The inflatable craft cannot be operated without a reliable engine attachment, and it is the pens on the PVC boat that perform this critical function. These are special reinforced platforms located in the transom part that take all the mechanical load from the operation of the outboard motor. Without a well-established lining, it is impossible to safely operate the boat on the water, because this is where the thrust transfer occurs and the propeller vibration is extinguished.
Many owners face the need to replace or initially install these elements, especially when assembling a boat from custom kits or after severe transom damage. The right choice of material And adherence to the adhesive technology directly affects the life of your vessel, and errors at this stage can cause the engine to detach while in motion, which can not only lead to the loss of expensive equipment, but also serious injuries to people on board.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances associated with transom linings, from the choice of thickness and type of material to step-by-step instructions for installing them. You will learn why you can not use conventional PVC glue and how to prepare the surface for maximum adhesion. We will also touch on the topic of strengthening transom with additional elements, which is especially important for owners of powerful motors.
Design features and purpose of Pyataks
The Pyatak is a multilayer structure consisting of the main load-bearing plate and several layers of PVC reinforcement fabric. The main purpose of this unit is the distribution of the point load from the motor mount bolts to a large area of the balloon. transom pad It must withstand not only the static weight of the engine, but also the dynamic jerks that occur when moving along a wave or abrupt maneuvering.
The standard configuration includes a rigid insert, usually made of plywood or composite materials, which is placed inside the cylinder or attached outside depending on the design of the boat, and additional layers of fabric are glued outside, creating a pie of the required thickness. Five-thickness varies depending on the power of the intended motor and can range from 10 to 25 mm in finished form.
⚠️ Attention: The use of pentacles of less thickness than provided by the design of the boat will lead to the cutting of the fabric bolts and depressurization of the cylinder under load.
There are two main types of arrangement: external overhead elements and internal reinforcements integrated into the design of the trans trans-container. Most modern models use combined solutions where the internal rigidity is complemented by external rigidity. reinforced-platformThis allows for an optimal balance between the flexibility of the inflated part and the rigidity of the attachment point.
Selection of material and thickness for different conditions
The key to durability is the right material to make the pentacles, and it's based on the same fabric that the boat is made of, most often it's the same fabric. reinforced polyvinyl chloride The material density is usually between 850 and 1100 g/m2, which provides the necessary tensile strength and resistance to washing.
The thickness of the finished product is formed by the number of layers of fabric. For low-power motors up to 5 hp, 3-4 layers of dense fabric are enough. If you plan to install an engine with a capacity of 9.9 hp and above, the number of layers should be increased to 6-8. Plywood insert inside the transom also plays a role, but it is the outer layers that take on the main voltage on the cut.
When choosing a material for repair or making new nickels, pay attention to the compatibility of PVC types. Other manufacturers may use different chemical compositions, which affects the quality of gluing. It is best to use original flaps from the boat manufacturer or buy fabric of the same marking.
When buying fabric for repair always take the material with a margin of 10-15% in area, as when cutting complex shapes, errors or defects may occur during cutting.
Installation tools and consumables
The main component is a two-component polyurethane adhesive specifically designed to bond PVC materials. Tekbond, Wurth Or specialized adhesives from boat manufacturers like Nirvan or Rogs, or regular Moment or rubber adhesives are not suitable for loaded knots.
You need a set of abrasive materials to prepare the surface. You need P80-P120 grain sandpaper to create roughness (adhesive layer). You also need a degreasing agent, such as acetone or a special PVC solvent that leaves no film. Use alcohol-based markers that are clearly visible on the fabric for marking.
The rolling process requires a hard roller, often called a roller roller, which is necessary to remove air bubbles from under the layers of tissue. At home, you can use a screwdriver handle wrapped in fabric, but professionally. teflon roller It's going to give you a better result, and you're going to need adhesive brushes and a hair dryer to activate the adhesive layer.
☑️ Installation tools
Step by step instructions: how to glue the pentacles yourself
The installation process begins with careful surface preparation, the cylinder must be fully pumped to the working pressure to avoid deformation when cooled after dryer operation, the installation site is cleaned with sandpaper until the matte appears, after which it is thoroughly degreased. The quality of the training determines 80% of the success of the whole operation.
Then you have the adhesives applied, and you apply the adhesives in a thin, uniform layer on both the balloon and the pencil, and then you wait until the time specified in the adhesive instructions (usually 10 to 20 minutes) to vaporize the solvent and to primary polymerize, and then the surfaces are connected and rolled carefully from the center to the edges.
Adhesion temperature: 20-25°CDrying time of the first layer: 15 minutes
Time of complete polymerization: 24-48 hours
After rolling, it often requires hot air to activate the adhesive layer, and the dryer heats the joint at about 60 to 80 degrees Celsius, while rolling it with a roller, which provides a chemical reaction and a monolithic bonding of materials, and it's important not to overheat the fabric so as not to damage the structure of the PVC.
⚠️ Note: PVC bonding work cannot be carried out at temperatures below +15 C and humidity above 75%, as the glue may not react or freeze with defects.
Table of matching engine power and penetrating thickness
For ease of choice of parameters of the transom gain, we recommend to read the summary table, which shows the dependence of the number of layers of fabric on the power of the outboard motor, the data are averaged and can vary depending on the particular model of the boat and the type of fabric used.
| Engine power (hp) | Recommended thickness (mm) | Number of tissue layers (approximately) | Type of load |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 - 5 hp. | 8 - 10 mm | 3-4 | Light/Lunning |
| 6 - 9.9bhp. | 12 - 15 mm | 5-6 layers | Medium/Fishing |
| 10 - 15 hp. | 16 - 20 mm | 7-9 layers | Tall/Travel |
| 18-30 hp. | 22 - 28 mm | 10+ layers | Extremely extreme. |
When calculating thickness, always leave a small margin of safety. If your boat is on the edge between categories, choose the option with a large number of layers. Excess thickness A five-footer won’t hurt a boat, while a few can be a fatal mistake.
The safety margin when installing pentacles is a guarantee of safety, saving on materials is unacceptable here.
Typical errors in installation and their consequences
One of the most common mistakes is that the surface is not properly prepared, and many people skip the stripping or degreasing phase, hoping for superglue, and after a few seasons, the pen begins to peel off, and water enters between the layers, causing the internal plywood to dissect and rot. The tightness of the seam is the first thing to ensure.
The second common mistake is temperature disruption, where trying to stick a penny in the cold, or overheating the tissue with a hair dryer, causes a defect, and in the cold, the glue doesn't polymerize, and when the PVC tissue gets overheated, it loses its elasticity and can "swim" by changing its geometry, and it's also dangerous to apply a layer of glue that's too thick to dry and stays sticky inside the seam.
The wrong alignment of the pentacles relative to the transom plate causes the motor to skew. If the pads are not symmetrically glued, the engine will go to the side, and the boat will constantly be led off course. This increases fuel consumption and gear wear. pattern before the work begins.
What if the penny has already gone?
If the detachment is noticed in time and the water does not get inside, you can try to clean the place carefully, degrease and glue it again using the "syringe" method of glue under the departed layer. If the plywood rots, you need to completely digest the transom.
Care, maintenance and replacement of worn items
Regular inspection of the transom part of the boat should be a habit of every owner. After each season, check the condition of the pentacles for cracks, scuffs and bloating. Pay special attention to the places where the bolts enter, which is where the tissue structure most often begins to break down. Timely diagnosis This prevents expensive repairs.
If you notice a pene cruising or clicking when the engine is running, immediately stop operation, this is a sign of a violation of the integrity of the adhesive seam or destruction of the inner layer. To prolong the life of the transom area, it is recommended to wash after each use with fresh water, washing away salt and dirt, which can act as an abrasive.
Replacing the pentacles is a time-consuming process that requires the removal of the old layers, the old fabric is carefully cut, the surface of the balloon is cleaned to the base and new elements are pasted using the technology described above. well-established pentacles They have been on the boat for 10 years or more.
Keep the boat in straightened form or with a slight blown, so that the folds in the area of the transom do not form crevices, which eventually turn into cracks on the pentacles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I put a penny in the garage in winter?
Technically, this is possible if the room temperature is not below +20 ° C and low humidity, but it is better to work in the warm season, since the temperature difference when taking the boat to the cold can cause tension in the adhesive seam.
Which glue is better: single or two-component?
For loaded knots, such as pentaki, two-component polyurethane adhesive is clearly recommended. It provides chemical welding of materials and withstands high loads, unlike single-component counterparts, which remain elastic but less durable.
Do I need to remove old quilts before the new ones are labeled?
Yes, the old layers need to be completely removed, and sticking the new pentacles over the old ones will create a stepping stone and an uneven load distribution, which will lead to rapid tearing away, and the surface should be flat and clean.
How much glue does the five-foot dry before the first launch?
Although the initial grip occurs in a few hours, the full strength of the adhesive seam gains after 24-48 hours, and it is strongly recommended not to load the boat before this time.