Many owners of boats from PVC It is wrong to think that standard equipment is the limit of a vessel's capabilities, but a competent upgrade can turn a simple rowing boat or motorboat into a comfortable and safe boat adapted for specific fishing or recreational tasks.
The modern accessories market offers hundreds of solutions, from simple stickers to complex motor control systems. upgrade Not only does it increase aesthetic appeal, but it also significantly prolongs the service life of the product, protecting it from mechanical damage and negative environmental effects.
In this article, we will explore proven techniques that actually work on the water, and learn how to distribute weight, protect vulnerable structures, and organize the workspace so that fishing is fun, not back pain.
Bottom reinforcement and wear protection
The most vulnerable element of any inflatable boat is the cylinders in the area of the joints with the bottom and the transom, and the constant friction against the sand, rocks and dry grass inevitably leads to thinning of the material. timber The perimeter of the balloon is the first thing to do after buying.
The glue process requires careful surface preparation, PVC needs to be degreased, cleaned with fine sandpaper and applied with a special glue in two layers. adhesion The safety of the entire structure depends.
⚠️ Note: Never use glue based on
nitrocelluloseThis glue creates a rigid seam that will burst when the first cylinder deforms on the water. Use only two-component polyurethane compounds.
An additional protection measure will be the installation cell-band It's true for inflatable floor boats. NDMAwhere the keel often takes the brunt of the blow when pulling ashore.
- 🛡️ Increases the service life of cylinders by 2-3 times
- 🚫 Reduces the risk of punctures on sharp objects
- 💪 Gives the cylinders a more rigid and stable shape
Before gluing any elements warm the surface with a building hair dryer to a temperature of 40-50 degrees - this will significantly improve the adhesion of the glue with the PVC material.
Modernization of transax and installation of transax wheels
The trans is the back of your boat, carrying the main load from the outboard motor. The regular trans boards are often too thin or not rigid enough. plywood coated with fiberglass or marine aluminum solves the problem of deformation under the weight of powerful engines.
One of the most popular elements of tuning is door-wheelThey allow one person to easily move a boat with motor and gear on hard ground, and the structure can be removable or stationary, foldable or rotary.
When you're mounting wheels, it's important to get the mounting point right, so if you set them too low, they'll create resistance to water and make noise when you're swimming, and if you're too high, it'll make it difficult to get the boat out of the water.
For reliable fixation, use stainless-steel stamp AISI 304 or AISI 316The normal ferrous metal will rust after the first season, spoiling the appearance and weakening the structure.
Organization of the working space and seats
Comfort on the water directly affects the outcome of fishing and overall mood. seat They're often just plywood boards that crash into the body and slide down the bottom, and replacing them with soft, anatomical seats with adjustable heights is a great step toward comfort.
There are several types of attachment: lyctrose The latter option is the most versatile, since it allows you to change the position of the seat along the side depending on fishing or excitement conditions.
The organization of the space also includes the installation of the holder The right location of the instruments provides quick access to information and easy control.
| Type of seat | Method of attachment | Comfort. | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard can. | Fixed | Low. | Low. |
| Inflatable seat | Lyctross/Stropes | Medium. | High. |
| Spinning chair | Platform | Highly | Medium |
| Tranza seat | On the transom. | Highly | High. |
☑️ Checklist of a comfortable cockpit
Installation of the awning and the running canopy
Protection from sun and rain is a critical aspect of long-term water exposure. tent (hodik) allows you to fish even in heavy rain or under the scorching sun, without the risk of heat stroke or getting wet.
The design of the tent usually consists of stainless steel or dural arcs and dense fabric. Oxford s PU-coatingIt is important that the frame does not have sharp angles that can damage cylinders in high winds or sloppy movement.
When installing an awning on a motorized boat, you need to provide a cutout under the tiller or the possibility of its passage through the fabric. porthole For viewing, as a fully closed awning limits visibility.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use a parking awning in strong winds without additional stretch marks. Sail design can overturn a lightweight inflatable boat even at anchor.
How to make a tent yourself?
For self-manufacture of the canopy, use water PVC pipes with a diameter of 25-32 mm. They are light, do not rust and easily connect with fittings. The fabric can be sewn from a canvas or buy a ready-made awning case for the car and adapt it.
Electrification and navigation equipment
Modern fishing is unthinkable without electronics. battery It requires a smart safety approach, and you can't just throw the battery at the bottom of the boat, it needs to be locked in a sealed box.
The germobox has two functions: protects the electronics from splashes and prevents acid vapor (if a lead-acid battery is used) from being released inside the cockpit. 12V and USB On board allows you to charge phones, lights and power the sonar without opening the box.
Motor control and navigation are often installed tablet Or a specialized display, the mounting must be vibratory and be able to be removed quickly.
- 🔋 Use Lithium (LiFePO4) Batteries to Lose Weight
- 🔌 Be sure to install a fuse at the power output
- 💡 Put the wire in corrugated or cable channels
Decorative tuning and painting
The appearance of the boat is not only aesthetics, but also camouflage. Painting. With camouflage or matte black, you can become less visible to fish and other anglers, but you have to be very careful about your paint choices.
Conventional solvent-based paints can destroy the structure PVCSpecialised rubber and PVC formulations must be used that remain elastic after drying and do not crack when the boat is blown away.
An alternative to painting is vinyl tape pasting, which allows you to quickly change the color, apply logos or camouflage patterns, and if necessary remove the coating without damaging the main material.
Painting and pasting of the boat should be made only with materials compatible with PVC, otherwise you can irrevocably spoil the product.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I put PVC in the cold?
It's not recommended. The optimum temperature for gluing is 15 to 25 degrees. In the cold, the glue is not polymerized correctly, the seam is weak. If necessary, use a heat gun to warm up the gluing site.
Which is the best glue for tuning a boat?
Best proven two-component polyurethane adhesives (for example, Texacol, Seacamp, KleybergThey provide high strength and elasticity of the seam.
Do I need to degrease the surface before painting?
Yes, degreasing is a must. Use acetone or a special PVC degreasing agent. This will remove the silicone lubricant and dirt, ensuring paint adhesion.
How to protect the boat from sparks when the engine is running?
Use special sparks on the exhaust pipe of the engine or install protective screens of fire-resistant material on the transom at the exit point of the exhaust gases.