The organization of a comfortable rest on the water is impossible without a reliable shelter from the scorching sun or sudden rain. PVC boat tent It's not just an accessory, it's a vital piece of equipment that allows you to extend navigation on hot days and protect passengers from UV. Unlike metal boats, inflatable tubes require a special approach to attaching any design to avoid damaging delicate fabric.
The modern market offers many solutions, from simple awnings on arcs to full-fledged manned cubes with mosquito nets, depending on the type of boat, the number of passengers and use cases, someone looking for protection only for the helmsman, and someone needs to cover the entire cockpit for the night.
In this article, we will take a look at all aspects of the selection and operation of awnings, you will learn about the types of frames, materials of awning fabric and the nuances of self-made shelters, well-chosen protection will preserve your health and prolong the life of the boat itself.
Design features and types of frames
The basis of any tent is its frame, which determines the stability, weight and complexity of the assembly. aluminum-archThey're very bendable, but they're very tough, they don't rust, and they weigh much less than steel, which is critical for small boats.
More complex designs, such as cuboidThey often use collapsible frames made of profiled pipes, which allow you to create vertical walls, increasing the useful volume inside, but their installation requires more time and special attachments on the sides.
- 🏗️ Arc frames are classic, fast installation in 5-10 minutes.
- 📐 Frame structures are the maximum volume, but more difficult to assemble and transport.
- 🎣 Combined systems - a combination of arcs and struts to create visors above the nose.
When choosing, pay attention to the quality of the connecting elements. Plastic fillers can burst in the cold or from old age, while metal or reinforced plastic inserts last for years. The frame must have a margin of safety to withstand wind gusts when moving.
⚠️ Attention: Never leave a boat with an awning mounted in high winds without additional assault rigs. Sail structure can flip a light vessel even on a prank.
Tent fabric materials: Oxford, Tarpaulin or PVC
The quality of the fabric depends on the microclimate under the awning and the durability of the product. Oxford (Oxford) It's a very dense, water-repellent, burn-resistant fabric, and it's usually 200 to 600 den, and it's best to choose at least 400 den for boat awnings.
The budgetary option is tarpaulin It's completely waterproof, but it has a significant disadvantage: it creates a greenhouse effect under it, and when heated, it can produce a specific smell, and tarpaulin is less resistant to mechanical damage and becomes brittle in the cold.
The premium segment is made up of Teflon-coated fabrics or specialized marine materials that not only protect against water, but also have mud-repellent properties. An important parameter is the presence of UV protection, since under the open sun, ordinary fabric loses strength in one season.
Dark-colored fabrics (blue, green, gray) heat less than black, and show less salt and dust, and white is best for reflecting the sun's rays, but it gets dirty faster.
When buying, be sure to check the quality of the seams. They should be glued or boiled, and ideally reinforced with tape. A regular thread without sealing will quickly become a leakage site during a rainstorm.
Methods of attaching the awning to the PVC boat
Mounting a tent on an inflatable vessel is a process that requires carefulness. The basic principle is to minimize pressure points on cylinders. pole-holder, which are attached to stringers (rigid elements at the bottom) or to the rums on the transom.
Fastex belts are often used to cover cylinders, so that the belt does not rub the fabric of the boat and does not press it excessively, soft pads are placed under it or wide slings are used, the tension should be uniform: too weak awning will slam in the wind, and too strong can deform the cylinders.
| Type of attachment | Place of installation | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stringer's emphasis | Bottom of the boat | No pressure on the cylinders, securely. | Requires stringers |
| Rump-bolts. | transom/Borth | Hard fixation, professionally | I need a mount, I need a puncture risk. |
| Hooked belts | Overboard/Beneath | Universality, simplicity | It might slip, friction on the balloon. |
Hooked suction cups are great for temporary installation, but they only stick on smooth, hard surfaces and are not suitable for rough inflatable tubes, so the emphasis is on the belt and stop system.
☑️ Checking the tent anchorage
Functional elements: windows, lightning and ventilation
The comfort inside the tent depends on the thoughtfulness of the details. view-window The windows must be able to be closed with curtains from the fabric in case of bright sun or need to be secluded.
Ventilation is critical, and in the enclosed space under the awning, it gets stuffy quickly, and good models have air vents at the top, or allow lightning to be opened at the base. Mosquito nets at the entrances will protect against insects during parking at the shore.
The quality of fittings (lightning, luvers, carbines) often determines the life of the entire product. Lightning must be large, easy to walk and have protection from ingress of fabric. Lacing luvers - metal, so as not to burst when stretched.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the awning, make sure that the lightning and sharp elements of the fittings do not touch the inflatable tubes. Any friction during rolling can lead to scuffing and depressurization of the boat.
How to reduce condensation under the tent?
Condensate is produced by the difference in temperature and humidity, and to reduce it, provide through ventilation by raising the edges of the awning on one side, and you can also use special absorbent mats on the floor that absorb moisture.
Overview of popular models and manufacturers
There are many brands on the market, from domestic manufacturers to eminent Chinese factories, and the leaders in the PVC accessories segment are often companies specializing in water tourism, among them models adapted to the popular sizes of boats (320, 360, 400 cm).
Budget options are often universal transformer awnings that can be stretched to different widths, are good for occasional use, and for frequent use, it is better to choose models designed for specific series of boats, which take into account the geometry of cylinders and the location of cans.
- 🇷🇺 Domestic brands are often better adapted to the climate and have affordable parts.
- 🇨🇳 Chinese OEM models have a wide range of designs, but you need to carefully check the quality of the seams.
- 🇪🇺 European analogues are high price, but premium materials and perfect fit.
When choosing a model, pay attention to the availability of certificates of conformity and warranty period. A quality awning cannot cost less than the fabric and accessories themselves, so too low a price should be alarming.
The optimal choice for most anglers is the universal awning dome of Oxford 400D fabric with aluminum arcs and a mosquito net around the perimeter.
Independent production of the tent: pros and cons
For the hand-crafted, awning is a great way to save money and get the perfect size, starting with measuring the boat and creating the pattern, and it's important to consider the shrinkage of the fabric, which can be as high as 3 to 5 percent after first contact with water.
The main difficulty of self-tailoring is to ensure the tightness of the seams. At home, it is difficult to make welding seams, so you have to use special threads and subsequent tape pasting or sealing treatment. The frame can be welded from polypropylene pipes or use ready-made arcs from old tents.
Pros of homemade: full individualization, the ability to add pockets, rod mounts or sonar exactly where you need. Cons: time-consuming, the risk of errors in calculations and possibly less reliability compared to the factory product.
Tissue calculation board:Length = Boat length + 20% (by overhangs and fasteners)
Width = Boat width transom + 30 cm (on board)
Height = Desirable height + 10 cm (to bend)
Rules of care and storage of the tent
For a tent to last, it needs to be properly maintained, and after every outing, especially if you've been fishing or getting salt water, the tent needs to be rinsed with fresh water and dried, and storing moist fabric is a direct route to mold and decay.
The awning should be folded carefully, avoiding cracks in the same places, so as not to damage the water-repellent layer. For storage, it is better to use a spacious bag, and not to break the product to the state of stone. It is recommended to periodically treat the fabric with special sprays to restore the DWR coating.
Regularly check the condition of the fasteners and seams. Minor repairs made on time (sticking the departed corner or replacing the carbine), will save you from big problems in the long hike.
How to clean the awning from stains and salt?
Use a soft brush and warm soap solution. Avoid aggressive chemicals, bleach and solvents, as these can destroy the polyurethane coating of the fabric.
Can I use the PVC boat awning in winter?
In winter, the cloth is not recommended, and in the cold, the cloth swells and can crack when bending, and the plastic elements become brittle. If you need to cover the boat for the winter, you should use specialized winter covers made of denser frost-resistant materials or keep the boat indoors.
What height of the awning to choose for comfortable fishing?
The optimum height depends on your needs. For sitting fishing, 120-140 cm is enough to allow you to sit freely on the can. If you plan to move inside full-length, look for models 180-200 cm tall, but remember that a tall awning is stronger than sailing in the wind.
Do I need to remove the awning when the boat is moving?
Depending on the design. You can leave simple visors and small arcs when you're moving at navigable speeds. But large, high-sided cubic tents create tremendous air resistance and can flip the boat over when you're in a side wind. When you're at full speed, you'd better lower or remove the tall tents.
Will the awning protect you from heavy rain?
A good-quality Oxford cloth with glued seams can withstand even heavy rainfall, but it is important that the roof has a stingray for water runoff, otherwise a lake can form in the center, which by its weight pushes the structure.
Is it possible to make a tent yourself without a sewing machine?
It is almost impossible to sew a large awning by hand with a needle due to the thickness and rigidity of the Oxford fabric. For high-quality work, a powerful sewing machine is necessary, capable of sewing thick materials (such as "Podolsk" or industrial analogues), as well as special legs and needles.