With the onset of navigation, each boater is faced with the question of delivering his boat to the water. Transportation of PVC boats With an outboard motor, you need to take a special approach, because the inflatable sides are vulnerable to mechanical damage. Unlike a rigid body, soft material is easily damaged if you fix it wrong or friction about roughness of the road.
Many beginners make the mistake of relying on standard belts that come with a trailer. transportation And it's important to understand that even a short trip over rough terrain can cause the aft to deform if the stowage technology is not followed.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of preparation, choice of trailer device and fixation rules. You will learn how to protect the sides from punctures and why carriage Often preferable to a regular roof trunk, the safety of cargo on the road depends on every detail.
Selection of trailer device and preparation of carriage
The first step is to choose the right vehicle. PVC boats are most often used by specialized vehicles. boat-trailers Or universal platforms with mounted pads, which are soft supports that replicate the contours of the body, allowing you to evenly distribute the weight and avoid point pressure.
If you use a conventional trailer platform, you need to make sure that you have a protective layer, and a carpeted or rubbered tree is a great alternative to expensive padding, and the main condition is that there are no sharp corners, bolts or welds that can damage the damage. cylinders while moving.
Particular attention should be paid to the state of carriageBefore loading, check the reliability of the mountings of the supports to the trailer frame. Luft or shaky structure will cause the boat to rock, which can lead to loss of control of the vehicle on the track.
⚠️ Warning: Never put a PVC boat on a metal mesh or untreated boards. Even a minimal vibration at 60 km/h will turn roughness into sandpaper that guarantees puncture.
The platform should be sized to fit the size of the boat; too short a trailer will cause the stern or nose to hang, which will create dangerous sailing and risk of tipping over; too long will complicate maneuvering and parking without real safety benefits.
Rules of installation of the outboard motor during transportation
Issue of hinged carriage outboard It's one of the most controversial, on the one hand, it saves time on the pond, on the other, it puts extra strain on the trunk of the boat, and PVC boat manufacturers often don't recommend long-duration with the engine installed because of the risk of deformation of the tanning board.
If you decide to drive a boat with an engine, you need to use it. transporterIt's a special device that takes the weight of the engine, taking the load off the transom, and without that stress, the vibration of the road will be transmitted directly to the mounting site, shaking the fastener and destroying the structure. coatboard.
For heavy motors over 15-20 hp, it is recommended to remove them before the trip, not only because of weight, but also because of aerodynamics. High-dadewood creates sailing, which can lead to the trailer rolling in side winds or overtaking trucks.
Can I drive the motor in a horizontal position?
Transporting the outboard motor horizontally (flat) is strongly discouraged for two-stroke models and many four-stroke models, which can lead to oil leaking into the cylinders or crankcase, causing a hydraulic shock on the first start. If the situation is hopeless, keep the motor strictly vertical or at the angle allowed by the instruction (usually no more than 45 degrees), and be sure to let it stand before starting.
The motor itself must be fastened as hard as possible, use a regular tiller lock or special belts that embrace the lower unit, the gas handle must be fixed in the idle position or completely closed to prevent accidental opening of the throttle valve.
Technology of laying and fixing the boat
The laying process begins with the boat being placed on the prepared surface, the cylinders must be tight but not too tight, it is important to ensure that the hull is symmetrically positioned relative to the axis of the trailer, and the shifting of the centre of gravity can cause the trailer to wag on the road.
For fixation, they are used tie-belt Do not use regular rubber bands or ropes, which do not provide the necessary stretching and can weaken in the way. The belts must pass through special handles or reinforced areas of cylinders, but in no case press them to the state of "string".
The optimal attachment scheme includes the fore, stern and center of the boat. cylinders Place soft pads under the slings or use belts with a wide fabric base.
☑️ Checklist for cargo fixation
After the initial fixation, make sure to check for no sharp objects inside the boat. A bucket, anchor, or tool that moves during loading can cause a puncture from the inside, and it is best to fold all the equipment into a separate sealer and fasten it separately.
Before tightening the belts slightly lift the sides of the boat with your hands to make sure that there are no folds of awning or debris under them, this will ensure uniform fit and prevent skewing during stretching.
Protection from damage and road factors
The road is full of surprises: stones flying from under the wheels, tree branches on narrow forest roads, temperature changes. Transportation of the boat without a protective awning or cover - this is the risk of damaging the PVC material with ultraviolet light or mechanical shock.
Use of special transporter It's a very low-risk, dense fabric product, like Oxford, which protects against not only punctures, but also dust, dirt and fuels that can get on board when you refuel a car, and the dirt that gets into the fabric reduces the strength of the fabric over time.
If you don't have a special case, you can use old blankets or thick rags to wrap them around the most vulnerable areas, the bottom and the sides in the contact with the belts, but this method is less reliable, because the fabric can slide.
| Type of protection | Efficiency | Complexity of installation | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport case | High. | Low. | Medium |
| Blankets/Washets | Medium | High. | Low. |
| No defense. | Low. | Missing. | Missing. |
| Logins + Cover | Maximum | Medium | High. |
Remember the temperature regime. In hot weather, the air in the cylinders expands. If you pump the boat in the morning in cool weather, by noon in the sun. cylinder pressure It can grow to critical levels, and it's recommended that you pump the boat a little weaker in front of the road, or blow the air out while you're on the way.
⚠️ Warning: Leaving the boat on the trailer in the scorching sun, be sure to open the valves or blow a little air. A sharp rise in temperature can cause the seams or the PVC material itself to rupture.
GIMS standards and traffic rules
The legislation strictly regulates carriage According to the traffic rules, the cargo must not extend beyond the dimensions of the vehicle by more than 1 meter at the rear and 0.4 meters from the sides. If your boat is wider than the trailer, you must mark the protruding parts.
The oversized cargo is marked with special signs "Oversized cargo" (square shield with a yellow-red stripe) and flags, and at night or in case of poor visibility, the edges of the cargo should be marked with reflectors or lights.
Speed limits for trailer towing are also limited: in populated areas, no more than 60 km/h, outside settlements, no more than 70 km/h (for passenger cars with a trailer), and speeding increases the risk of loss of stability of the train and destruction of the cargo.
The maximum permissible mass of the trailer must not exceed half the mass of the equipped vehicle (for categories of rights B without category E), and the total mass of the road train must not exceed 3.5 tons.
The driver must ensure that the load is securely secured before starting and check its condition on the way, and a stop is required every 50-100 km for visual inspection and belt lifting, if necessary.
Typical errors and ways to fix them
One of the most common mistakes is overpumping As mentioned above, heating in the sun increases pressure, and a balloon bursting on the move is not only a spoiled fishing experience, but also a potentially dangerous situation on the track.
The second mistake is saving on belts: cheap Chinese screeds often break at the first tub or have weak carbines; use only certified rigging products with a margin of safety. Carbines should be metal, not plastic.
The third mistake is to ignore sailing. The high side of the PVC boat acts like a sail. When side winds or overtaking large vehicles, the trailer can pull sharply to the side. Slow down and hold the steering wheel tighter at such times.
Drivers also often forget about the height of the cargo. If the boat is on high sides or keel, the total height of the road train can exceed the standard 4 meters (although this is rare for passenger trailers, but low bridges and power lines in the forest should not be forgotten).
What if the boat starts to lose air on the way?
If you notice that one of the cylinders is out of shape, stop immediately in a safe place. Don't try to pump it hot if the boat is hot in the sun. Let it cool. If the puncture is obvious (hearing hiss), use a remix. If the balloon just deflated due to temperature changes, gently slide to the working state, controlling the pressure with a pressure gauge.
Seasonal storage and conservation after transportation
After arriving at the water and launching the boat, take your engine off immediately. Let the boat lie on the water for 10-15 minutes, so that the material takes its natural form, especially if it is cold outside.
If the season is over and it is to come. depositThe boat must be thoroughly washed and dried, and the residue of silt and water in the folds of the fabric can lead to mold formation and the destruction of the protective layer in winter.
Stow the boat freely without typing. The ideal storage option is inflated in a warm garage, but in an apartment, this is not possible. So use a spacious bag and keep the boat away from the heaters.
How often should the pressure in the cylinders be checked when parking on the trailer for a long time?
If the boat stays on the trailer for a few days (e.g., at a recreation center), check the pressure daily in the morning. At night, the temperature drops and the pressure drops, and during the day rises again. Keep a pressure gauge and a pump handy.
Can I wash the boat on a trailer under high pressure?
High pressure washing (Kärcher and analogues) is only permissible from a long distance (at least 1-1.5 meters) and at an angle. A straight jet at point-blank range can damage the adhesive seams or the PVC material itself, especially if it is old and worn.
Do I need to remove the transom for storage?
Removing a hard transom (if removable) for storage is recommended to relieve stress from the fabric, but for short-term transport (during the day), this is not necessary if the transmolphin is securely fixed.
Which is better: a keel or flat-bottomed boat for transportation?
For carriage, the keel boat is preferable, as the keel provides stability and centering. Flat-bottomed boats (flat-bottomed boats) are more difficult to securely secure, they can shift sideways, requiring additional stops.
How does the age of the boat affect the transportation rules?
Older boats (over 10 years old) are becoming stiffer and less elastic, their material is worse tolerates vibration and bends, for age boats it is recommended to use softer lodgings and slow down the speed of movement, as well as more often check the condition of the seams.