Buying an inflatable vessel is just the first step to arranging a full rest on the water. Many owners, having received a basic equipment, quickly realize that sitting on inflated cylinders or hard floorboard for hours is impossible. PVC-boxThe right choice of this element depends not only on the convenience of the fisherman or tourist, but also on the safety of the entire crew while in motion.
The modern market of accessories offers dozens of options, from the simplest plywood boards to complex swivel seats with cushioning. Construction The seat directly affects the weight distribution in the cockpit and the stability of the vessel, and improperly fixed or too heavy a seat can shift the center of gravity, which in the conditions of a storm wave will become a critical risk factor.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of the choice, compare materials and consider proven methods of installation. You will learn how to turn an ordinary inflatable boat into a comfortable boat without violating the rules of GIMS and without sacrificing carrying capacity.
Types of seats for inflatable boats
All seats for inflatable vessels can be classified by design and method of attachment. bank It's a rigid bar that rests on sides or on special stops, a classic solution that anyone who has ever boarded a rowing boat knows, and the banks are light, take up little space in the deflated form, and often act as a stiffening element of the bottom.
A more advanced option is bottom-restThey are chairs on legs that rest directly on the paiole, which allows you to adjust the landing height and not create unnecessary pressure on the boards, which is especially important for small boats, but their installation requires a flat and hard floor, otherwise the legs can damage the material.
There are also specialized turn-chairThey provide maximum comfort during long fishing, allowing you to change the position of the body without having to get up.
- 🪑 Hard banks: Plywood or plastic boards, often included in the basic configuration.
- 🪑 Folding chairs: Metal frames with a fabric seat, installed on the floor.
- 🪑 Transformer chairs: Complex systems with the possibility of turning into a bed or a rundock.
The choice of the particular type depends on the vessel's use scenarios: for sea fishing, where mobility is important, lightweight folding options will suit, for trolling or waiting for a stick at one point, it is better to invest in a comfortable chair.
Manufacture materials and their properties
The durability and reliability of the seat depends on the materials used, and in the aquatic environment, not only water, but also ultraviolet light, temperature changes and mechanical stress are aggressive factors. material They must have a high corrosion resistance.
The most popular material for frames is aluminum and its alloys, which is lightweight, rust-free and strong enough, but thin-walled aluminum can deform when it hits a rocky bottom or side. stainless steelSteel structures are virtually indestructible, but their weight can become critical for small boats, where every kilogram counts.
The seats and backs themselves are most often moisture-resistant plywood, leather-sheathed, or durable plastic. Plywood must be marine or aviation, soaked in special compounds. Conventional building plywood will quickly dissipate even with short-term contact with water. Plastic is good because it is completely inert to water, but in the cold can become brittle.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid using water-absorbing materials such as foam without a protective shell or plain fabric. A wet seat is not only a discomfort, but also a risk of colds and mold in the hold.
When choosing upholstery, give preference to materials labeled "Marine" or "UV resistant" - they will not burn out in one season and will not crack in the sun.
Comparison of designs: pros and cons
To determine the best choice, you need to compare different designs, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, which become noticeable only during operation. Below is a table that helps to organize the data.
| Type of design | Weight. | Comfort. | Mobility | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood can | Low. | Low. | High. | Low. |
| Folding chair | Medium. | Medium. | High. | Medium |
| The turning chair. | Highly | Highly | Low. | High. |
| Inflatable seat | Minimum | Medium. | Maximum | Low. |
Plywood cans are good for their simplicity, but they don't have a backrest, which causes the back muscles to strain constantly. Folding chairs solve the problem of back support, but can stagger on uneven paiola. Rotating chairs give the feeling of a captain's bridge, but their installation requires space and often interferes with movement on the boat.
A critical parameter for inflatable boats is the weight of the structure: excess of the permissible load per side can lead to deformation of cylinders when moving on sleeving. Therefore, when installing heavy seats, you need to strictly monitor the overall load of the vessel.Instructions for seat installation
Installing seats in an inflatable vessel requires careful preparation and adherence to technology. Installation errors can damage PVC fabric or cause a boat to lose stability. The process begins with determining the optimal location.
To install seats with support on the board (cans) you need to use special mounting If there are no pockets, removable brackets are used that are attached to stringers or to the landing cylinders, and it is important to ensure that pressure is distributed evenly to avoid point loads.
If you are placing a chair on the floor, make sure the paiola surface is flat and clean.
☑️ Preparation for seat installation
Then you fix it. For temporary solutions, Velcro straps or anti-slip mats are often used, but for permanent use, it is better to use a bolt connection through special bushings.
Mark the anchorages on the floorboard or sides.
2. drill holes (if required) or install adapters.
3. Secure the base of the chair using large diameter washers to distribute the force.
4. Check the reliability of the fixation by swaying the structure with force.
⚠️ WARNING: When drilling paiola or installing fasteners, make sure you don't damage the inner layer of the inflatable balloon. Use depth limiters.
The reliability of the seat attachment is more important than its comfort - in an emergency situation, a poorly secured chair can become a dangerous projectile.
Safety and Weight Distribution
The safety issue when installing additional elements in the boat is in the first place. Centre of gravity The boat must not be raised too high, otherwise it will become a roller and will be prone to tip over in sudden maneuvers or excitement. High seats with massive backs can play a cruel joke in strong side winds.
It is important to consider loading capacity Passport capacity includes the weight of the crew, engine, fuel, equipment and seats themselves, and placing three heavy seats in a two-seater boat may not formally violate the passenger limit, but will actually exceed the permissible displacement, which will lead to a decrease in the height of the board above the water.
Risks of overload
If the boat is overloaded, it becomes sluggish in control, gets worse on the wave and choked faster by splashing, and in a critical situation, this can lead to a loss of buoyancy.
The regulations state that the number of seats must not exceed the number of people for which the vessel is certified, and that additional seats for convenience may be considered a violation by the inspector if it visually changes the classification of the vessel or creates dangerous situations.
Homemade solutions and tuning
For many aquatic motorists, a boat is a creative experiment. PVC-box It's often cheaper and more efficient to buy yourself than factory-made ones, with profile pipes, plywood residues and old car seats.
A popular solution is to use an aluminum profile, which welds a lightweight frame onto which you can mount a seat from an old bus or even a domestic classic, which often already has adjustment mechanisms and armrests, and the main thing is to thoroughly clean and paint all the metal parts to prevent corrosion.
The other option is to use inflatable elements. air-seatThey're attached to Velcro cylinders, they don't take up space in the trunk, they provide a good amount of cushioning, but they're not durable, and they're prone to puncture.
- 🛠️ Use of PVC pipes: Light frame of plumbing pipes of large diameter.
- 🛠️ Wooden structures: Require high-quality impregnation with oliphate or varnish in several layers.
- 🛠️ Combined options: Metal frame with wooden elements.
When you make a homemade seat, be sure to test it on the shore, check the stability, the absence of sharp edges and the reliability of all connections, remember that it will be much harder to correct the error on water.
⚠️ Warning: Homemade structures must be tested for strength before each outing, and the weakening of bolt joints due to vibration is a common problem of homemade products.
Use a threaded lock (anaerobic sealant) for all bolt connections in the boat – vibration of the motor will quickly unwind the usual nuts.
Care and maintenance of seats
Even the best quality. PVC-box It requires regular maintenance. Aggressive water environments, sun and sand do their job. Regular washing with fresh water after each exit is a basic rule that will prolong the life of your equipment.
Special attention should be paid to metal elements. Even stainless steel in salt water can be covered with plaque, which eventually turns into pockets of corrosion. Once a season, it is recommended to remove the seats, thoroughly wipe them and lubricate the moving parts with silicone grease. The fabric elements are better treated with water-repellent sprays.
It is better to store the seats in a dry, cool place, disassembled or folded. Do not leave them in the boat for the winter, especially if the boat is stored in the garage or on the street. Temperature changes can lead to cracking of plastic or plywood.
How to remove rust from the metal parts of the seat?
To remove surface rust, use special rust converters or mechanical brushing. After cleaning, be sure to coat the metal with a protective layer of paint or varnish resistant to seawater.
How do you grease the creaking loops?
Ideal is silicone lubricant in aerosol or WD-40 Specialist Silicone. Conventional machine oil is best avoided as it collects sand and can stain the boat's clothes or PVC fabric.
Can I wash my seats with a high pressure wash?
Caution: The water pressure must not be directed at 90 degrees close to the joints of materials or seams, so as not to damage the structure of the upholstery or protective coating.
What to do if the plywood can swells?
You have to dry it immediately, you have to clean the bloating with sandpaper, and you have to re-coat it with a few layers of moisture-resistant varnish or epoxy, and you can't use the swollen plywood, because it's lost its strength.
How to increase the service life of upholstery?
Regularly treat upholstery with skin conditioners or special UV sprays for fabrics. This will prevent the material from drying out and cracking under the influence of the sun.