Anchoring is not just a way to stop the boat, it's a matter of your safety and comfort while fishing or relaxing on the water. For owners of PVC inflatables, this is especially acute, because lightweight construction is highly susceptible to wind and current. A mismatched device can either fail to hold the vessel or damage the delicate bottom.
In this article, we will go into all aspects of the anchor system, from the physics of the process to the nuances of choosing a particular model, you will learn why the weight of the anchor is not the only criterion, and how to organize the storage of the anchor end so that it does not get confused at the most inopportune moment.
Anchorage Physics: Why Weight Is Not the Most Important Thing
Many newcomers mistakenly believe that the heavier the anchor, the better it holds, but for a inflatable boat, it's not so much mass that matters. paw-shape A light anchor that instantly hooks to the bottom will hold the boat more securely than a heavy weight that just slides over silt or rocks under the influence of the wind.
The force that holds the boat is the weight of the anchor itself, the friction force and the ground resistance, and when the anchor rope is pulled (falini), the device must roll its legs down and burrow into the bottom, if the angle of entry into the ground is too large or too small, anchor It just won't be able to catch on.
⚠️ Attention: Using an anchor that is too heavy on a lightweight inflatable boat can cause a sharp jerk (e.g., from a passing wave) to cause the cargo to inertia to damage the transom or board to which it is tied.
It is also important to consider pitchInflatable boats have a low waterline and high sailing, so the wind acts on them more strongly than on boats. An anchor rope should pull the anchor horizontally, not pull it upwards, which is why the length of the falini should be much greater than the depth at the berth.
Types of anchors for inflatable boats
The market offers many designs, but not all of them are suitable for PVC. Some models are too sharp and can pierce a cylinder, others are too bulky.
The most popular solution remains cat anchorIt's a classic design with several legs that fold down to the center, and it's versatile, but it requires careful handling, and inflatable boats, you'd better choose models with plastic or rubber elements to avoid damage to the bottom when loading.
- 🪨 Cat anchor: Ideal for rocky or grassy bottoms, easy to fold, but can get stuck in crevices.
- 🍄 Mushroom anchor: It perfectly keeps on a slurry bottom due to suction, but is useless on solid ground and requires a large mass.
- 🪝 Floating anchor (parachute): It is used to inhibit drift on the flow, does not touch the bottom, but creates resistance in water.
Special attention deserves anchor Denforth They have excellent holding power at low weight, but they have protruding sharp elements, and for a inflatable boat, they are only justified if there is a special case or storage container.
⚠️ Attention: It is strongly recommended not to use homemade anchors made of reinforcement or pieces of rails without processing the edges. Sharp burrs can imperceptibly damage PVC fabric, which will lead to loss of buoyancy on the water.
Calculation of anchor weight for PVC boats
There is a proven empirical formula for calculating the minimum mass of an anchor: Inflatable boats up to 4 meters long, 1 kg is usually enough for each meter of hull length, but this is only true for calm water and moderate winds.
If you plan to fish in the river with the current or in an open reservoir where the winds are, the mass must be increased, in such cases the ratio can reach 1.5-2 kg per meter of length.
Below is a table of approximate values of the mass of the anchor depending on the conditions and size of the boat:
| Boat length (m) | Style/Lake (kg) | Winds up to 5 m/s (kg) | Current / Wind > 5 m/s (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 – 2.5 | 1.0 – 1.5 | 2.0 | 3.0+ |
| 2.6 – 3.2 | 1.5 – 2.0 | 2.5 – 3.0 | 4.0+ |
| 3.3 – 4.0 | 2.0 – 2.5 | 3.0 – 4.0 | 5.0+ |
| 4.0+ | 3.0+ | 4.0 – 5.0 | 6.0+ |
Don't chase the maximum weight if you carry a boat in a backpack, invest as a quality anchor of the right shape than dragging extra pounds of lead. The optimal weight of the anchor for a standard two-seater PVC boat is most often in the range of 2-3 kg.
Choosing an anchor rope (falini)
An anchor rope, or falin, links the boat to the anchor and experiences tremendous stress, and the use of a thin line or an old rope is unacceptable. nylon cord Nylon is good for its elasticity, which extinguishes the snatch of a boat on the wave.
The diameter of the cord should be sufficient to be easily grasped with wet hands, but not too thick to take up little space. Usually for PVC boats, ropes with a diameter of 4-6 mm are used. It is important that the cord is painted in a bright color (orange, salad), so that it can be seen in the water.
Always tie a small buoy to the end of the anchor rope. If the anchor gets stuck in the driftwood, you can swim up to it on the other side, pull the buoy and pull the anchor backwards, freeing it from the hook.
The length of the falini should be at least 4 depths in the parking lot, this provides the necessary angle of traction. If you stand at a depth of 3 meters, the length of the released rope should be at least 12-15 meters.
Proper anchoring and anchoring
Where do you anchor in an inflatable boat? This is one of the most common questions. It's dangerous to anchor strictly to the bow or stern on PVC boats, because when the wind is strong, the boat can turn sideways to the wave, which can cause it to tip over. diagonal (from the bow cylinder on one side) or the use of two anchors (from the nose and stern) to fix the position.
Use special bolts or reliable knots around stringers (running pens) to attach the knot, such as "unlocked" or "bayonet", and secure the end of the rope so that it can be quickly returned if necessary.
☑️ Checklist before anchoring
When anchored, move against the current or the wind. When you get to the point, stop the boat and slowly get the rope down, let the anchor touch the bottom. Then slowly back off (or let the boat back off under the elements) until the rope is pulled. ground.
Storage and maintenance of equipment
After each fishing, the anchor and rope should be thoroughly washed with fresh water, especially if you have been fishing in salt water or heavily polluted water bodies. Sand and salt destroy the structure of the rope and cause corrosion of the metal.
The rope should be rolled into the bay or use a special bag-net that quickly dries. Keeping a wet synthetic rope in a closed backpack will lead to mold and an unpleasant smell that is difficult to get rid of.
⚠️ Warning: Never keep an anchor rope wound around a metal anchor in a compressed state for a long time. The metal under pressure can RUB the fibers of the cord, and at a critical moment it will burst.
For ease of transportation, many anglers use plastic buckets or special bags, which fit both anchor and rope, which prevents the rest of the things in the boat from being contaminated with sand and mud.
What if the anchor is stuck?
If the anchor is stuck, don't pull the boat by force, which is dangerous for PVC. Try to change the angle of thrust, swam around the parking lot. If it doesn't work, tie the end to the buoy and leave it until the next time, often the current or the wind will shake the hook themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a bunch of stones or bricks be used instead of an anchor?
You can use it, but it's inefficient and dangerous, and the bricks are smooth and don't hold the ground well, and the sharp edges can damage the boat, and it takes up a lot of space and it's not easy to lift.
Which node is best for anchoring?
The best way to use a fish bayonet or a throwaway knot is to be strong, not crawling under load, and, importantly, relatively easy to untie even after a long stretch.
Do I need a vertebrae on an anchor rope?
Yes, installation. cock-wheel It's very desirable to be between the rope and the anchor, and it prevents the rope from twisting if the boat is unrolled by wind or current, which prolongs the life of the cord.
How fast can you tow the anchor if you need to get off fast?
Towing the anchor at a speed of more than 3-4 km / h is not recommended. The anchor can start to "jump" along the bottom, creating a dangerous situation, or damage the bottom of the reservoir.
The main secret of reliable anchorage on a PVC boat is not the weight of the cargo, but the correct length of the rope (at least 4 depths) and the ability to maneuver the boat correctly when setting.