Targa on the boat is not just a fashion accessory for beautiful photos, but a functional element that radically changes the ability to operate a small vessel. Installing a durable frame above the cockpit allows you to place additional navigation equipment, powerful running lights, sonars and even a small awning to protect against the scorching sun or sudden rain. target It is a crucial factor when planning long fishing trips or walks with family.
The design can be either factory-designed, tailor-made, or homemade, welded from profile pipes according to individual drawings. It is important to understand that any additional element on the craft affects its stability and center of gravity. An improperly designed frame can cause rolling or, at worst, lead to a boat tipping over during abrupt maneuvering. Therefore, the design and installation must be approached with the utmost seriousness, given the weight of the equipment and wind load.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of the creation and installation targetWe will consider the necessary materials and tools, and also pay attention to the legal nuances of registering changes in GIMS. You will learn how to avoid typical mistakes of beginners and make a design that will last for many years without losing appearance and strength specifications.
Design features and types of targeting
The modern market offers many options for the design of superstructures, but they are all divided into several main types in terms of mounting and geometry. The most common option is a U-shaped frame that is attached to the sides or transom of the boat. This design provides good visibility and leaves enough space in the cockpit to accommodate passengers and equipment. Larger boats often use arched systems that cover the entire width of the vessel and ensure maximum rigidity.
Materials for manufacture are selected taking into account corrosion resistance and weight. AISI 304 or AISI 316 is the de facto standard for marine conditions, but has a significant mass. AMG5 or AMG6It is much lighter, which is critical for small boats where every kilogram counts, but aluminum requires more complex welding in argon environment and careful insulation from contact with other metals to avoid electrochemical corrosion.
⚠️ Warning: Using conventional ferrous metal followed by painting for labeling is a temporary solution. In an aggressive aqueous environment, especially salty, such a structure will begin to rust from the inside after 1-2 seasons, which will lead to loss of strength and destruction of welds.
The way the frame is attached to the body deserves special attention. Fixed options involve rigid bolt fixation or welding to welding areas on the sides. Removable structures that are installed on switches or special brackets are convenient for storage, but require perfectly accurate fit to eliminate backlashes and vibration when driving. The choice depends on whether you plan to remove the targa after each walk or it will be installed for the whole season.
When designing, it is important to take into account not only the static load, but also the dynamic jerks that occur on the wave. Targa It should be able to withstand the weight of a person (for installation of equipment) with a margin of safety of at least 30%, and it should also be possible to install additional accessories: rod holders, GPS antenna mounts, LED tapes and even winches to lift the engine.
Required materials and tools for manufacturing
If you decide to make targu You need to build a high-quality toolkit and buy specialized materials, and you can't save on metal, because the design will be responsible for the safety of people and equipment on the water, and it will be based on a profile tube of square or rectangular sections, the size of which is selected depending on the size of the boat and the planned load.
Welding equipment is required to work with metal. If aluminum is selected, argono-arc welding is required (TIGArgon is also preferred for stainless steel, although electro-arc welding with special electrodes is also possible, although the seam will be less aesthetic and require additional processing. Remember the personal protective equipment: chameleon mask, kragi and respirator, since non-ferrous metal welding requires high qualification and radiation protection.
Besides welding, you'll need tools to mark and cut.Bulgarian) with metal discs, roulette, coal mine and metal marker are the basic set. To give the design a presentation and corrosion protection (if not stainless steel) will require a sandblaster or quality etching chemistry, as well as powder painting or polishing.
- 🛠️ Profile pipe made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy (cross section 40x40 mm or 50x25 mm).
- 🛠️ Welding apparatus (argon inverter) and consumables (rods, tungsten electrodes, gas).
- 🛠️ Corner grinding machine, cut and sweep circles, petal polishing discs.
- 🛠️ Fixing elements: bolts, nuts and washers made of stainless steel (strength class not lower than 8.8).
Pay special attention to the choice of fasteners. Ordinary galvanized bolts will quickly become useless. stainlessTo connect heterogeneous metals (for example, aluminum targa and steel case), you need to use dielectric gaskets and lubricants that prevent galvanic pairing.
Before buying metal, make a paper layout of the bars on a 1:10 scale, which will help you visually assess the proportions and identify possible errors in geometry that are difficult to fix in the finished metal.
Step-by-step instructions for assembling and welding the frame
Creation target It starts with precise measurements and drawings. You need to know the width of the boat at the installation site, the desired height and the angle of the pillars. You need to do the drawing in three projections to make sure the design is symmetrical. Once the design is approved, you need to cut the metal with a margin of several millimeters to stick out and treat the edges.
The next step is to build on the hoods. Don't boil the seams dead. First, build the frame, check the diagonals and angles. The slightest skew will cause the targa to be impossible to fit on the boat, or it will create excessive sailing resistance. Use rods and corners to fix the elements. After checking the geometry, you can start full-fledged cooking of the seams.
The welding technique depends on the material. Aluminum is boiled in short rollers with constant temperature control, so as not to burn through the thin wall of the pipe. Stainless steel is boiled with a filler rod, trying to minimize the heat exposure to avoid "blue" and loss of corrosion properties in the seam area. After cooling, the seams are cleaned and polished to the state of the base metal.
⚠️ Warning: When welding aluminum, use only special fluxes or pure high-purity argon (99.99%). Getting even the slightest amount of moisture or oil on the welded edges will lead to the formation of pores and shells, which will critically reduce the strength of the joint.
The final step is to install the mounting units, if the targa is removable, the reactive parts of the locks or flanges are welded; if the targa is fixed, the rods with bolt holes are boiled; all the holes must be carefully treated to exclude burrs that can damage the rigging or the hands.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Comparison of materials: specifications table
So, material selection is always a tradeoff between weight, strength, cost and complexity, and to make it easier for you to decide, we've compiled a comparative table of the basic materials used to make the fabrication. tar.
| Parameter | Stainless steel (AISI 304) | Aluminum alloy (AMG5) | Black metal (painted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure weight | High (heavier than aluminum 3 times) | Low (ideal for small boats) | Medium/High |
| Corrosion resistance | Nice (not rusting) | Excellent (oxidized but not rotting) | Low (requires constant care) |
| Difficulty welding | Medium (need argon) | High (needs an experienced welder) | Low (available to beginners) |
| Cost of material | High. | Very high. | Low. |
| Term of service | 20+ years | 20+ years | 3-5 years |
As you can see from the table, aluminum alloys of the AMG series They are the preferred option for high-speed boats, where every kilogram of weight is important, but if the budget is limited and aluminum welding skills are lacking, high-quality stainless steel will be a reliable alternative, despite the greater weight.
The use of ferrous metal is only justified if the boat is kept in a dry room and you are ready to renew the paintwork annually, otherwise, the rust flowing to passengers and equipment will quickly spoil the experience of riding.
Installation and fastening of the tariff on the boat
Installation of the finished structure on the boat is a critical step, requiring care. The first thing to do is to mark the attachment places on the sides or the transom. It is important to make sure that these places do not have internal reinforcement elements of the hull, which can be damaged during drilling, or, conversely, that the board is strong enough to install heavy brackets. PVC boats use special inflatable tubes or rigid inserts that do not violate the tightness of the cylinders.
For metal boats and boats, mounting is done through sealed sleeves or on welded studs. When drilling holes on board, be sure to use a cobalt-addited metal drill and treat the edges of the holes with anticort. Under bolt hats and nuts, be sure to install wide washers and rubber pads to distribute the load and prevent metal from squeezing.
If your boat is a small vessel subject to registration, the installation of fixed-target can be considered a design change. In this case, you need to make changes to the boat's documents. For removable structures that do not change the dimensions of the boat in the transport position and do not carry powerful engines, the GIMS requirements may be milder, but consulting an inspector before installation will not interfere.
- ⚓ Mark the mounting places with regard to symmetry and center of gravity.
- ⚓ Treat all metal slices with anti-corrosion compounds.
- ⚓ Use a sealant for marine work when installing the fastener overboard.
- ⚓ After installation, check the design for the absence of backlashes when rocking.
⚠️ Warning: Never attach the targa only to the soft deck (sleigh) of the PVC boat. Fixing should be carried out either to the rigid elements of the cockpit, or to special mortgages, coming complete with the boat, or cover the cylinders through a system of belts and rigid arcs, distributing the load.
Operation, care and security
After installation target It's a very active phase of operation, and you have to take care of it for a long time to be able to build it, and after every time you go out, especially at sea, you have to rinse the frame with fresh water, and when you dry it, the salt coating forms crystals that can damage the protective oxide film on aluminum or become a spot of corrosion on stainless steel.
Check the condition of the fasteners regularly, and the vibration of the wave can gradually weaken even tight nuts.anaerobic sealant) when assembled to minimize the risk of spontaneous unwinding, also inspect welds for microcracks, especially in places with maximum stress at the base of the pillars.
Safety also depends on what you're placing on the target. Don't overload the structure. If you're installing a heavy radar or a powerful audio system, make sure the boat's center of gravity doesn't shift critically upwards. The high sailing of the targa with the awning installed can make the boat unstable in strong side winds.
How to protect the targa from scratches during transportation?
When carrying a boat on a trailer, the top of the box may scratch against branches or garage elements. It is recommended to use special protective caps made of dense rubber or foam, which are worn on the upper corners of the frame. They cost a penny, but retain the polishing of the metal.
In winter, the targu is better removed if it's a removable structure, which will free up space in the garage and protect the metal from the reagents that are sprayed on the roads if the boat is not stored in ideal conditions.
Regular washing with fresh water and checking the tightening of bolts twice a season is a guarantee that the targa will not let you down at the most crucial moment of fishing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register the target in GIMS?
If the targa is removable and does not change the design specifications of the vessel (load capacity, passenger capacity, stability) in the registered state, registration is usually not required. However, if the targa is fixed and heavy equipment is installed on it, the inspector may require changes in the documents, depending on the specific model of the boat and the discretion of the inspector.
Will Targa withstand the weight of a person?
Properly designed and welded targa from a profile pipe with a cross section from 40x40 mm (steel) or 50x50 mm (aluminum) easily withstands the weight of an adult (80-100 kg) under static load. However, jumping on it or using it as a mounting point for jerk loads (for example, winches) is strictly not recommended without additional calculation.
What is better to paint aluminum targa?
Aluminum is better not to paint, but to anodize or polish, as the paint on flexible structures cracks quickly. If color is necessary, use special soils for non-ferrous metals (for example, phosphogrunt) and two-component polyurethane enamels intended for aggressive environments.
Can I make a targa from water pipes?
Absolutely not. Water pipes (HGP) have a thin wall and low bending and twisting strength. On water, these loads are critical. Use only specialized structural pipes.