Installing polyvinyl chloride inflatable tubes on a rigid aluminum hull is one of the most popular ways to tune small boats, a major change in the boat's running and operating performance to make it more versatile for a variety of sailing conditions. Owners of the Kanak and other AMG alloy models often resort to this solution to improve safety and comfort on the water.
Main purpose of installation balloon This is especially true for fishermen and hunters who need to carry large amounts of equipment, motor and passengers, and soft boards take on the shocks of waves, providing a softer ride and reducing cabin noise.
The choice between fixed and removable elements depends on how you use the boat. If the vessel is constantly standing on the water or in a garage with enough space, rigidly fixed models will be suitable. For those who keep the boat disassembled or on the balcony, the ability to quickly dismantle it becomes critically important. removable cylinders.
Advantages of installing inflatable boards on a rigid body
The main argument for this is to significantly improve the stability of the vessel: wide cylinders attached to the sides work as outriggers, preventing dangerous rolling during sudden movements of passengers or gusts of wind, which makes the boat significantly safer, especially in windy weather or when fishing standing.
Another important factor is the protection of the aluminum shell from mechanical damage, when mooring to concrete or rocky piers, and when pulling on a gentle shore, it is precisely when you moor. PVC tubes They take on the main friction and impact, and this helps to maintain the integrity of the bottom and the sides, avoiding expensive metal repairs.
⚠️ Warning: Installing over-volume cylinders can change the boat's differentiation and shift the center of gravity. Be sure to check the vessel's behavior at low speeds before going full gas.
And you also have to keep insulation, and aluminum is a great sound transmitter, and it can be very tiring to splash waves on the side when you're on a long hike. flyboard It effectively quenches acoustic vibrations, making it more comfortable to communicate and relax, and it turns a utilitarian boat into a full-fledged pleasure boat.
Types of structures and methods of fastening
The market offers several options for inflatable boards, the most common being full-fledged cylinders that encircle the hull of a boat, which can be made as a single U-shaped element or consist of two separate sections for the nose and stern connected by transom inserts.
These elements are fastened in a variety of ways. The most reliable is the use of these elements. bracket These brackets are made of stainless steel or aluminum that are attached to the sides of the boat, and they have special pockets of cylinders on them, which ensures rigid fixation and prevents displacement during the course.
- 🔹 Stationary models: are fastened to the dead, provide maximum rigidity, but require storage space.
- 🔹 Removable systems: fixed by belts or quick-removal connections, easily dismantled for transportation.
- 🔹 Combined options: have a rigid base, but the cylinders themselves can be quickly removed, leaving the frame on the boat.
For minimalist lovers, there are so-called skirts, or small safety cylinders, that are attached directly to the beam, which do not give the buoyancy that full boards do, but they do serve as protection and a little stabilization. anchorage directly affects the cost of the kit and the complexity of its installation.
When choosing a fastening system, pay attention to the presence of rubber or plastic gaskets in the places of contact of metal with metal - this will prevent electrochemical corrosion of aluminum.
Materials of manufacture and their specifications
The quality and durability of the inflatable elements depend on the fabric used. For aluminum boats, which are often operated in harsh conditions, reinforced materials are the best choice. PVC (PVC)This material is a polyester grid, filled on both sides with layers of polyvinyl chloride.
For cylinders with diameters greater than 30 cm, it is recommended to use a material with a density of at least 750–900 g/m2. Thinner fabrics (600–700 g/m2) are suitable only for decorative elements or small boats where the tear load is minimal. reinforced PVC resistant to ultraviolet, fuel and puncture.
There is also an imported analogue - Hypalon (CSM), which is considered more durable, but also much more expensive. For most owners of domestic "Kazak" and "crows" it is more rational to choose a quality Russian or Chinese PVC material from proven manufacturers, such as Tental or Belarus.
| Characterization | PVC (PVC) | Haipalon (CSM) | Oxford fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term of service | 10-15 years | 20+ years | 3-5 years |
| Resistance to UV | High. | Very high. | Low. |
| Repairability | High (glues, welding) | Medium (specials) | Low. |
| Price. | Medium | High. | Low. |
Step-by-step instructions for installing cylinders
The installation process begins with careful preparation of the surface of the aluminum shell. You need to degrease the sides at the places of the intended attachment of brackets or linings. If you use a system with a timber, make sure that the regular aluminum profile does not have sharp barbs that can damage the fabric.
Then there's the marking and drilling of the anchor holes, which is the most critical step, which requires precision, and the holes on the boat are best treated with corrosion-resistant compounds and sealed, and stainless steel screws with a wide hat and rubber washers are used to attach them.
☑️ Checklist before installation
Once the metal elements are installed, the cylinders are sampled, and they must fit tightly around the body, leaving no large gaps, but also without squeezing the metal excessively, and the final fixation is carried out using belts with fastexes or carabiners, which are passed through special loops on cylinders and brackets.
⚠️ Warning: When drilling holes in the aluminum side, be sure to use a center drill and drill at low revs to avoid overheating and deformation of the metal.
Operation and care of inflatable elements
And PVC tubes The main enemy of polyvinyl chloride is open fire and sparks, so smoking in a boat with such sides should be extremely careful, and it is not recommended to leave a pumped boat in direct sunlight for a long time unnecessarily, although modern materials have UV filters.
After each operation, especially in salt water, the cylinders must be rinsed with fresh water. Salt and contaminants can crystallize in the pores of the fabric, reducing its elasticity. To clean from complex stains (oil, gasoline), use special cleaning products for cleaning the tissue. PVC fabric Or a regular soap solution.
Keep the boat with the cylinders installed is better in a dry, cool place. If the boat is stored outside, inflatable elements are better to remove or at least vent some of the air, as when temperatures vary, the pressure inside can change, creating excessive tension of the fabric.
What do you do when you puncture?
If you puncture, find the damage, degrease it and seal it with a special remix. For temporary repairs in the field, you can use two-component glue or even superglue with a tissue patch, but it is better to carry out full repairs in workshops.
Comparison of factory kits and self-manufacturing
Many owners are thinking: buy a ready-made set or make cylinders DIY? Factory kits, such as from the companies Flagman, Motorka or Boat-Peter, offer ready-made solutions with perfectly tailored patterns for specific models of boats. You get a guarantee of the quality of seams and materials.
Self-manufacturing requires a sewing machine that can sew thick fabrics, special glue and, most importantly, cutting experience, and an error in the calculations can lead to the cylinders mowing the boat or flushing air. homemade cylinders They can save up to 50% of the cost and implement any non-standard ideas.
If you don't have PVC skills, it's smarter to buy ready-made inflatable sections and make or adapt the mounting system yourself. This is the middle ground for getting a quality product without overpaying for the brand and complex logistics of bulky cargo.
Buying a ready-made kit for your boat model saves time and guarantees safety, whereas self-tailoring requires professional equipment and skills.
Effect of cylinders on driving performance
Installing bulk cylinders inevitably changes the hydrodynamics of the boat, and at low speeds and when parking, the effect is positive: less pitching, more space, but in planing, wide sides can create additional resistance, which will lead to a slight decrease in maximum speed and increase fuel consumption.
It's important to get the right shape for the bow of the cylinders, and if they're too blunt, the boat can start to scour or burrow into the wave. Modern models have a streamlined shape that minimizes splashes and water resistance. flyboard They can even improve germination by adding buoyancy to the nose.
When installing a powerful motor (more than 15 hp) on a lightweight aluminum boat with cylinders, you must be careful with the differentiation. The boat can become excessively rolling or prone to yaws. It is recommended to conduct test swims with a gradual increase in speed, monitoring the behavior of the vessel.
What pressure should be maintained in the cylinders?
The optimum working pressure for PVC reinforced cylinders is 0.2-0.25 atmosphere (about 3 psi). Pumping cylinders to the state of "drum skin" is not necessary and even harmful, since the pressure will increase in the sun and can damage the seams. Insufficient pressure will lead to deformation of the balloon and loss of shape.
Can I go on a boat with cylinders in winter?
You can use PVC tubes at low temperatures, but the material becomes stiff and less elastic. Sharp impacts on ice or hard objects can lead to cracks. If you plan to operate in winter, choose frost-resistant PVC modifications that retain flexibility up to -40°C.
Do I need to register a boat with cylinders in GIMS?
Registration with GIMS depends on the capacity and power of the engine, not on the presence of inflatable sides. However, if the installation of cylinders significantly changes the design features of the vessel (for example, increases the length or width of the data-sheet figures beyond), this may theoretically require changes in documents, although in practice this is rarely checked for small craft.