The process of preparing the boat for the water is a fundamental step, on which your safety and comfort during fishing or cruising depends. PVC-assembly It takes not only time, but also understanding the physical properties of polyvinyl chloride, which changes its elasticity depending on the ambient temperature, and mistakes at this stage can lead to uneven tissue tension, structural distortions, or, worst of all, to the seams breaking at the most inopportune moment.
Many beginners underestimate the importance of proper sequence of actions, relying on intuition or muscle strength. diaphragm And the complex geometry of the modern bottoms requires strict adherence to regulations, and in this article, we'll go through each step in detail so that your launch goes without a hitch.
Before starting work, you need to choose a flat area, cleared of sharp objects, spines and debris, and even a small stone can damage the fabric when you move an already inflated boat. The optimal time to assemble is in the morning, when the air temperature is stable, and the material has not yet warmed up by the sun.
Preparation of the seat and check of the completeness
First, spread the bag on the ground and remove all the components. Make sure you have the full set: cylinders, paioles (floor sections), stringers, a squirrel board, seats (banks) and a pump. The absence of even one element can make operation impossible. Carefully examine the fabric for visible damage that may have occurred during transportation.
It is important to check the condition of the petal valves, which should open freely inwards when air is supplied and close tightly without letting it back in. If the petal is stuck or contaminated with sand, the leakiness will be impaired. Wipe the valves with a soft cloth and check their operation with your finger.
Spread the cylinders so that they lie flat, without strong clamps and twists. In the cold season, the material becomes rigid, and sharp inflections can damage the internal reinforcing layer. Let the boat lie flat for 10-15 minutes, especially if it was stored in a rolled-up form at low temperatures.
- 🛶 Check for the remix and glue in case of unforeseen damage.
- 🔍 Examine the places of gluing of handles and liner cable for detachment.
- 🌬️ Make sure that the pump hose is tightly fixed in the valve and does not fly under pressure.
Inflating cylinders and pressure control
The pumping process is the most responsible step requiring constant monitoring. pump-pump Or an electric compressor should be dosed, and at the initial stage, the cylinders are filled with air only to a state of light elasticity, so that the tissue can spread and take its natural shape.
After the initial filling, you have to wait a while, especially if you're in the sun, the air inside the cylinders heats up and expands, which leads to an increase in pressure, if you pump the boat "to the point" immediately, then the pressure can exceed critical values under the influence of sunlight, which will cause the seams to rupture.
The final pressure should be 0.2-0.25 atmosphere (about 200-250 mbar). This can be checked by pressing a finger on the side: it should bend no more than 1.5-2 cm. foot-pump It is important to make even efforts, avoiding jerks that can damage the valve system.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a fully pumped boat in direct sunlight unattended. The pressure inside can rise to dangerous levels, leading to deformation or rupture of the structure.
If you are assembling a boat in cold weather, pump the cylinders a little harder than you need, because in the warm sun the pressure will increase.
Installation of floorboard and installation of stringers
The hard flooring (floorboard) turns a soft tank into a fully-fledged vessel with hydrodynamic specifications. floorboards are aluminum or plywood plates coated with plastic, and must be stacked sequentially, starting from the transom (feed) and moving to the nose.
When laying, it is important to ensure that the edges of the plates fall into special pockets or under the liner cable, if the design provides for this type of attachment. There should be no gaps between the plates, but you can also apply them with effort, they should flatter in one plane. Stringers (metal profiles) are inserted into the slots along the sides to give rigidity to the entire structure of the floor.
To make it easier to spread the floor, you can slightly under-pump the cylinders before laying, and after mounting the stringers, you can pump to the working state, which will allow the fabric to stretch smoothly, without folds that can be rubbed in the future.
☑️ Checklist of floor installation
If you are using a boat with low-pressure inflatable floor (LDPB)It's simplified because you don't need to assemble the floor separately, but it's also important to straighten the bulkheads inside the bottom so that it takes the right shape of the keel.
Transcension installation and construction fixation
The transom board is the back of your boat, which is the main load of the outboard motor. The transom requires special care. It has to be inserted into special pockets on cylinders strictly vertically, and the transom skew will cause the motor to pull the boat to the side, and the load on one side will increase many times.
In some models, the transom is fixed with additional belts or valves. Make sure that all latchers are involved. Once the transom is installed, you need to finally check the symmetry of the boat. The distance from the nose to the transmoltar on the left and starboard sides should be the same.
There is no need to save on the quality of the transom board. Plywood should be moisture resistant (FSF brands), and the edging should be reliable to protect the ends from water. Wet transmolina greatly increases the weight of the boat and can lead to stratification of wood.
| Parameter | Norma. | Critical significance |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure in cylinders | 0.2 - 0.25 atm | > 0.3 atm |
| Deflection of the side when pressed | 1.5 - 2 cm | > 3 cm (under-inflated) |
| Operating temperature | -40°C... +60°C | > + 70C (glue melting risk) |
| Time of acclimatization | 15-20 minutes | Less than 5 minutes |
Installation of seats and additional equipment
Once the hull is assembled, it is the turn of the interior equipment to be installed, the seats (banks) being inserted into special pockets on the sides or attached to movable fixtures, and it is important to set them at the right distance from each other to ensure that the boat is balanced on the water.
If you plan to use it sounderrods, or rod holders, should be secured in advance while the boat is on shore, which will allow drilling the necessary holes in the floorboards (if the design permits) or securely fixing the mounts on the cylinders without risking dropping the equipment into the water.
Pay special attention to the anchor rift, which should be placed strictly in the center of the diametrical plane of the nose, and even a few centimeters of displacement of the rift will cause the boat to constantly prowl at anchor, turning sideways to the wind.
The secret of fast can installation
Grease the runners of the cans with silicone lubrication or ordinary soap solution, which will make it much easier to slide them into the pockets of cylinders, especially if the boat is new or has not been used for a long time.
Don't forget to check the reliability of the attachment of all the elements. Shake the boat, walk around it. Nothing should hang around or make extraneous sounds. A reliable fixation is the key to your peace of mind on the water.
Testing of leakage and first descent
Before launching, it is recommended to conduct a final leakproofness test. Sponge all the valves and seams abundantly. The appearance of bubbles will indicate the place of etching air. Most often, the problem lies in a poorly closed valve or grain of sand that has fallen under the petal.
When you go down, try not to drag the boat along the rocky shore, it is better to bring it to the water or use a special cart. A sharp tension of the fabric against the stones can lead to a puncture that you have to seal.
In water, the boat behaves differently than on land. The pressure in the cylinders can change a little because of the water temperature. If you feel that the sides have become too soft, pump them right afloat using a hand pump. This will only take a couple of minutes, but add stability.
⚠️ Warning: If you find air etching in the seam area, do not try to seal it on the water. You can get to the shore using a spare cylinder or slow rowing, but repair should only be carried out on a dry, clean and low-fat area of fabric.
Regular check of tightness and proper storage extend the life of the PVC boat by 2-3 times, keeping its technical specifications at the factory level.
Drying and proper storage
After operation, the boat must be thoroughly washed with fresh water, especially if you have been swimming in the salt sea, salt and silt aggressively affect the fabric and glue, after washing the boat should be dried, it is better to dry in the shade, turning upside down, so that the glass water flows naturally.
It is important to make sure that there is no moisture left inside the cylinders and under the floorboards. Storage dampness is the main cause of mold and unpleasant odor, which are very difficult to get rid of later. If the boat is stored in an assembled form (for example, in a garage), the pressure in the cylinders should be reduced to a minimum, but do not release the air completely so that the fabric does not stick together.
For long-term storage (winter) boats are better folded in a factory bag and placed in a dry room at room temperature. Do not allow the cloth to freeze in a rolled state, this can lead to the formation of microcracks in the folds.
Can I use a car compressor for pumping?
You can use a car compressor, but with great care. It creates high pressure, which can easily exceed the permissible 0.25 atm and break the seams. It is recommended to use the compressor only for primary filling (up to 50-60% of the volume), and the final pressure is reached by hand pump, controlling the rigidity of the side with the hand.
What if the boat “got a screw” on the move?
If the boat is moving away, check the pumping symmetry of the cylinders. Often the reason is that one side is pumped more than the other. Also check the transom installation, it must stand strictly perpendicular to the diametrical plane. The displacement of the engine or cargo to one side also causes yaw.
How often should I lift a boat on a hot day?
In hot sunny weather, the pressure in the cylinders increases rapidly, it is recommended to check the rigidity of the sides every 30-40 minutes in the sun, and if the side has become stone, you need to put some air through the valve to avoid rupture of the seams.
How to wash a PVC boat after fishing?
It is best to use regular water and a soft sponge. To remove persistent contaminants (oil, gasoline), you can use special PVC cleaners or a weak soap solution. Do not use solvents (acetone, gasoline), chlorine-containing agents and hard brushes - they destroy the protective lacquer layer and fabric.