Any inflatable boat owner thinks sooner or later about making it more functional and safe, and the standard equipment offered by factories is often limited to basic transom arcs or lacks any additional rigidity and protection. PVC boat-railing - structural elements that radically change the ease of operation of the boat.
Installing additional profiles allows you to solve many problems: from protecting the sides when mooring to fastening attachments and improving the ergonomics of rowing. tube or side handrail not only decorates the boat, but also prolongs the service life of cylinders, taking on mechanical loads.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what types of protective profiles exist, what materials they are made of and how to properly install them yourself. You will learn how the models differ for different types of boats and what to look for when buying to avoid spoiling the PVC material.
Purpose and functionality of onboard profiles
The main task of any external element on an inflatable boat is to increase safety and comfort. rayling It is primarily a protective barrier to prevent direct impacts on the pier, rocks or sides of other vessels, without which cylinders quickly wear out and can suffer critical damage leading to depressurization.
In addition to the safety feature, profiles act as handrails. When boarding a boat, especially when in an unstable position or in full gear, having a rigid support is critical. It reduces the risk of falling into the water and makes moving on the cockpit more confident. Many models also provide the possibility of installing additional equipment.
Some anglers use side profiles as a basis for attaching rod holders, sonars or navigators, which frees up space in the cockpit and allows you to keep equipment on hand, and it is important to keep the vessel balanced so that excessive load on one side does not affect stability.
Materials of manufacture and design features
The choice of material for additional equipment on the water is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also of durability. Aggressive aqueous environment, ultraviolet light and temperature changes require the use of specific alloys and polymers. stainless steel AISI 304 or AISI 316.
Stainless steel is very durable and corrosion resistant, but it has considerable weight. For small boats, this can be a drawback, as each extra kilogram affects the carrying capacity. Aluminum alloys with anode coating are lighter, but less resistant to mechanical damage and salt water.
The current trend is the use of composite materials and special plastics. railing They don't rust, they don't conduct cold, and they can be painted in any color, and they're often used as soft jack-off sides that dampen the impact energy better than hard metal.
- 🔩 Stainless steel: Maximum strength, high weight, high price, ideal for seawater (AISI 316).
- 🛡️ Aluminum: Lightness, medium strength, requires high-quality coating, is afraid of galvanic corrosion.
- 🧪 Composite/Plastic: No corrosion, low weight, variation of forms, less rigidity of the structure.
When choosing steel rails for salt water, be sure to check the steel marking. AISI 304 can be covered with spot corrosion through the season of active operation at sea, whereas AISI 316 (marine stainless steel) will withstand the load for years.
Types of structures: transom, onboard and combined
The configuration of the protective elements depends on the type of boat and the tasks it performs. The transom arcs are a classic that every PVC boat owner knows about with a motor. They protect the transom in choppy conditions and serve as a support for the awning. However, modern solutions have gone much beyond simple arcs.
The onboard rails are mounted along the cylinders or along the top of the side, and can be either a continuous tube covering the entire perimeter or separate sections, and a solid tube provides better protection, but makes it difficult to pack the boat into a transport bag.
Combined systems combine security and utility features, for example, a profile may have integrated sleds for installation. downrigger These systems are often designed to fit specific boat models, providing the perfect fit.
⚠️ Attention! Installing a rigid metal frame around the perimeter of the boat can disrupt the geometry of balloon inflatation as the temperature changes. Be sure to leave small compensation gaps or use elastic mounts.
Special attention should be paid to inflatable protective profiles that are glued or screwed to the cylinder, which are additional chambers made of dense PVC, often with a foam filler inside, this is the “golden mean” between the hardness and softness of the impact.
Comparative table of popular solutions
To make the choice easier, it is worth comparing the main specifications of different types of protection, the data in the table are averaged, since the specific parameters depend on the manufacturer and the thickness of the materials used.
| Type of design | Materials | Weight (on set) | Difficulty of installation | Impact protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The transom arc | Nerzh. Steel / Aluminum | 1.5 - 3.0 kg | Low. | Local (Trans-only) |
| Onboard tube (metal) | Nerzh. | 4.0 - 7.0 kg | High. | High (hard) |
| Inflatable jack-off | PVC fabric (1100 g/m2) | 0.5 - 1.5 kg | Medium (stick) | Very tall (soft) |
| Composite profile | Fiberglass | 2.0 - 3.5 kg | Medium | Medium |
For frequent transportation of the boat in assembled form (on the roof of the car), it is better to choose removable structures or soft inflatable profiles, since the rigid frame significantly increases the dimensions of the package.
Installation technology: glue and mechanical fastening
Installation of profiles on the PVC boat is a process that requires accuracy and adherence to technology. An error in the installation phase can damage the cylinder or tear the element off on the water. There are two main ways of fixing: gluing and mechanical attachment through the water. face (litros).
The mechanical way is to have a groove on top of the balloon, and you put a cable in that groove, and you attach the body kits to it, and it's the most reliable and reversible method, and it doesn't spoil the structure, and if you don't have a face, you have to use adhesives.
The adhesive process requires degreasing of surfaces, application of special glue for PVC (usually two-component polyurethane) and quality roller roller. It is important to observe the temperature regime: the optimal temperature of the air and surfaces is +20...+25°C.
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When drilling holes under bolts (if the design provides for through fasteners), you need to use special gaskets and a sealant. The metal should not (contact) with PVC without an insulating gasket to avoid a chemical reaction or rubbing the fabric when vibrating.
⚠️ Attention! Never use Moment glue or cyanacrylate compounds for PVC installation. They make the material brittle and do not provide the elastic seam that is required for inflatable structures.
Maintenance and operation
Even the best quality. railing After every trip, especially on salt water, the metal elements need to be washed with fresh water, and the salt coating accelerates corrosion even in stainless steel, especially in welds.
Plastic and composite elements should be cleaned with a soft sponge using neutral detergents. Abrasive powders can scratch the surface, and dirt will be clogged into these micro-scratches, which can not be washed.
Check the mounting points regularly. Vibration from the motor and shocks to the wave can weaken the threaded connections. Loctite 243) will significantly reduce the risk of spontaneous bolt unwinding when assembled.
Seasonal storage
If you're shooting rails for the winter, treat metal surfaces with preservative lubricant, and keep them spread out or suspended to avoid deformation under your own weight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I install a railing on a boat without lyctross?
Yes, it's possible. This is a method of sticking a special platform base or a single profile, but the strength of this connection will depend on the quality of the adhesive and the surface preparation.
Will the boat sink if you punch a balloon against the installed railing?
Modern PVC boats are multi-chambered, and even if one cylinder is completely damaged, the remaining compartments (and bottom) will remain buoyant, but the sharp edge of a metal railing can damage adjacent chambers if hit hard, so the edges of the profile must be muzzled or rounded.
How to clean stainless steel from black corrosion points?
To clean, use special stainless steel polishes or a weak solution of citric acid. After cleaning, be sure to apply a protective layer, such as WD-40 Specialist Silicone, to create a water-repellent film.
Does the installation of the tube affect the speed of the boat?
Minimal impact. The main resistance is the hull and the transom itself. However, if the tube has a large area and protrudes beyond the contours of the boat, it can create additional vortices and sailing in the wind, which will reduce speed slightly and increase fuel consumption.