Using the wind power to propel an inflatable boat is not just a way to save fuel, but also an opportunity to get a completely new experience from being on the water. Water sail for PVC boat It allows you to turn a conventional rowing or motor "inflator" into a full-fledged sailing vessel capable of speeds that are not accessible to oars. Many owners underestimate the potential of their boats, believing that soft boards are not designed for such loads, but modern materials and competent equipment design refute these doubts.
The main advantage of sailing on small craft is complete fuel autonomy and quiet running, which allows fishermen to approach the fishing point silently, and tourists to travel long distances without the risk of being left without gasoline. flyboat It has its own specifics: it is lightweight, has a high hull sailing capacity and requires a special approach to balancing. Installation of sailing weapons requires careful preparation to avoid overturning or damage to cylinders by sharp elements of the rankout.
In this article we will discuss in detail how to choose or manufacture sailing equipment for your type of boat, what schemes exist for setting the mast and how to safely operate the vessel in a gust of wind. It is critical to understand that the centre of sailing must be shifted relative to the centre of lateral resistance, otherwise the boat will become unmanageable. We will look at proven solutions that have already proven their effectiveness on real water bodies.
Selection of type of sailing weapons for inflatable vessels
The first step to equipping a boat is to choose a sailing scheme. For PVC vessels, the most popular are simple and reliable designs that are easily assembled and dismantled. Bermuda or rack-like The Bermuda scheme is good because it allows you to go steep to the wind, but it requires more complex rigging equipment. The rigging sail is easier to manufacture and install, making it ideal for homemade solutions.
An important element is the mast. It should be lightweight but strong. Often aluminum pipes or even wooden slats treated with moisture-resistant compounds are used. PVC boats are characterized by the use of removable masts that are installed in special sockets or attached to a transom. Central mast It provides better handling, but requires a deck or longitudinal cylinder for installation.
- 🌬️ Straight sail. Perfect for tailwinds, easy to manufacture, but not working well on the galfwind.
- ⛵ Slant sail. - a universal solution that allows maneuvering, but requires more complex tuning of the skeletons.
- 🪁 parasailing - the use of a kite, which excludes contact with water, but is difficult to control for a beginner.
⚠️ Note: When installing a mast, make sure that the support point falls on a rigid structural element (such as a jar or a special patch), and not just on a strained fabric or air balloon to avoid puncture or deformation.
Sail and rank-out materials
The choice of materials directly affects the durability of the tooling and the safety of navigation: the fabric of the sail must be dense, windproof and resistant to ultraviolet light. Traditionally, for this purpose, sailboats were used, but modern synthetic materials such as lavs or polyesterThey're far superior to natural counterparts in their performance, they don't rot, they dry quickly, and they keep their shape even when they get wet.
Rangout, which includes mast, geek and gaffer, is most often made of aluminum alloys or composite materials. Aluminum is available and light, but is afraid of corrosion in salt water, so it requires regular maintenance. Wood is also popular among fans of classics, but it requires quality impregnation with oliph or varnish. For PVC boats, it is important that all elements of the rankout do not have sharp edges that can damage cylinders when pitching.
Special attention should be paid to rigging, the ropes that control the sail, scattering and faggots must be made of synthetic fibers that do not absorb water (for example, polypropylene), the use of cotton ropes is unacceptable, as they quickly become heavy from moisture and can rot. Fastening elements, such as dips and ducks, it is better to choose from stainless steel or brass.
| Materials | Advantages | Deficiencies | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lavsan (Polyester) | Strength, UV resistance | High price. | The basic fabric of the sail |
| Aluminum D16T | Ease, accessibility | Corrosion in salt water | Mast, geek. |
| Pine/Prey | Aesthetics, maintainability | Heavy than metal, rotting. | Range for small boats |
| Polypropylene | It doesn't sink, it doesn't rot. | Hardness in the cold | Shots, Fats |
Mast and support attachment schemes
The reliability of the mast attachment is a safety issue. In inflatable boats, you can't just insert the mast into the step, like on wooden lifeboats, so special solutions are used. tin-bagThis is a transom board that is rigidly fixed in the boat and has a hole for the heel of the mast, and this design distributes the load on the sides through the cans, minimizing the risk of damage.
Another popular method is to attach the mast to the transom, where the mast is mounted vertically or slightly forward just behind the stern, which makes assembly easier, but shifts the center of gravity, and can impair the ride on the wave. floating-mast, which are attached to both sides through outriggers (outriggers - outriggers), which increases stability.
When installing the mast, it is important to consider the possibility of rapid dismantling. The squall can be caught by surprise, and the ability to instantly remove the sail ("give the fall") will save the boat from overturning. All attachment points must be reinforced with PVC or metal linings distributed over a large area, so as not to push the material of the boat under wind pressure.
- 🔩 Steps on the jar. - classic version, requires rigid fixation of the can in the grooves of the boat.
- 🚣 transom mounting It is easier to implement, but limits the area of the sail due to the lever.
- ⚓ The hinged mast - is attached to the on-board cylinder through special soft fasteners (requires caution).
⚠️ Warning: Never fix the mast dead without the possibility of a quick reset. In the case of a strong gust of wind, the mast must be able to fall into the water (if you have insurance) or be quickly lowered, otherwise the boat may turn over with the crew.
☑️ Checking readiness for sailing
Swimming management and tactics
The PVC sailboat is very different from the motor boat, and there's no gas, there's no brake, there's only wind and water. wind-courseA boat cannot go directly against the wind (beidewind), it moves in a zigzag (halsami). For inflatable boats with their high hull sailing and low weight, this is especially true: any gust can tear a boat down.
The steering wheel is used to steer the direction, which is often made deeper and more efficient on sailing versions than on motorboats. Also important is the balancing swiring (movable keel) that descends into the water in the center of the boat or from the board. It prevents drift (sideshift) and helps to keep the course. Without the swiring, the boat will be constantly demolished under the wind, and you will have to row with oars constantly.
The sail is adjusted by the skid. If the wind increases, the sail must be poisoned (weakened) or riffed (reduced area). riffle It's an important skill to reduce the sail's area by tying the bottom of the sail to the geek, which reduces sailing and prevents rolling. On PVC boats, the full roll is dangerous to scoop water through the boat.
Safety and limitations of operation
Sailing inflatable boat imposes serious restrictions on the operating conditions. Wave height On PVC boats with sails should not go on a wave above 0.5 meters, as soft sides do not guarantee unsinkability when filled with water, and the sail will create additional roll. Winds above 10-12 m / s is also the limit for most amateur designs.
A life jacket is a mandatory element of equipment, and when a sailboat is tipped over, it is extremely difficult to get out of the wet fabric and entangled shackles without a vest, and a sailboat must always have a knife to cut gear in an emergency. Floating anchor will help to stop the boat in case of breakdown or need to urgently remove the sail in high winds.
Under GIMS rules, equipping a small vessel with a sail may require registration and management rights if the sail area exceeds certain norms or if the boat is used in navigable waters. Always carry boat and motor documents (if any).
⚠️ Warning: Sailing alone on an unfamiliar body of water is prohibited by safety regulations. Always let anyone ashore know your itinerary and approximate return time.
Maintenance and storage of sailing equipment
The right care will extend the life of your sailing armament. After every step out, especially in salt water, all the metal parts must be washed with fresh water. Aluminum and steel are susceptible to corrosion, and salt speeds up this process significantly. The sail fabric must be thoroughly dried before packaging, otherwise the appearance of mold and rot is inevitable, which will quickly destroy the material.
Sail and rank should be kept unfolded or in a freely folded state, avoiding permanent folds in the same places. Direct sunlight during long-term storage is also harmful to synthetic fabrics, so it is better to use dark covers or store equipment indoors. Seams of sails It is recommended to periodically check and, if necessary, smear with a special sealant for tissues.
Wooden rank requires annual oil or varnish treatment, if you notice cracks or chips, they should be immediately skinned and primed so that moisture does not get inside the wood. Metal tubes should be checked for deformation, as even a slight bending can lead to the destruction of the mast under load.
Do I need to register a PVC boat with a sail?
Registration is required if the weight of the curbed vessel exceeds 200 kg or the engine power (if any) is more than 8 kW (about 10.88 hp). However, if the boat has a sail of more than a certain value (usually considered in conjunction with the engine), the GIMS inspector may require registration.
Can I use the motor at the same time as the sail?
Yes, it's possible and it's often practiced. The motor helps you get out of the calm or get through the wind. However, when the engine is running, the sails are usually kept to a minimum so that they don't interfere with the view and control. Sharing requires care so that the exhaust gases don't get into the sail.
What is the maximum size of the sail safe for a boat 3 meters long?
For a boat 3 meters long (typical two-seater PVC), a sail area of 3 to 5 square meters is considered safe. Exceeding this value will create excessive heeling moment, which the soft sides may not withstand, which will lead to water scooping or tipping. For large boats (4+ meters), the area can be increased proportionally.