PVC inflatable boats have long ceased to be just a means for quiet fishing in the coastal zone. Modern low-pressure inflatable floor (LDPB) or hard decking vessels allow you to go on a serious wave, effectively use sonars and navigators, and use the use of sounders and navigation systems. anchor-winches However, most models do not have a place for electrical installation, which creates the need for additional improvements.
The installation of an electric anchor requires a rigid and reliable base, so that soft cylinders or movable paioles will not provide the necessary stability, and the attempt to fix the winch on the transom often leads to distortion and reduced maneuverability of the vessel. winch-place becomes a key element of tuning, ensuring safety and comfort of operation.
In this article, we will explore all the nuances of creating and installing a support structure, you will learn what materials are best to use, how to avoid typical design errors, and why proper weight distribution is critical for an inflatable housing. Thorough preparation This will allow you to turn your boat into a full-fledged fishing tool that can withstand professional-grade loads.
Selection of location and design requirements
The first step is always to determine the mounting point. The most logical place to install an anchor winch is on the bow of the boat, just in front of the cockpit or above the bow canister. This is where the best anchor rope geometry is achieved when operating, which minimizes the risk of hooks and ensures the verticality of the anchor sample. Shifting the anchor point back or sideways will require the use of additional branch blocks, which complicates the design.
The design must meet a number of stringent requirements, dictated by the specifics of the inflatable housing. uniformityPoint pressure of heavy elements (winch itself, battery, mechanism) on PVC fabric is unacceptable, as this can lead to deformation or even damage to the cylinder under the weight of equipment and crew.
Also, the pad should be as light as possible, but strong. The excess weight in the bow dramatically changes the boat's differentiation, causing it to burrow its nose in the wave even with little excitement. Aluminum alloys or marine plywood with high-quality impregnation are the optimal candidates for creating a base that will withstand the corrosive effects of salt water and mechanical shocks.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to attach heavy structures directly to the soft elements of an inflated cylinder without a rigid base based on floorboards or stringers. This can cause tissue to rupture when loaded.
It is also important to provide moisture protection for electrical components. The site should have structural elements that allow you to raise the winch and battery above the level of possible spray or rainwater accumulating in the cockpit.
Materials for manufacturing a support platform
Material choice is dictated by operating conditions. Aquatic environments are aggressive: ultraviolet, salt water, temperature changes and mechanical loads require specialized solutions. For homemade structures, three main options are most often considered, each with its own advantages.
The first option is plywoodIt's an affordable and durable material that's easy to work at home, but plywood is afraid of water if it's not protected, requires a layered coating with epoxy, varnish or specialized yacht compounds, and even with good processing, the life of the plywood is limited, and it can gain moisture, increasing weight.
The second option is aluminum Or sheet aluminum. It's a more expensive, but durable choice. Aluminum doesn't rot, it's easy to wash, it's very durable at low weight. It's better to use stainless steel rivets to connect the elements, or special bolts to the grovers to prevent self-twisting from vibrating.
The third option is composite materials or fiberglass, and it can be time-consuming to make a shape for a particular boat, but it's worth it, and it's a perfect site to replicate the contours of the balloon, to have minimal weight and absolute water resistance.
When choosing fasteners, give preference to stainless steel grade AISI 304 or AISI 316. Conventional galvanized fasteners in salt water rust in one season, which will lead to weakening of the structure at the most inopportune moment.
Design and drawings of the site
Before you pick up the tools, you have to make a detailed design, and the anchor winch area on a PVC boat is not just a piece of plywood, it's an engineering solution that requires precision, and errors in the calculations can cost you expensive equipment, or even the integrity of the boat.
When designing, consider the dimensions of the winch itself, the size of the battery compartment and the path of the cable. The design should provide convenient access to the control button (usually a remote control on a wire) and the ability to quickly dismantle if necessary. Removable elements It greatly simplifies the transportation and storage of the boat in folded form.
Pay special attention to the system of attachment of the site to the hull of the boat. The most reliable way is to use regular liner semi-rings, if they are conveniently located, or create a system of stops in floorboard / stringers. In some cases, it is allowed to carefully drill the cylinder with the installation of reinforced bushings, but this requires the highest skill and the use of special glue for PVC.
Below is a table comparing the main parameters for different types of structures, which will help determine the choice:
| Parameter | Plywood platform | Aluminum frame | Composite tray |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight. | Medium/High | Low. | Low. |
| Durability | 3-5 years | 10+ years | 10+ years |
| Difficulty of manufacture | Low. | Medium | High. |
| Cost | Low. | Medium | High. |
It is important to provide drainage holes at the bottom of the site so that water does not stagnate under the equipment, which is especially true for closed compartments for batteries.
Step-by-step installation instructions
The installation process can be divided into several stages. First, you need to prepare the base. If you use plywood, carefully treat all ends and surfaces with moisture retardant. Let the coating dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions.
The next step is to mark and drill the holes under the anchorage. Set the pad on the boat (without inflating it completely to see the contact points, or on a slightly inflated one, taking care). Mark the mounting places. If the mounting goes through the cylinder, use reinforced PVC nickels that are glued in advance.
☑️ Checklist for installation
Then you put the winch in, you fix the mechanism on the prepared platform, using wide washer bolts, you put a rubber mat or a layer of vibration insulation under the winch base to dampen the vibrations when the engine is running and protect the metal from corrosion.
The final step is to lay the electrics. The battery-to-winch cable must be of the appropriate cross-section (usually at least 10-16 mm2 depending on power and length) to avoid a voltage drop. All connections must be soldered and insulated with adhesive-layer thermal shrinkage.
⚠️ Attention: When drilling holes in the elements, make sure that the drill does not go through and damage the cylinder of the boat. Use depth limiters.
Once assembled, be sure to test on land, check the reliability of the fixation, the operation of the winch under load and the absence of backlashes, and only after making sure that the system is working, go out on the water.
Electrical circuitry and connection
Correct connection is a key to long-term equipment, anchor winches consume significant current, especially when the anchor is derailed from the ground. So cross-section of wires plays a critical role, using thin wires will lead to their heating, power drop and possible fire.
The circuit must be built in an automatic fuse or a fuse, designed to run just above the maximum consumption of the winch, which will protect the wiring and battery in the event of a short circuit or jamming mechanism.
The most common remote controls are those on flexible cables, so you can reach it from anywhere in the boat, but it doesn't interfere with fishing, and a good solution is to attach the remote to the removable bracket.
Nuances of battery selection
Anchor winches are best suited to traction gel or AGM batteries, which are capable of delivering high current and have a deep discharge, unlike starter batteries, which will quickly fail in this mode of operation.
Don't forget to set the voltmeter in an accessible place. The voltage control allows you to notice the battery discharge in time and avoid a situation where the winch will fail at the right time.
Operation and maintenance of equipment
Even the most reliable design requires regular maintenance. After every fishing trip, especially in salt water, rinse the playground and winch with fresh water. Salt speeds up corrosion and can knock electronics out in a matter of weeks.
Check the tightening of bolt joints regularly. The vibration of the motor and the shocks against the wave can gradually weaken even well-tightened fasteners. Use the thread lock when you build them.
Watch the condition of the cable or rope, rust on the cable, (wearing) or damage to the insulation on the electric cable of the winch, signals for immediate replacement, a break in the cable under load can cause injury or loss of anchor.
In winter, keep the winch and the site (if it is removable) in a dry room. Sharp temperature changes and humidity in an unheated garage can adversely affect the lubrication and condition of the metal.
Security and Typical Errors
Ignoring safety rules when installing anchor equipment can lead to unfortunate consequences. One of the most common mistakes is overloading the nose. PVC boats are soft, and the extra weight in the nose makes them unstable, and when the oncoming wave is a constant nose draws water, which is dangerous for passengers.
Another mistake is that the anchor is not properly centered when the sample is taken, and if the anchor is not included in a special lock or padlock on the site, it will dangle and hit the balloon. Be sure to provide the anchor anchor anchor anchor in the raised position.
The main safety principle is that any weight in the nose must be offset either by shifting the crew back or by an extra volume in the stern to keep the boat horizontal.
Hand protection is also often overlooked. Hand cable and winch work requires caution. Don't try to straighten the rope with your hands when the winch is under tension.
Do I have to make the set removable?
Yes, it's highly desirable. The removable design makes it easier to wash the boat, dry the paiole and transport when folded, and it also allows you to quickly remove the excess equipment if you're planning to just go unanchored.
What is the maximum weight of a boat’s PVC nose?
Depending on the density of the fabric and construction, it is usually recommended not to exceed 15-20 kg of additional load in the bow for boats up to 4 meters in length, so as not to disturb the driving performance and not overload the cylinders.
Can I use a wooden floor?
You can, but only from moisture-resistant rocks (larch) or well-treated marine plywood, a regular tree will quickly gain water, become heavy and begin to rot, spoiling the view and reducing reliability.
How to protect the battery from water?
Use sealed battery boxes with vents (for gases), but with spray protection. The best option is a plastic seal box mounted inside the site structure.