The legendary aluminum Ob M. It is deservedly considered one of the most popular and popular boats in the history of domestic water-motor sports and amateur fishing. However, time does not spare even the proven decades of design, and modern requirements for comfort on the water have grown significantly since the Soviet Union. tuning boats Ob M It is not just a desire to stand out, but a necessity for those who value their time and safety.
Owners often face typical problems of this model: insufficient stability on the wave, lack of comfort for overnight stays or long fishing, as well as the specific ergonomics of the cockpit. The main purpose of the modernization is to shift the center of gravity and increase the usable volume of the cockpit without critically increasing the weight of the structure. Properly selected solutions allow you to turn a simple “Kazanka” into a full-fledged fishing or pleasure boat.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the main areas of improvement, from the installation of modern decking to changing the hydrodynamics of the case. upgradeHow to avoid common mistakes when drilling aluminum and what is really worth the investment: Preparing for the season is the best time to improve your boat.
⚠️ Attention: Any work to change the design of the housing, especially when welding or drilling the transom and bottom, can affect the unsinkability and stability. Before starting work, be sure to calculate the effect of new equipment on displacement.
Deck modernization and decking installation
The first and most important step in the transformation of any Obi M. The first thing that we did was to replace the regular slate with a full-fledged false floor, and the aluminum sheets in the factory were often rattling, cold, and not providing a flat surface. flooring It must be light, non-slip and resistant to water and fuel.
For the manufacture of quality flooring, most often marine plywood with a thickness of at least 12 mm or composite materials are used. The surface is necessarily covered with a non-slip coating, such as: Slip-Resistant Paint Or specialized yacht carpet, which not only improves the appearance, but also improves the safety of moving through wet aluminum.
- 🛡️ Sea plywood: Classic choice, requires high-quality impregnation and painting, but is easily processed.
- 🧱 Composite grooved sheet: It does not rot, does not slide, but has a higher cost and is more difficult to cut.
- 🎨 Aluminum grooved sheet: durable, but cold and noisy, requires mandatory thermal insulation from below.
When you install flooring, it's important to have access to the interior compartments and floorboards, and often owners make removable sections or audit hatches, which allows you to monitor the condition of the housing and quickly remove water from the hold. Hermetization The joints between the sheets of decking and the sides prevent water from entering the floor, which could lead to hidden corrosion.
Use a polyethylene foam sealing tape between the side of the boat and the wooden deck, which will eliminate vibration and floor knocking on the wave, and also protect the tree from direct contact with condensation.
Improvement of driving performance and hydro-aerodynamics
Staffing of the hull Ob M. It's a long-standing design, and when you put up a modern, powerful motor, you can have a tendency to yaw or dolphin, and tuning in this area is designed to stabilize the course and reduce the drag of the water. hydrofoil on a lower unit motor or transom plate.
Trans plates allow you to adjust the differentiation on the go, which is especially true when the boat is fully loaded with fishermen and equipment. The correct angle of the differentiator reduces fuel consumption and increases maximum speed. Also worth paying attention to the condition of the zygomatic splashers - they can be extended or upgraded to better dissipate the spray.
Effect of weight on speed
A 10% increase in boat weight reduces top speed by about 3-5%, so when tuning, try to use lightweight composite materials instead of heavy metals where it is not critical for strength.
Another important aspect is balancing: shifting heavy elements (batteries, tanks) closer to the diametric axis and center of gravity of the boat improves its behavior on the wave. aluminum-boat.
| Tuning element | Impact on the move | Complexity of installation | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| transom plates | High (stabilization) | Medium | High. |
| Hydrofoil to engine | Medium (plane exit) | Low. | Low. |
| Snooty stringers | Medium (splash/course) | High. | Medium |
| Balancing of the load | High (stability) | Low. | Free of charge. |
Ergonomics of the cockpit and equipment placement
Comfort on the water depends on how conveniently the controls and equipment are located. Obi M. It often makes fishermen huddle in banks. chair And the pedestal seats are a game-changer, and they're attached to the deck through reinforced pads.
Special attention should be paid to the organization of space for gear, built-in knobs in the nose or under the seats, allow you to keep things dry and in order. Plano or analogues fixed on the floor, prevents them from moving along the cockpit during movement.
- 🎣 Fishing racks: Installation of holders for spinning (rod holders) on the board or deck frees hands.
- 🔋 ABC box: an essential safety element, protects the battery from impacts and prevents the release of the electrolyte.
- 🗺️ Card tablet: convenient place for navigator or paper maps, protected from splashes.
⚠️ Note: When attaching equipment to the bottom or sides, use only stainless fasteners (A2, A4) with mandatory sealing of the holes with polyurethane sealant. Conventional steel rusts in one season, and water through the holes can lead to corrosion.
Electricity and lighting
Modern fishing or cruising is unthinkable without a reliable source of energy, and old boats either don't have regular electricity or are in a poor state, and the first step to modernizing is to install new wiring in corrugated tubes with labels, which will protect the cables from rubbing and moisture.
Installation LED lighting LED tapes glued around the perimeter of the cockpit or under the deck create a comfortable atmosphere and ensure safe movement in the dark, and separate chains for navigation lights and anchor running lights should be provided, according to GIMS rules.
Connection diagram:
Battery -> Main mass switch -> Safety -> Consumer
It is convenient to use the 12B onboard network with USB sockets to charge gadgets and connect sonars. It is important to install a voltmeter in a prominent place to monitor the battery level. A discharged battery away from shore can be a serious problem if you need to work with an electric motor or communicate over a radio station.
☑️ Electrical checks
Protection of the housing and anti-corrosion treatment
The aluminum that's made of Ob M.It's quite resistant to corrosion because of the oxide film, but it's vulnerable to welding and mechanical damage. corrosion-proofing Special attention should be paid to the transom and zygomatic parts, which are most often in contact with water and sand.
Antifouling paints or epoxy soils are often used to protect the bottom, but careful surface preparation is required before any coating is applied: degreasing, stripping oxides and applying a non-ferrous metal primer. Ignoring the preparation stage will lead to peeling of the coating after one season.
It is also worth putting a keel guard on the bottom if you often dock on rocky shores or pull a boat out onto a pebble beach. A rubber or plastic profile will take the hit, preserving the integrity of the aluminum sheet.
Quality surface preparation (cleaning and degreasing) is more important than the brand of the paint you choose, and without adhesion, even the most expensive chemistry won't work.
Tuning of transoms and suspension equipment
Tranza Obi M. This is the highest stress zone, especially when installing motors over 30 hp. Trans reinforcement is a popular procedure, and it can involve installing additional scarves, stainless steel linings, or even complete digestion using a thicker sheet (if you have skills).
An important element is the correct installation motorThe control plate allows you to accurately set the height of the daywut relative to the bottom, and the wrong height leads either to cavitation and overheating, or to excessive resistance and fuel overrun.
Don't forget about the rumble controller or remote control system, if space allows. Obi M. With its compact dimensions, the rummel is often the optimal solution, but the elongated tiller extension significantly adds comfort to the control.
How to choose the right motor for OBM?
For the classic Ob M, the optimal power range is 15-25 hp Engines with a capacity of 30+ hp require careful handling and good experience, as the boat becomes sensitive to the shifting of the steering wheel and the distribution of weight of passengers. When choosing a motor, take into account not only the maximum power, but also the weight of the lower unit, so as not to overload the transom.
Should I make a closed cockpit?
Full cockpit closure for the Ob M is often impractical because of the small hull width, which will weigh the boat down, reduce stability, and make it harder to get out of the plane with low-power engines, preferably leave the cockpit open or make a removable tent that can be quickly removed.
What glue to use for sticking floating blocks?
To stick the foam blocks under the flooring, use only specialized polyurethane adhesives for foam or epoxy formulations that do not contain solvents that destroy polystyrene. Conventional mounting foam or acetone glue can melt the foam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to register the tuning ob M in GIMS?
Registration is required if the weight of the equipped boat with the engine exceeds 200 kg or the engine power exceeds 8 kW (10.88 hp). Tuning (flooring, painting) does not require re-registration, unless the main identification specifications (length, width, material) change and the hull number remains readable.
What is the maximum weight you can load into Ob M after tuning?
The load capacity is determined by the manufacturer and should not exceed passport values (usually about 400 kg for Ob M). Installation of heavy equipment (batteries, crates, flooring) reduces the payload capacity for passengers and cargo. Always consider the weight of the changes made.
What is the best way to paint an aluminum boat inside?
Indoors, it's better to use wear-resistant enamels that are polyurethane or epoxy-based, and they create a strong film that is resistant to mechanical damage and chemistry, and it's important to use non-ferrous metal soil before painting.
Can I put an electric motor on the Ob M?
Yes, electric motors are a great option for quiet fishing tuning, and you will need to install additional mounts (transom plates) and provide space for heavy traction batteries, moving them closer to the center of the boat for balancing.