The organization of space on a small boat is not just a matter of convenience, but a critical element of safety and efficiency of fishing or recreation on the water. Boat drawer It becomes a central storage hub that allows you to organize the little things that are disparate, from life jackets and anchors to fishing gear and spare parts, and randomly scattered items not only interfere with movement on the cockpit, but can also cause injury when you maneuver or get excited.
Owners of inflatable vessels often face a dilemma: buy a ready-made solution or make a harunduk yourself, taking into account individual specifications. PVC A properly selected container must not only hold the necessary cargo, but also withstand the aggressive effects of moisture, ultraviolet light and mechanical stress. In this article, we will discuss all aspects of choosing, installing and creating the ideal storage location for your boat.
There are many configurations, from simple soft bags to rigid designs integrated into the seats. The optimal weight of the equipment should not exceed 10-15% of the total load capacity of the boat.Understanding materials and design features will help you avoid mistakes that can cost expensive repairs or loss of property.
Classification and purpose of onboard boxes
All small-size storage systems can be divided into two large groups: soft and hard. Soft models, often called pocket bags, are attached directly to cylinders using belts and Velcro straps. They are ideal for storing lightweight but bulky items such as life jackets or dry clothing, their main advantage being the minimum weight and the ability to fold into a compact bundle after use.
Rigid structures, or kunduks, are made of plastic, aluminum or moisture-resistant plywood, and they serve a dual function: they serve as a storage tank and are also a seat for a rower or a passenger. Hard box. It provides reliable protection of the contents from shocks and water, which is especially important when transporting electronics, batteries or valuable tools.
The choice between types depends on the style of operation. For short exits to calm water, a soft bag is often enough. However, for serious fishing expeditions, where you need to carry tens of kilograms of lead, bait and gear, a durable frame option is required, which also gives the vessel additional rigidity, acting as a spacer between the sides.
- 🎒 Soft pockets: light, attached to Velcro, suitable for vests and clothes.
- 📦 Plastic johnduks: fully waterproof, lightweight, but can be fragile in the cold.
- 🪵 Wooden boxes: heavy, require impregnation, but the most durable and repairable.
- ⚓ Combined systems: hard base with soft sides, combine the advantages of both types.
It is important to consider that the installation of additional equipment changes the center of gravity of the vessel. Uneven loading can lead to roll, which will be difficult to fend off with a paddle or motor, so the distribution of weight in the boxes on the sides should be symmetrical.
Manufacturing materials: from plywood to plastic
When it comes to making your own or choosing a finished product, the material plays a crucial role, and the most popular option among craftsmen is moisture-resistant plywood. FSFIt's very mechanically robust and relatively light in weight, but it needs to be carefully treated, grinded, oliphated and painted in multiple layers, otherwise it will quickly absorb moisture and swell.
Aluminum and stainless steel are used less often because of the complexity of processing at home and the high cost, although they provide maximum durability. Plastic, in particular food polyethylene or polypropylene, is becoming increasingly popular. Ready-made plastic boxes do not rot, do not rust and easily wash, but their shape is often standard and may not fit the specific geometry of cylinders.
Modern composite materials such as fiberglass allow you to create products of any shape, but require skills in working with resins and hardeners. When choosing a material, you should remember chemical inertness: some types of plastic or paint can react with gasoline or oil if they accidentally spill inside the container.
⚠️ Attention: Never use conventional plywood or chipboard to make boxes into a boat, and even brief contact with water will lead to material stratification and loss of strength.
The thickness of the material also matters. For plywood boxes, the thickness is considered optimal 10-12 mm. Thinner sheets may not support the weight of a sitting person, and too thick (15-18 mm) overweight the structure, which is critical for light inflatable boats.
Design features and tightness
The main function of any onboard container is to keep the contents dry, and even if the box itself is made of waterproof material, the joints and the lid remain vulnerable, to ensure that the lids are sealed with sealing rubber profiles, and when closed, they create a barrier to splash and rain.
The lid can be hinged or removable, and the loop is more convenient to use because the lid is not lost, but requires more complex fittings, and the removable lid is easier to make, but easy to drop overboard at the most inopportune moment. Latch-latchers (tumblers) must be made of corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel or quality plastic.
The interior space is often zoned with removable partitions or organizers, which separates dirty tools from clean clothes or products. Some models are equipped with internal removable buckets, which greatly simplifies the process of cleaning the box from sand or scales after fishing.
Secrets of Perfect Sealing
To achieve maximum water resistance, use a car glass sealant when assembling the corners of the plywood box. It remains elastic even after drying and compensates for vibration and temperature expansions, preventing the seam from cracking.
An important element is the system of fixing the box itself on the boat, which should not move freely along the bottom of the cockpit, but use special belts that pass under the bottom of the boat, or rigid attachments to stringers and banks.
Step by step instructions: making a box of plywood
Creating a handheld handheld is a creative and cost-effective process, and before you start, you need to take precise measurements from your boat: the width between the cylinders at the installation site, the height from the bottom to the seat level, and the desired depth of the box.
You can open the sheets of plywood in a workshop that uses professional equipment, which will ensure perfectly flat edges. If you saw yourself, use an electro-cloth with a saw for clean cutting. All the ends after the sawing should be carefully ground with sandpaper grain 80-120.
☑️ Tools for work
The assembly starts with the side walls and the bottom, use carpentry glue for moisture-resistant work and galvanized or brass screws, the corners can be reinforced with wooden bars or metal corners, after the frame is assembled, start making a lid that should have a small overhang (1-2 cm) around the perimeter for water drain.
Finishing involves primer and paint. You'd better use yacht lacquer or special boat enamels. You'd put the material in 3-4 layers, let each one dry completely, and this would create a strong film that would protect the tree from rotting.
| Parameter | Optimal value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Plywood FSF 10-12 mm | Waterproof, strong. |
| Fastening | Scoops 3.5x45 mm | Galvanized or brass |
| ground-breaker | Olifa or specialty | It's a must for the ends. |
| Furniture | Stainless steel | Loops, pens, locks. |
| The weight of an empty box | 3-5 kg | Depends on the size. |
Installation and fastening on the boat
Mounting a box into a boat requires careful attention to detail so as not to damage PVC tubes. Sharp corners of a wooden or plastic structure must be rounded or pasted with protective tape. Contact of solid materials with inflated sides when rolling will inevitably lead to the wiping of the fabric.
There are two main ways of fixing, one is to place it on the central bank, in which case the box is U-shaped and is put on top of the bench, or the bank is the integral part of the bench, and the other is to place a cockpit at the bottom between the cylinders, and it's critical to avoid any shifting of the load.
The belts are fitted with fastex belts to fix the bottom, and are passed under the bottom of the boat (if the design permits) or attached to the bolts mounted on the transom or banks. Belt tension It must be sufficient that the box does not "walk", but not excessive, so as not to deform the cylinders.
Use an anti-slip mat (such as foamed polyethylene) between the bottom of the drawer and the floor of the boat, which will prevent scratches on PVC and reduce noise when driving on water.
If you install a box for an outboard motor compartment, make sure that it does not block access to the transom drain valve, and you also need to provide ventilation holes if you plan to store gasoline or batteries that emit gases when charging.
Equipment care and winter storage
Aquatic exploitation dictates its own rules of care. After each fishing, the box must be rinsed with fresh water, especially if you have been swimming on a salty reservoir. The salt cries at the joints and accelerates the corrosion of metal fittings even from stainless steel.
The inside should be periodically dried and ventilated, a cloth or clothing left in a closed wet drawer will quickly turn into a hotbed of mold, the smell of which will be very difficult to remove. Use silica gel bags to absorb moisture if the crate is used for electronics storage.
In winter, when the boat is in storage, it is better to dismantle the box and put it in a warm dry room. Sharp temperature changes can lead to condensation inside the layers of plywood or cracking plastic. Wooden structures are useful to treat with preservatives before long downtime.
⚠️ Attention: Do not store flammable liquids (gasoline) in leaky canisters in a boat drawer. Gasoline vapors are heavier than air and can accumulate at the lowest point of the cockpit, creating an explosive mixture.
Check the condition of fasteners regularly. Vibration and water load can weaken screws or loosen loops. Timely fitting will extend the life of your homemade for many seasons.
Properly manufactured and installed, the box improves navigation safety, keeping the center of gravity low and things dry and accessible.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can a boat drawer be used as a passenger seat?
Yes, if the design is designed to be loaded, the top cover must be reinforced with stiffeners from the bottom, and the material (plywood or plastic) must be sufficiently thick, usually with a resistance of up to 100-120 kg.
How to protect a wooden box from decay?
Use only moisture-resistant plywood (FSF or FB), soak all the ends and holes from screws abundantly with olive oil or special wood oil, cover the box with yacht varnish in 3-4 layers from the outside, which will create a reliable barrier to moisture.
What is the best size for a 3-meter boat?
For a boat 3 meters long (for example, the frigate M-300 or others), the optimal width of the box is 25-30 cm, height - 25-30 cm, length - the width of the cockpit (about 80-90 cm). Too high the box will raise the center of gravity and make the boat roll.
Do I need to make water holes in the bottom of the box?
If the box is used as a john for dry things, no, it has to be sealed, but if it's a foot or a foot, the drainage holes are necessary to keep the water from stagnating under your feet, so you put a rug under the box.
What to replace plywood if there are no tools to work with wood?
You can use ready-made plastic containers for tools or storage of products (for example, from IKEA or construction stores), adapting them to the size of a boat with belts, and fit canisters of food products, cropped to the desired height.