Owners of inflatable boats often face the need to manually install the anchor, which is not always convenient, especially when fishing in windy weather or on the current. Anchor winch It greatly simplifies this process by allowing you to lift loads quickly and effortlessly from the depths, but it requires a solid base that can withstand not only the weight of the machine itself, but also the dynamic loads of the operation.
Well-chosen winch-ground It's a guarantee of the durability of your boat and your safety on the water, and if you're not properly installed, you can damage your cylinders, leaks, or even lose your anchor at the most inopportune time, and in this article, we'll look at the nuances of where you want to be, where you want to be, where you want to be, and where you want to be.
There are several basic options for organizing a winch space, from finished stainless steel solutions to custom plywood and aluminum structures, depending on the type of boat you have (Fregat, Cayman, Aqua), the design of the transom or bow, and the type of anchor you use. It is important to take into account that inflatable elements require a special approach to the fastener, eliminating friction and point pressure.
Where is the best place to winch: a transom or nose
Selecting the installation site is the first and most important stage of tuning. turretBecause it's the easiest place to have a rigid mount, but if you use a boat for an outboard motor a lot, the winch on the transom can get in the way, so many people prefer to do it. nose-mountThe forward location allows the anchor to be used when drifting without the need to turn the boat around.
If you choose a transom, make sure the transom is reinforced. On many budget PVC boat models, regular gain may not be enough to vibrate from the running winch. reinforcerIt's a rod that spreads the load over a large area, and for the bow, you often use a rod or a special bracket attached to a stringer.
It is also worth considering the option of a removable design. Mobile platform allows you to remove the winch when transporting a boat in a deflated state or when using a boat for other purposes where the winch will be unnecessary. Removable systems are often based on quick-removal mounts or bolt connections with lamb nuts.
Materials for the manufacture of the site
The choice of material directly affects the weight of the structure and its resistance to corrosion. plywood (usually 10-12 mm) coated with several layers of epoxy resin or polyurethane lacquer, it's cheap, affordable and strong enough for light winches.
A more advanced version. aluminum Aluminum pads are lightweight, non-rotting and aesthetically pleasing. However, aluminum requires proper edge treatment and insulation from contact with other metals to avoid electrochemical corrosion. Stainless steel (AISI 304 or 316) is the most expensive and heaviest option, but also the most durable.
- 🛡️ Sea plywood: Budget, requires high-quality waterproofing, is easily processed at home.
- ⚙️ Aluminum: The optimal weight-to-strength ratio, does not rust, but is more difficult to process.
- 🔩 Stainless steel: Maximum strength and reliability, high price, high weight.
⚠️ Attention: Never use conventional plywood or chipboard without deep impregnation. Moisture trapped in the material through micro-scratches will lead to stratification and rot in one season, which can cause the loss of winch and anchor.
Why is metal insulation important?
When heterogeneous metals come into contact (such as an aluminum pad and steel bolts), a galvanic vapor is created in the salt water, and aluminum acts as an anode and begins to decay rapidly. Always use pads made of plastic or rubber.
Technology of strengthening of the attachment site
You can't just attach the platform to a balloon or a thin board, because it will rupture the PVC material or deform the wood. load-bearingOn the inside of the side or transom, a response plate (heel) of the same material as the base or of durable plastic must be installed.
The fastening is done by through bolts using wide washers. The washers must be large enough not to push the material through the strong tension of the anchor faline. rubber-layerprevent friction and seal the hole.
For transom boards that do not have a rigid base, it is recommended to use additional hairpinThis prevents the structure from being loosened by the vibration of the motor and the tugs of the winch, and all threaded connections must be treated with a thread lock.
☑️ Installation readiness check
Step-by-step installation instructions
The installation process begins with the marking. Apply the site to the selected location and mark the holes with a pencil. It is important to observe the symmetry so that the winch stands flat and the anchor rope converges without distortion. Use the level, especially if the site has complex geometry.
After marking, the holes must be drilled, the diameter of the drill must correspond to the diameter of the bolts, the edges of the holes on PVC must be treated and glued to prevent cloth from creeping out, a layer of sealant is applied to the wooden or metal base before the final installation.
The order of assembly of the "cake" attachment:1. Bolt (bottom up)
2. The puck is enlarged
3. Boat board/Trans
4. Place of sealant
5. The winch area
6. Puck
7. Nut (top)
The final step is to place the winch on the site, and the bolts are tightened evenly, cross-tight, to avoid skewing the base, and after drying the sealant (usually 24 hours), a test is performed on land, simulated load.
⚠️ Attention: When drilling holes in inflatable elements, use only special drills with a limiter or very carefully control the depth so as not to damage the internal chambers or the sealed layer.
Comparison of anchorage types and sites
To make a final decision, you have to compare the main specifications of different approaches. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, and the choice depends on your priorities: weight, price or durability.
| Type of site | Weight. | Difficulty of installation | Durability | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood (lacquered) | Medium. | Low. | 3-5 years | Low. |
| aluminum | Low. | Medium | 10+ years | Medium |
| Stainless steel | Highly | High. | 15+ years | High. |
| Plastic (3D printing) | Low. | Low. | 2-4 years | Medium |
As you can see from the table, aluminum They don't corrosion as much as steel and are lighter than plywood, but if the budget is tight, good plywood is a viable option if you keep up with it.
Use a Teflon tape or threaded sealant on all bolts passing through the site, which will not only prevent vibration unscrewing, but also create an additional barrier to water, protecting the thread from acidification.