Buying an inflatable boat is just the first step towards creating the perfect fishing tool. Factory equipment usually offers a basic set of features that may not meet the requirements of an experienced fisherman or the specifics of a particular reservoir. tuning-boat It is a must for those who value comfort and efficiency on the water.
Self-designing allows you to adapt the vessel to personal needs, whether it is trolling, spinning fishing or just relaxing with a fishing rod. Correctly selected accessories and design changes not only increase the ease of use, but also significantly prolong the life of the product. In this article, we will discuss the key aspects of modernization that can be implemented in garage conditions without specialized equipment.
It's important to understand that any intervention in the design requires precision and knowledge of materials. An improperly installed element can cause a puncture or a violation of the geometry of inflatable tubes. However, by following the technology and using quality materials, you will turn the standard model into a unique one. fisher-boatIt is ahead of many factory analogues in functionality.
Protection and reinforcement of the bottom of the boat
The first thing that suffers from active operation of an inflatable vessel is the bottom. Rocks, shells, snags and just hard ground can quickly disable the thin material of cylinders. Installing additional protection is a priority when preparing the boat for the season. protector-belt perimeter cylinders and reinforcement of the nose.
To strengthen the bottom, they often use special overlay sheets of reinforced PVC fabric or a denser material than the main board, such overlays are glued onto polyurethane or two-component adhesives, creating a reliable buffer between the bottom and the bottom relief. This is especially true for boats with inflatable bottoms. Low PressureThey are more vulnerable to mechanical damage.
⚠️ Warning: Before any protective elements are glued, the surface must be perfectly defatted and cleaned with abrasives. Violation of the gluing technology will lead to detachment of the protection at the most inopportune time.
There are several protection options, each with its own advantages, depending on the operating conditions and the owner's budget.
- 🛡️ Removable slate-rug: protects the bottom from abrasion, easily removed for drying and cleaning.
- 🧱 Sticking tape: creates a permanent protective layer on the cylinders, reducing the risk of punctures on stones.
- 📦 Reinforced false-board: protects the top of the cylinders from impacts with oars or hooks when fishing.
Special attention should be paid to the quill, the central strip on the bottom that takes the brunt of dragging the boat along the shore, and strengthening it with an additional layer of fabric will significantly reduce the risk of damage to the power kit and the hull itself. Remember, field repairs are always a compromise, so it is better to prevent damage in advance.
Modernization of the transom and installation of wheels
A transom is your boat's back, carrying the load of an outboard motor. The transoms are often thin or lack sufficient protection from moisture. stainless steel It's also important to have a good drainage system so that water doesn't accumulate in the niche for an outboard motor.
One of the most useful improvements is the installation of transax wheels, which allows one person to easily move a motorized boat along the shore, which is especially true for heavy models. There are two main types of designs: removable ones that are mounted on pins, and folding ones that are fixed permanently.
Types of wheel anchorages:1. Removable (on the rods) - light, do not interfere with movement, but require storage space.
2. Folding (on brackets) - always with themselves, but increase sailing and weight.
When installing wheels, it is important to correctly calculate the mounting point, if the center of gravity shifts too much, the boat may become unstable on the move or poorly controlled in shallow water. The fasteners must be made of corrosion-resistant materials, since contact with salt or fresh water is inevitable.
| Type of wheel | Load capacity | Complexity of installation | Impact on driving performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removable by the rods | 150 kg | Low. | Absent (removed) |
| Folding (rigid) | 200 kg | Medium | Minimum resistance |
| Pneumatic | 120 kg | High. | Increased sailing |
| Turning | 180 kg | High. | Requires fixation |
Use pneumatic tire wheels to move on sand or soft ground, and for rocky shores, choose solid polyurethane wheels.
Organization of space and storage of gear
Comfortable fishing is impossible without order, and the gear, anchors and personal belongings scattered on the bottom of the boats not only take up space, but also create the risk of hooks and damage. fishing-platform or floorboards with integrated mounts.
Storage bags and sealed bags are ideal for storing small items, but more rigid designs are required for fishing rods and spinning, and rod holders can free up hands and prevent tackles from breaking during sharp maneuvers or licking.
Many anglers put small tables or shelves on PVC boats that are attached to inflatable tubes with Velcro or belts, and you can place a sonar, a navigator, a bait box and a thermos on that surface, and the key is to ensure that you have a secure attachment so that when you're excited, things don't fall overboard.
- 🎣 Spinning holders: can be installed on the transom, sides or floor, are rotary and fixed.
- 📦 Sealed boxes: for storage of electronics and dry stocks, often attached with Velcro to the cylinder.
- 🔦 Navigation anchorages: brackets for sonars and GPS trackers, providing a stable view of the sensor.
⚠️ Warning: Do not overload the sides with hinged elements. Excess weight on one side can disrupt the stability of the boat, especially in windy weather.
The anchor storage system deserves special attention, the anchor must be easily accessible, but it must be securely fixed so as not to damage the cylinder, using a special anchor rim and a liner system allows you to quickly give up the anchor and raise it just as quickly without soiling the arms and bottom of the boat.
☑️ Organization of space
Installation of anchor system and riym
The safety and convenience of parking at the fishing point depends on the quality of the anchor system, and the regular dips installed by the manufacturer are often too small or inconveniently located, replacing them with larger models of the main structure of the system. stainless steel Brass is the first place to start upgrading.
For effective anchorage, it is recommended to install an anchor rail (anchor gate) in the bow, which allows the anchor rope to slide without friction against the balloon, preventing it from rubbing and damage, and also facilitates the lifting of the anchor, guiding the rope strictly vertically.
An important element is an anchor loop or ring in the stern for fixing the boat when fishing in windy weather or on the current. The correct anchoring scheme (for example, with two anchors) allows you to fix the boat in the right position relative to the wind and current, which is critical for spinning fishing.
The secret to fast anchoring
Use a rapid-reset system where the anchor tile is tied to a buoy or easily detachable node, which will allow you to instantly release the anchor in case of danger or urgent manoeuvre.
When installing additional clays and mounts, special spreading plates must be used. Direct adherence of a metal rift to the cylinder can lead to local overheating during operation or stress concentration, which can depressurize.
Comfort: seats, awnings and lighting
Long-term boating requires a comfortable seat, regular "blows" or rigid cans quickly tire the back, the installation of soft seats with backrests that are attached to inflatable tubes, dramatically changes the level of comfort, such seats are adjustable in height and angle of inclination, allowing you to choose the optimal position.
Sun and rain protection is another aspect of comfortable fishing. cockpit It's a very lightweight, compact, and not very powerful, and it keeps you catching even in heavy rain.
Lighting is required for fishing in the dark or in poor visibility, battery-powered LED tapes or magnetic mount lights provide the necessary light output, and it is important that the light sources do not blind the angler or attract the insects’ attention.
- 💡 LED lightingEnergy efficient tapes around the perimeter of the cockpit for general lighting.
- ⛺ Transformer tentsThey protect from the sun and rain, and they gather quickly.
- 🪑 Anatomical seats: reduce the load on the spine with many hours of fishing.
Insect protection is also important, as the installation of mosquito nets in a tent or the use of repellent systems will avoid mosquito bites that can ruin any fishing at dawn or sunset.
| The comfort element | Materials | Weight. | Impact on speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft seat | Oxford + foam | 0.5 - 1 kg | Minor. |
| Awning frame | Aluminum + PVC | 3 - 5 kg | Substantial (sailing) |
| Tent-sturt | Fabric | 0.5 kg | Minimum |
| Illumination | Plastic + LED | 0.2 kg | Missing. |
Comfortable elements should not be permanent. Use quick-removal mounts to remove excess when driving at high speeds.
Tools and materials for tuning
For self-tuning of PVC boats does not require complex industrial equipment, but a set of high-quality tools is required. The basis is a set for working with PVC: a dryer for heating (construction, with temperature adjustment), rollers for rolling (Teflon or metal), scissors and scalpels.
The choice of adhesive is critical. PVC materials use two-component polyurethane adhesives that chemically weld materials. Single-component adhesives are only suitable for minor repairs and will not withstand the loads of heavy tuning elements, degreasing agents (acetone, alcohol) and primers will also be needed.
Basic tuning kit:1. Construction dryer (temperature up to 600 ° C).
Two-component polyurethane adhesive.
3. Teflon roller.
Sandpaper (grain content 40-80).
Degreasing agent (isopropyl alcohol).
Marker and line for marking.
⚠️ Warning: Glue and PVC work requires good ventilation, solvent vapors are toxic, and the temperature of the dryer can cause burns or ignition of materials.
When buying accessories (rims, pens, holders), pay attention to the quality of plastic and metal. Cheap analogues can crack in the cold or become covered with rust after the first season. sea-stainless Or reinforced plastic, than redoing the work.
When planning a large-scale tuning, draw a preliminary sketch, which will help to avoid errors in the placement of elements and calculate the required amount of materials. Don't be afraid to experiment, but always think about the safety and balance of the boat.
Before you final glue, try to "try" all the elements on dry, mark the mountings with a marker to know exactly where to apply the glue.
Which glue is better to use for gluing PVC to PVC?
Two-component polyurethane adhesives (e.g. Texacol, Kleyberg, 9999) are best suited for a reliable PVC-PVC connection, creating a seam that is as strong as the material itself, resistant to water, ultraviolet light and temperature changes. Single-component adhesives are less reliable for loaded nodes.
Can I drill a transom to install fasteners?
You can drill a plywood tray, but only if it is reliably protected from moisture. All holes must be thoroughly soaked with oliph or special wood varnish, and then sealed with silicone or glue around the fastener to prevent water from entering the plywood.
How to clean the boat from old stickers before tuning?
To remove old stickers, use a building hair dryer (by carefully heating the surface) and a plastic scraper. The glue residues are removed with special solvents for PVC or Kalosha gasoline, but it is important not to damage the protective layer of the fabric.
Do I need to relieve pressure in the cylinders when gluing the elements?
Yes, when gluing large elements (treads, bottom reinforcement) the pressure in the cylinders is better to reduce to 0.1-0.15 atm. This will prevent the deformation of the balloon when cooling after working with a hairdryer and ensure uniform adhesion of the glued surfaces.