When fishing season or summer vacation comes, every waterman has to deal with logistics, and inflatable boats are not just about putting bags in the trunk, they're a complicated process that requires preparation. Often, the size of the equipment is bigger than the standard cabin, and the only way out is to get the bags in the trunk. roof.
Incorrectly fixing cargo can lead to an emergency on the highway or damage to expensive equipment. Wind currents at high speeds create a huge load that can displace even heavy objects. In this article, we will discuss all aspects of safe transportation to ensure that your path to the water is calm.
There are several proven ways of accommodation, each with its own advantages, depending on the design of your car, the type of trunk and the frequency of travel.
Choosing the Right Boat Truck
The first step is to find a reliable base, and standard crossbars are often too narrow for soft boards or bags of equipment. expedition-car It creates a flat area, spreading the weight evenly over the entire surface of the roof.
If you don't plan to install a bulky platform, you can do with reinforced crossbars, and it's important that the distance between them is sufficient to prevent cargo from sagging. Inflatable boats, it's critical that there are no sharp edges that can damage the material when vibrating.
When choosing, pay attention to the load capacity of the roof of your car. This option is specified in the instructions for use and usually ranges from 50 to 100 kg. Exceeding the limit can deform the body or cause the mounts to break off at high speed.
Use rubber linings on the crossbars of the trunk - they will prevent slippery PVC bags from slipping and protect them from abrasion.
Preparation of boats and equipment for transportation
The boat must be completely dry, as the water adds extra weight and can cause mold inside the case, the engine compartment and the transom should be cleaned of sand and dirt, so that the abrasive particles do not damage the fabric when friction.
Pack the equipment in seals or durable bags of fabric Oxford. soft sides of the boat better put in a special transport case that will protect them from ultraviolet light and headwinds. PVC It is sensitive to prolonged exposure to UV rays, so a long trip without protection is undesirable.
⚠️ Warning: Never carry a boat in a fully inflated condition on the roof, and the pressure inside the cylinders will change due to temperature and altitude changes, which can cause the seams to rupture or shape deformation.
Spread the weight evenly. Heavy elements, such as anchor Or the battery, better placed in the center of the composition or moved to the interior of the car, shifting the center of gravity to one of the sides will create a dangerous roll when cornering.
Technology of fastening of cargo with belts and slings
The reliability of the fixation depends on the correct use of rigging equipment. Conventional ropes are prone to stretching and can weaken along the way. snoring-belt They're high-quality straps with buckles, and they allow you to create the necessary tension, and they don't require you to re-tighten.
☑️ Pre-departure checks
The attachment scheme should cover the cargo in several planes, at least two belts should go across the cargo, pressing it against the trunk, additional safety slings should be carried along the side of the boat, fixing it from moving forward or backward.
Pay special attention to the knots and anchorage points. The ends of the belts should not hang out in the wind, creating noise and distracting the driver. All free ends should be tightly twisted and secured with a rubber band or removed under the main belt.
| Type of attachment | Advantages | Deficiencies | Recommended application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbelts | Maximum tension, reliability | You can pull and damage the side. | Heavy loads, long-distance travel |
| Buckle-tipped straps | Speed of use, safety | Less tension | Light boats, short distances |
| Ropes and ropes | Cheap, affordable | Pulling, demanding knowledge of knots | Only as a temporary measure. |
After the first 10-15 kilometers, make sure to stop and check the tension of all the elements. The material of the bags may sit down a little, and the tension will ease. This simple procedure will save you from trouble on the track.
Protection from wind and aerodynamic loads
At speeds above 80 km/h, the car is subjected to severe aerodynamic loads, the air flows around the body in complex streams, creating zones of dilution and high pressure, the load on the roof acts as a sail, increasing fuel consumption and reducing the stability of the car.
The effects of side wind
When side winds are gusts, the boat's sailing area on the roof can be a cruel joke. The car is subject to demolition, and the steering requires sharper and more precise adjustments. Reduce speed in high winds.
To minimize resistance, try to stow the load as compactly as possible. Protruding parts, such as oars or handdukes, should be carefully secured and, if possible, removed inside the perimeter of the boat. Aerodynamic noise It can also be a problem, so tight styling will save you from whistling in your ears.
Use windscreens or special fairings if you plan frequent trips at high speeds, they help direct air flow over the load, reducing drag. For one-off trips, it is enough to simply pack very tightly, eliminating any fluttering elements.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid sudden maneuvers and rearrangements. The inertia of the load on the roof is much higher than that of the car, which can lead to skidding or overturning during sharp braking.
Traffic rules and fines
The law strictly regulates the transportation of oversized cargo. According to traffic rules, the cargo should not exceed the dimensions of the vehicle by more than 1 meter in front or rear, and more than 0.4 meters on the sides. If your boat in the package is wider than the body, you need to mark the protruding parts.
Red flags are used to mark the extreme points of the cargo during daylight hours, and red lights are used in the dark, front and rear, and red-and-white tape (zebra) is often used to visually indicate the boundaries of the cargo.
If the cargo closes the license plate or lighting devices of the car, its transportation is prohibited without special signs and escort.
Violations of the rules of transportation can be punished by a fine, usually a warning or a fine of 500 rubles for individuals, but if it is proved that the goods posed a threat to traffic safety, the amount may increase, and the inspector has the right to prohibit further movement until the violations are corrected.
If the boat bags block the view into the rear-view mirror, this is a direct violation of safety rules, in such cases, it is recommended to use additional external mirrors or redistribute the cargo.
Typical errors and security measures
Experienced watermen know that the devil is in the details. One of the most common mistakes is using the water. polypropylene ropeThey're very tight, and as a result, by the middle of the journey, the load can start to dangle, creating a dangerous situation. Always choose the lowest stretching belt.
Another mistake is to attach the belts directly to the soft elements of the boat or to the handles of the case. The handles can come off under tension. The belts must pass under the bottom of the boat or rely on the rigid elements of the trunk, rather than on the inflatable structure itself.
Keep in mind the condition of the pavement, because ground and broken roads transmit a strong vibration to the body and the load, and in such areas, the speed should be reduced, as the dynamic load on the fasteners increases many times over.
⚠️ Warning: Check the hinges and carbines of the belts before each trip. The metal elements may have hidden cracks or corrosion that will cause rupture under load.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that the correct organization of transportation is the key to the safety of your property and safety on the road. The critical factor of success is not so much the tension of the belts, as the correct geometry of the load, excluding its displacement in either side. Spend 10 minutes on quality packaging so you don’t lose hours on repairs or dismantling on the sidelines.
Can I transport a boat with a transom wheel installed?
The tanning wheel is better removed, and it creates an extra sailing and a stress point that can damage the cover or the mechanism itself when vibrating, so if you can't remove it, make sure it's securely fixed and doesn't protrude.
Do I need to release the pressure in the cylinders before the trip?
Yes, if the boat is partially inflated (which is not recommended for a roof), the pressure should be reduced, but the best option is a full blown-off and compact packaging in a case, which will eliminate the risk of cotton from changes in air volume.
What is the maximum speed to be used during transportation?
The recommended speed with a load on the roof should not exceed 90-100 km / h. Exceeding this threshold dramatically increases fuel consumption, noise and the risk of loss of cargo due to increased aerodynamic forces.
What if the belts start to whistle on the track?
A whistle means that the belt vibrates in the wind, and you have to stop and either increase the tension or put a soft pad under the belt (for example, a piece of cloth or foam) at the point of contact with the load to extinguish the vibration.