Choosing the right anchor for an inflatable vessel is not just a matter of convenience, but a critical element of safety on the water. Anchor cat It is one of the most popular solutions for PVC boats due to its versatility, compact folding and high engagement. Unlike bulky Admiralty anchors, this design is ideal for a limited inflatable board space, where the risk of puncture on sharp edges is minimized when used properly.
However, many water-engines make the mistake of buying the first instance they find or making it from inappropriate materials. Incorrectly calculated weight or poor-quality welding of the legs can cause the boat to rip off from the spot when the wind or current amplifies. driftboat It's a direct threat to life, especially if you don't have a motor or it suddenly stalls, so you need to be able to design your anchor with engineering precision, not just with the boat, but with the water.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances in detail, from calculating the required mass to the secrets of mounting on the nose or stern. The optimal weight of a cat for a standard two-seater boat is 4-6 kg.We'll also talk about self-manufacturing, which is a topic for people who are used to doing things DIY and want to save money.
Design features and advantages of cat anchor
The classic anchor cat is a central fusiform rod, in the upper part of which there is a ring for fastening the anchor faline, and in the lower - four sliding legs. sliding-structure This is a key feature that allows for compactness in transportation, and when the legs are folded, the device takes up minimal space in a handoo or a gear bag, which is very important for owners of small inflatable watercraft.
The principle of operation is based on the fact that when touching the bottom of the paws under the influence of their own weight and tension of the cable, they open and crash into the ground. Four-lap circuit It guarantees a high percentage of hooking on almost any terrain, whether it is sandy bottom, pebbles, grass thickets or rocky placers. Unlike two-legged models, the cat lies on the bottom in any position, without requiring a perfect orientation to actuate.
⚠️ Attention: When used on a very soft sludge bottom, the cat’s effectiveness may be reduced, as the paws may simply dive into the silt without creating enough stress. In such cases, experienced anglers recommend using an anchor cable with a chain insert at the anchor itself to change the angle of thrust.
Materials are also important. Most of the models on the market are made of corrosion-resistant steel or stainless steel, and cheap options can be made of conventional ferrous metal, which requires constant maintenance. Stainless steel It is preferable, since it does not rust, is easier to wash off the mud and serves for decades, although it is much more expensive.
Calculation of weight and size: table of conformity
One of the most common questions that beginners have is: what anchor weight should I choose for my boat? There is a common misconception that “heavier, better.” However, for a PVC boat, being overweight creates problems when lifting, increases the load on a transom or nasal duck, and increases the risk of damage to cylinders if handled carelessly. Optimal mass The anchor must be able to hold the boat safely, but it can be easily manipulated with one hand.
The choice should take into account not only the length and width of the boat, but also the area of sailing. High sides and the presence of a tent or roof increase the wind load, which requires a heavier anchor or use a larger diameter anchor cable. Also important is the type of bottom: on hard clay ground, the hook is faster, whereas on slippery pebbles or in the grass, large masses are required to immerse the legs.
Below is a table that will help you navigate the mass of your anchor-cat depending on the size of your boat, and the data is averaged and suggests use on medium-current and wind-loaded water bodies.
| Dimensions of PVC boat (length) | Recommended weight of cat (kg) | Diameter of anchor cable (mm) | Bottom type (efficiency) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 meters | 3 - 4 kg | 6 - 8 mm | Sand, grass, silt |
| 2.9. - 3.5 meters | 5 - 7 kg | 8 - 10 mm | Clay, pebbles, mixed soil |
| 3.6. 4.2 metres | 8 - 10 kg | 10 - 12 mm | Solid ground, current |
| 4.3 meters | 10 - 12+ kg | 12 mm + + | Any type, including stone |
This ensures the right angle of attack of the anchor's paws, and if you pull the anchor vertically upwards, it will almost certainly pop out of the ground. Horizontal component Tension is what causes the paws to crash into the bottom.
Use the five-deep rule: the length of the anchor cable should be 5 times greater than the depth in the parking area for maximum reliability, especially when sleeping on the water.
Methods of fastening and installation on the PVC boat
The safety of anchoring in an inflatable boat is priority number one. The main danger is that if a sharp jerk (for example, with a strong wind or wave) the anchor cable can pull the boat so that it will overturn or water will actively flow into it. Correct installation eliminates these risks.
There are several main ways of attaching:
1. Overboard: The anchor is hanging overboard on a separate phalin, and the good thing about this is that the dirty anchor doesn't soil the cockpit, but there's a risk of entanglement around the motor or the propeller.
2. From the nose: Fastening through a nose duck or crowbar requires a rigid flooring or a trawler board in the nose so that the thrust falls on the structure rather than on the soft cylinder.
3. From the stern: Classic option, but with a strong side wind, the boat can turn side to wave, which is dangerous for inflatable vessels with low sides.
To minimize risks, it is recommended to use anchor-buoy Or a special attachment circuit where the cable passes through the duck, but at a critical load (exceeding the weight of the boat), the system allows the anchor to uncouple or pull out without turning the boat, and it is also strictly impossible to tie the anchor end rigidly to the boat without the possibility of rapid uncoupling.
☑️ Proper anchoring
⚠️ Attention: Never tie the anchor end to elements that could pull you underwater or flip the boat over in a sharp jerk. Always carry a knife to cut the cable in an emergency!
Anchor cable and chain: choice of materials
The choice of phalin (anchor cable) is as important as the choice of anchor itself. Traditionally, three types of materials are used: natural hemp (now rare), synthetic ropes (nylon, polypropylene) and chains. cable It is the best choice due to its lightness, buoyancy and no risk of damaging the balloon by accidental touch.
However, using a small chain segment between the anchor and the cable (0.5-1.5 meters long) significantly improves the efficiency of the cat. The chain lying at the bottom presses the anchor spindle horizontally, improving the hook of the legs. In addition, the chain extinguishes the jerks from the wave, making the parking more comfortable. The weight of the chain also adds the total mass of the anchor system, which allows the use of a lighter cat.
When choosing a synthetic cable, pay attention to its structure. Twisted ropes They are prone to unwinding and forming a beard that is difficult to disassemble. Wrapped cords (like flags or climbing static ropes) are much easier to operate, are not confused and are easier to choose by hand. The optimal diameter for PVC boats is from 6 to 10 mm, depending on the thickness of your hands and the expected loads.
Why can't you use a line?
Using a fishing line or a thin fishing thread as an anchor cable is unacceptable. When under heavy tension, a thin line works like a saw and can instantly cut a finger or hand when choosing an anchor, and also easily rub against stones at the bottom.
Making a cat anchor yourself
For craftsmen with access to welding machines and metal, hand-made cat anchors can be a great solution, saving up to 50% of the cost of a store-like model and being confident in the quality of welds, based on a 25-35 mm diameter, about 30 cm long, spindle.
The legs are made of 12-16 mm diameter reinforcement or strip steel, and you have to bend them in the shape of hooks and weld them onto a sleeve that will be worn on the spindle or an extension of it. The key is the mobility of the legs. They have to fold freely along the trunk and open under their own weight. At the top, you have a sleeve bolt or a rope ring.
To make the anchor more efficient on different soils, you can weight it with lead, pouring the inside of the spindle with molten metal, which will increase the mass without increasing the dimensions. After welding, the product must be cleaned of slag, soaked and coated. corrosion-proof It is in several layers, as constant contact with water will quickly destroy the ordinary metal.
Homemade anchors often beat factory anchors for welding reliability, but they can lose in ergonomics and balance. It is important to make sure that the center of gravity is shifted to the paws, otherwise the anchor will fall to the bottom "upside down" and will not be able to catch. Balancing The main secret of a successful homemade.
A homemade anchor is only good if you're sure of the quality of welding. In the water, a bad seam will burst under load, and you'll be left without anchor.
Operation, storage and security
Properly storing a cat anchor prolongs its life and preserves the wearer's nerves. After each foray into the water, especially in salt water or in mud-covered areas, the anchor must be thoroughly washed with fresh water and dried. The remaining stain and sand accelerate corrosion and can damage the boat's fabric when stored.
It is better to store the anchor in a disassembled form (if the design allows) or in a folded state, fixing the paws with a rubber band or a special case. This will prevent accidental damage to other things in the bag and protect the sharp edges of the paws from blunting. It is convenient to use a dense tarp or PVC fabric bag for transportation, which can be quickly rinsed.
Never leave an anchor simply abandoned on the bottom of the boat while driving, and when braking or swelling, it can become a dangerous projectile, always attach it to a special compartment or tie it to a leer. Security The water is made up of little things, and the order in the equipment is one of them.
What if the anchor is dead in the stones?
If the anchor is stuck, don't pull the boat at full power, which can cause the transom to break or tip over. Try changing the angle of thrust by going to the place of staging on the other side. If that doesn't work, use the "unhook" method: if the anchor has a ring on the top (legs), tie an extra line to it. Pulling over this molt, you can flip the anchor and release it from the stones.
Can I use a cat anchor on the current?
Yes, but with caution. One cat may not be enough in a strong current, in such cases, two anchors are placed, one from the nose, the other from the stern, or an anchor-cat is used in conjunction with a heavier anchor of another type (for example, a plow), if space allows, the main thing is to control the angle of tension of the cables.
How to calculate the length of the anchor cable?
There is a simple rule: the length of the cable should be equal to the depth of the reservoir, multiplied by a factor of 3 (for calm water) or 5 (for windy weather and overnight stays). For example, at a depth of 3 meters, the minimum length of the cable should be 9 meters, and preferably 15 meters for warranty.
Should the moving parts of the cat be lubricated?
Special lubrication for moving parts (axis of the paws) is desirable, but only water-resistant lubricants (for example, litol-24 or special marine lubricants) that are not washed away with water and do not harm the environment. Conventional machine oil will quickly wash away and can contaminate the water.