Water opens up completely different horizons for the tourist, inaccessible to land travelers. Traveling by PVC boat It's a unique mix of adrenaline, nature and self-testing, and the ease of the inflatable side allows you to get to the wildest places where you can't drive or walk.
But despite the design's simplicity, going autonomous requires careful preparation, and the unpredictable weather, the flow patterns and the distance from civilization dictate their own rules. PVC materials The reinforced fabric is strong enough, but the human factor and lack of experience can become critical.
In this article, we'll look at all the steps of expedition planning, from route selection to finish line, how to distribute weight, what equipment is really needed and what will take up precious space, and water safety is not just words, it's an algorithm of actions that must be worked out to the point of automation.
Route planning and water body analysis
The first step of any water trip is a detailed map analysis. Hydrology The area you plan to pass determines the type of boat and the engine power you need, and static lakes and rugged mountain rivers require fundamentally different approaches to navigation and control.
Be sure to look at the weather data from recent years for the region you choose. Open water wind can be a major obstacle, especially for lightweight, high-swing inflatable structures. The average speed of movement on oars or low-power electric motor is only 3-5 km / hTherefore, the actual mileage of the day crossing will be significantly lower than on the car.
⚠️ Warning: Always have a backup route for emergency landings. If the weather gets worse, you should know where the nearest dry spot or town is.
Modern navigation apps allow you to download offline maps, which is critical in a non-communicative environment, and don't rely on memory or paper maps from a decade ago -- river beds can change and shoals can shift after floods.
Selection and preparation of PVC boat
The basis of your floating means is itself flyboatFor travel, light single models for fishing off the coast are absolutely not suitable. You will need a boat with a reinforced bottom (LDPB - low-pressure inflatable floor or hard floorboard), which can hold the wave and withstand impacts on stones.
Pay attention to the number of independent cylindersIn the field version, there should be at least three, preferably four, which will ensure buoyancy even if one of the compartments is punctured, the quality of the adhesive and the density of the fabric (usually 750-1100 g / sq.m.) directly affect the longevity of the vessel in service.
- 🛶 Load capacity: Take a boat with a weight reserve of at least 30% of the weight of the crew and equipment.
- ⚓ Construction: For rivers with rapids, boats with inflatable sides and a keel that extinguishes blows are preferable.
- 🔧 Repairability: Make sure the valves are standard and have a remix.
Before you go out, make sure to make a complete defect, check the pressure in the cylinders, the presence of scuffs on the fabric and the tightness of the valves, even a microscopic hole in a deep voyage can be a big problem if there is no glue at hand.
Before a long hike, inflate the boat the day before launch and leave it in the sun (if material permits) or just for a day, which will show whether it holds pressure and whether there are hidden etchings of air.
Equipment and distribution of goods
Proper styling is an art on which the stability of a boat on the water depends. Centrification The weight shifting to the nose or stern can lead to yawing or, conversely, to loss of course in the wind. All things must be packed in sealants of different colors for quick identification.
There's a golden rule of the water tourist: "heavy down and center, light down the sides." Bauls with food, water and equipment are laid to the bottom, creating a stable center of gravity. Tents and sleeping bags, which are only needed in the evening, are removed to inaccessible places or under the seats.
☑️ Checklist of basic equipment
Don't forget about ergonomics. Access to essentials (first aid kit, raincoat, snack, navigator) should be instant. Backpack In a boat, it's not just a bag, it's a ballast element, and if you go in a group, the load is distributed evenly among all the boats.
Security and emergency situations
Water doesn't forgive mistakes. The basic element of safety is lifejacketIt's a squirt that you have to wear on every rafter, regardless of how you swim, and in cold water or in strong currents, you count for seconds, and the vest is your best chance of staying on the surface.
Every crew member should know the overkill algorithm, and the boat should be turned over, drawn out and climb back, or if that's not possible, hold onto it and row to shore, and it's strictly forbidden to swim apart from the boat in a stormy stream.
⚠️ Warning: Never tie yourself or things to a boat dead, and if a vessel gets stuck between rocks, the person tied up may become trapped underwater.
It's important to have waterproof communications, and a cell phone in a sealed neck is the bare minimum, and in remote areas you need a satellite tracker or a phone that allows you to send an SOS signal without cellular coverage.
What to do when puncture on a fast current?
If you feel that the boat has started to poison the air in a strong current, do not immediately try to patch it. Your task is to go to the gently shore. If this is not possible, inflate the balloon harder (if there is anything) to compensate for the loss, and row to the shore.
Food and Life in Autonomous Conditions
The water system requires discipline. Water regime It's critically important: dehydration is faster on water than on land, even if there's a lot of water around, and you can't drink river water without filtration or boiling, because you're too likely to get giardiasis or other infections.
Cooking is better on the shore during stops. The use of gas burners inside an inflatable boat is prohibited because of the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. The diet should be high-calorie, but light: cereals, stew, dried fruits, nuts.
| Product | Weight (1 day) | Packaging | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croups (buckwheat, rice) | 100-150 g | germ-o-o-o-o- | Primary energy source |
| Stew/canned food | 200-250 g | Factory bank | Heavy, put down. |
| Drinking water | 2-3 liters | Canisters/Bags | Reserve in case of parking without a source |
| Spices/Oil | 50g | Plastic packaging | You can't take it in glass containers. |
Wild hygiene is also a health issue: use biodegradable detergents to keep the water from contaminating; all organic and inorganic waste must be collected in separate bags and taken away with you; and the principle of “leave no trace” must be strictly observed.
Plan your food supply at +20% normal, and unforeseen delays due to weather or breakdowns can increase your autonomous swimming time.
Maintenance on the way
Even on a short trip, the boat and the motor require attention. Engine.A gas-oil mixture requires periodic inspection of the fuel filter and candle, and vibration and shaking can weaken the mounts, so daily visual inspection is mandatory.
After each night, check the pressure in the cylinders. Temperature changes (cold night - hot day) affect the volume of air inside. If necessary, simmer the boat, but avoid pumping in the sun so as not to damage the seams.
Watch the condition of the transmutor (sternboard) If the motor is powerful, the transmuter may experience severe stress, cracking or softening of the material requires immediate repair or replacement of the element, ignoring this can lead to the loss of the motor overboard.
⚠️ Warning: When refueling the outboard motor, make sure that the droplets of gasoline do not fall on PVC. The fuel destroys the material of the boat. Always have a rag on hand to wipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which motor to choose for a PVC boat with a length of 3.2 - 3.6 meters?
For boats of this size, the optimal engine is 5-9.9 hp. Two-stroke models are easier and easier to maintain, which is important for tourism. Four-stroke is quieter and more economical, but heavier, which can affect the performance of a light inflatable boat.
Do I need to register a PVC boat in GIMS?
Registration is required for vessels weighing more than 200 kg (in running order) or with an engine capacity of more than 8 kW (about 10.8 hp). If your boat is lighter and the engine is weaker, registration is not required, but the presence of documents confirming the specifications (passport for the boat and engine) is mandatory.
How to dry a boat in the field?
Ideally, the boat is dried upside down on paddles or special goats in the shade. Direct sunlight when drying can damage the material. If time is short, just wipe it with a cloth and pack it, but at home it must be completely dried before storing.
Can I swim on a PVC boat in a storm?
Inflatable boards are highly sailable and the boat can quickly turn over with a gust of wind, and if there are signs of a storm, you should immediately dock ashore and wait out the bad weather.