The question of how much a MCM boat weighs is one of the most pressing questions for owners of Soviet and Russian aluminum flat-bottomers, not just idle curiosity, but a critical technical characteristic that determines the choice of vehicle, the carrying capacity of the trailer and even safety on the water. Boat ICMThe, known for its simplicity and maintainability, has a number of modifications, and their weight can vary significantly depending on the configuration and year of production.
Many owners find that the numbers on their passports do not match the weights, which is due to the accumulated cargo over the years: residues of sealant, paint, installed equipment and even absorbed moisture can add kilograms. In this article, we will analyze in detail the weight of the case, the effect of the paioles and transoms, and calculate the total mass for transportation.
Understanding the real weight is necessary for proper calculation load capacityIf you're planning to carry a boat on the roof of a passenger car, every extra kilogram counts, and knowing the mass will help you correctly calculate the differentiation and stability of a boat when you go out with a full crew and gear.
Factory specifications and body weight
Officially. aluminum-boat The MCM was designed as a lightweight and versatile fishing and recreation vessel, and the manufacturer’s data-sheet figures (often the Kuibyshev Aviation Plant or other companies that produced similar models) usually indicated the weight of an empty hull without paioles and equipment in the range of 60-65 kilograms, but this value refers to the “naked” hull.
The actual weight of the hull often exceeds factory specifications. Aluminum alloy used in construction (usually AMG5M or AMG61), over time, it can oxidize and dirt can be filled into the gaps, and many owners also reinforced the transom with plywood or applied additional layers of paint to protect against corrosion, which also increased the mass.
⚠️ Warning: Don't blindly rely on data-sheet figures from 50 years ago. Weigh the boat on a car scale or wearless before planning a shipment, as the actual weight can be 10-15% above the nominal.
And it's important to remember that the weight is not evenly distributed, and the bulk is concentrated in the bow and aft, where the brangouts and the transom are located. centre-up When loading on a trailer or roof of a car, improper weight distribution can lead to damage to the roof or instability of the trailer on the road.
Effects of Paioles and Gender on Total Weight
One of the main factors determining the final weight is the design of the floor. MCM boats can be equipped with different types of floorboards: wooden, plywood or aluminum. plywood 10-12 mm thick can be 15 to 20 kilograms depending on the moisture content of the wood. Wet plywood weighs much more than dry.
Aluminum paioles, although considered more modern and durable, also have their weight. They are usually lighter than wooden counterparts, but at a sheet thickness of 2-3 mm, their weight is still tangible. If you use a combined floor (for example, plywood coated with linoleum for), this also adds weight to the entire structure.
- 🌲 Wooden floorboards: Classic, heavy, but warm, and not slippery, requiring drying after every fishing trip.
- 🛡️ Aluminum grooved sheet: Lighter than a tree, does not rot, but in summer it is very warm in the sun and freezes in winter.
- 🧱 Composite materials: The modern alternative is lightweight and durable, but rarely found on older MCM models.
When calculating the weight for transportation, be sure to take the paioles out of the boat, which will not only reduce the load on the sides when dragging along the shore, but also allow you to evenly distribute the load in the trunk or on the trailer. The total weight of the paioles is often underestimated, considering them “just boards”.
How do you reduce the weight of the pyeol?
Old wooden paioles can be replaced with modern composite materials or 2 mm thick aluminum grooved sheet, which will reduce weight by 5-7 kg and eliminate problems with rotting, and you can also use moisture-resistant plywood FSF, which is lighter than regular pine.
Tranza and its role in the weight of the boat
The stern part of the MCM boat, where it is installed turretThe standard transom is made of thick plywood or aluminum and is designed to hold the outboard motor, and the transom can weigh up to 5-8 kilograms when assembled with brackets.
Many owners reinforce the transom with additional steel or duraluminium linings to install a more powerful motor. This is a reasonable safety measure, but it inevitably leads to an increase in the mass of the stern. Overloaded stern can lead to the boat to “burrow” nose on the move, especially in choppy conditions.
When transported on the roof of the car, a heavy transom creates an additional lever of pressure on the back of the body. Therefore, when mounting the boat upside down, it is recommended to apply soft rollers under the transom and nose to avoid deformation. sideboards and bottoms.
Remove the transom before long transportation, if the design of the boat allows it, this will reduce sailing and the risk of damage to the transmutation board when hitting low obstacles (branches, wires).
Comparative table of weights of elements
For convenience of calculation of the total weight of your boat, we suggest to familiarize with the table, which shows the approximate weight of the main components of the boat MCM. Data are averaged and can vary depending on the specific modification and condition of the product.
| Element of the boat | Materials | Approximate weight (kg) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body (empty) | aluminum | 60 - 65 | No floorboards and no equipment. |
| Paiola (floor) | Plywood (12 mm) | 15 - 18 | Weight of dry plywood |
| Paiola (floor) | Aluminum (2 mm) | 10 - 12 | Rifled leaf |
| Tranza (removable) | Phanera/Metal | 5 - 7 | No motor. |
| Seats (bank) | Wood/Metal | 2 - 4 | One seat. |
So you can add up the data from the table, and you can get a basic weight, but you have to add weight to that. gear: anchors, life jackets, fuel tanks and fishing boxes, the actual weight of a rafting boat often exceeds 100 kilograms.
Weight assembly with motor and equipment
When we talk about transportation, we must not forget about outboardFor boats of the type MCM optimal are considered motors with a capacity of 2 to 5 hp The weight of such a motor (for example, Yamaha 2CMHS or Tohatsu M 5BThe more powerful models, which are also fitted to the MCM, can weigh 25-30 kg.
The fuel tank is another significant load. An empty 12-litre plastic tank weighs about 1.5 kg, but fueled with gasoline, it adds almost another 9 kg of weight. If you take a spare tank or canister, it immediately adds 10-12 kg to the total mass.
- ⚓ Anchor and rope: Anchor-cat (3-4 kg) + chain/rope (2-3 kg) = ~6 kg.
- 🎣 Fishing equipment: Boxes, tackles, sonar can weigh from 5 to 15 kg depending on the appetite of the fisherman.
- ⛽ Fuel reserve: Always take with a margin, but remember the weight of a full canister.
Thus, the total weight of the MCM boat with the engine, tank, anchor and a minimum set of equipment can reach 120-140 kilograms. trailer Or strong hands to load.
Transportation and loading capacity of the vehicle
Transportation of a MCM boat is most often carried out on the roof of a passenger car or on a light trailer. load-carrying capacityMost modern passenger cars can withstand 50-75 kg on the roof (including the weight of the trunk).
When using a trailer, the situation is easier, but it is important to distribute the weight correctly. The boat should be installed so that the trailer's breather is not overloaded. Optimal distribution: 60% of the boat's weight is closer to the transom (the rear of the trailer), 40% - to the bow.
⚠️ Warning: Exceeding the permissible load on the roof of the car can lead to deformation of the body pillars and the creation of an emergency situation on the road due to the displacement of the center of gravity.
Use a second person or special lifting mechanisms to safely load heavy elements (hulls) and try to load a 60-pound aluminum body alone often results in back injuries or damage to the paintwork of a car.
☑️ Pre-shipment checks
Tips for Weight Loss in Operation
Operating a heavy boat requires more effort and fuel. To optimize weight, you can do a number of tricks. First, you don't have to store any extra things in the boat. Old anchors, unnecessary cans, heavy tools - all this is better left at home or in the garage.
Second, consider replacing heavy wood with lighter ones, and modern industry offers lightweight, durable materials that are as strong as wood, but weigh many times less. pyeol and seats.
Third, keep the hull clean. Mud, silt and algae stuck to the bottom can add a few kilograms of weight, and also increase water resistance, which leads to fuel overruns. Regularly washing a boat is not only aesthetic, but also savings.
Optimizing the weight of the boat is not only a matter of ease of transportation, but also significant fuel savings and increased safety on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I transport a MCM boat on the roof of a sedan?
Yes, but with caution, you need to use soft trunks (mats) to avoid damaging the roof, and securely fasten the boat with belts. It is important not to exceed the load capacity of the roof of your car specified in the instructions (usually 50-70 kg).
How many people can the MCM boat carry?
The carrying capacity of a MCM boat is usually around 400 kg, which allows you to comfortably accommodate 2-3 adults with minimal equipment, and exceeding this limit is dangerous, since the boat has low sides and a flat bottom, which reduces stability.
Which motor is better for MCM by weight?
The optimal choice in power/weight ratio are two-stroke engines 2-3.5 hp or four-stroke 2.5 hp They weigh 10-13 kg, which makes it easy to install them to one person. More powerful engines (5 hp and above) weigh 20 + kg and require more accurate installation.
Do I need to remove paioles during transportation?
Yes, floorboards are better removed, which reduces overall weight, reduces sailing (if the boat is upside down), and prevents the center of gravity from shifting, and also allows the floorboards to be stacked separately, which is more convenient for attaching the cargo.
Does the weight of the boat affect speed?
The more weight (hull + cargo), the more displacement and water resistance, the more powerful engine and more fuel will be required to plane a heavy boat, the lighter boat will go into plane mode faster.