Main features for tuning PVC boats. How to make tuning of a PVC boat Do-it-yourself modification of PVC rowing boats

It all started with a purchase for 20 thousand rubles. boats "Dnepr" manufactured in 1983 - found her in some village. It was decided to change everything as much as possible, so the design was developed first. Car tuning professionals took part in the modernization of the boat, and working with the boat was something new for them. We started with the selection of parts; about 30 thousand rubles. was spent on consumables...

Let's talk a little about tuning motorboats, and specifically about tuning the Progress boat. Despite the fact that more than three decades have passed since the work to improve this serial boat, the relevance of this article has not lost its significance, because the good old “Progress” has been serving its owners faithfully for almost half a century... So, we offer We bring to your attention a detailed report on a rather successful improvement of a serial motor boat - tuning of the Progress-2 motorboat...

Having bought a PVC boat, sooner or later every owner thinks about improving the technical and functional characteristics of the boat. Tuning can be ordered from trusted masters who, for a fee, are able to realize any client’s wishes. However, the most interesting process independent conduct tuning, which will not only improve the performance of the boat, but also bring a lot of positive emotions.

Strengthening the boat structure

Tuning should begin with strengthening the bottom surface. Despite the fact that manufacturers pay increased attention to materials for the bottom, it wears out over time. Actively using a swimming device or carelessly bumping into stones can seriously damage the bottom.

What may be required to strengthen the bottom:

PVC membrane or corresponding profile;
PVC adhesive base "Vinicol" or "Uran".

If desired, you can reinforce it using a membrane without using an adhesive base.

Step by step process:

The surface of the floating craft is washed from sand.
Degrease the clean surface.
After removing the valve, disconnect the transom wheels.
Paper is laid out on the flotation device (inflated) and 2 patterns are cut out, according to the dimensions of the bottom surface (the area between the location of the cylinders and the keel).
According to the received patterns, we carefully cut out the elements from the membrane. The mass of one part is usually slightly less than 2 kg, and the thickness exceeds 1.5 cm.
The cut material is laid out on open place , where the sun's rays fall until the desired shape of the product is completely taken.
Turn on the hairdryer, heat up all the parts and squeeze out while air using a roller.
We work very well on the extreme areas. Bonding of materials is carried out by heating the membrane material from exposure to high temperatures.
We glue the PVC profile onto the keel on both sides. This will protect the keelson.
The boat is also strengthened by cylinders (a quarter of their length).
If desired, you can strengthen the boat along the transom(it is covered only with a layer of bottom woven base).

How to glue a fender yourself

Reinforcement with timber can be done with your own hands according to the instructions below:

We wash the surface of the bottom of the swimming device. Remove sand deposits and dry.
Degrease the dried surface with vodka, alcohol or gasoline.
Apply with a brush thin layer adhesive base on the surface of the timber and the vessel.
Leave for 20 minutes, after which we apply the second layer in the same way.
We wait for the material to dry completely (it should not stick to your hands).
We press the applied beam tightly to the surface with extreme precision.
To ensure maximum adhesion, you should preheat the surface with a hairdryer.
Again, squeeze the gluing area and roll a round, weighty object over it.

Installation of redans

A redan is a unique profile with a guide (generally reminiscent of a triangle shape). By equipping the craft with redans, you can increase the level of stability of the boat on planing. You can combine the placement of redans with the application of additional prophylaxis to the keel and cylinders. Short steps can be placed in the forward part of the bottom (area of intense splash formation).

Installation of stringers

Before installing the stringers, markings should be made:

By placing the set of floorboards on the floor, we ensure that the sequence is exactly copied how they are placed in the cockpit.
The stringer is applied to one side of the pad, while ensuring that its length overlaps three adjacent floors.
It is not recommended to install stringers in the bow of the vessel. When planing, the main load falls on the floors of the third rear area of the hull PVC products. Based on this, it is more advisable to install the stringer on the outer floors from the transom part of the boat.
It is very important that when installing stringers, the pajolines do not protrude beyond the edges. To ensure this condition, you should mark the depth of the cut, which will ensure that the stringer is placed on the outermost area of the plywood.
To make markings, we apply a stringer and align it with the plane of the outer parts of the floorboards. Observing the dimensions of the profile, we draw a contour for the cut (on both edges of the stringer).
Connect the markings with one line and get the desired most accurate marking of one side.
When marking cuts for the stringer, you should add about 4 cm to the length(from each side). This will allow you to comfortably put on and take off the stringer if necessary.

When marking, the middle payolina moves slightly to the opposite side from the marked area. After this, markings should be made on the second side of the floor.
Having finished marking and taking a jigsaw, we begin cutting out according to the markings of the pockets(for installing stringers). You can prevent the appearance of chips on plywood if you use nail files “for wooden materials” that have fine teeth. When working, you should act slowly so as not to make mistakes.
Having completed all the steps, we slightly round the edges of the payolin and treat them with a water-repellent impregnation. Perfect for in this case Pinotex Focus, which contains a sufficient amount of wax. If desired, the outer sections can be treated with drying oil (well heated) or yacht varnish (waterproof). Following these recommendations will prevent the swelling of the pajoline.

By equipping the craft with redans, you can increase the level of stability of the boat on planing

Hard floor

When making a hard floor you cannot do without:

sheet of plywood (10 mm);
loops - about 20 pcs.;
bolts;
nut;
yacht varnish;
impregnation;
washers

Step by step process:

First of all, we make one that fits the dimensional characteristics. bottom pattern from linoleum.
Width indicators(taking into account the rectangular part of the bottom) should be 1.5 cm larger to ensure normal clearances.
Having cut out the linoleum, we will mark the hard floor. It will be placed between the floor (hard type) and PVC coated bottom, which will prevent the fittings from damaging the existing bottom.
The pattern is folded in half and trimmed its symmetry is achieved.
Place a sheet of plywood in front of you, carefully cut out six payols (width 80 cm).
The square left after cutting If desired, it can become a foot rest.
We round the long sides of the pajoline using a file. Impregnate with protective impregnation.
We collect from payolin for the surface the bottom of the accordion on loops.
Be sure to use a bolt(the side where the loops are located) with a countersunk head. Otherwise, the floor will not be foldable.

The part of the bolts that looks out from the back side is carefully cut off using a grinder. We sharpen the nuts. To ensure the maximum level of rigidity, 3-4 loops should be placed per connection.
The resulting structure is covered on top with a piece of linoleum and outlined with a felt-tip pen.
Cut off the excess parts using a jigsaw.
We round the edges along the entire contour using a file.
Taking sandpaper, sand the entire surface, cover it with 3-4 layers of varnish (yacht look).

Boat anchor

There are a large number of models of anchors for swimming craft. Most fishermen often use any iron device of suitable weight as an anchor. Some fishermen prefer to buy collapsible models.

When choosing an anchor, you should take into account certain requirements:

Weight should be at least 5-6 kg(depending on the strength of wind gusts and current speed, the windage of the vessel also has a great influence);
Possibility of lifting and lowering from the place where the boat is controlled.
Boats whose length reaches 4 meters must be equipped with an anchor eye and a roller (optional). This will ensure the safety of the cord in areas of friction with metal.

Spinning rod holders

It is more expedient to make holders for spinning rods based on plastic tubes. It is advisable to place 2 holders on each side.

Echo sounder sensor

The echo sounder sensor can be fixed using a suction cup, but in most cases it does not hold well on PVC boats. As a solution to the problem, you can purchase an aluminum tube with a square cross-section. We drill holes in the tube (through holes) intended for the pin.

We make an eye-egg and fix it with glue in the upper side area of the balloon. You can adjust the immersion depth of the sensor by lightly moving the pin. We equip the lower part of the tube with a bracket for the sensor. By rotating it vertically, you can achieve the required level of inclination. Horizontal rotation is impossible due to the profile pipe.

Transom wheels

There are a lot of options for creating transom wheels. The main purpose of wheels is to transport a loaded boat from the trailer to the aquatic environment.

Step-by-step process for making wheels:

We prepare inflatable wheels with a diameter of 300-400 mm and a width of more than 100 mm. It is very important to select the largest possible diameters, which will prevent it from getting stuck in the ground.
The wheel hub is connected to it as tightly as possible.
The chassis can be made on the basis of channels or pipes. Most simple fastening The transom to the chassis will be a metal plate welded to a section of pipe, which will house the upper area of the chassis without play.
All chassis mounts must have at least 3-4 points and plates(clamp type) located on inside transom They will provide the maximum level of fastening strength.
The chassis is fixed to the fasteners using bolts. If desired, the wheels can be raised along the cylinders.

Inflatable keel

Not every PVC boat is equipped with a keel. Its presence is especially important for boats with a motor. Keel has the following functions:

can ensure the vessel is kept on course;
prevents the bow area of the boat from tearing off the surface of the water surface when moving with the engine running.

You can also make a keel with your own hands:

A tube is glued together from waterproof materials, having a diameter of 100 mm with a valve.
The required length of the tube is usually calculated by measuring the distance from the stern to the bow.
Glue the tube to the bottom surface in the inner part of the vessel in the place of the keel, using transverse strips of PVC.
It is advisable to first pour mustard solution into the pipe, which will provide the required level of tightness.
Reaching shallow water from the keel the air is sure to escape.

The keel prevents the bow area of the boat from tearing off the surface of the water surface when moving with the engine running

Seats

The majority of store-bought PVC boat models are equipped with hard seats, which deprive the fisherman of comfort and do not allow him to sit comfortably long time. To ensure your own comfort on board the ship, you can install soft seats on board, having previously covered them with leatherette.

As an option, you can purchase inflatable chairs. If desired, the soft seat is complemented by a bag located underneath it that serves as storage for small parts. The size of the bag should be proportional to the size of the chair.

Engine insurance

Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict what may happen to the boat after entering open water. Unexpected collisions with obstacles are considered to be quite common troubles for fishermen. In this case, poor tightening of the clamps can cause the outboard motor to fall from its location. Very often it simply sinks to the bottom of the reservoir.

To eliminate this kind of misunderstanding, you should strengthen the motor. To do this, a cable (synthetic or steel) is pulled along the transom, bypassing the eye rings that are located on the transom. In simple terms, the motor is securely tied up and it becomes impossible to lose it.

Awning

When tuning a boat, fishermen often install an awning on it. Awnings are available in a variety of varieties and can be designed for certain models of vessels. For small boats, umbrella awnings are usually used to protect a person from rain and sun.

Boats equipped with a motor are often equipped with:

The nose cone is based on PVC material. Some models are equipped with a viewing window. The awnings can easily be thrown over a special arc, protecting people from splashes and preventing high waves from getting inside the boat. When planing, the nose cone acts as a wing, which prevents the craft from jumping in the air during strong gusts of headwind. The presence of a small pocket allows you to store a copy of the board number.
The transformable awning is attached to the board with aluminum arches. The design is able to shelter people from raindrops and gusts of wind. Windows located on the awning product make it possible to move under the motor (in light winds). The side parts of the PVC material are movable and can be zipped and raised when fixed with slings. By changing the position of the side parts of the awning, you can comfortably spend the night on the water, fish in rainy weather, or get out onto land. Most models are equipped with ventilation devices.

Table and travel bags

Bags are actively used to store useful little things that can come in handy while fishing. They can be placed in the bow of the boat or under the seat. To secure the bag, you should use a basic boat tie-down. Build a small comfortable table on the boat you can use a high chair for feeding (part of a plastic table).

Additional options

As an additional tuning, fishermen attach a gas tank and equip the boat with a spinning rod.

Fastening the gas tank is a very important procedure, which will allow you not to lose it during sharp turns or strong currents. Usually the tank is tied up using a strong rope passed through the half rings.

You can fix the half rings in the following ways:

by gluing to the bottom (in cases where the floor is inflatable);
if the floor is hard, it is more expedient to screw the half rings with screws to the pajoline.

Anglers call the spinning rod a tarka among themselves. As a rule, it is performed on the basis of a pipe, with a glass securely attached to install the gear. The container is installed in the transom part of the vessel or in the middle.

When gluing accessories to an inflatable boat, you must use an adhesive base High Quality(specialized).
Before gluing, be sure to degrease both surfaces.
Each layer of glue is applied after 15-20 minutes, which is necessary for the glue to polymerize.

lakeking.ru

PVC boat

Boats made of PVC material appeared on sale at the end of the twentieth century, successfully displacing rubber models from the market, thanks to the possibility of their modernization and simple repairs if necessary. Boats are made from five-layer fabric with reinforcement. By reinforcement we mean sewing into lung material and a durable frame made of synthetic fiber - cord.

At the end of the day, PVC boats are strong and difficult to damage, but they still need some tuning. Let's look at what can be done.

Boat tuning – obligation or necessity

Why is it necessary to remodel the boat? As a rule, there are quite primitive designs on sale that do not have additional equipment, or with such, but their quality will not be at the proper level. Therefore, to improve the design features of the boat, it will have to be slightly modified.

The most common types of tuning PVC boats

In most cases, after acquisition, they carry out following works to improve functionality:

bottom reinforcement;
seat replacement;
production of a collapsible anchor;
installation of a safety system for an outboard motor;
installation of an inflatable keel and transom wheels.

Where to start tuning

First, it is recommended to strengthen the structure. Considering the strength of the frame, only the bottom of the boat and the side cylinders require additional reinforcement. There are two ways to do this. Only after this will it be possible to talk about other modernization options.

Strengthening the bottom of the boat

Although they are made of fairly strong materials, there is no escape from wear and tear, and for this purpose special PVC profiles are used, glued with or without waterproof glue.

This will increase the weight of the boat slightly, so this process should be done wisely, taking into account the following recommendations:

reinforcement is simply necessary when using a boat on fast water with rocky rapids, in such conditions the risk of damage is highest.
when using a boat on lakes and ponds with standing water, you can refrain from this.

Membrane reinforcement - a step-by-step process

before starting work, the boat must first be washed, dried, removed all the smallest grains of sand and degreased with a solvent;
then it is inflated to make patterns for cutting out the material; for this, it is turned upside down and the necessary measurements are taken from the keel to the cylinders;
then the material is cut out using these measurements (it is recommended to prepare two identical strips) and left in the sun or in a warm place to take an even shape;
then the boat is lowered, removing the valve and unhooking the transom wheels, and laying it on a level place;
one strip is applied to the bottom, leveled along the entire length, and they begin to warm it up with a hair dryer, setting it to the maximum setting, while simultaneously smoothing it with a roller to expel the air;
Afterwards, the same manipulations are done with the second strip, placing it exactly on top of the first.

The gluing process occurs due to the heating of the membrane of the material by influencing it high temperature. No glue is required.

Strengthening the cylinder with a halt

The second element required for additional protection is the cylinder, or rather the part that faces the water. There is no need to completely cover them with material. The work process is the same as when reinforcing the bottom: the cylinders are pre-cleaned, the air is released, measurements are taken and the material is glued.

Also, for reinforcement, rests are used - glued to the bottom of the cylinder. They are sold in specialized stores for specific boat models. You can purchase it for another model by pre-cutting it to the size of your boat.

The process of gluing

as in the version with reinforced bottom, everything is cleaned and dried, but gluing, in this case, is done only on an inflated boat;
then it needs to be treated with a solvent and left for some time to dry;
After that, glue is applied to the stop and the cylinder, left for ten minutes and the material is applied to the bottom of the cylinder, after which it is also necessary to go over it with a roller to level and compact it.

Two outboard motor insurance options

The outboard motor is attached to the transom using screw clamps. With active driving or a slight clamping, it can come off, and given its cost, it is extremely undesirable to drown the engine.

There are two ways to attach:

Cable insurance. Of the two options, this is the simplest option. As a rule, all motors have special eyes, and additional fastenings on the transom. If they are not there, then the transom can be drilled and a bolt-ring screwed into it, preferably made of stainless metal. The motor is secured with a cable with a carabiner and thimble. They are sold in a wide range in specialized stores. You can also get by with a strong nylon rope or install two eye rings with cables on the outside of the deadwood. After fastening, the cable is tightened so that it does not interfere with the “reclining” and rotation of the motor.
Fixing the suspension. The motors have several holes for rigid mounting to the transom. It is not recommended to completely fix it so as not to interfere with free control. Simply drill one hole in the transom and insert an M8 bolt into it. There is no need to tighten it, just tighten it by hand.

Installing a soft seat

Fishing while standing is not very convenient. You can buy a soft seat in the store, but you need to know how to install it correctly, and again, the cost is an issue. You can install a homemade seat on the boat.

What you need for work:

for this you will need two boards with a width of 50 cm and a length equal to the distance between the cylinders;
two window hinges so that the structure folds;
old car seat belts;
sheet of foam rubber.

Seat manufacturing process:

the boards are connected with loops on both sides to make something like a book;
the belts are secured with self-tapping screws on each board also on both sides; the seat is installed on the boat, such a seat is secured by placing straps under the bottom and fixing them in a certain place where it is convenient, adjusting the direction of their location of the boat if necessary;
The foam rubber can simply be placed on the seat, and if you need to remove it by placing a waterproof material (for example, leatherette) on top, you can secure it to the boards with self-tapping screws.

This is such a soft seat - simple and angry.

Inflatable keel

The keel will give the boat stability and maneuverability.

Not all boats sold in stores are equipped with inflatable keels, and this is a particularly important part for boats with a length of more than 3 meters and having a motor included. If it is not there, then during acceleration the bow of the boat will rise, and it may capsize.

It is a flattened tube with a valve. It is made from PVC boat fabric, it is rolled into a tube and glued with waterproof Moment glue.

To seal the end seams, before use, pour a solution of liquid mustard inside, shake well and pour out.

Such a keel is not located outside the boat, as is usually done, but inside. When moving, it presses the nose, improving maneuvering. As experts say, having made such a keel and installed it, the boat is easier to control, even easier than real keel specimens.

Collapsible boat anchor

Conventional sinkers used as anchors are not very convenient, they take up a lot of space, and they weigh quite a bit. Therefore, you can make a simple model of a homemade collapsible anchor.

What is needed for this:

A stainless steel tube about 250 mm long and about 30 in diameter, on one side of which you need to weld a sleeve, about 25 mm with an M12 thread cut on it, and on the other side, a ring. This will be the stock.
For the paws you will need stainless steel strips 50 mm long, 250 mm wide and 4-5 mm thick. The edges are pre-treated with sandpaper.
To assembled form the arms of the anchor are not twisted among themselves; two metal strips need to be welded on one of them.
Holes are drilled on each leg to match the thread size on the rod bushing. They will be put on it and tightened with a nut.
To prevent you from having to use a wrench during the assembly process, weld a small metal bolt onto the rod mounting nut.
When assembled, the total weight of the finished anchor will be approximately 2-3 kg. To make it heavier, lead can be poured inside the rod.

Installation of transom wheels

This mechanism is no less important than, for example, an inflatable keel. If it is impossible to drive close to a body of water, the boat will have to be dragged, which can cause damage. Considering the high cost of such products in stores, you can make them yourself.

Here you need to start from the sizes. For small boats one is enough; for two- or three-seater models it is better to install two wheels. They are made practically from scrap materials.

What you will need:

plastic barrel;
two wheels from an old cart;
bolts for fastening;
silicone

The manufacturing process is simple to the point of banality, and the entire time will take literally an hour:

from the barrel we cut two strips in a circle with a width of 25-30 cm;
cut them in the middle and make a couple of holes at the edges;
the wheels are attached in the middle of the strip with bolts, which are then treated with silicone.

The wheels are ready. They are put on the cylinders at the back of the boat like a clamp. You can secure it with anything. Some fishermen adapt latches from old boxes, or you can simply tie them together with cords during transportation.

Additional boat tuning options

The most common options for upgrading PVC boats were listed above. In addition, there are still many opportunities to improve these watercraft.

Spinning arc

Tarka is what the fishermen call it. It is made in the form of a pipe with glasses attached to it for installing a spinning rod.

They place a spinning rod on the transom of the boat or in the midsection, that is, in the middle.

Fuel tank mount

Any boat with a motor engine should have such a device. For this purpose, half rings are used, mounted to the transom from the inside so that they do not interfere with the installation of the engine itself. The tank is twisted with a cable through these rings. In addition to this, you can also secure other devices in the boat in this way.

That's basically it. Follow these tips, upgrade your boat and enjoy a pleasant vacation or fishing.

myownship.ru

Purchasing a compressor

The market value of a product largely depends on how much time is spent inflating it. Experienced fishermen know that inflating the watercraft every time before fishing is quite tedious, since most often PVC models come complete with a regular foot pump. Of course, with the help similar product It is quite possible to pump up the boat, but it will take at least 15 minutes.

That is why one of the ways to upgrade is to purchase a compressor. This device will not only reduce pumping time to a minimum, but will also save the fisherman’s effort.

Today you can find the following types of compressors in stores:

With built-in battery.
Rechargeable from battery.
Machine. This type of compressor only works after connecting to the car's network. If you most often go fishing by car, this type of compressor is optimal.

Despite the fact that many fishermen do not consider the purchase of such equipment as tuning, a compressor will still make the pumping process much easier, which will leave more time for catching fish.

Such a device will be especially relevant if movement around the reservoir is carried out using oars.

Motor installation

If finances allow the fisherman, he will definitely need to install a motor on a polyvinyl chloride boat, even if it is with minimal power. Such a product will give fishing a completely different character, since it will be possible to move around the reservoir at a much higher speed, in addition, the angler will be able to take advantage of such effective method fishing like trolling.

Before buying a motor, it is extremely important to remember this point. Despite the fact that today there are different types of motors on sale, only the electric type can be installed on a PVC boat.

Features of electric motor:

it is fixed with special clamps, which are always included. The motor itself is mounted on the transom of the boat using screws;
the product can be controlled using a special handle or using a remote control;
the operation of the electric motor is carried out by a battery, which will need to be recharged from a home outlet;
The duration of the motor operation depends on how much powerful battery built into it.

Bottom reinforcements

Despite the fact that modern boats are made from high-quality and reliable materials, it is still impossible to prevent wear on the bottom, especially if the boat often comes into contact with a rocky bottom. One of the simplest but most effective methods is reinforcement with a membrane without the use of glue.

To equip and strengthen a boat using this method, you need to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

After fishing, the surface of the boat must be thoroughly cleaned and thoroughly degreased.
After this, the valve and transom wheels are carefully removed from the watercraft.
While the boat is not yet lowered, it is necessary to make 2 patterns that will fully correspond to the dimensions of the bottom. They can be made of cardboard or paper. According to the dimensions of the resulting patterns, it is necessary to cut out polyvinyl chloride membranes. To make the bottom protective, the thickness of the fabric should not be less than 1.5 cm.
In order for the fabric to level out, it must be placed in a warm room, leveled on the floor and left for 2-4 days.
After this, the part needs to be warmed up with a hairdryer and the edges smoothed with a roller (to remove air). Now the membrane needs to be applied to the bottom of the boat and further leveled with a roller. The gluing of the elements will occur due to exposure to temperatures; there is no need to use glue.

Such work will extend the “life” of the boat for a couple of years, provided that it is used carefully.

Seat update

To build a truly comfortable seat, you will need 2 boards (corresponding to the width of the boat between the cylinders) 15 cm wide, window fittings and passenger belts from the car.

Algorithm of actions:

using window fittings you need to fasten 2 boards together;
Then seat belts are fixed on both sides of the seat. It is best to do this with screws;
The seat itself needs to be adjusted on the boat. The straps must pass through the bottom;
Finally, foam rubber of the required thickness is applied to the seats and everything is covered with sewn covers (preferably, they are made of tarpaulin). It is better to use Velcro as a fastener.

The equipment of a PVC boat can be very different, it all depends only on the preferences of the owner. In any case, tuning a boat yourself is much easier and more profitable than purchasing one of the modern models.

orybalke.com

Outboard motor insurance on a boat

There are known cases on the water when the motor breaks away from its regular place and, in parting, having managed to strike the end of the cylinder with a screw a couple of times, disappears into the abyss of water. In reality, there are several reasons for such events - from violations of the rules of operation of the vessel by the skipper, hitting an underwater obstacle, to wear or breakage of transom linings, and breakdown of motor clamps.

The easiest way insure the motor using two eye rings (eyebolts), symmetrically installed on the transom of the boat. After installing the motor, they are connected to each other with a strong steel or synthetic cable so as to capture the deadwood of the motor, but also not prevent the motor from tilting freely in the event of hitting an underwater obstacle.

Such fixation, in my opinion, should be provided in any boat, despite various options payol or inflatable bottom. By securing the gas tank in place, you don’t have to worry about its safety and location even in stormy weather. It is more convenient to carry out any fastenings in the boat using half rings and slings. Depending on the type of bottom, the half rings can be installed using screws, self-tapping screws, or glued using special pads. Exactly the same fastenings can be placed in any part of the boat cylinder to secure any equipment and inventory. In this way, you can secure small bags, hermetic packaging, tubes with spinning rods, and, most importantly, the anchor, securing it with rings from spontaneously falling overboard.

PVC boat hull

The boat moors to the shore. During fishing there may be several such moorings. If the shore is a sandy or rocky shoal, then any, even the most gentle contact of the hull with it during mooring will leave marks on the boat. The accelerator, if you like, the catalyst for wear, will undoubtedly be waves. Regular dragging over sandy and rocky spits or shallow water can also quickly wear down the PVC layer on the bottom. All this gives reason to think about maximizing the likelihood of damage caused to the bottom by such abrasive abrasion.

To reduce the consequences of this phenomenon, a bottom reinforcement system has been developed. It boils down to gluing an additional layer of PVC along the entire bottom or in places that most often encounter obstacles during movement. This can be either an additional layer of fabric or a molded PVC profile.

It is clear that any such reinforcement will inevitably lead to some increase in the weight of the entire structure, which can be quite critical with large or extreme vessel loads. The width and thickness of the profile for reinforcement vary. General criterion the choice can be the weight of one linear meter; it usually ranges from 70 to 350 g.

One design feature of boats with an inflatable bottom should be noted. Since there are no hard elements on the bottom, there is no need for this type of protection. And for catamaran-type boats, a kind of shell protection is already provided by the manufacturer from the very beginning. Boats of this type, when moored, come into contact with the surface of the shore exclusively with skegs/additional cylinders located inside protective covers.

If the boat is being prepared mainly for traveling on rapids rivers as a rafting vessel, then the reinforcement for safety reasons should be maximum.

If you have to operate in ordinary flat waters, then you can, as they say, get away with “little loss.”

And one more argument in favor of installing protection. When the bottom part of the boat wears out, it is much easier and cheaper to replace the PVC profile when wiping it than to patch or even change the entire bottom sheet.

And now in a little more detail about which routes should be used to lay reinforcement on boats with a hard floor.

Typically, the manufacturer lays only one strip of the so-called “halt” (a manufacturer’s term for a profile molded from PVC) along the keel.

If you glue one more tape on both sides of this profile all the way to the transom, then such protection will reliably protect not only the bottom panel, but also the keelson.

The next element that also wears out noticeably is the cylinder. Therefore, protecting its lower surface with a halt is the second stage of strengthening. It can occupy from ¼ to ¾ of the length of the cylinder, counting from the stern, that is, only that part that is subject to wear. It is also recommended to reinforce the stringers.

Why is it actually needed? Unlike rigid hulls, a PVC boat is noticeably deformed when moving and the shape of its inflatable elements changes somewhat. Only the rigid elements of its structure—the floor and transom—are subject to minimal deformation. The tight contact of the transom with the cylinder and the bottom is ensured by the strength of the gluing on the profiles or tapes. In contrast, the floorboard is only inserted into the cockpit and installed in the spacer between the cylinders.

The places where the hard floor or stringer comes into contact with the fabric of the cylinder or bottom are the most vulnerable when the boat is moving. Especially if some kind of abrasive, such as sand, gets here. Without proper protection, the consequences of such an “abrasive attack” can take their toll very quickly. Therefore, installing protection in these places is also justified, both inside the boat with appropriate tapes or overlays, and outside the boat, in the form of a PVC profile.

And one more necessary type of protection is protection from floor joints. PVC tapes are installed under the joints of the floorboard sections.

We strengthen the transom of the PVC boat

And we are completing a set of works to strengthen the transom. Structurally, in this place only a layer of bottom fabric is glued to the plywood.

Reinforcement along the transom is made with a low-profile cast rest or a special corner profile so as not to create additional resistance.

You can do the reinforcement work yourself if you have experience in handling PVC and you are far from service centers. Moreover, all the elements for this and many other works on the boat, including glue, can be purchased in stores from a number of manufacturers. Similar kits for independent creativity have become quite widespread under the name "tuning kits".

If the service is nearby, then you should entrust the work on the boat to professionals.

This is an initial complex that will significantly extend the life of your vessel.

The next group of useful little things can be described as increasing the level of comfort on the ship.

Now let's see what else is in the manufacturers' stash. What other devices are there that make life easier for a fisherman, hunter or just a vacationer?

Soft linings for boat cans

They can be either homemade from improvised means or industrially manufactured. They can also be used as independent devices, and together with a waterproof bag. In this case, the bag is zipped onto the cover and placed under the can. The volume of such bags, depending on the boat model, is determined by the width of the cockpit and the width of the can used. Very useful device for storing small items, as well as those that could be damaged by moisture.

To obtain slightly greater comfort, inflatable seats are offered for use. These are inflatable ottomans of various shapes and sizes that can be designed to be placed in any part of the boat. They can be attached either to the spacer between the cylinders or using the same half-rings.

Even greater comfort in the boat can be achieved by installing inflatable backrests for ottomans.

The result is a luxurious inflatable chair, which, however, is more relaxing than allowing you to concentrate on fishing.

PVC boat covers

A canopy for small rowing boats functions like an umbrella, providing protection from the sun rather than from the rain.

For motor boats There are several types of awnings that, in my opinion, deserve special attention because these are very functional products. And they can partially be classified as means of increasing safety in a boat

Let's start with the awning, which acts as a nose cone. With some handling skills sewing machine It’s easy to do it yourself.

Most manufacturers have it in two forms: made entirely of thin PVC fabric and with a transparent window in the front. The awning is quickly installed on a U-shaped arch and stretched along the side rest on hooks. It very well protects the crew from splashes, and the boat from being flooded through the bow by a steep wave.

If the tail number is covered by the awning material, then a transparent pocket for the backup number should be sewn on the side of the awning.

The cockpit of a motor boat can be covered entirely with an awning. It is made from cordura or avisent, less often from 350-550

PVC Structural features of these awnings:

The basis of the awning is U-shaped aluminum arches, which are attached with bolts or screws to special eyes cast from PVC and installed on the boat cylinder. The design is quick-detachable.

When raised, it allows the crew to shelter from bad weather. The main purpose is protection from dust and precipitation when the vessel is moored.

Thanks to the presence of transparent windows under the awning, it is possible to move under the motor in displacement mode. Due to the large windage, movement under it is possible if there is no strong wind.

The sides are fixed in the lowered position with zippers, and in the raised position with special slings. The sides can be raised in any number and in any order. The most comfortable place is under an awning with ventilation windows.

Somewhat less common is a type of parking awning, which is created on the basis of collapsible arches (the design is similar to modern tents).

www.prospinning.ru

We buy our boats with motors, sometimes guided by a variety of goals. So, for some it is a means of transportation from point A to point B, and during this movement they observe changing pictures of nature.

And at the same time, it doesn’t matter at all how fast this movement will be, we just keep swimming and swimming. We go on a glider - and it’s great, we don’t need anything else. Having bought a boat and installed a motor on it, we are content with what we got, without straining at all and without worrying about how to add speed or efficiency. How to try moving a larger load at planing speed.

But there are those among us who always want more. After riding a stock kit from the store for some time, they begin to try to improve something in the design, change the settings so that the boat better meets the ever-increasing requirements. On the pages of the magazine, we have already considered, perhaps, all aspects of such an upgrade, but have not yet touched directly on boats - engines - propellers.

Let's start with boats, because some models may require some intervention, although without the use of scissors and glue. The fact is that, unfortunately, not all manufacturers pay due attention to the contours of their boats; We are talking about ships with a hard floor. A short keelson glued into the boat, or vice versa a long one, can cause a dip in front of the transom, or, accordingly, a hump. All this negatively affects controllability, speed and efficiency.

If it is not possible to contact the manufacturer directly with such a defect, then a rigid plastic insert (for example, foamed PVC or fiberglass sheet) placed between the keelson and the bottom can completely or significantly improve the contours of the vessel. This work can be done in the kitchen, having at hand the simplest set of tools.

The next stage of work with the body will require highly qualified a gluer with sufficient experience working with PVC materials. Here I mean the sticker of the longitudinal steps. The event as a whole is not ordinary, but for those who strive for high speeds, it is necessary, since it reduces the wetted and washed surfaces for certain modes.

Such an improvement is advisable if the boat has a minimal load. In this case, achieving a speed increase of 2–3 km/h is quite possible. But it is better to entrust this work to specialists who, first of all, know the boat well, its behavior on the water and will be able to glue the PVC profile exactly in place. But it is worth keeping in mind that such an installation will only provide benefits with a minimum or average load. Redans at heavy load They can also slow down for the same 2–3 km. Although with a powerful engine, 15 horsepower or more, this braking threshold in high-speed mode will most likely move back and be little noticeable.

A huge advantage of equipping a boat with redans is that they increase course stability. The vessel with them moves as if on rails, which will certainly be appreciated by those who prefer to fish by trolling or track. When folding the boat, the glued redans will add a small amount of volume.

The next step in the set of measures is the selection of the screw. The procedure is quite complicated, especially in our conditions. The fact is that it will require additional equipment, namely a GPS navigator to measure speed and a tachometer to correctly measure engine speed.

But that's not all. Unfortunately, not all commercially available screws meet the stated parameters. That is, the step numbers are the same, but when checked on a “step slide” a deviation is discovered, sometimes quite significant. And the worst thing is if the pitch from the root to the edge of the blade decreases. That is, one part of the propeller tries to accelerate the ship, and at the same time, the other part of the propeller acts as a brake.

Of the screw models currently on the shelves, you can completely trust Solas. At least in the power range from 10 to 100 hp. All screws tested on the step slide corresponded to the declared parameters. This means that, based only on the inscriptions on the propeller, you can choose something optimal for your load for your boat-motor set.

The selection of a propeller usually begins with checking the geometry and quality of the propeller, and only after that they move on to the water to measure the speed and maximum engine speed with a standard propeller. Moreover, it should not have visible or even barely perceptible microburrs on the blades.

If, with the selected load, the tachometer shows exceeding the maximum speed declared by the manufacturer, or a “cut-off” is triggered on the motor, then the propeller is conditionally light for this load. Naturally, you can use such a propeller, but you should keep in mind that driving the engine above the stated speed does not really prolong the life of the engine. Although, having obtained this result on a boat with a minimum load, it is worth trying this propeller and loading the boat to the maximum, as it is usually used when going fishing. If in this case the motor “twists”, then it is worth changing the screw to an analogue one in shape, but in increments of 1 inch larger. Unfortunately, we somehow have not adopted screws with fractional pitch values, although fractional diameter values are quite common. But, having installed the screw larger step, you should not expect an increase in speed, especially on a loaded hull. On the lighter side, most likely, an increase will appear, although this depends on many values, which it makes sense to talk about in a special article, provided that there is an accessible opportunity in the workshop to change the screw pitch, the screw diameter, and the disk ratio, blade shape. Now we are talking about several disabilities, how to take advantage of what is on the shelves without alteration.

The practice of using various screws shows that replacing similar-shaped screws with different meaning step, we can add or remove maximum speed. The calculation is approximately this: each added inch removes an average of 200 to 350 rpm. in the line of one manufacturer.

But again, I repeat that replacing a propeller does not always lead to an increase in speed. But by installing a new propeller and selecting the economical mode, you can start saving quite a lot on fuel. Just last year, on a friend’s boat, a four-stroke Yamaha 60 engine initially had a propeller with a pitch of 13’, and under it, lightly, the boat accelerated to 55 km/h, while the engine spun to a maximum of 5200 - when the crew climbed on board and took fishing equipment, the speed decreased noticeably and the engine speed did not rise above 4800. After replacing the wine with Solas 11’, lightly the boat reached the same 55 km/h, but at 5900 rpm. But when the crew got on board and went on a long voyage, then by choosing the economy mode of about 4800–5000 rpm, it was possible to save more than 25% of fuel.

This is a relatively large case, for small ones the savings will be a little less, but if someone goes on some kind of long autonomous trip, then all this will be relevant.

We have several people in St. Petersburg who started out as restorers of damaged propellers, and then gradually mastered other operations with propellers, including changing the pitch, disk ratio, diameter, and shape of the blades. By using their services, provided that you have a complete understanding of what kind of screw is needed, you can select a screw that very precisely matches any given task.

But, having completed the selection of the propeller, speed lovers usually do not stop there. And the next step in setting up the kit is choosing optimal height motor mounting on the transom. This is generally a simple matter, but some physical features of the process should be kept in mind. The engine manufacturer's recommendations are to install it so that the automatic gearbox (anti-cavitation plate) is at a level from 0 to 50 mm below the keel line. They primarily concern cases with deep “V” contours. If the deadrise is less, then the recommendations should be approached with caution. Most PVC boats have contours close to flat-bottomed, when the deadrise at the transom does not exceed 5–7 degrees. Therefore, you should not raise the motor very high in order to avoid air leaks and snags when the propeller suddenly unwinds and begins to work almost in foam. This phenomenon is quite harmful for the gearbox.

When lifting the motor on the transom and rolling the boat lightly, you should not abuse the lift, and, having received the first grip in a turn, you should lower the motor 5–10 mm and fix it in this position.

I would like to especially note that those who will independently lift the motor should keep in mind that in the upper position it must be especially carefully fixed, using the same covers on the transom, both the outer one made of plywood and the inner one made of plastic (metal) .

A good help for such setup was developed by the Poseidon company, which has recently installed such transoms as stock on almost all of its boats. Adjustment of the lift with powerful screws and its clear fixation on the transom of the boat with also powerful screws make this useful model especially attractive for those who are customizing their kit.

The graduations printed on the side allow all adjustments to be made with extreme precision.

And one more adjustment unit, which in the end can slightly raise the top speed. I mean varying the angle of the motor. Usually, given that all boat transoms are installed in a very small range of angles, the motor is operated on the second, or maximum on the third, “hole”. If the entire set of settings for the motor suspension and propeller selection has been completed, then by tilting the motor one more “hole” you can get a very pleasant increase in speed. But this additive will appear only under one condition - ideal hydrodynamics of the hull.

It turns out that not all boats currently produced meet these requirements 100%, but with some effort you can significantly improve their speed characteristics.

After purchasing a PVC boat, at one point any owner begins to think about improving the technical and functional characteristics of the watercraft. Tuning can be ordered from reliable specialists who, for a fee, will be able to fulfill all the customer’s wishes.

But what is especially interesting is the process of performing an upgrade yourself, which will not only improve the characteristics of the swimming device, but will also bring a lot of positive feelings.

Why is modernization needed?

Such measures to modernize the floating craft make it possible to eliminate financial expenses to purchase a new boat. Can be modified appearance And technical capabilities(for example, improving the driving performance) of an existing watercraft at home.

Tuning a PVC boat for fishing with your own hands allows you to improve the safety of a person on this vessel while fishing, and also makes it possible to extend the life of the craft.

In order to improve these options, perform the following activities:

set a parking anchor;
equip the boat with a protective canopy;
improve the fisherman's chair;
equip the craft with all kinds of bags to contain small things important for fishing;
set up a camp table;
build a similar ladder;
install a gasoline or electric engine;
install hydrofoils;
make a sail;
install mounts for the gas tank, echo sounder and fishing rods;
install specialized pumps for boats.

All these reconstruction activities provide an opportunity to increase the level of comfort and safety of the fisherman. The owner has the opportunity to strengthen the bottom of the craft, make a hard floor, improve the degree of protection of the sides from mechanical damage, install clamps for additional safety ropes, cables and the like.

Strengthening the structure

There is an opinion that strengthening the structure of a boat made of polyvinyl chloride, which involves increasing the strength of its bottom and lower area of the cylinders (side walls, sides), is carried out only if it is operated in extreme conditions. But experienced fishing enthusiasts carry out such tuning all the time, regardless of fishing conditions - in rapids areas or in a quiet body of water. Sometimes, on a body of water that is known at first glance, you can run into the same snag that didn’t attract attention before. In other words, the threat of damage to a boat while fishing is always quite high.

In addition, it is advisable to strengthen the bottom and cylinders of a boat made of polyvinyl chloride in order to increase the load-carrying capacity of structural components (more thorough fixation of the motor and for other purposes). Let's take a closer look at strengthening the structural elements of the boat.

Dna

The sequence of operations is presented below.

The boat is inflated and capsized upside down.
The surface is cleaned (provided that the floating device has already been used). Basically, fishermen are content with washing it, after which the additionally treated area is wiped with a rag.
Dimensions are being taken. Here it is necessary to follow the principle of sufficiency, taking as a basis the dimensions of the vessel and the specifics of its operation. Some fishing enthusiasts glue parallel strips of ready-made polyvinyl chloride profiles (or rubberized fabric) to the bottom, while others attach a patch (membrane) or individual fragments of moisture-proof materials over its entire area. One way or another, the wear resistance and reliability of the bottom of the craft (tearing) are significantly increased.
The required segments are created based on the measurements taken.
The air is removed from the boat, and it is placed in a place prepared in advance. Since during the gluing of the membrane (or cut strips) they will need to be smoothed and secured to the base, the plane must be smooth and hard.
Degreasing the boat. At this stage, first of all, the removal of the smallest solid fractions from its bottom is carried out (if necessary), and then treatment with an appropriate agent that should not react with the materials (of the watercraft and those taken for sizing). Typically, gasoline or white spirit is used for degreasing. When there is nothing nearby besides the solvent, then that is allowed. Only carefully, in limited doses.
Laying the cut out parts, aligning them on the bottom. This is just a try-on. It will be immediately clear whether everything has been completed during preparatory work Right. The cut may need to be adjusted.
Applying glue in the required areas, and again - a membrane or strip on top.
Next is heating the area where the materials are applied with a construction hairdryer, followed by rolling them with a hard and at the same time quite flexible roller. Whether or not to perform heat treatment is determined by the type of adhesive. However, it is necessary to press (you can use a makeshift “roller”, which can be made simply, or take glass bottle). Pay close attention to eliminating air from under the glued material. Otherwise, in areas where bubbles form, the material will gradually come off. Therefore, with a slight hook, it is without special effort will come off.

It must be taken into account that Such tuning significantly increases the weight of a polyvinyl chloride boat. If the membrane is glued along the entire bottom, then at most 7-8 kilograms. Experienced fishermen recommend paying attention only to areas that are especially subject to wear and tear. In such a situation they speak of “incomplete booking”. Otherwise, tuning is carried out only on some sectors of the boat. The glue is applied in at least 2 layers. The first one, after 10-15 minutes - the second one. This increases the quality of fixation of the polyvinyl chloride-based element used.

Reinforcing the bottom and other structural elements of the watercraft can be easily done with a specialized tape, which is called a profile or bulwark (fender). Sold in thicknesses from 0.1 to 0.3 centimeters and widths from 6 to 24 centimeters. Similar elements are fixed with a 2-component adhesive composition. They are produced in 2 versions - a bulwark with a bumper and a regular one. There is plenty to choose from.

Cylinders

The process of strengthening cylinders is basically identical to the above technology. The only difference is that There is no need to deflate the flotation device. The same polyvinyl chloride stops are used. As already noted, they have different linear parameters and are commercially available, as a rule, to fit the dimensions of a certain modification of the PVC boat, but this does not matter.

Reinforcement of the cylinders guarantees additional protection and prevents their wear during operation.

Kiel

The keel is reinforced in the same way as the bottom itself - an additional layer of bulwark is glued on top of the tape, which the boat is often equipped with at the factory. There are no sophistications or peculiarities in this matter. We take 2-component glue and cover the largest area of the keel with it.

transom

For this part of the boat, reinforcement is simply necessary, because the transom is protected by just one layer of polyvinyl chloride fabric. In order not to struggle with individual parts, the bottom of the craft can be sealed entirely using a fender. If you are careful and choose the glue wisely, you can implement the procedure on your own.

This method will solve enough problems associated with a decrease in the characteristics of the watercraft.

Making targa

For boats made of polyvinyl chloride, a targa equipped with a row of glasses or a holder with a clamp will be in place. The procedure for creating a targa consists of several steps.

You need to take a plastic or iron tube, the diameter of which will be 0.7-1 centimeter larger than the diameter of the fishing rod. It is necessary to bend an arc from it to the width of the boat.
The tube needs to be flattened on both sides and holes drilled for the mounting bolts.
Part of the tube must be cut into glasses, with plugs welded on one edge of them.
The glasses are fixed by welding to an arc for trolling.
Finally, the entire device is sanded and waterproof paint is applied.

Creating a holder like a clamp:

You can make a clamp from an old meat grinder by cutting off the top part of it;
then you need to drill several holes in the body of the meat grinder, which will serve as holder stands;
3 holes must be drilled in the tube, the third should be in the upper area;
the stand made from a clamp and a flattened tube must be tied together with bolts and washers;
in the hole located at the top, it is necessary to secure a plumbing clamp.

Setting the sail

It is also possible to convert a PVC boat (even a small one, for example, with dimensions of 2200x1000 mm) into a sailing boat. It is not possible to install a standard mast on it, so they use sailing rigs that resemble Latin ones. No gear available. The mast (see drawings) includes a basic cross tube (15), 2 tubes (7) - actually masts - and a yard (4).

A base tube with a diameter of 25-30 mm must be inserted into the oarlocks (14). Afterwards, use M5 bolts (13) to fix the lower ends of the pipes (7) of the twin mast in the shape of the letter “L” to its ends, connect the upper ends of the pipes to each other and to the yard using a bolt (16) and a nut (17). The diameter of the pipes that form the yard and mast is 15 mm, and they can be made from aluminum ski poles.

The yard can be made detachable; in addition, the connecting 200-mm pipe (5) can be conveniently installed exactly at the location where the yard is assembled with the mast.

At the top of the yard we place a block (6) for the rope (cable); with its bottom, the yard is fixed to a rubber loop (2) on the bow of the vessel by means of a bracket (3). The loop is a circle made of 5 mm technical rubber with a diameter of 60 mm; the bottom of the circle is glued to the body (1) of the craft, and in the upper part of the freely bending half a hole is made for the lobe.

The yard should have an inclination of 60°. The dimensions of the pipes depend on the length of the boat. Having determined the area of fixation of the yard to the hull on the bow of the vessel, measure the distance (a) to the base tube passed through the oarlocks. Then you can calculate the length of the mast pipes using the formula:

L (mast) = (√ a*+ (b2\4)) + 100 millimeters, where b is the distance between the oarlocks along the base tube.

The length of the yard depends on the chosen centering. At 10% centering, the length of the yard can be calculated using the formula L (yards) = 1.8 a. The point of fixation of the yard to the mast is located at a distance (a) from its bottom.

The screws (11) are made from 3-mm duralumin and threaded onto the ends of the base tube extending beyond the cylinders of the watercraft. The cheek pads (10), made of 10 mm boards or plywood, add strength to the doors and limit their angle of rotation to the center plane. The location of the screws along the length of the base pipe is secured by rings (12) threaded onto it from a tube with a large diameter; The rings are locked using bolts (8) and M5 nuts (9).

The sail is a triangle with equal sides, the halyard angle (top) of which is shifted towards the bow in relation to the axis of the base tube by a value of C = (6÷12%) L (luff). The length of each luff L (luff) = 1.7 a. It is convenient to use a Lyngström sail, which makes it possible to double the sail space on full courses. WITH outside A liq-rope is sewn along the fold along the leading edge, and ropes or rings are fixed to it. They fix the sail.

There are rings (eyelets) in all 4 corners of the sail. The cables are inserted into the ring of the lower rear corner of the sail, and to fix the lower windward corner of the sail, the same bracket is used, connecting the bottom of the yard with a rubber loop.

The role of the rudder is played by an oar, inserted into a rubber oarlock fixed in the rear part of the hull.

Anchor fastening

Without an anchor (holding device), you are unlikely to be able to stay at the desired point in the reservoir for a long time. The installation of a holding device has little to do with the tuning accessory; most likely, it is one of the integral components for the watercraft. When fishing in a current, it is quite difficult to keep the boat at one point in the river, even for a short time.

To attach the anchor to the boat, you will need a specialized rope (cable) to secure the holding device. At the end of this cable, it is necessary to make loops using tightly connected nodes, then using a specialized bracket, it is necessary to fix one end of the rope to the holding device, and the other to the stem of the craft. The rope for the holding device is mainly fixed to the handle, which is used for comfortable dragging of the watercraft.

How to install spinning rod holders?

When there are a lot of spinning rods, the floating device is modified in the form of mounting various holders. They can be attached to the boat hull using the following elements:

bolts;
screws;
clamps;
glue.

As mentioned above, for boats made of polyvinyl chloride, the optimal targa, equipped with several glasses, or a holder with a clamp. The most universal mount for small PVC boats - this is a clamp which can be practiced on any watercraft. Modifications, arranged using clamps, are fixed to various planes - the transom, PVC boat cylinder or bench.

Such a device can be easily installed and dismantled, and the working position can be adjusted and fixed using bolts and nuts. The only drawback is the rather large dimensions of this equipment, which makes it difficult to control the boat.

Remote motor control

On large rubber boats, installation is practiced remote control boat outboard engine. The control place is installed on a specialized console, to which all the necessary communication means are connected:

remote engine start;
engine rotation control;
throttle reverse control;
control over the tilt angle (engine trim).

Taking into account the structure of the inflatable motor boat A number of these consoles have been created. For a skipper who controls a watercraft at a distance, a swivel chair with a height adjustment function can be installed on a specialized platform.

The main advantage of this chair is its fairly comfortable configuration and lumbar support. This device looks very harmonious on large boats.

Is it possible to install such a console on a standard PVC boat? There are a number of particularities when installing this chair on a regular boat.

The equipment in question is intended for installation on a watercraft that has cylinders (sidewalls) with a diameter of 43 to 50 cm. For sidewalls of other diameters, different dimensions of the supporting structure are required.
When installing a support structure on a PVC boat, you need to imitate all the radii of rotation of the steering control lever in the boat, so that the lever does not cling to the chair and there are no obstacles to controlling the boat. Different boat engine manufacturers sell cranks in different lengths. Suitable solution will move the seat forward a little and use a small steering wheel extension.
If, with the ideal position of the chair, its base will be on the border of the elements, then in order to prevent damage to the aluminum profile, it is necessary to place some kind of shock-absorbing element under it, for example, a rest made of polyvinyl chloride material. The support should be fixed to two elements of the watercraft's floorboards.
Since the seating level in the chair is slightly higher than on a regular boat, it is necessary to glue a handle in parallel with the installation of the chair so that the skipper can hold on to it.

Transom extension

The normal deadwood height is 381 mm, but even in engines from the same manufacturer it can vary by 20-25 mm. Due to the ideal position of the engine, you can increase the speed of the craft and reduce the splash at the back of the boat. If you are installing a motor, and the anti-cavitation plate is below the required level, you can loosen the screws and set the appropriate transom height, and then perform test runs. If you need to change the outboard engine, you can adjust the transom to the characteristics of the new motor, in particular, to the size of its deadwood.

PVC boats are highly valued by fishermen and are considered to be one of the most convenient means of transportation on water. Solid advantages, which appear during operation are simply lost due to low functionality and minimal convenience. A boat bought in a store requires improvements. The quality of the materials used in production is at a high level, which cannot be said about the convenience for the fisherman.

But, anglers will not simply tolerate the inconvenience during fishing, which very often turns it into torture. They have long figured out how to make the boat more convenient, practical and comfortable. This is the main purpose for which tuning a PVC boat with your own hands is done.

Manufacturers often make the bottom of the boat from PVC fabric, which is very uncomfortable to walk on. A non-hard bottom provides the fisherman with a number of inconveniences while moving around the boat. Therefore, when tuning a PVC boat with your own hands, you need to strengthen the bottom first. And if you damage it, you will have to repair it with reinforcement, not the bottom itself, which is much cheaper and simpler. The bottom of the boat can be reinforced completely or partially.

A special PVC tape does the job perfectly. This tape is also called a fender and is used to cover the bottom of the boat completely or partially. Typically, the thickness of such a tape is from 1 to 3 millimeters, and the width is from 60 to 230 mm. You can glue the fender using two-component glue. This simple operation stiffens the bottom and also provides additional protection from underwater obstacles.

The keel is reinforced in the same way as the bottom itself - an additional layer of fender beam is glued on top of the tape with which the boat is often equipped from the factory. There are no subtleties or secrets here. We take two-component glue and cover the maximum area of the keel with it.

The cylinders are reinforced not for comfort, but out of necessity. Most often, do-it-yourself tuning of PVC boats involves gluing the fender over the entire area of the bottom. Reinforcement of the cylinders provides additional protection and prevents wear during operation.

Usually, when purchasing a boat with a standard configuration, you will notice that the transom is protected by only a small layer of PVC fabric. This is not very reliable protection. Therefore, you should pay no less attention to strengthening the transom than to other elements.

Many fishermen prefer to completely seal the bottom of the boat with a fender. It’s more reliable and hassle-free separate elements No. This will be the most correct decision, you just need to be extremely careful and select the glue and fender. This approach to tuning can solve a whole bunch of problems and save your boat from wear and tear during long-term use.

A duralumin profile is a mandatory element for a boat with a rigid bottom. The process of friction between hard floors and PVC material while moving across a pond simply cannot be avoided. This friction is caused by subsequent deformation of the fabric during contact with water.

There can be quite a lot of consequences from such a process, ranging from partial damage to the PVC fabric and ending with deformation of the boat itself. Stringers do not need to be installed in the bow of the boat, and they will not interfere with water in places where the bottom is flat.

Before installing the profiles, you must carefully mark the boat and its bottom. Marking and installation is carried out according to the following algorithm:

First, you need to lay out the floors on the floor in the same way, observing the sequence and spacing, as they are located in the boat.
The stringer must be applied to one side of the floorboard in such a way that it overlaps three adjacent floorboards.
As mentioned above, stringers are not installed in the bow of the boat. Usually, while moving, the rear part of the boat is subject to the main load. Therefore, installing stringers at the rear of the boat is mandatory.
During installation, ensure that no parts of the hard bottom stick out to the side or protrude beyond the edges. Therefore, it is better to mark the cut in advance, so that later you can painlessly put the stringer on the floor.
To draw a cut, you need to attach a stringer to the extreme part of the floor and draw a straight line.
Do not forget about the allowance on each side for the length of the stringer; it is about 4 cm. If you leave such an allowance, then you can then take off and put on the stringers without any problems, even right on the pond.
After the marking is completed, you need to take a jigsaw and start making cuts on each side, in accordance with the drawing. It is very important to use a special wood file for such purposes, otherwise you may ruin the finish. Attentiveness and lack of haste are very important in this process.
After you have made the cut, you need to carefully treat it with a moisture repellent. This can be any product that includes the maximum amount of wax; as an option, you can use Pinotex Focus. Drying oil or yacht varnish is usually used by fishermen to process edge cuts.

The fender is one of the main materials that provides rigidity to the bottom of the boat and additional protection for the bottom, cylinders and transom. Gluing this material is not difficult if you follow some simple recommendations:

It is necessary to thoroughly wash the boat and remove all dirt from it. After removing the dirt, you need to dry the boat thoroughly. Even a small drop of water can significantly deteriorate the quality of gluing elements.
The junction must be degreased. This is done very carefully so as not to damage the PVC fabric. You can degrease surfaces using acetone or gasoline.
Glue must be applied to both surfaces. This is done using the usual paint brush. The second layer of glue must be applied after 10-15 minutes. The second layer should be allowed to dry until the glue stops sticking to your hands.
Now you need to attach the fender to the boat and press it firmly with your hands.
To ensure greater reliability, the connections are thoroughly heated with a hairdryer. You need to heat it within reasonable limits so as not to cause the plastic to melt.
After warming up, you need to squeeze the surfaces to be joined very tightly.

Redan is a special profile that is equipped with guides and is somewhat similar in design to a triangle. The main task of the redans is to increase the stability of the boat while moving through a body of water. Often, tuning a PVC boat with your own hands is not complete without installing this accessory.

Typically, the installation of redans is combined with additional protection for the keel and cylinders of the boat, which is very convenient and practical. Redans of short length are placed in the bow of the boat, since this is where a lot of splashes most often form and this greatly affects stability.

True, these elements can not only be triangular, they have different shapes, but the same purpose is to increase the stability of the boat while planing across a body of water. A very convenient and useful accessory that you can easily install yourself. They are also called exchange rate stabilizers.

Without an anchor, you are unlikely to be able to stay at the desired point in the reservoir for a long time. The installation of an anchor is not particularly related to the tuning element; rather, it is one of mandatory elements for a swimming device. When fishing in a current, it is completely difficult to hold the boat at one point in the reservoir, even for a short period of time.

Anchor for a PVC boat can be of different designs. Any iron object that is suitable in weight can act as an anchor (I use a dumbbell weighing 6 kilograms). In stores you can find different models, including collapsible ones.

There are certain requirements that should be followed when choosing an anchor so as not to encounter unpleasant surprises while fishing:

Depending on the sail of the boat, the speed of the current, and the strength of the wind, you need to choose an anchor weighing from 5 to 7 kilograms;
It is necessary to choose an anchor of such weight and design that it can be easily lifted and lowered into the water while fishing. An anchor eye that prevents friction of the rope on the boat is installed on vessels longer than 4 meters.

Spinning rod holders are a very useful accessory. First of all, this is convenient and practical, because if you are going to fish by trolling, then holding more than one spinning rod in your hands alone will be quite a difficult task.

Typically, fishermen prefer to buy such holders in a store. If you plan to fish alone, then tuning a PVC boat with your own hands involves installing two fasteners; for a couple of fishermen it is better to install three. Installing more holders can cause a number of inconveniences for fishermen. Yes, and fishing at the same time with a large number of spinning rods is not a rational and impractical solution.

Some fishermen do not buy holders, but make them themselves. Alternatively, you can simply cut a piece of PVC pipe of the required diameter and secure it to the boat. It's not very beautiful, but quite convenient.

A transom is a mandatory attribute of any boat that requires the installation and use of a motor. But, despite being mandatory, the transom may not be included in the boat’s delivery package. The transom is also the main element for mounting the echo sounder.

Typically, the suspended transom is mounted on a bracket. The bracket is attached to special fasteners that are installed on the bottom and top of the boat cylinder. Some boats may be equipped with some sort of tubular frame to mount the transom.

The eye is installed at the stern of the boat and its main purpose is to simplify the process of raising and lowering the anchor. This is a very convenient accessory that saves effort and time while fishing. An important point is the placement of the video. To prevent abrasion of the fender, it must be placed slightly lower.

The need for transom wheels is determined by fishing conditions, namely the characteristics of the reservoir. If you plan to fish in wild bodies of water, then launching the boat normally in such conditions will be enough challenging task. Most often, fishermen lower the boat by hand, so there is no need for transom wheels at all.

If fishing nevertheless takes place in conditions where it is possible to launch the boat, then transom wheels will never be superfluous. The main task of such wheels is to simply deliver a loaded boat from the trailer to the shore of a reservoir and then launch it into the water.

Let's take a closer look ourselves wheel installation process:

First you need to get a pair of wheels with a diameter of about 40 centimeters and a width of about 10 cm. The larger the diameter of the wheels, the better. Large wheels are less likely to get bogged down in loose soil.
Now you need to very tightly connect the hub to the wheels.
Fishermen make chassis from pipes or channels. The simplest mounting option is a metal plate that is welded to the pipe. The pipe must be of such a diameter that it is possible to place the upper area of the chassis very tightly on it.
To keep the chassis as tight as possible, they need to be secured at 4-5 points on a metal plate.
The chassis must be secured with regular bolts.

Inexpensive boats are often not equipped with a keel. The absence of a keel dramatically reduces the boat's controllability and it becomes quite difficult to stay on course. The problem of stability and simplification of control is solved quite simply - by installing an inflatable keel.

The dimensions of the keel directly depend on the size of the vessel. When installing an inflatable keel on a small boat (less than 3 meters long), you will simply lift its bow very high and will not get the desired effect. It is very easy to secure the keel; this is done with special tapes, which are included in the accessory package.

Almost all boats are equipped with hard seats, which are very uncomfortable to sit on for a long period of time. Therefore, tuning PVC boats with your own hands usually involves installing more comfortable seats. Some fishermen modify factory seats, and some even install new ones. It is very convenient to place boxes for a variety of fishing accessories under the seats of the boat.

A convenient solution is to install a movable seat that can be secured at any point on the boat.

You can buy an inflatable seat in a store, but it is not very practical, so you will have to make it yourself. You will need to get two pine boards, the length of which will depend on the distance between the cylinders on the boat, and the width will depend on your weight, you also need to take care of the possibility of folding the seats, for this you will need window fittings, as well as seat belts from the car.

It is necessary to connect the boards together using window fittings.
You need to secure the seat belts on both sides of the seat with screws.
The straps must pass through the bottom, and the seat adjustments are carried out on the boat itself.
You need to put thick foam rubber on the boards and cover it with a cover, which can be sewn from tarpaulin or raincoat fabric.
You can use Velcro or a zipper as a fastener for the tarpaulin.

The ability to freely move such a seat around the boat and its low cost make this tuning option one of the best. You can find more practical seats in the store, but their price will be much higher, and the described option will cost you pennies.

Most often, a bag for accessories and various fishing gear is installed in the bow of the boat or hidden under the seats. This is very convenient thing, in which you can put various useful little things.

The basic boat mount does a great job of securing a bag. You can also make a small table. A highchair is perfect for this. This is convenient equipment that will greatly simplify the fishing process.

Often, unpredictable things happen while fishing, which makes it a very dangerous, but also interesting activity. One of the common emergency situations is a motor break. There is only one outcome in such a situation - the engine goes under water. You can prevent a break with the help of insurance, which is carried out using a cable. The motor just needs to be tied through 2-4 eye rings to the transom.

Both a regular metal cable and an artificial one are used. It all depends on the weight of your motor, as well as financial capabilities. In any case, metal insurance will provide maximum effect.

When tuning a PVC boat with your own hands, the gas tank must be fixed to the bottom of the boat, which is one of the main factors ensuring safety. Every boat must have a gas tank mount, regardless of the type of bottom.

If the gas tank is securely fixed, you can safely move around the pond without thinking that your tank will fly to the other side of the boat or even fall out of it. Stoppers, screws and half-rings are most often used to secure the tank.

You need to take half rings made of stainless material and secure them to the bottom of the boat. If the bottom is inflatable, we attach it with waterproof glue, and if the bottom is hard, then you can screw them directly to the floorboards. All that remains is to tie the tank to the half rings using a rope or cable.

In the same way, you can attach boxes with accessories, as well as other small items and equipment.

Attachment Fasteners

The remaining elements that are additional equipment can be secured using two-component glue. True, universal fastening systems are also known among fishermen. There are quite a few of them, but only two types are particularly widespread. Installation of such systems allows you to attach any attachment to the boat without much effort.

This is one of the most convenient and versatile fasteners, which allows you to adapt a spinning rod mount, awning, table or steering wheel to a boat. This type of fastener is made from PVC fabric that can simply be glued to the boat using a two-part adhesive.

Fast and universal fastening system. A special highlight of such a system is the ability to transform it into any type of attachment. This mount is suitable for installing an echo sounder or navigator, belt holders or spinning rods and much more. The design of the system allows you to quickly change from one type of fastener to another.

Tuning a PVC boat with your own hands opens up a lot of possibilities for providing comfort and convenience while fishing. True, installing all the accessories significantly increases the weight of the boat, so you should think carefully about installing this or that equipment.

Tuning a PVC boat is an improvement in technical indicators and characteristics, which helps make the fishing process easier and more productive. This may include changes to the exterior or the installation of new internal structural elements.

Such work to improve the vessel allows you to avoid the financial costs of purchasing a new boat. Can be adjusted appearance and the technical capabilities of an existing floating device.

Modifying a PVC boat for fishing with your own hands helps to increase the level of safety for a person to be on this vessel while fishing, and also allows you to increase the life of the boat. To improve these functions, the following work is carried out:

install a parking anchor;
equip the product with a protective awning;
modernize the fisherman's chair;
equip the vessel with various bags for storing small items necessary for fishing;
install a camp table;
make a similar staircase;
install an electric or gasoline power unit;
make a sail;
install mounts for fishing rods, gas tank and echo sounder;
install special ones.

All these modernization works improve the level of comfort and safety of the fisherman. The user can strengthen the bottom of the vessel, make a hard floor, increase the level of protection of the sides from mechanical damage, install fastenings for additional safety ropes and ropes. And to increase the service life, it is recommended to use parking and transportation covers made for such boats.

Strengthening the bottom

When strengthening the bottom, the following factors must be taken into account:

Weight inflatable boat can increase to 12 kg, and overall parameters - by 20-30 mm.
The recommended material for reinforcement is PVC tuning tapes.
The thickness of the mounted material should not exceed 50 mm.
Reinforcing the ship's center strip and torpedoes provides a little extra protection and stability. And reinforcement on the entire bottom will increase the service life and safety several times.

The material can be used strips of plastic, aluminum or duralumin. They are fixed using special rivets on the central part of the bottom or on the rear of the vehicle.

To carry out this procedure you will need the following tools and parts:

Reinforcement material recommended - PVC 30-50 mm thick;
construction tape;
construction hair dryer;
special glue for PVC;
cardboard boat patterns;
roller;
alcohol or solvent to remove grease.

The inflated boat must be turned over and the bottom cleaned of dirt and dust. The desired shape is cut out of the prepared material using scissors, applying a cardboard pattern. Using a rag, degrease the working surface of the vessel using a two-component solution or alcohol. Scotch tape is glued along the contour of the patches.

Before applying glue, the workpiece must be heated with a hairdryer.

The glue itself must be applied in 2 layers: the first should be thin, and the second can be applied only when the first has dried, but not completely dried. The workpiece is installed on the bottom. It should be smoothed using a roller. Depending on the glue used, you need to let the vessel dry for 2-3 days.

Inflatable keel

An inflatable keel is an element that must be equipped with a PVC boat with a length of more than 3000 mm. Such an element prevents the vessel from capsizing during high speed travel and makes it possible to accurately follow the intended course. It creates additional load on the front, which allows you to keep the boat afloat. Each fisherman can make such equipment on his own.

For a homemade inflatable keel you will need the following items:

dense PVC boat fabric;
glue;
valve;
PVC strips can be used as a fender;
mustard solution.

Tuning PVC boats - making an inflatable keel:

From pre-prepared material it is necessary to glue a small tube with a diameter of 100 mm on which the valve should be installed. The length of such a device is calculated taking into account the distance from the stern of the vehicle to the bow.
Then you need to glue the manufactured tube to the surface of the bottom in the inside of the boat in the place for the keel. This may require PVC strips.
After this, mustard solution is poured into the pipe, which will ensure the required level of tightness. Before pouring, this solution must be shaken well.
It is necessary to take the vehicle into shallow water and bleed the air from the keel.

If you need to strengthen an existing keel, you can glue PVC tape over the factory tape.

Strengthening cylinders

Strengthening the cylinders increases the likelihood of swimming to shore without capsizing the boat and losing all its contents. These elements are under constant pressure from the air flow from the inside and compensatory water pressure from the outside. All these factors lead to premature wear of the mechanism. It can be strengthened using PVC tapes. It is attached to the bottom and sides of the cylinder.

In order to properly strengthen the cylinders, you must perform the following steps:

Buy special PVC rests or make them yourself. In stores you can find a stop for the size of a boat of any modification. And for self-made You will need waterproof material from which you need to cut a piece that matches the size of the cylinder.
Before gluing, you need to degrease the working surface with a special solution or alcohol. It is recommended to use PVC glue for connection.
After completing all work on upgrading the cylinders, you need to let the glue dry for 2-3 days.

You can also install a side rest, which will protect the outer part of the cylinders during mooring or when colliding with various obstacles. If such a rest stop is equipped with a splash guard, then the cylinders will be protected from the back wave. The size of such an element can be from ¼ to ¾ the length of the entire cylinder. In some cases, it may be necessary to install stringers, because On many boats, the bow balloon has curved contours.

Making anchor fastening

Accessories for tuning PVC boats include anchor fastening. The weight of this element must be at least 10% of the mass of the entire vessel and no more than 1% of its length. When making it, the following points must be taken into account:

Maximum wave height in those reservoirs where fishing takes place.
Greatest wind force.
The nature of the bottom of the boat.
The strength of the cable that will be used for the anchor. It must be taken into account that it will be subjected to heavy loads: the greater the weight of the vessel, the greater the amount of force the cable must be designed for.

To make a PVC boat anchor with your own hands, you will need the following elements:

metal pipe with a diameter of 25 mm and a length of 270 mm;
fasteners;
4 metal pieces;
2 metal rings.

A sleeve must be attached to the tube. The stripes will be used as paws. All elements are fastened together using nuts and screws. In order not to lose the anchor, it is necessary to attach a buoy to the cable. In this case, the fisherman will always know where he threw the anchor.

In order to make this mechanism heavier, lead can be poured into a metal tube.

It is necessary to select a design in accordance with the reservoir where fishing takes place. The mechanism must hold the boat securely in one place, and it must be easy to remove from its hooks.

Spinning rod holders

For large quantity spinning rods, boat tuning is done in the form of installing various holders. They can be connected to the ship’s hull using elements such as:

bolts;
screws;
clamps;
glue.

For boats made of PVC material, a targa equipped with several glasses or a holder with a clamp is suitable.

The process of making a boat targa:

You need to take a plastic or metal tube, the diameter of which will exceed the diameter of the rod by 0.7-1 cm. You need to bend an arc from it along the width of the swimming device.
The pipe should be flattened at both ends and holes drilled for the mounting bolts.
Part of the pipe must be cut into glasses, on one side of which plugs must be welded.
Glasses are welded onto the arc.
At the end, the entire structure is sanded and coated with waterproof paint.

Making a holder in the form of a clamp:

You need to make a clamp from an old meat grinder by cutting off the top part of it.
Then you need to drill several holes in the meat grinder body, which will be used as holder stands.
3 holes should be made in the pipe. The third should be located at the top.
The made rack from a flattened pipe and a clamp should be connected using bolts and washers.
You need to attach a plumbing clamp to the top hole.

Seat installation

In order to install a swivel type seat, you should make markings and determine the dimensions. Then mount special holders for stands on the cylinders. After installing these elements, you can begin installation rotary mechanism. The seat itself is secured with 3-4 nuts and studs. The recommended method of installing soft seats is with a belt. In this case, it will be fixed using 2 strong straps.

To make an inflatable chair for a PVC boat, you will need the following materials:

waterproof fabric;
tape for connecting joints;
waterproof glue for gluing seams;
polyamide threads;
scissors;
poster sheets.

It is necessary to measure the parameters of the seat and make a pattern. Then transfer it to the fabric and cut it out with scissors. The finished elements need to be rolled into a tube and sewn along the edges using polyamide threads. Then you can proceed to gluing the joints both from the inside and from the outside. A valve for pumping air should be placed in the lower cylinder. All parts are assembled into an upper and lower block, and then docked together. In order to check the tightness of the finished inflatable chair, it is necessary to place the structure in water.

Attachment Fasteners

Liktros for PVC boats is used for fixing mobile seats, blocks for fishing rods, a removable table, inflatable cylinders to a rigid hull, etc.

To make such fasteners for a PVC boat with your own hands, you will need a special waterproof fabric with a density of 750 g/m². For gluing you need to cut a strip 120 mm wide; The length is selected depending on the requirements. You need to apply glue to the board, let it dry, and then heat it with a hairdryer. After this, you can attach the rail, align everything and remove the folds. All seams must be smoothed out carefully. Excess glue is removed using a rag soaked in solvent.

As a fastening for the gas tank, you can use a rope passed through the half rings. The rings must be glued to the bottom using waterproof glue. Instead of rings, you can use slings or screws.