Choosing the right anchor for an inflatable vessel is not just a matter of comfort, it's a critical aspect of water safety. Many beginners make the mistake of buying the first cargo they get without thinking about what they're doing. cylinder-stuff Failure to build can easily damage the fabric, leading to depressurization and a potentially dangerous situation far from shore.
On the other hand, an anchor that's too light will not hold the boat as the winds get stronger or the currents, turning fishing into a fight against demolition. deterrent In this article, we will discuss all the nuances so that you can make an informed decision and enjoy the water without unnecessary problems.
Key criteria for the selection of anchors for inflatable vessels
The first thing to look at is the weight, and there's a common belief that PVC can do with very light models, but that's only true for calm. 10% of the load capacity Boats or 1 kg per 1 meter of hull length, but if you plan to fish on the current, you'll have to increase those numbers.
The second critical parameter is the shape and presence of sharp edges. Classic Admiralty anchors With their sharp horns, they pose a serious threat to the inflatable floor, and when sampled or pitched, such an object can easily pierce the balloon, so priority is given to models with rounded edges or special protective coatings.
⚠️ Warning: Never use homemade anchors of concrete blocks or rebar trimmings without careful handling. Sharp metal projections are guaranteed to damage PVC with any active work with the anchor.
Steel is also a fabrication material. Steel is strong but corrosive, which can spoil appearance and reduce reliability over time. Aluminum alloys are lighter, but can be less durable when hitting rocks. Stainless steel It is considered the best, albeit expensive, option for long years of service.
Overview of anchor types: from classics to folding structures
The market offers many options, but not all of them are suitable for inflaters. Let's look at the most popular types that can be used without risk to the boat. cat anchor It's foldable, its paws are pulled inwards, making transportation convenient, and the absence of protruding sharp parts during storage minimizes the risk of damage.
Another popular type is mushroom-anchorThey're perfect for slurry or sandy bottoms, where they're suction-like, and their streamlined shape is absolutely safe for cylinders, but in rocky soil or strong currents, their effectiveness is drastically reduced, and they're more suitable for calm water and shorter parking.
There are also anchor Hall They're very hookable, but they need to be handled carefully, and some manufacturers have plastic paw pads, which partly solves the safety problem, but if the plastic cracks, the metal will become dangerous to your boat again.
Why are Danforth anchors not recommended for PVC?
Danforth's classic anchors have long, sharp legs and a crossbar that can easily damage cylinders when windy, and they require a long anchor rope to operate efficiently, which is not always convenient on a small boat.
It is worth mentioning separately. loadingThese can be special bags that are filled with rocks or sand on the shore, which saves space and weight during transportation, but requires the availability of suitable soil on the shore, which is not always possible.
Calculation of weight and length of anchor rope
The right calculation is key to a successful anchorage, and the weight of the anchor depends on the sailing of your boat and the operating conditions. electric motor Or a tent, sailing increases and weight requirements increase. The table below gives an indication of calm water.
| Boat length (m) | Min. anchor weight (kg) | River. weight (kg) | Type of bottom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | 3-4 | 5-6 | Sand/Ill |
| 3.0 - 3.6 | 5-6 | 7-8 | Mixed |
| 3.6 - 4.2 | 7-8 | 10-12 | Clay/Grass |
| 4.2+ | 10+ | 15+ | Anybody |
The anchor rope should be at least three times as deep, or better, five times as deep, in the parking lot, and this provides the right angle of attack, allowing the anchor to burrow into the ground rather than dragging itself down. anchor Even with a little boat snatch.
The rope is best suited to a synthetic rope with a diameter of 8-10 mm. It does not rot, is pleasant to the touch and has sufficient strength. The chain between the anchor and the kat stopper is also welcome, as it presses the tail to the ground, improving the hook, and extinguishes the jerks. However, on PVC boats, the chain is often abandoned due to its weight and the risk of damaging the transom or bottom if handled carelessly.
Use a bright buoy turnip at the end of the anchor rope, which will not only help to find the anchor in the event of a cliff, but also make it visible to other boats, preventing the screws of the engines from winding.
Armor setting and sampling techniques
The process of anchoring requires a certain skill, especially on the current. You have to approach the point against the wind or the current. The anchor is thrown or lowered. stop If you just drop anchor from a moving boat, the rope can get tangled around the propeller of the motor or hull.
Once the anchor has touched the bottom, you need to draw the required length of the rope and slowly let the boat pull it up so that the anchor burrows. To check the reliability, you can add gas or wait for a gust of wind. anchorOtherwise, the procedure must be repeated, perhaps by shifting or increasing the length of the rope.
The sampling of the anchor is even more critical. You can't just pull the boat like a metal boat. You can pull the rope with your hands, picking out the slack until you feel resistance. Then, using oars or a motor, you have to walk over the anchor to pull it vertically out of the ground. A sharp jerk can cause the anchor to fly out and hit the balloon or people.
☑️ Proper anchorage
Safety and storage of anchor equipment
Keeping an anchor in an inflatable boat requires safety, a sharp object should not just lie on the floor, where you can accidentally step or lean. anchor-box Or a bag of thick cloth that sticks in the nose, which will protect the bottom of the boat and the anchor from abrasion.
The condition of the anchor rope is important. The sun, the water and the friction are doing their job. If you notice scuffing or stratification, the rope needs to be replaced. A break at the depth is not only a loss of anchor, but also a risk of staying in the wrong place. Also watch for carbines and helicopters: they should rotate freely and not have cracks.
⚠️ Warning: Never tie an anchor rope rigidly to a boat if you are in strong current or in stormy weather. If you are anchored by a snag, the boat may flip or pull under water. Use quick-release mounts or keep an axe on hand.
After every fishing, the anchor and the rope must be thoroughly dried, and even if they are made of stainless steel, the sand and silt that are stuffed into the mechanisms of folding models can sour and block the work, fresh water will wash away the salt, and drying will prevent mold from appearing on the rope.
Homemade options and tuning
Many PVC boat owners prefer to anchor DIY, and that's justified. A simple design of lead casting and steel rod, poured into concrete or covered with epoxy, can work better than a store. The main thing is to ensure that there are no sharp corners. wheel-drive Or the slacks of the slacks, and the slacks of the lead.
A popular solution is a "cat anchor" of rebar, but with mandatory boiling or winding of the contact points with the boat soft material. plastic-plate It's a cheap and effective way to protect PVC.
Store anchor tuning also happens, and often, you add a load of lead braids to your regular models, and it increases the weight without changing the size. reflector buoy, which is important for night fishing or poor visibility.
A homemade anchor is only good when it is securely anchored in the boat and has no chance of damaging the cylinders in any boat movement scenario.
Can I use a cat anchor without folding paws?
Using a classic cat with fixed legs on a PVC boat is highly discouraged. When sampling or winding, the sharp legs will rub against the side, which is almost guaranteed to lead to a cut. If there is no other way out, the legs should be wrapped in thick tape, rubber or put on plastic tubes.
Which rope is better: nylon or polypropylene?
Polypropylene is better suited for anchoring, because it doesn't absorb water, it doesn't rot, and, most importantly, it floats on the surface. The nylon rope sinks, which creates a risk of screwing when maneuvering, and it stretches harder under load, although this stretching is sometimes useful for quenching jerks.
Do I need an anchor for a boat 2.8 meters long?
Yes, even for a small boat, an anchor is necessary. The sailing capacity of small PVC boats is often higher than it seems, and a gust of wind can quickly take you to the middle of a body of water. For boats up to 3 meters, a lightweight folding anchor weighing 3-4 kg is enough.
What if the anchor is stuck?
Don't pull the boat sharply. Try to get over the anchor and pull vertically upwards. If it doesn't work, you can tie the rope to the transom, step back a safe distance and gently pull it out, trying to pull the anchor at a different angle, and in extreme cases, if you have a buoy turnip, you can leave the anchor and come back with a more powerful boat.