Accommodation of the room on the PVC boat: requirements and instructions

Every boat owner who has been registered with the GIMS faces the final stage of legalization of their property - the application of side plates. This is not just a bureaucratic formality, but a mandatory requirement of legislation, the violation of which can be serious fines. For owners of inflatable boats made of PVC, this process has its own technological nuances, different from the installation of plates on rigid hulls.

Unlike metal or plastic, it is soft and often relief-board Inflatable boats require a special approach to the choice of materials and adhesives. Incorrectly selected paint can eat the fabric, and poor stencil will lead to the fact that the numbers will not be readable after the first season. In this article, we will discuss all aspects of application to ensure that your boat meets the standards and looks aesthetically pleasing.

Regulatory requirements and application standards

The main document regulating the appearance of a registered small vessel is an order of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia. According to current regulations, the onboard number must consist of an alphanumeric combination and a region code. The letters indicate the district and inspection, the numbers are the serial number, and the region code indicates the federal entity where the vessel is registered.

Particular attention should be paid symbol-sizeThe height of the characters must be at least 150 millimeters and the width must be at least 100 millimeters, the thickness of the font lines is also regulated and must be within 15-20 millimeters, and these parameters ensure that the number is readable from a distance, which is the main purpose of identifying a vessel on the water.

• 📏 The height of numbers and letters is strictly not less than 15 cm.
• 🎨 The color of the signs should contrast with the color of the boat.
• 📍 The number is applied from both sides in the middle part.

⚠️ Note: Using stencils with the wrong font or proportions may cause the GIMS inspector to refuse to inspect the vessel.

The color scheme is chosen by the owner, but it should provide a clear contrast with the main color of the tank. If your boat is dark green or black, white or light gray signs will be the best solution. For light boats, such as sand or light gray, it is better to use black, dark blue or red.

Selection of application location on PVC cylinder

The rules say that the number is placed in the middle of the side, but in practice, inflatable boat owners often face a problem of relief. inflatable tubes are rounded, and in places where compartments are docked or handles are welded, there can be thickening and folds. Putting a number on an uneven surface is dooming it to rapid destruction and poor readability.

The ideal place is a smooth section of the side between the handles or mounts for oars. It is important to step back enough distance from the upper edge so that when inflating the boat, the number does not deform and go under the protective false-bort, if it is structurally provided.

Many experienced boaters recommend that the number be placed closer to the bow of the cylinder, but still in the middle section of the cylinder, which is due to the fact that when driving at high speed, splashes and foam most often cover the aft part of the side. Readability of the number In traffic is a key factor for inspectors who check compliance with the speed limit.

Required materials and tools

You'll need to make a special set of materials to work well, and you'll need a regular spray paint for metal surfaces, because it doesn't have the elasticity that you need, and when you deform the tank, it will just crack and crumble, and you'll need specialty PVC compounds or high-quality self-adhesive films.

If you choose a stencil paint, make sure that the paint is designed for inflatable boats and rubber products. It must be resistant to ultraviolet, salt water and mechanical stress. As a solvent for degreasing the surface, you can not use aggressive chemistry that can damage the protective layer of tissue.

How do you degrease PVC?

To degrease the surface before painting, it is best to use alcohol or special degreasings for PVC. In no case do not use acetone, gasoline or solvent 646 - they can dissolve the upper protective layer of the fabric, making it sticky and vulnerable to dirt.

The work will also require:

1. stencil with the correct font (you can order from the printing house or cut yourself from dense plastic).

Paint tape for stencil fixation.

3. A roller or sponge for applying paint.

4. dryer for acceleration of drying (optional).

Step-by-step instructions for applying the number

The process of applying the hull number requires carefulness and consistency of actions. First, you need to carefully prepare the surface. The boat board must be washed with soap, dried and degreased. Any dust or fat spots will cause the paint to lie unevenly or quickly peel off.

After preparing the surface, fasten the stencil with paint tape. Make sure it fits tightly to the fabric, especially at the edges of the letters, so that the paint does not leak under them. Apply the paint in light, jerky movements using a minimum amount of composition in one pass. It is better to make several thin layers than one greasy one that can leak.

After the last layer is applied, let the paint dry according to the manufacturer's instructions, which usually takes hours to a day, and only after it has been completely dryed can the stencil be removed, and this should be done slowly and carefully, so as not to lubricate the fresh edges of the symbols.

Alternative methods of marking

Other than classic painting, there are other ways to mark your boat, and one popular option is to use self-adhesive film (vinyl stickers), which are custom-made in print shops and are already in the right typeface, durable, take no time to dry, and are easily removed when needed.

Another option is to use pre-made plastic or aluminum plates with extruded symbols, but for inflatable boats, this method is less preferable, since a rigid plate is more difficult to securely attach to a soft, constantly deforming cylinder, the glue holding such a plate can eventually lose its properties, and the number will fall off on the water.

Method of application	Durability	Complexity	Cost
Stencil and paint	High.	Medium	Low.
Vinyl sticker	Medium	Low.	Medium
Hard plate.	High.	High.	High.
PVC marker	Low.	Low.	Low.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is to neglect degreasing, and boat owners often think that a new boat doesn't need it, but even in the factory, the fabric is treated with protective compounds that prevent adhesion, and if you don't wash it off, the paint will start to peel off in stockings after a couple of weeks.

The second mistake is to use too aggressive solvents or incorrect paints. Aggressive chemistry It can disrupt the structure of PVC, making the sideboard at the plate area brittle, not only spoil the appearance, but also create a risk of depressurizing the cylinder in the future. Always test the paint on a discreet area or on a patch of fabric if it is left after purchase.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to paint the old, cracked number with a new layer of paint without removing the previous one. This will create a thick "crust" that will inevitably fall off with the new layer. The old paint must be completely removed with a special solvent for PVC.

It is also a mistake to apply a number to a deflated boat in a strained state if the geometry of the board changes after inflating, and it is better to work on a partially or completely inflated boat to see the real surface relief, which will help avoid distortion of the proportions of the numbers during operation.

Carrying out the license plate during operation

Once the plate is in place, it requires minimal but regular maintenance. After each release, especially if you've been swimming in salt water or in bodies of water with blooming water, it's advisable to rinse the boat with fresh water. The accumulation of salts and organics on the paint can lead to its gradual destruction.

When cleaning the boat, avoid using hard brushes in the area of the side number. Friction with abrasive materials quickly erase even the best quality paint. If you notice that the paint has begun to crack or peel off, do not expect complete destruction - paint the damaged area, first clean the edges.

Keeping a boat also affects the safety of the markings: try to fold the boat so that the numbered space does not fall on the fold line. Constant crumpling of the fabric in one place will lead to rapid wear of the colorful layer. It is best to keep the boat in an unstretched form or in suspended condition, if space allows.

Can I use a regular marker to apply a number?

You can only use a regular permanent marker as a temporary solution. Specialized PVC markers exist, but they are still less durable than screen paint. A normal marker will wash away after a few sinks or seasonal cleaning of the boat.

What if I sold the boat and the number remained?

When selling a boat, the new owner is required to deregister the boat and register with the new number, the old number loses its validity, you can paint it or leave it as it is, but legally it no longer belongs to this vessel.

Do I need to certify the number with the inspector?

There is no separate registration certificate, the inspector checks whether the marks are inscribed with documents during the inspection of the vessel or when checking documents on the water, the main thing is that the signs are read and correspond to the data on the boat's ticket.

Is it allowed to make a number of volumes?

GIMS requirements are flat imagery. Volumetrical overlays that protrude above the surface of the board can be considered a violation, as they can interfere with reading at a certain angle or fall off, creating debris on the water.

Can I put a number on a transom?

A trawler is a motor attachment that is often removed, stained with fuel and subjected to vibrations, and when moving, the transom is often hidden under water or behind the motor, and the rules require that the number be placed in the middle of the side, so the transom is not a place.