Water lovers, whether fishing or just relaxing on the lake, sooner or later face the need to upgrade the boat. Standard equipment budget models, especially PVC, often do not provide convenient places for attachment of various accessories. flood-shore These are functional elements that fundamentally change the ergonomics of the boat, and they allow you to securely fix the sonar, the navigator, the spinning holders or even the additional anchor mechanism, without relying on shaky suction cups or temporary attachments.
Introducing additional platforms into the structure of the board or transom requires careful planning and understanding of the properties of materials. Incorrect selection of adhesive composition or violation of the technology of insertion can lead to loss of leakage and, as a result, to the sinking of the boat at the most inopportune moment. It is important to realize that the floodplain is not just a piece of plastic or plywood glued to the side, but a full-fledged structural element that carries a load.
In this article, we will discuss all aspects of creating and installing floodplains. You will learn what materials are best suited for aggressive aquatic environments, how to properly prepare the surface for maximum adhesion and what mistakes beginners make. A well-installed platform will be a reliable support for your equipment for many years to come.
Purpose and functionality of onboard platforms
The main purpose of the floodplain is to expand the functionality of the boat without violating the integrity of the main inflatable tubes or the internal useful area of the cockpit. Unlike transom plates, which are attached to the rear, on-board versions allow you to place the equipment in the line of sight and reach of the operator's hands. sonar GPS-navigators, the management of which requires constant visual control.
And additional sites are often used to organize the fishing process. spinnerFor boat owners with outboard motors, installing a sink on a transom allows the sonar sensor or rear-view camera to be removed from the water flow generated by the propeller, which significantly improves the signal and image quality.
⚠️ Warning: Installation of heavy appliances (such as large screens or batteries) on remote sinkholes requires calculation of load capacity.
There is also an aesthetic aspect: neatly cut and painted platforms give the product the appearance of a professional boat, increasing its market value and attractiveness. Modern materials allow you to create structures of any shape that repeat the curves of cylinders, making them almost invisible when folded.
Selection of material: plastic, composite or plywood
The first and most important step is to choose the material for the future platform, which determines the longevity of the structure, its weight and its resistance to ultraviolet light. PVC foam This material does not absorb moisture, is easy to process and is perfectly glued to the cylinders of the boat with special compositions, the density of the material must be at least 0.55-0.65 mm to ensure rigidity.
The second popular option is marine plywood, which is very tough and tough, which can withstand considerable stress, but the wood requires careful and regular treatment with varnishes, paints or epoxy resins, and if moisture reaches the inner layers of the veneer, the plywood will begin to delaminate and rot, leading to the destruction of the mount and the loss of equipment.
The third option is the use of ready-made plastic sheets (ABS plastic, polycarbonate) or composite materials such as fiberglassThese solutions are often found in factory tuning. They are durable, but require special adhesives to bond to the PVC fabric of the boat, as standard polyurethane adhesives may not provide reliable adhesion with some kinds of smooth plastics.
When choosing the thickness of the material, take into account that a too thin platform will bend under the weight of the device, and too thick - create sailing and interfere with the packaging of the boat in a case.
For homemade structures, sandwich panels are often used, where a layer of polystyrene foam is laid between two layers of thin plastic or plywood, which allows you to achieve a large thickness for inserting fasteners without significantly increasing weight, the main requirement for any material is resistance to salt water, gasoline and oils.
Necessary tools and consumables
To properly install the topochin, it's not enough to have a knife and glue, you need a set of professional tools that will ensure the accuracy of the cut and reliability of the connection. hair dryer It's necessary for activating the adhesive layer and warming the adhesive surfaces, which is critical for polyurethane adhesives.
You'll also need:
- 🔪 Sharp knife for cutting PVC fabric (office or special boot).
- 📏 Metal ruler and a coal mine for marking right angles.
- 🖌️ Hard bristles or spatulas for applying glue.
- 🧽 Degreasing agent (acetone, white spirit or special cleaner).
- ✏️ A marker for fabric that is easily washed off.
- 🗜️ Pressure rollers (preferably Teflon or silicone).
- 🔨 A rubber kiyan for tapping seams.
Particular attention should be paid to the choice of adhesive. For PVC boats, two-component polyurethane adhesives are used (for example, Desmokol, Kleyberg They create an elastic and water-resistant seam that can withstand the strain of the balloon when pumped, and single-component adhesives or "Moment" are not suitable for this purpose, because they do not provide the necessary strength and elasticity.
⚠️ Warning: Only work with polyurethane adhesives in a well-ventilated or outdoor environment. Solvent vapors are toxic and flammable. Use a respirator and gloves.
Don't forget to prepare the material for the floodplain itself. If you use PVC sheet, make sure it's matte. Glossy surfaces require additional machining (grinding) or primering to improve the grip. All tools must be clean and dry, water or dust entering the glue seam is unacceptable.
Technology of installation on PVC boats
The installation process begins with a thorough surface preparation, and the place on the balloon where the sink will stick, you need to clean the dirt, dust and lubrication from the factory. Once cleaned, the surface is degreased with solvent, and the reverse side of the platform goes through the same procedure, and it's important to achieve a perfectly clean and dry surface, because it depends on 90% of the success.
Then you have the glue applied, and you put it in a thin, uniform layer on both of the surfaces that you stick together, and then you have to pause -- usually 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the glue instructions -- to vaporize the solvent and form a sticky layer, and then you heat the surfaces up to 50-60 degrees and connect them, and you have to take a very careful step right after you connect the seams. roll From center to edge, squeezing out air bubbles.
☑️ Sticking algorithm
If the floodplain is complex or large, it is recommended to use the "envelope" method or glue parts.