Operation fly-boat In the summer, without protection from UV or sudden rain, it becomes a test of endurance, and the open sun quickly heats the sides, making the landing uncomfortable, and an unexpected rainstorm can spoil the mood and wet the equipment. tent It becomes not just an accessory, but a necessity for any avid waterman who values comfort.
Buying a finished product from a specialty store is often expensive, and standard sizes may not be ideal for a particular model. PVC boats Creating a shelter on your own saves a significant portion of your budget and provides a design that takes into account all the individual specifications of your boat. In this guide, we will discuss in detail the process of designing, selecting materials and assembling a reliable canopy.
The main advantage of self-manufacturing is that you can use proven materials and reinforce the frame where you really need it. fixing-pieceSo let's move on to choosing the best fabric, because that's what makes 90 percent of the success of the whole thing.
Selection of material for awning and fabric requirements
The first and most critical step is to select a canvas that will take on the blows of the elements. Normal tarp or plastic film will not work, because they will quickly burn out, crack in the cold or simply break in high winds. sea-tender Specialized materials with polyurethane or acrylic impregnation, providing water repellent properties, are needed.
The best choice is considered fabric. Oxford (Oxford) with a density of at least 240 units or tarpaulin These materials are highly tensile and ultraviolet resistant. water-resistant, which is measured in millimeters of water column; for a boat awning, this parameter should not be less than 2000 mm.
When buying Oxford fabric, pay attention to the underside: a quality polyurethane coating (PU) should be smooth and elastic, not the crumbling powder that is characteristic of cheap PVC spraying.
The color of the material also plays a role not only in aesthetics, but also in the physics of the process. Light colors such as gray, beige or light green better reflect the sun's rays, preventing excessive heating of the air under the tent. Dark colors, although they look stylish, can create a greenhouse effect, which is especially noticeable in windless weather in shallow water.
⚠️ Note: Do not use materials designed for interior decoration or street banners without special protection from UV radiation, as they will lose strength after one season of active use.
Design of design and sizing
Before you pick up the scissors, you need to create a detailed drawing that takes into account the geometry of the inflatable tubes and the location of the seats. The awning should not fit tightly around the sides, otherwise, when heated, the air inside the cylinders will expand, and the fabric will begin to stretch unevenly, creating points of critical stress. PVC-cartridge It should be at least 10-15 centimeters around the perimeter.
The height of the dome is determined by the convenience of boarding passengers and the need to accommodate fishing gear or luggage. Too high an awning will increase the sailing of the vessel, which is dangerous in high lateral winds, and too low will create a feeling of crowding. The optimal height at the central point is about 1.2-1.5 meters, which allows most adults to sit without bending.
When calculating the area of the fabric, you need to add inlets on the gates and seams. The standard turn for installing luvers or pulling the cord is 5-7 cm on each side. If you plan to make a complex awning, for example, with a visor in the bow or lower sides, the material consumption will increase by about 15-20%.
To accurately calculate the length of the frame arcs, you can use a simple geometric formula or a mock-up method: Take a flexible cord, fasten it to the anchor points on the boat, and give it the desired shape of the arch, then measure the length, which avoids the errors associated with mathematical calculations of surface curvature.
| tissue | Density (g/m2) | Water resistance (mm VS) | Duration of service (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford 210D PU | ~110 | 1000-1500 | 2-3 |
| Oxford 600D PU | ~240 | 2000-3000 | 5-7 |
| tarpaulin | ~180 | 3000+ | 3-5 |
| Acrylic cloth | ~280 | 400+ | 7-10 |
Frame manufacturing: materials and assembly
The basis of any tent is its skeleton, which must withstand wind loads and the weight of possible snow or ice during storage. aluminum-pipe Aluminum is 20-25 mm in diameter and does not rust, which is critical for contact with water, and has sufficient rigidity.
The most reliable way to connect the frame elements is argon welding, but it requires special equipment and skills. For a home craftsman, the more affordable option is to use fittings (tees, corners) or bolt joints. Bolt joints allow you to disassemble the structure for compact storage, but require regular checks for weakening of nuts due to vibration.
☑️ Checking the frame before installation
If you use stainless steel or conventional ferrous metal pipes, they need to be thoroughly cleaned and coated with anti-corrosion paint. Even a microscopic scratch on the metal in salt water will become a hotbed of corrosion that will quickly destroy the pipe. Aluminum profiles are also desirable to be anodized or stained, although they are less prone to rust.
The frame is attached to the boat through special glasses or clamps that are fixed to inflatable tubes. It is important that the attachment points do not have sharp angles that can damage the material of the boat when friction. polion or rubber at the points of contact of metal with PVC.
⚠️ Warning: When welding or drilling metal pipes, be sure to remove metal shavings and sawdust, as a red-hot spark that gets on the fabric or inside the boat cylinder can burn the material instantly.
Sewing and sewing
The process of cutting the fabric requires maximum accuracy and sharp tools. Oxford-type fabric has a slippery surface and a specific structure of weaving, so it is best to cut it with tailor scissors with long blades or a special knife-disk. All cutting lines should be marked with chalk or marker for the fabric, adding the necessary allowances on the seams, usually 1.5-2 cm.
Sewing parts will require a sewing machine that can work with thick materials. A typical household machine may not cope with the density of fabric in 4-6 layers (in places of the gates), so often use machines such as the type of machine. 22nd grade The filament must be synthetic, strong and resistant to UV radiation, such as 45LL or 70LLL lausan filament.
Seams are the most vulnerable part of the structure, through which water most often penetrates. A simple needle puncture is not enough, because the hole from the needle can become a channel for moisture. After the seams are splashed, you must glue a special sealing tape or smear with a liquid sealant for fabrics, which will ensure 100% waterproof joints.
How to properly set up a sewing machine for thick fabric?
To sew awnings, you need to increase the gap between the foot and the needle plate, install the needle No. 100 or No. 110 and ease the tension of the upper thread, and it is also recommended to use a Teflon foot or put a strip of paper under the fabric so that it does not get stuck when moving.
A pocket forms along the perimeter of the awning, and a cord or rubber harness is inserted into it to fix the frame, luvers are placed in the corners and places of tension, and the distance between the luvers should be such that the fabric between them does not sag too much under the influence of the wind, usually 30-50 cm.
Installation of awning on the boat and adjustment
The installation of the finished product on the water begins with the fixing of the frame on the boat. Make sure that all reference points are securely fixed and do not shift when swaying. The frame must be strictly symmetrical with respect to the diametric plane of the boat, so that the distribution of wind load is uniform.
The fabric is tightened by cords in the cage or by belts with fastexes, and the fabric must be tight enough not to slam in the wind, but not to be pulled like a drum, which can lead to deformation of the frame in gusts of wind. Tension adjustment This is especially important after the first hour of operation, when the fabric can stretch a little.
To add stability in windy weather, you can use drags that attach to the bow and stern of the boat and go into the water or ashore, which turns the awning into a full-fledged tent that can withstand the storm wind, but when the boat is moving for an outboard motor, you need to remove the extra delays.
A properly stretched awning should not make clapping sounds in the wind and have saggings in which rainwater can accumulate, creating a dangerous weight.
If the awning is equipped with lowering sides, they are attached to buttons or zippers. When lifted, the sides are fixed with special wafers to prevent fluttering. Check the work of all fittings: lightning should walk easily, and the buttons should snap with a characteristic click.
Care, storage and safety of operation
The durability of a homemade awning depends on the conditions of its storage and maintenance. After each trip, especially on salt water, it is advisable to rinse the structure with fresh water to remove salt and dirt. The salt, crystallized in the fibers of the fabric and on metal, acts as an abrasive and a catalyst for corrosion.
The awning should be kept only completely dry and clean, folding moist fabric leads to mold and unpleasant smell, which is almost impossible to get rid of, the optimal option is to dry in the shade, as drying in the direct sun can accelerate the degradation of the polymer coating.
- 🛡️ Regularly check the condition of the seams and, if necessary, update the sealing with a special spray or glue.
- 🔧 Lubricate the moving parts of the frame and lightning with silicone lubricant to prevent jamming and creaking.
- ☀️ Use protective sprays with UV filters for fabric to extend the life of the color and strength of the material.
- 🧹 Clean the surface of leaves and bird droppings immediately after detection, as organics can damage the protective layer.
Safety when using an awning on the move is priority number one. A high awning significantly increases the sailing of the boat, which can lead to overturning in sharp winds or on a steep turn. In windy weather, speed should be reduced, and in storm warning it is better to abandon the use of a high dome altogether.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a boat with an awning set on the water unattended in windy weather, as it can turn into an unguided sailboat and roll over or sail away.
Following these simple rules will allow you to enjoy the comfort of a homemade shelter for many seasons. Properly made awning not only protects from sun and rain, but also enhances the functionality of your boat, turning it into a mobile camp on the water.
What to do if the fabric is still torn?
To repair small cuts, use PVC remixes or special stickers for awning fabrics. The tear site is degreased, a patch with rounded corners is applied and rolled with a roller. For large damages, you will need to apply a bilateral patch with gluing and subsequent stitching.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What fabric is better to choose for an awning if the boat will stand in the sun all summer?
For continuous use in the open sun, acrylic fabrics or high-density Oxford (600D and above) with high-quality PU coating and UV stabilizers are best suited. They burn out less and do not become brittle over time, unlike cheap polyethylene.
Can I use a tent while driving a boat for an outboard motor?
Yes, you can, but only if the frame is securely fixed and the height of the awning does not exceed the permissible limits of stability of your boat model. When moving against the wind or at high speed, the sailing of the awning can destabilize the boat, so it is recommended to slow down.
How to treat the seams so that they are guaranteed not to leak?
The best solution is to use a special sealing tape for seams, which is glued on the inside of the heated seam, alternatively, liquid sealants on a polyurethane basis, which are applied with a brush to the finished seam.
How to calculate the number of luvers for an awning?
The optimal distance between the luvers is 30-50 cm For an awning area of 4-5 square meters, it is usually required from 12 to 16 luvers around the perimeter, plus additional mounting points in corners and places of greatest tension.