How to choose the best PVC boat?

Riding a PVC boat is very easy and pleasant. It allows you to perform almost any work on the water. To achieve this result, you must first choose a good watercraft.

First of all, in order to choose the right boat, you need to take into account its cargo capacity. The small capacity class means that it can contain (together with passengers) from 100 to 200 kg of payload. Other categories are as follows:

• the average level is 200–300 kg;
• high load capacity - more than 300 kg, but less than 600 kg;
• especially large carrying capacity (such boats can move 600 kg or more).

The weakest type is naturally made from lightweight materials. It is characterized by relatively low strength. Since such PVC boats can weigh 14–20 kg, they are recommended for long hikes, only occasionally interrupted by overcoming sections of rivers, lakes, and seas. But for fishermen, even those who do not claim colossal catches, the middle category of watercraft is better suited. She has the most balanced ratio of mass and practical properties.

For people of small (and in calm - and normal) complexion, a boat of medium carrying capacity is also ideal. In this case, it will easily carry 2-3 people.The large category (300–600 kg) can be used both in rowing and motor versions. In length, such boats reach 3–4 m. Motor versions are equipped with an inflatable keel, which improves driving performance. But the floating craft of special capacity are intended primarily for commercial use. Some of them are longer than 6 m. Transportation is possible only by cars. Mandatory moment - equipping with motors from 5 liters. With. and higher. The assembled structure weighs at least 50 kg.

For greater safety, motor boats are divided into several segments. The largest models have 6 compartments. In this case, even damage from stones or as a result of firing 3 cylinders does not lead to loss of buoyancy. The number of compartments is advised to be selected according to the number of passengers who will ride the boat. All manufacturers now focus on maximum consumer safety.

Watercraft for 2 or 3 people are mainly equipped with 3 compartments. But this option will suit more fishermen or hunters. For rafting on hard-to-reach areas of mountain rivers, you need to choose boats with a large number of compartments. A typical design of modern models also includes an external and internal chamber.

This figure directly affects the practical passenger capacity. In most motor models, it is 0.4–0.45 m. If the transport is designed for increased carrying capacity, cylinders with a width of 0.5 m or more are used. It must be borne in mind that the dimensions of the cylinders do not affect the overall structural strength, driving performance and reliability level.

When choosing a boat according to its parameters, this moment cannot be ignored. The lightest boats can be sold without any flooring. Rather, it can be bought, but already in an expanded configuration. Instead of a floor, a layer of polyvinyl chloride is used, glued to the sides. You can use these models, but you can’t stand up in them to your full height.

You also have to beware of sharp things, otherwise the bottom may be damaged at the most inopportune moment. But if you compare the characteristics, it becomes obvious that small boats without a floor are very light. They are recommended for use by fishermen who are going to frequent remote shallow lakes. There is another option - with tension decks. It is also impossible to stand in such watercraft, but mechanical damage will be less dangerous.

A pull deck is mainly needed to store luggage and equipment. Passengers and helmsmen are placed on cylinders. Inflatable floors have been used in PVC boats for a very long time (and even earlier were used in old rubber structures). But modern versions of pneumatic bottoms are not inferior to hard-type flooring. The only requirement is to handle such structures with the utmost care.

A comparison of boats with hard and inflatable floors shows that the second type is more compact. But the mass is reduced not too much. The hardened variety of PVC is almost as dense as plywood. The watercraft is packed in one bag, if the boat is large, it will be quite difficult to walk with this bag. And one more nuance - inflatable floors are difficult to wash.

Quite popular right now are slatted floors. They are widely used in the smallest category of vessels. The rack structure is an assembly of sheets of special plywood, covered from below with a layer of PVC.Folding and unfolding such flooring is easy. Some people do not remove the bottom at all, and after pumping out the air from the cylinders, they put the boat in one package. All this takes 10 to 15 minutes.

On the largest (longer than 3 m) inflatable boats, hard decks are mainly used. They cover the bottom 100%, which is impossible to achieve with a slatted structure. Therefore, the protection is almost perfect.

With all the importance of gender, landing sites cannot be ignored. The basic equipment may include hard seats, but even if they are not, it is very easy to make such a design yourself. Soft landing structures are more often bought ready-made and removed when the boat is not in use. Rigid versions can be made from the following materials:

• bakelized plywood, broken into several layers;
• plastic;
• textolite.

Very popular are the seats with special inserts in the cylinders. They are fixed very securely. In another embodiment, monolithic plastic guides are used. They are attached to both cylinders. This solution allows you to move the seat from the stern to the middle.

For large areas and boats should be large. A mandatory requirement in this case is the ability to enter the gliding mode. Such designs are difficult to assemble, and a powerful motor is included in the package. The larger and heavier the craft, the more stable it is in high waves. It can safely ride 2 or more passengers with a heavy load.

But a very serious boat causes serious problems when transported overland. Even just launching it into the water is not so easy. Yes, and inflate a large body is not easy. A small boat (weighing about 200 kg together with the motor) is used mainly in small reservoirs and for a one-time trip. Important: small dimensions do not mean that the material should not be strong enough.

A number of sources write that fishing boats must be white or any other light color. However, in reality, much more depends on the skill of individual catchers. Curious fact: polls on specialized forums show that over 30% of people prefer a gray tone. Camouflage colors account for 13% of all watercraft. Up to 28% of PVC boats are painted in 2 or more tones.

The list of premium PVC boats includes products of the brand Intex. The company is headquartered in the United States, but its manufacturing facilities are located in China. The firm has been operating since 1964. Its products are popular in various countries, including Russia.

The reviews also mention the boats of the Canadian company Yukonaboats. You can meet these models not only in Europe and North America, but also in Southeast Asia. Yukonaboats entered the Russian market in 2008. Under this brand, both single-seat river and serious marine watercraft are produced. Buyers have a wide range of options to choose from. 100% of the range is certified. Considered very reliable Finnish boats brand Intex. This manufacturer can offer single and double models.

But among foreign-made boats, Japanese models also stand out. Shows very good results Honda. With an aluminum bottom modification T30 AE2. This version has a 0.43 m tank mounted by default. Honda makes excellent four-stroke outboard motors. The boats of this brand use aluminum or inflatable bottoms.

In the first case, the carrying capacity varies from 0.61 to 1.05 tons, and in the second it is exactly 735 kg. The heaviest models are reliable and very stable in almost any weather. Lighter - easy to manage and very maneuverable. They are recommended for walking and fishing.

Boats are an alternative. Yamaran. Series Tender allows you to save money and get excellent performance. In this line there are quite roomy versions. Products from the selection Sport help you do a variety of things. Clients have access not only to fishing and hunting, but also to such hobbies as:

• scuba diving;
• water skiing;
• banana ride;
• water travel with the whole family.

Regardless of colors and other parameters, it is necessary to pay attention to a specific brand of boat. Russian-made products are not inferior in quality to imported counterparts. A striking example is lifting boat "Rotan". This brand has been on the market since 2003. The developers abandoned the use of wooden parts, so they managed to reduce the weight of the structure.

They are very high quality products of the brand "Mnev and K". This company has been operating since 1988. She managed to start production of almost 80 different models.Mnev & K products are popular among fishermen, hunters, amateur tourists and even rescue workers. The Murena series stands out from this manufacturer, which is praised for such characteristics as:

• a good move against the current;
• excellent overcoming of waves;
• excellent material quality;
• long service life;
• increased capacity.

The products of such a manufacturer as hunterboat. The firm has formed a triple complex of quality control. There are corporate service divisions. All boats of this brand have state quality certificates. Consumers can choose from both paddle and motor options.

The company's products also deserve attention. "Boat Master" operating in Ufa since 1993. The company promotes 5 diverse brands, among which stand out "Aqua" and "Riviera". Company developments are patented. The designers were able to offer original technical solutions. Products of "Masters of Boats" repeatedly participated in competitions, which made it possible to detect a number of weak points and eliminate them.

For information on how to choose a quality PVC inflatable boat for fishing, see the following video.