidden structural elements, seams or valves under the drilling site.
After the marking, the hole is cut out. If the mounting is on the plywood floor, an electro-cloak is used. If the balloon is cut out, the hole is cut with a scalpel strictly along the contour that is pre-marked on the inside of the back of the glass, the edges of the hole should be perfectly flat, without fringes, to ensure a tight fit.
☑️ Steps of installation of the cut glass
Next comes the gluing step. The surfaces are degreased, the first layer of glue is applied and kept until "stick". Then the second layer is applied, and the glass is installed in place. For cut-in glasses passing through the floorboard, it is important to seal the ends. Once installed, the structure must be fixed with a load or rods for the time specified in the glue instructions, usually 24 hours at room temperature.
Nuances of work with glue for PVC
PVC glue works on the principle of cold welding, dissolving the top layer of the material. It is critical to observe the temperature regime: at temperatures below +15 ° C, polymerization is extremely slow, and at above +30 ° C, the glue can boil before it has time to grasp. The ideal temperature is 20-25 degrees Celsius.
Once fully dry, the fixation is checked, the glass should not be turned or wobbled, and inside the glass you can install a rubber gasket or a spring mechanism to fix the legs of the chair, which will provide additional cushioning and protection from backlash.
Alternative solutions: removable decks and platforms
For those who don't want to break the integrity of the boat with a tie, removable decks are a great solution, and these are structures made of moisture-resistant plywood or composite materials that are stacked on transom cans, and you can put a few chair glasses on this deck, creating a full-fledged fishing podium.
The advantage of these platforms is their versatility and mobility: at the end of the season or if you need to increase the space in the boat, the deck can be easily dismantled and removed into the garage.
When making or buying such a platform, it is important to consider weight. Laminated plywood is heavy enough to significantly reduce the boat's load capacity. Alternatively, cellular polypropylene or composite panels, which are lighter than wood but tougher than plastic, are used.
| Type of platform | Materials | Weight (approximate) | Difficulty of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injection (stationary) | PVC + Metal | Low. | High. |
| Invoice (on glue) | PVC + Plastic | Low. | Medium |
| Removable deck | Plywood is waterproof | Highly | Low. |
| Composite deck | Glass-plastic/aluminum | Medium. | Low. |
⚠️ Attention: When using removable plywood decks, make sure that their corners and edges are rounded or edged. Sharp plywood angles when rolling can damage the inner surface of inflatable tubes.
Security and system maintenance
Safety on the water is priority number one. A chair support that is infringed becomes a dangerous projectile when a boat tips over or brakes sharply. Check the condition of the anchorages regularly, especially if you use a boat in salt water, where metal corrosion is accelerating.
After each fishing, the metal elements should be wiped with fresh water and dry with rags. Rubber seals and glue seams should be inspected for stratification or cracks. Any suspicion of weakening of the fixation requires immediate intervention and digestion or gluing of the element.
Lubricate the threaded joints of the glasses and legs of the chair with graphite lubricant or silicone, which will prevent the metal from boiling and make it easy to disassemble the structure even after prolonged downtime.
Also worth remembering is weight distribution: Installing a heavy fisherman with a full gearbox on a high post in the bow of the boat can critically alter the trim and reduce the stability of the vessel. Centre of gravity It should remain as close and as low as possible to the diametrical plane.
Regular prevention of mounts and the correct choice of installation site ensure that the support for the chair will last for many years without causing a water accident.
In conclusion, properly fitting a chair support into a PVC boat requires understanding the properties of materials and adherence to the installation technology. Don't skimp on glue and fasteners, as the cost of error on the water is too high. Properly equipped space will allow you to enjoy fishing hours without being distracted by discomfort in the back.
Can I use regular furniture legs for support?
Normal furniture legs are not recommended, they are not designed for dynamic loads, swaying and moisture. Their attachments (usually M6 or M8) screws can not withstand the weight of a person in the boat, and the material can quickly rust.
What height should be a stand for comfortable fishing?
The optimum height is individually selected, but the standard is 40 to 50 cm from the floor of the boat to the seat, which allows the legs to stand confidently on the floor, maintaining the stability of the body when rowing or catching fish.
Should I strengthen the bottom of the boat under the support?
If the support is cut or overhead on the inflatable cylinder, then additional strengthening of the bottom is not required, since the load is transferred to the board. If the rack is based on a soft inflatable floor, a rigid platform (floorboard) is necessary, otherwise the rack will collapse and destabilise the chair.
How to replace specialized glue for PVC in the field?
There is no substitute in the field; two-component polyurethane adhesives require precise dosage and drying conditions; using "moments" or epoxydoxes will only produce a temporary effect that will break down at the first serious load or temperature drop.