Going out on a low-pressure inflatable boat (LDPB) is always a balance between comfort and mobility, but factory equipment often leaves much to be desired, especially if it is a serious fishing trip with an overnight stay or trolling. Basic configuration It rarely takes into account the individual needs of the angler, such as the specific mounting of the sonar or the placement of a large number of gear, which is why competent tuning becomes not just a whim, but a necessity for increased safety and convenience.
The upgrade allows the standard “inflator” to be converted into a full-fledged fishing boat, while maintaining the main advantage of the ability to quickly assemble and transport. Owners often find that regular slings interfere with the installation of equipment, and the main advantage of the boat is the ability to quickly assemble and transport. seat They don't provide the ergonomics to wait for hours for cool, and in this article, we'll look at the key steps that really make a difference in the outcome of fishing.
It is worth noting that any intervention in the design requires accuracy and understanding of materials. Polyvinyl chloridethe cylinders from which they are made, and reinforced The bottoms have their own processing features. Incorrectly selected glue or aggressive chemistry can ruin the boat, so the choice of materials for tuning should be approached with engineering precision. Below we will consider the main directions of modernization.
Strengthen the design and protect the bottom of the NDNDM
The first thing to start with is to protect the bottom of the boat from mechanical damage, and although modern materials are very durable, constant contact with rocky bottom, shell or sand over time thins the protective layer. Fake keels And additional ribbons on bottom stringers will extend the life of the boat, especially for those who often pull the boat ashore with a drag without using a wheel transom.
For reinforcement, the same PVC material is often used with a density of 900 to 1100 g / m2. It is important not only to glue the tape, but to create a sealed seam that will not peel off under load. Two-component polyurethane glue It provides the best adhesion, but it requires strict adherence to the temperature regime when gluing. pay-off From plywood for rigidity, the protection of the bottom becomes critical as the weight of the structure increases.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use chlorine rubber-based adhesives (such as a regular “Moment”) for permanent loaded joints to stick protective tapes; they can float under the influence of solar heat and water, which will cause the gain to break off at full speed.
Installation of additional timber The perimeter of the cylinders is also part of safety tuning, which not only protects the sides from impacts on the pier or other boats, but also creates a convenient drag handle. In some models, the regular hump bar is too thin or inconvenient, so replacing it with a wider counterpart is a popular procedure among experienced boaters.
Proper gluing technology of PVC
For good gluing, you need to clean both surfaces with abrasive (scotch bright), degrease them (acetone or specialty), apply two layers of glue with intermediate drying. The first layer must be absorbed, the second one must dry to stick. The glued surfaces are heated with a hair dryer to 50-60 degrees and strongly pressed with a roller.
Modernization of the transom node and installation of the plate
The tanning plate is perhaps the most important tuning element for attachment. The PVC sub's regular transom rarely allows you to secure the attachment. downriggerA second battery or additional brackets for spinning. Installing a full-fledged stainless steel or marine aluminum plate solves the problem of placing a spinning plate. mounted-engine and sonar sensors.
When mounting the stove, it is important to consider the weight of the boat. Too heavy construction on the stern can overwhelm the trawler, especially when paired with a powerful engine. The optimal solution is to use light alloys and carefully calculate the center of gravity. sling, envelope cylinders, with the mandatory installation of protective linings of neoprene or dense fabric in areas of friction.
☑️ Checking the transom node
Separate attention should be paid to the installation transom-wheelIn factory design, they are often too light for a loaded boat or have an uncomfortable folding mechanism. Tuning involves replacing the wheels with wider (for sand) or pneumatic, and refining the mounts so that they do not interfere with the installation of the motor. Some anglers integrate the wheel mounting directly into the transom plate, which frees up space inside the cockpit.
| Plate material | Weight (kg/m2) | Corrosion resistance | Difficulty processing | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AISI 304 Stainless Steel | ~8.0 | High. | High. | ||||
| Aluminum D16T | ~2.8 | Medium (requires coloring) | Medium | Aluminum AMG5 | ~2.7 | High. | Low. |
| Plastic (ABS/Polyamide) | ~1.1 | Great. | Low (3D printing) |
Organization of interior space and seats
The comfort of the fisherman depends on the ergonomics of the interior. air-seat Or simple plywood cans often don't provide the right back support and get wet quickly, replacing them with frame seats with soft material linings. EVA The Oxford is a great way to change the experience of hours of fishing, and it's important that the seats are adjustable in height and can be removed easily.
Modular systems are great for organizing space, and instead of sticking all the elements together, it's smarter to use a system. Le-X-Press This allows you to reconfigure the boat depending on the type of fishing: today you need space for a trophy pike, and tomorrow you need space for two people with fishing rods to comfortably accommodate, and fastenings allow you to quickly install or dismantle the holders of rods, tables and drawers.
Don't forget about the sideways, either. pockets. Factory-made, they are often scarce or inconveniently located. The addition of pockets made of mesh or dense PVC on the inside of the cylinders allows you to decompose the little things: passages, spare hooks, sunscreen. The main rule is that all pockets must have drainage holes so that the water does not stagnate inside.
Installation of the anchor box and work with the anchor system
You can't park safely in the current or the wind without a reliable anchor, but just to anchor in a boat with NDNDM is guaranteed to get a puncture. anchor box It can be made by yourself from plywood, covered with impregnation, or you can buy a ready-made plastic version, the box must be sealed so that water from the wet anchor does not get into the boat, and have a reliable attachment to the floor or sides.
For boats with NDNDM, it is critical to organize the anchor system correctly. anchorage The bow of the boat has to be aligned with the bottom structure, so if you just attach the poop to the balloon, you can damage the inflatable sections when you pull the anchor, and the right solution is to let the anchor tile through the special tanks. guideThe load is distributed to the power elements of the boat, not to the thin fabric of the cylinder.
Also, you should provide a place to store the anchor line. Coiled in the bay, the linen takes up a lot of space and can get confused. Installing a simple coil or using a special container inside the anchor box will make the anchoring process quick and safe. Remember that the linen should be at least three times as deep as the fishing site.
⚠️ Warning: Never tie an anchor tile directly to the PVC rim on the bow of a boat without using a burst insert or anchor buoy. When anchor is stuck, a strong jerk on the current can overturn a lightweight inflatable boat or damage its hull.
Electrical equipment and navigation on board
Modern fishing is unthinkable without a sonar, a navigator and lights. battery The best way to do this is to use a special sealed box that can be mounted on the bottom or under the seat, to protect the battery from moisture and splashes, and to prevent short circuits when the boat rolls, to put the wire in a corrugated tube and lock the clamps so that it does not get tangled under the feet.
Mounting the sonar sensor and GPS antenna requires a personalized approach. On boats with NDND often use transient slats or special suction cups/brackets on board. It is important to ensure that equipment can be removed quickly when pulling the boat to the gently shore. Waterproof sockets To connect the recharging devices must be installed in an accessible, but protected from direct water intake place.
Use Velcro to temporarily fix the wires on the cylinders, which allows you to quickly remove the interfering cables without damaging the boat's fabric with glue or drilling.
For night fishing or just for convenience at dusk is indispensable LED lightingLED tapes with adhesive base and IP67 protection are easily mounted around the perimeter of the cockpit, power can be arranged from the main battery through a fuse or use self-contained LED lights on suction cups, the main thing is that the light should not blind the angler and interfere with the view.
Protective coatings and care of the tuning boat
Once all the tuning elements are installed, you need to take care of the mounting sites, any metal parts that come into contact with the cylinders must be insulated. shoe-tyreThis will prevent PVC scuffs and microcracks from occurring during operation, especially when the boat is deflated or half-blown.
Care for a tuning boat requires a more careful approach. After each fishing, you need to check the condition of all the additional elements: whether the bolts of the fasteners have weakened, whether bullies have appeared on the fabrics under the slings, whether the wiring contacts have become oxidized. Regular washing of the boat with fresh water is mandatory, especially if you have been fishing in salt water, where salt aggressively acts on metal and glue.
Seasonal storage also has its own peculiarities: a boat with a rigid tuning installed (if it is not removable) must be dried especially carefully, plywood and PVC can stagnate moisture in the docking areas, which leads to mold and unpleasant odor. The ideal option is to completely disassemble removable elements before long-term storage to ensure ventilation of all surfaces.
The main principle of successful tuning of PVC boats is modularity and reversibility. Try not to disturb the integrity of the cylinders forever, so that if necessary, you can return the boat to a factory state or sell it without losing value.
Can I drill the cylinders of the boat to install fasteners?
It is strictly not recommended to drill the main inflatable tubes, this violates the tightness and reduces the product life. All attachments should be carried out by covering slings, glue method on special pentacles or through regular liner rings. Drilling is permissible only in plywood floorboards or transom plate.
What glue is best for PVC tuning at home?
For a reliable and durable connection at home, two-component polyurethane adhesives (e.g. Teknipor, Kleyberg, T-73) are best suited to create a seam that is as strong as the material itself, resistant to water, temperatures and loads. Single-component adhesives are suitable only for minor repairs, but not for power tuning.
Do I need to register a tuning boat in GIMS?
Registration with GIMS depends on the weight of the boat in gear and the power of the engine. If the weight of the boat with fixed equipment and engine installed exceeds 200 kg, or the engine power exceeds 8 kW (10.88 hp), registration is mandatory. Tuning (seats, box) itself rarely changes the category, but the installation of a powerful motor or heavy transom wheel should be considered when weighing.
How to clean the traces of glue after dismantling the tuning?
Residues of polyurethane adhesive can be removed mechanically (by carefully rolling with a finger or blunt knife) after heating with a building hairdryer to 60-70 degrees. To remove the residual sticky layer, use special PVC glue cleaners (such as Cosmofen 20 or the like), but test them on an inconspicuous area so as not to damage the color of the fabric.