Inflatable watercraft often have a deficit of usable space, where every free inch weighs in gold, and the gear, spare anchors or tools scattered across the bottom not only interfere with comfortable fishing, but also pose a real threat to the integrity of the cylinders, because a sharp hook can cause puncture. PVC-boat It becomes not just an accessory for storage, but a vital element of ergonomics, allowing you to free the cockpit from unnecessary junk.
A properly designed or hand-made container solves several critical tasks: it structures space, protects valuables from splashes, and keeps passengers safe. Many owners ignore this element until another attempt to get a sonar from under their feet leads to a loss of balance on a slippery paiola. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to choose the optimal design, what materials to use to protect against moisture, and how to securely fix the box so that it does not move.
The choice between a ready-made solution from the store and a homemade one depends on your carpenter skills and the specific boat model. The finished products are often versatile, but may not fit perfectly into the geometry of the transom or bow bay of your vessel. customManufacturing allows you to take into account literally every bending of the balloon and the location of the stringers, turning dead space into a functional niche.
Material selection and design features
The first thing to decide on is the material of the case, because the conditions of operation on the water dictate strict requirements for moisture resistance and weight. plywood or FBIt's a compound-soaked, but the weight of the structure can be substantial. PVC foam (composite sheet), which is absolutely not afraid of water, easy to process and has high strength on the kink.
The second important aspect is the size and shape of the product, which are directly dependent on the type of boat you have: a flat-bottom or keel model requires a personalized approach. If you set the box too high in a narrow boat, it can critically reduce stability and make it difficult to move inside the cockpit. The optimal height usually varies between 20-25 cm, which allows you to use the rundock lid as a full seat during trolling or waiting for a bite.
Tightness is a parameter that is often overlooked, relying only on the waterproofness of the material itself. Even if the case does not leak water, the joints of the sheets and the place of the hinges insertion require special attention and high-quality sealing with silicone or polyurethane compounds. For storing electronics or dry clothing, it is critical to use sealing rubber around the perimeter of the lid, as even fine sea salt or river water can quickly disable the equipment.
⚠️ Note: When using plywood, be sure to treat all the ends with epoxy resin or olifu, since it is through the sections that the wood absorbs moisture most quickly, which leads to stratification and rotting.
- 📦 Plywood is waterproof Classic, durable, but heavy option, requiring careful finishing.
- 🧱 Foamed PVC Lightweight, modern material that does not require painting and additional protection from water.
- 🛶 Aluminum leaf Durable and lightweight, but can be noisy and requires insulation of the bottom to avoid scratching the paiola.
Calculation of dimensions and drawings
Before you start buying materials or finding a finished product, you need to make accurate measurements of the interior of your boat. A mistake in the calculations even by a few millimeters can cause the box to clamp the cylinders or, conversely, to hang around, creating unnecessary sounds when moving.
Designing a boat should take into account not only the length and width, but also the height of the seat, which should be comfortable for an adult in clothes and shoes. The standard height of the inflatable boat often dictates the upper limit, so the lid of the runduk should be below the level of the inflated cylinder, so as not to create sail or pressure from the inside. For complex shapes, such as in the nose, often use trapezoid or triangular shapes that fill the available space.
If you plan to install a harunduk between sleighs (floorboards), the width of the structure should be strictly less than the distance between the inner edges of inflatable tubes. Ideally, you should leave a gap of 1-2 cm on each side to free passage of the hand and prevent friction when rocking the boat on the wave.
Calculation nuances for hard bottom boats
If your boat has a hard aluminum or plywood bottom, you can fit the knuckle into its outline by making a cut, but this requires a professional approach and can violate the integrity of the structure, so it is preferable to put the box on top of the sleigh, fixing it to the stringers.
Pay special attention to the internal volume: it should be sufficient to accommodate the planned cargo, but not excessive, so as not to weigh the boat. Remember that a hollow sealed box can work as a float, which in the case of a boat tips over will play a positive role, but too much air inside can make it difficult to operate the vessel in high winds.
Step-by-step instructions: manufacturing yourself
The process of creating a knob starts with cutting the material according to the prepared drawings, where the accuracy of the cut plays a key role for subsequent assembly. If you use plywood, cut an electro-cloth with a small-toothed file so that the edges are as smooth as possible and do not require long grinding. For foamed PVC, a stationery knife with a strong blade or a circular saw with a clean disk is ideal.
Assembly of the body is carried out using screws, corners and glue, and for plywood is mandatory. epoxyThe angular joints are better reinforced with aluminum or plastic corners, which will also serve as stiffness ribs, preventing deformation of the structure under load. All screw hats should be recessed into the material (graining) and closed with plugs to eliminate the risk of damage to PVC tissue by accidental contact.
☑️ Runduk assembly checklist
The installation of hinges and locking mechanisms requires care, as these elements experience the greatest mechanical stress when opening and closing. It is recommended to use stainless furniture hinges or special marine hinges made of brass that are not subject to corrosion.
⚠️ WARNING: When screwing screws into plywood, pre-drill holes slightly smaller than the screw diameter to avoid splitting the sheet, especially at the edges.
The final step is to decorate and equip the interior, which turns the rough box into a functional element of the interior of the boat, the interior can be pasted with carpet or soft material so that objects do not thunder when moving, and the outside is varnished or left in a natural color of the material if it is aesthetic.
Installation and fastening in a PVC boat
Mounting a harunduk to the elements of a boat is the most important step, on which safety and comfort of operation depends. There are several main ways of fixing: on Velcro, using belts, sliding guides or rigid attachment to the floorboard, the choice of method depends on whether you plan to remove the bottom clean box often or it will be installed permanently for the whole season.
The most popular and safe for PVC fabric is fastening with the help of fastex Or wide Velcro straps that span cylinders or pass through special rings, which doesn't require drilling the bottom of the boat and allows you to quickly dismantle the structure, and if the boat has a hard slate, you can attach the kunduk directly to it, but this requires the use of gaskets so that you don't damage the floor surface.
| Type of attachment | Difficulty of installation | Mobility | Risk for PVC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belts/Velcro straps | Low. | High. | Minimum |
| Hard (shooters) | High. | Missing. | Medium (scratches) |
| Guide runners | Medium | Medium | Low. |
| Anchor rings | Low. | High. | Minimum |
To prevent the paiola from slipping on the wet surface, the bottom of the harunduk needs to be fitted with a slip-resistant coating, ideally a special rubber mat or abrasively sprayed self-adhesive tape used on the stairs, which will not only lock the box in place, but also protect the bottom of the boat from being wiped by sand, which inevitably falls in.
Before installing the runduk in a permanent place, put a piece of dense fabric or felt under it - this will create an additional buffer layer and protect the paiola from abrasion.
Moisture protection and maintenance
Even the best-made hazelnut requires regular maintenance, especially if it is used in an aggressive aquatic environment. The main enemy is condensate, which forms inside when temperatures vary, so you need to provide ventilation holes or regularly open the lid for ventilation. If metal objects are stored inside, it is better to pack them in sealed bags or plastic containers.
The perimeter sealing gums of the lid lose elasticity over time and can crack under UV light, so they need to be checked before each season. To prolong the life of the rubber, you can use special silicone lubricants that restore the structure of the material and prevent drying out. If microcracks are detected, they should be immediately filled with silicone sealant.
After the navigation is over, the kunduk must be thoroughly washed, dried and treated with a preservative, especially if it is made of wood or metal. It is better to store the structure in a disassembled form or with an open lid in a dry room to avoid mold and fungus. Regular prevention will avoid the unpleasant smell of dampness and rot, which is very difficult to remove from the textile elements of the boat.
- 🧼 Washing Use soft detergents and a sponge, avoiding abrasives that may damage the coating.
- ☀️ Suit A mandatory procedure after each fishing trip, especially in hot weather, to evaporate moisture.
- 🛡️ Conservation - processing of wooden parts with oil or varnish, metal - anticory before wintering.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a jock as a seat?
Yes, if the structure is reinforced by internal stiffeners and can withstand the weight of an adult (at least 100-120 kg), the cover must be made of thick material or have additional supports to avoid bending.
How to make a jock completely sealed?
For full tightness, you need to use food silicone for seams, install a high-quality seal (D-profile) around the perimeter of the junction of the cover and the body, and also use reliable latches that tightly press the cover.
What is the optimal volume of a harunduk for a boat 3 meters long?
For a boat with a length of 3 meters, the optimal volume is considered to be 20-30 liters. A larger volume can take up too much space in the cockpit and upset the balance of the vessel, especially if the boat is single.
Do I need to paint a plywood rund?
Painting is not required if the plywood is well-soaked and lacquered, but the paint adds an additional protective layer and allows you to style the box to the color of the boat. Use only waterproof enamel for outdoor work.
Properly installed kunduk increases not only comfort, but also safety on the water, removing excess objects from under the feet and reducing the risk of accidental puncture of the balloon.