Any commercial inflatable boat, even the most expensive, is originally designed as a universal boat, which inevitably introduces restrictions on its functionality. For the amateur fisherman, the standard equipment is often insufficient, requiring adjustment to specific fishing conditions and ergonomics. tuning It is able to turn an ordinary flat-bottom into a comfortable boat that allows you to spend hours on the water without fatigue in the back and with minimal fuel consumption.
In this article, we will look at proven modernization methods that improve safety, speed and ease of use, you will learn how to properly protect the bottom from abrasive wear, why you need stringers and how to correctly place navigation equipment without compromising buoyancy.
Many fishermen make the mistake of buying cheap accessories that become unusable or even damage the boat itself. Excess weight of modifications of more than 15-20% of the load capacity of the boat can critically reduce the stability of the vessel and increase the risk of flooding with the wave. Therefore, the modernization process should be approached carefully, choosing only those elements that are really necessary for your fishing style.
Protecting the bottom and cylinders from mechanical damage
The most vulnerable element of any inflatable boat is the bottom. Going ashore, dragging along a rocky bottom, or simply having a sharp hook in the water can cause a puncture. The standard protection that comes with the kit is often made of thin fabric and glued only to the center of the bottom. protector from extruded polyurethane or dense PVC tissue.
The optimal solution is to paste the entire bottom surface of the cylinders and the floor with a protective tape at least 2-3 mm thick. This will not only protect against punctures, but also significantly prolong the service life of the vessel, since the abrasion of the fabric from sand and gravel is the main cause of aging PVC.
When installing the tread, it is important to use a specialized adhesive that is compatible with the material of the boat. Incorrectly selected composition can "eat" the top layer of tissue, making it loose.
⚠️ Warning: Before sticking the tread, be sure to degrease the surface with acetone or alcohol. If you miss this step, the tape may unstick at the most inopportune moment.
When gluing the tread on the bow of the boat, make cutouts-petals for bending on board - this will protect the most vulnerable places when mooring to the shore.
In addition, you should strengthen the contact points with the transom wheels and stringers, where metal or hard plastic rubs against the cylinder, stick strips of Kevlar tape or "liquid skin" to prevent the appearance of scuffs that can eventually develop into microcracks.
Installation of stringers and hard floor
One of the major problems with inflatable boats is the galoshi effect, where the soft bottom bends under the weight of passengers and cargo, increasing water resistance. stringer - rigid profiles that are inserted into special pockets under the cylinders, which give the bottom rigidity, improve hydrodynamics and allow the boat to go more easily to planing.
Stringers come in aluminum, plastic and wood. Aluminum profiles are most popular because of their combination of lightness and strength. But when you install them, you have to be careful: the sharp edges of the metal can rub the fabric from the inside.
- 🛡️ Always use protective covers or wrap the stringers with a soft cloth before installation.
- 📏 Choose the profile length exactly according to the size of the cockpit - too long stringer will rest in the trench and damage the balloon.
- 💧 Make sure that pockets for stringers are stitched with reinforced thread, otherwise under the load the seams may disperse.
The second element of the hard floor is plywood flooring. Standard "slider" plywood is often thin and heavy, and the tuning here is to replace the standard sheets with thinner, but stronger aircraft plywood coated with "laminate" or "film".
To increase comfort, plywood can be pasted with carpet or a special anti-slip coating, which is not only more pleasant for the feet, but also reduces noise when moving on the boat, which is important when catching a predator.
Modernization of the transom and installation of the transom wheel
A trawler is the back of your boat, taking over the load from the engine, and in the effluent version, it is often just a plywood board, sheathed with PVC. electric trolling motor The transom needs to be strengthened.
You can increase the transom with additional fiberglass or aluminum linings that distribute the load from the engine mounts over a large area, which is especially true for boats designed for engines up to 5-6 hp, if you plan to put 9.9 hp.
One of the most useful elements of the tuning is quiltIt allows one person to easily move a motorboat along the shore, there are removable models and stationary ones, and removable ones are good because they don't interfere with swimming, but they have to be put up and removed every time.
The stationary wheels are mounted on brackets on the sides of the transom, and when choosing such a system, make sure that the mounts do not affect the cylinders when inflated and do not create friction points.
| Type of wheel attachment | Pluses | Cons | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removable (per transom) | Does not interfere with swimming, universality | You have to mount it every time. | Singles, frequent shifts |
| Fixed (on board) | Always ready to work, reliability | Increases sailing, risk of puncture | Hard-transed boats |
| Inflatable wheels | Lightness, compactness | Less reliable, afraid of punctures | Light boats up to 3 meters |
⚠️ Attention: When installing the sling wheel, make sure that the axis of the wheel does not touch the cylinder when driving through irregularities. Use the spacers or adjust the height of the mount.
Space organization and installation of equipment
Comfortable fishing is impossible without order. Scattered gear, anchor and life jacket in the cockpit create chaos and increase the risk of hooking. seat-bank with built-in drawers and soft pillows.
Modern banks are often equipped with fishing rod mounts and sonar holders, and it is important that the seats are adjustable in height, which allows you to change the center of gravity of the boat depending on the load.
Secret to a Sustainable Planning
Set the seats so that when you row or drive your engine, your back is supported, and you can use car seat backs or makeshift structures made of duraluminium.
To set navigation (echo sounder, GPS-navigator) it is best to use rotary brackets, fixed on board or on a special rack. It is not recommended to attach expensive electronics directly to a transom, where the vibration from the motor is high.
Special attention should be paid to wiring, all cables should be put into corrugated hoses or cable channels, and the outgoing wires should have reliable moisture-proof connectors.
- 🔋 Place the battery in a special sealed box at the bottom of the boat to reduce the center of gravity.
- 📡 The GPS antenna is better to take a separate flexible bracket higher, so that it does not overlap the body of the fisherman.
- 🔦 LED night fishing tape put under the sides, directing the light down so as not to blind yourself and others.
Protection against splashes and improvement of ergonomics
When you're driving at high speed or when you're in a high wave, water is often thrown into the cockpit, and it's not only wet and cold, it's also dangerous, because the water in the boat is an added weight and a risk of loss of stability. spray-spray (spreyhuds) and a bowt.
Sprayers are placed on the nose of the cylinders and divert water to the sides, they can be rigid (plastic) or soft (PVC), softer and more compact, harder - longer lasting.
And you also need to think about putting a linear fence around the perimeter of the boat, which is a rope that's strung on the racks along the sides, and it keeps things and people from falling overboard in a sharp maneuver or roll.
The presence of a fence and splashers turns the boat from a “tasik” into a full-fledged vessel suitable for fishing on large reservoirs and in windy weather.
For ease of boarding and disembarking, and for fishing in squatters, you can install soft linings on the board, which allow you to lean on your knee or chest without fear of damaging the fabric or getting dirty.
Checklist: Preparing the boat for the season
Before you go to the pond after winter, you need to audit all the changes made. Tuning is not only installation, but also maintenance.
☑️ Checking the tuning before the season
Pay special attention to the places where the extra elements are glued, and the glue may lose its properties during the winter, especially if the boat was stored in an unheated room.
If you find glue bloating or detachment, don't delay repairs. Use remixes from the same manufacturer as the boat, or specialized two-component PVC formulations.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I install a motor with more power than the manufacturer recommends?
Technically, no, it violates safety rules and can lead to the destruction of the transom. However, many fishermen increase the power by 1-2 hp, pre-amplifying the transom with pads and installing stringers, remember that in this case you take responsibility for safety.
How often should I pump the cylinders after installing tuning?
Additional equipment (stringers, hard floor) creates internal stress in the structure. In hot weather, pressure can rise, so it is recommended to have a pressure relief valve or periodically blow the air to avoid damaging the seams.
Do I need to lubricate the contact places of the stringers with the fabric?
Yes, using talc or silicone lubricant in the contact areas of the hard elements with the fabric reduces friction and prolongs the life of the material, especially when assembling and disassembling a boat.
Which glue is better to use for tread gluing?
Two-component polyurethane adhesives (such as Kleyberg or Wurbau) are best used to chemically weld PVC, creating a monolithic compound that is not afraid of water and temperature changes.