The installation of the transaxial arc, or as it is more often called, targetIt's one of the most popular types of tuning for inflatable boats. Many owners buy a boat with a basic configuration, believing that the standard functionality is enough for cruising, but with the first serious trips to fishing or hunting comes the understanding of the need for additional equipment. It is the targa that solves the problem of placing attachments that can not be fixed on soft sides or bulkheads without risking damage to the material.
The main difficulty of operating inflatable boats is the absence of rigid vertical surfaces for attachment. Standard solutions such as the installation of a sonar on the nose often prove inconvenient, since the screen is poorly visible when driving the engine, and the wires get confused under the feet. target It changes the ergonomics of the cockpit, creating a full-fledged dashboard, similar to that of rigid boats, and it's not just a matter of comfort, but also safety, because free hands and visibility are critical when maneuvering.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the design features of transom arcs, how to install them and the nuances of the choice of materials. You will learn how to avoid common installation errors that can lead to deformation of the transom or damage to cylinders. A well-assembled design will last for many years, turning your PVC boat into a full-fledged fishing boat with minimal investment.
Design features and purpose of the target
Targa is a rigid frame structure that is installed in the stern of the boat just before the transom. The main purpose of this element is to create a support for the installation of attachments and accessories. Unlike stationary consoles on boats, the targa must be light, removable and not violate the tightness or integrity of the inflatable elements. Most often it relies on boards or special brackets, transferring the load to the rigid transom.
The functionality of the tag goes far beyond a simple fishing pole, which places sonars, GPS navigators, running lights, navigation mapplotters and even small radio antennas. Modern models allow you to attach the holders for spinning, which frees up space in the cockpit. grazing-arc It experiences constant vibration loads from the engine, so the requirements for the strength of welds and the quality of the metal are maximum.
The materials used are different, but the most common are aluminum alloys and stainless steel. Aluminum profiles are lighter and do not corrosion, which is ideal for salt water, but they are less durable on the fracture when impacted. Steel structures are heavier, but provide monolithicity of the entire system. The choice of material often depends on the capacity of the boat and the power of the outboard motor used.
When choosing a target, pay attention to the thickness of the profile wall: for motors up to 15 hp, a metal thickness of at least 2 mm is optimal to avoid resonant vibrations.
Structurally, the targs are divided into several types by the way they are attached. There are models that are fixed directly to the transom using bolts that pass through the tree. Other options involve attaching to the top of the cylinders or using combined systems with side stops. Each type has its advantages: bolt joints are more reliable, but require transom drilling, which is not always desirable for new boats.
Types of anchorages and installation methods
The choice of installation method is the first and most important step in the modernization of the boat. How the arc is fixed depends on the stability of the entire structure and the safety of the boat. There are three main methods of fixation, each of which has its own specifications for different types of inflatable boats, such as: Flagship, Cayman. or Aqua.
The first is transmunization, which is a classic way of bolting the transom legs to the top of the transom or through holes, which provides a stiffness comparable to factory solutions, but requires drilling of the transmutation board, which can break the protective coating and require additional sealing of the anchorage entry points.
The second method is to attach to a hinge beam or cylinders, and in this case, you use special brackets that cover the balloon or insert into your pockets, and this is a good option, which does not require drilling, but has a significant disadvantage: when you shake or hit a wave, the brackets can shift, and the constant friction of the metal on PVC leads to the wiping of the fabric.
- 🔩 Bolt connection: Maximum reliability, requires transom drilling, suitable for heavy motors.
- 🧲 Magnetic holders: Quick installation, but suitable only for light devices and will not withstand the vibration of the engine.
- 🔗 Tie belts: The universal variant allows you to adjust the height, but requires regular check of tension.
The third, the combined method, is considered the most rational for medium-sized boats, which involves using supports on boards for vertical stability and point attachment to the transom to prevent displacement back, which distributes loads and minimizes the risk of damage to cylinders.
Installation is important to consider centreIf you put too much equipment high up in the arc, the boat can become less stable on the course, especially in lateral wave, so heavy sonar batteries try to place as low as possible, closer to the bottom of the cockpit, using elongated cables.
Materials and tools for self-manufacturing
For those who are used to doing everything DIY, the production of a label becomes an excellent opportunity to save money and get a product that is ideal for a particular model of a boat. AMG (aluminum-magnesium alloy) has excellent corrosion resistance and is well welded with argon.
If you're planning a welded structure, you'll need access to argon welding. Aluminum is not cooked well by conventional methods, so without specialized equipment, you'd better choose the bolt option or order the cutting and bending of pipes in the workshop. Tie and corners are used for joints, or the pipes are bent with a bend, which gives the structure a more aesthetic appearance without unnecessary joints.
| Materials | Advantages | Deficiencies | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum (pipe) | Lightness, no rusting. | Complex welding, high price | Professional targeting |
| Stainless steel | High strength, reliability | High weight, high cost | Large boats |
| Ferrous metal (pipe) | Cheap, affordable | It needs painting, it rusts. | Budget DIY |
| Plastic (PHD) | Not afraid of water, cheap | Low stiffness, deformed | Only for light sonars. |
In addition to the main profile, you will need fasteners: stainless steel bolts, nuts with grovers (spring washers) and rubber pads. Rubber is mandatory for all points of contact of metal with PVC or wood to eliminate friction. sealant for handling the holes in the transom, if you have chosen the through method of fastening.
The tools are required: a roulette, a marker, a drill with a set of drills on metal and wood, wrenches. If you plan to paint a steel structure, you will need a metal primer and enamel that is resistant to ultraviolet and salt water. Quality painting prolongs the life of the product at times.
Where do I get the blueprints?
Targ drawings are often found on specialized powerboating forums or in instructions for boats from other manufacturers, adapting the dimensions to their model, and 3D models are also popular on the Internet that can be printed at scale.
Step-by-step instructions for setting the target
The installation process requires precision and precision. A couple of centimeters error can cause the arc to press on the cylinder or interfere with the control of the engine. Before starting work, the boat must be completely inflated and installed on a flat surface that simulates operating conditions (for example, on a trailer or a flat garage floor).
First, you try it on, you put the structure (or its layout) in place, you check the geometry, make sure the arc legs don't touch the inflatables under load, if you use a bolt, you put holes on the transom, and the distance between the holes centers should be strictly consistent with the width of the base of the target.
☑️ Checklist before drilling the transpranze
The drilling step then follows: If the trench of the sandwich structure (the tree between the PVC layers), the drilling must be carefully so as not to damage the inner layer of the fabric. The holes must be sealed before the bolts are installed. The bolts are inserted on the outside of the transom (on the water side) or on the inside, depending on the design of the targa, but the hats must not create resistance to water or interfere with the cockpit.
Once the base is fixed, the upper bar is mounted, and at this point, the instrument brackets are installed. It is important to allow for adjustment of the angle of the sonar screen, because the sun often interferes with view. The final stage is to check the reliability of all connections under load. Try to sway the structure with your hands; it should not be backfired.
⚠️ Warning: When drilling a transom, only use new, sharp drills. A dull drill can chew on the fabric inside the sandwich, causing the transom to dissect and lose its seal in the future.
Remember the electrics, the battery wires are better placed right away, with screeds attached to the feet of the bar or under the floorboard, and the use of a corrugated tube to protect the wires from rubbing is a safety requirement.
Location of equipment and ergonomics
Tagging is only half the story. The right placement of attachments determines the comfort of fishing. The sonar is usually mounted in the center or on the operator's side, at eye level, so you don't have to bend over all the time. The GPS is often placed next to you, but it doesn't override the sounder's view.
Special attention should be paid batteryIt's a very heavy weight, and it's not recommended to place it on the arc itself unless it's designed to handle that kind of load, but it's better to use a special knob on the bottom of the boat or a shelf under the seat, and only to target the plugs or the socket, which will reduce sailing and the risk of the boat tipping over in sharp maneuvers.
- 🎣 Spinning holders: Place them so that the gear does not get confused with the transom plate of the motor.
- 🔦 Situation lights: They shall be fixed strictly in the centre of the diametrical plane of the vessel, at a height of not less than 1 meter from the bottom.
- 📡 Antennae: The antenna of the navigation or radio should be removed as far and high from the metal parts as possible to avoid interference.
Ergonomics also means that you can access gloved appliances, and you have to have control buttons that are accessible and you have to have screens that are glare-proof, and some anglers are putting little shelves on the targa, like hook boxes, or a phone or a walkie-talkie, but you have to remember that when you have an overloaded top, you're going to roll the boat.
The golden rule of ergonomics is that all commonly used appliances should be in the arm’s length area, and heavy elements should be as low as possible to the bottom of the boat.
And the safety of the wires, too, must be sealed and insulated by shrinkage, and the usual insulation in the water will quickly unstick, and use special sea terminals and oxidation-resistant connectors.
Care, maintenance and safety of operation
Targa, like any equipment on a boat, requires regular maintenance. After every step out, especially if it was fishing in salt water or just in a muddy body of water, the structure must be rinsed with fresh water. Salt and silt accelerate the corrosion of even stainless steel and destroy the protective coatings of aluminum.
Periodically check the tightening of bolt joints. Vibration from the motor has the property to unwind even reliably fixed nuts. Loctite) medium fixation will help avoid this problem: Check the contact points of the metal with PVC: if you notice abrasion, immediately stick extra protection or put a layer of fluoroplasty.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave the instrument-mounted targa unattended in the sun for long periods of time. Screen plastics can burn out and batteries can swell or leak due to overheating.
When stored in winter, it is better to dismantle the targu if possible, or carefully conserve. Remove all appliances, wipe the metal parts with a protective lubricant (for example, WD-40 Specialist or analogues for preservation), Keep the boat better in an unstretched form or in a case, so that the snow loads do not deform the installed arc.
Safety also depends on how the targa is mounted, so it doesn't have sharp edges that you can cut or get caught by clothes, all the ends of the pipes should be covered with plugs, and if the boat rolls over (which happens in high winds or waves), the targa should not cause the cylinders to puncture, so its shape and location are critical.
By following these simple rules, you will ensure a long service to your tuning and safety on the water. Targa is an investment in comfort that pays off with the first successful fishing, when you have all the necessary tools and navigation at hand.
Should I cook targa or is it better to buy ready-made?
Factory pitches tend to have optimal geometry and pass strength tests. Homemade welding only makes sense if you have access to professional equipment and want to save 30-40% of the cost. Otherwise, the risk of a curve or a fragile structure is high.
Will the Targa withstand the second battery?
Only if it's specifically designed for this. Standard arcs are designed to weigh (2-5 kg), the battery weighs 12-20 kg, which will create a dangerous moment of inertia, and for the second battery, it is better to make a separate shelf on the transom or bottom.
Can you attach the targa only on Velcro or belts?
For easy fishing in calm, maybe, but it's not reliable. When you go out into large water or when you install a powerful motor, vibration and jerks can displace the structure.
How to protect the sonar from theft when installing the target?
Use quick-removal brackets. When you land, you take the device off and take it with you, leaving only the mount on the boat, which is standard practice for anglers who leave boats in unguarded water.