When choosing a boat for fishing or resting on the water, one of the paramount parameters that water engines pay attention to is the mass of the hull. aluminum boat MCMThe Soviet-made silk car is still in great demand in the secondary market, and its weight is not just a number in the passport, but a critical factor in the choice of engine, transport for transportation and ease of descent. Understanding the real weight, other than data-sheet figures, avoids many problems in operation and towing.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what the weight of the Kazanka MCM is made of, how the thickness of the metal affects the total mass, and why actual figures often differ from factory specifications of the 1970s. You will learn how much the body without the bottom weighs, what the mass of the transom is and why for this model. motor-power It should be selected taking into account not only passengers, but also the weight of aluminum.
Many owners underestimate the impact of corrosion and refinements on the final weight, and over decades of use, the metal can thin, or, conversely, overgrown with layers of paint and additional equipment. Aluminum alloy D16ATThe sleeve that these boats were made of is highly durable, but requires the right approach to weighing and transporting, especially if you plan to use a passenger car with limited capacity.
data-sheet figures against reality: how much weighs the body
Official Soviet-era documentation indicated the weight of the hull of the MCM boat in the range of 145-150 kg. However, if you decide to weigh the modern Kazanka on an industrial scale, the result may be unpleasantly surprising. The difference between data-sheet figures and reality often reaches 20-30 kg, which significantly affects the economy. loading capacity And the stability of the boat on the wave.
The main reason for the discrepancy lies in the technology of production of the time and subsequent modifications. Factory regulations allowed certain deviations in the thickness of the rolled sheet, and in addition, over 40 or 50 years, many boats have passed through the hands of craftsmen who digested the bottom, reinforced the spans or changed the trawl to a more powerful one, which inevitably added kilograms to the total mass.
⚠️ Warning: When buying a used MCM boat, never rely on data-sheet figures alone. The real weight can be significantly higher due to the accumulated layer of paint, dirt in the holds and artisanal reinforcements of the structure.
It is also important to consider that the weight is indicated for the body in the assembly, but without removable elements. Banks (seats)The hazelnuts and aft bulkhead can weigh another 15 to 20 kg. If you plan to lift the boat onto the roof of the car, these numbers become critical to calculating the load on the trunk and the strength of the owner.
Effect of Metal Thickness on Mass and Strength
The body of the MCM boat is made of aluminum alloy sheets of various thicknesses. The bottom was traditionally made of thicker metal (2 mm), whereas the sides could have a thickness of 1.5 mm or even 1 mm in the upper parts. metal-thickness It is the main factor determining the weight of the entire structure.
When carrying out repairs, many owners make the mistake of using a metal thicker "just in case." Replacing the bottom from 2 mm to 3 mm will add to the weight of the boat more than 15 kg, which when installed. outboard Aluminum is a lightweight material, but its excess makes a fast boat a heavy barge.
On the other hand, thinning metal due to electrochemical corrosion reduces weight, but makes exploitation dangerous. Thin sections of the bottom may not withstand impact on a log or ashore. So when weighing an old boat, less weight is not always a plus — it can signal critical wear of structural elements.
When replacing the sheets, use a micrometer to measure the thickness of the old metal, which will help to accurately calculate the amount of material required and predict the final weight of the boat after repair.
Detailed calculation of the weight of the elements of the boat
To understand exactly what you are dragging to the water, consider the weight of the main structural elements separately, which is necessary when changing parts or calculating the load on the trailer. Below is a table with approximate weights of components of a standard ICM boat.
| Element of construction | Materials | Approximate weight (kg) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body (sheathing + set) | Aluminum D16AT | 130–145 | No removable equipment |
| Tranza (invoice) | Aluminum/Tree | 8–12 | Depends on the thickness of the board. |
| Banks (seats) | Aluminum/Phanera | 6–10 | A set of 2-3 pieces |
| nose-dump | aluminum | 3–5 | Removable box |
| Keel and cheekbones | Aluminum profile | 5–7 | Reinforcement elements |
As you can see from the table, the bulk of the body is the body itself. stationary for an outboard motor compartment or install a control console, the weight can increase by another 10-15 kg. All these details should be taken into account when calculating the maximum load specified in the GIMS plate.
Special attention should be paid to the weight of water that can remain in the boat. The design of the MCM does not always completely eliminate the ingress of water into the hold through splashers or rowing redane. A few dozen liters of water on the bottom is 20-30 kg that you will drag on a trailer or lower into the water.
Load capacity and engine limitation
Knowing the boat's own weight, it's easy to calculate its payload capacity. For the MCM model, the total weight that ensures buoyancy and stability is about 400 kg. Subtracting the hull mass (for example, 160 kg with equipment), we get about 240 kg of payload.
This figure includes:
- 👨👩👧👦 Passengers (usually 3-4 persons according to the norms).
- 🎣 Equipment, fuel, anchor and fishing supplies.
- 🚤 Outboard motor (the weight of the engine is also included in the total load).
The manufacturer recommended that motors be installed up to 12 hp (later up to 15 hp for modifications), and that excess power not only violates registration rules, but also changes in the range. two-stroke On a short leg can overload the transom, causing the boat to "peck with its nose" or, conversely, burrow with a stern.
⚠️ Note: When calculating the load, consider the weight of the fuel. A full tank of 25 liters will add another 18-20 kg to the weight of the boat, which can become critical when full loaded by passengers.
The optimal choice for MCM are engines in the range of 9.9-15 hp They provide an acceptable speed (about 30-35 km / h) at full load, without overloading the structure. Installation of more powerful units requires serious alteration of the transom and strengthening the aft part, which again brings us to the issue of weight gain.
Transportation and launching
The weight of the MCM boat makes it relatively mobile, but do not forget about the dimensions. The hull length of 4.5 meters and width of 1.6 meters require a reliable trailer. When loaded on the roof of a passenger car (for example, classics or small cars), the weight of 150+ kg is the limit for two adult men.
To facilitate the process of descent and ascent, often use:
- 🛞 Special wheel pairs (rollers) that are attached to the sides.
- 🚙 Lightweight aluminum trailers with winch.
- 🧱 Slinging crooks on the sand (relevant for wild shores).
If you plan to change water bodies often, it makes sense to consider buying a light trailer. To carry 160 kg by hand along the shore is not an easy task, especially if the shore is sloping and clay, in such conditions, every extra kilogram of the weight of the boat is felt doubly.
☑️ Preparation for transportation on the roof
Comparison with modern analogues
Modern industry offers many alternatives to Soviet classics: Magnesium-aluminum alloy (AMG) boats are often lighter at the same strength, thanks to the use of better welding and rolling technologies.
Modern models (such as the Crimea, Ob-3, or Metal Box) can weigh between 120 and 180 kg depending on the configuration, a weight difference of 20-30 kg may seem small, but in practice it is felt every time a boat is pulled onto a trailer or when gaining speed.
Why do older boats seem heavier?
Older boats are often heavier than newer ones due to the use of steel in some knots (brackets, ducks), a thicker layer of paint, and a lack of design optimization that was characteristic of the Soviet “with a margin” approach.
When choosing between a used MCM and a new boat, you should weigh the pros and cons. The new boat will be lighter, more beautiful and more comfortable, but the MCM is time-tested. The main thing is not to chase records and understand that the new boat will be more comfortable. security more important than the kilos saved.
The weight of the MCM boat is a trade-off between the strength of Soviet aluminum and ease of use, and the real weight is often higher than the passport weight, requiring careful calculation of the carrying capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I reduce the weight of a MCM boat to be installed on the roof?
It's hard to reduce weight without losing strength, you can remove all removable equipment (banks, runduks, transom plate) if the design allows them to be quickly dismantled, and removing old layers of paint and epoxy putty will also help, but it's a time-consuming process. The weight won't change dramatically, because the bulk is cast aluminum casing.
What is the maximum weight of the motor withstood by the transom MCM?
The standard transom is designed for motors up to 12-15 hp (weight about 35-40 kg). Installation of a motor weighing more than 50 kg (usually 20 + hp) requires mandatory strengthening of the transom by welding additional sheets or profiles, otherwise deformation of the aft extremity is possible.
Does the weight of the boat affect fuel consumption?
A heavier boat takes longer to glid and requires higher engine speeds to maintain speed, which increases fuel consumption, and every 10 kg of excess weight can have a significant impact on efficiency, especially when using low-power engines.
Where to find accurate drawings and weight specifications?
The official drawings can be found in the album “Small Metal Vessels” or in the technical documentation of the Gorbunov factory, but the practice shows that real weighting on the scales gives more accurate information for a particular boat than any drawings from 50 years ago.