Boats "Pilot": characteristics and lineup

Among the mass of boats that can be bought in Russia, designs of the Lotsman brand occupy a special place. They have long and firmly established themselves from the best side. Even lovers of other brands are useful to know what this company can offer water motorists.

Speaking about the characteristics of PVC inflatable boats of the Lotsman brand, it should be noted right away that These products are widely popular in our country. The range of "Pilots" is quite wide, and everyone can choose a water craft to their liking. The corporate policy implies a combination of maximum product quality stability and the lowest possible price. You can’t call these boats completely cheap, however, in their price category they definitely don’t look like “poor relatives”.

The properties of products under the brand "Lotsman" can be confidently judged already by its indices. So, the letter "U" indicates the division of the cylinder into a pair of compartments. The letter "C" refers to the boats that are most accessible to the consumer. The letter "K" denotes the division of the craft into two compartments and the use of protective aprons. Well, the letter "M" is used only in the indices of motor vessels.

It is appropriate to start the review and description of the models of this manufacturer from the boat "Pilot M-290 ZhS". The length of the motor boat reaches 2.9 m.Its weight is 25 kg, and up to 220 kg of cargo can be transported inside. In the boat "M-290 ZhS" there is a place for a couple of passengers. Dividing into 3 compartments, the craft can be equipped with motors up to 5 hp. With. The boat is intended for fishing and hunting on a wave no more than 0.5 m high.

The security of passengers is ensured by the increase in the dimensions of the compartments. The sides are separated by partitions that do not allow air to pass through. The defaults are:

• transom;
• inflatable keel;
• filling valve.

Boat "M-290 ZhS" is relatively inexpensive. In it, you can easily overcome shallow areas. The directional stability of the craft is ensured even with a fairly strong wind. By default, 3 cylinders with a diameter of 0.35 m are used. The durability of this model is high enough to be used for 8-10 years.

The bottom of the slant type works very reliably even in rather difficult conditions. The thickness of the transom is 0.018 m. It is not required to register "M-290 ZhS" in the inspection for small size vessels. The size of the seat is 0.67x0.2 m.

A good alternative would be the version "Pilot M-280 ZhS". It is also designed to install a motor. But the maximum engine power is already only 4 liters. With. In this gray boat with a length of 2.8 m and a total weight of 22 kg, it will be possible to carry 220 kg of cargo or a couple of normal-sized adults. Seats are fastened using the Lyktros-Likpaz mobile system. The density of the bottom material at the "Lotsman M-280 ZhS" reaches 0.75 kg per 1 cubic meter. m.

If you need a simple rowing inflatable boat, then you should pay attention to "Pilot S-260". It reaches a length of 2.6 m and a width of 1.25 m. The density of the fabric used is 0.75 kg per 1 cu. m.Welded seams provide sufficient reliability of the structure with a total weight of 16 kg even when fully loaded (up to 220 kg). The boat "S-260" has no transom and keel. Consumers have a choice between inflatable and non-inflatable bottoms. Optionally, a disassembled payol is added to the kit. The default is a hard seat.

If you need to choose a watercraft with NDND, you should not look for it in the Pilot series (with the exception of the M-350 model). For such boats, another series is assigned - "Pilot". However, this has very little effect on practical characteristics.

When choosing boats with a keel and a hard bottom, you need to pay attention to "Pilot M-340". At the choice of the consumer, delivery is possible both with motors of 4 different modifications, and without a pre-installed motor. The diameter of the sides is 0.4 m. In the manufacture of the structure, fabric of increased strength was used (0.85 kg per 1 cubic meter). It is allowed to mount motors up to 15 hp. With.

Very interesting details are opened by the branded description of the model. "Pilot M-350". This boat is the only one in the entire line that is equipped with a low pressure inflatable bottom. With a side diameter of 0.45 m, the total length of the structure reaches 3.5 m, and the width is 1.7 m. The hull is divided into 4 autonomous compartments. You can install engines up to 15 hp. With. and carry loads up to 700 kg; in the manufacture of the boat, a particularly strong fabric was used (1.1 kg per 1 cubic meter).

The boat "Pilot 350" is equipped with a U-shaped hull. For its formation, a cylinder of three sections with conical shanks was used. This configuration of liners was chosen specifically to simplify the approach to the glide slope.

As for the model "Pilot S 200", then this is a decent rubber boat of the modern level. Its length is exactly 2 m, and the load capacity is limited to 100 kg; transportation of a single passenger is possible. "Lotsman S 200" is a relatively light boat for its dimensions, which does not cause difficulties in operation. Assembling this model is not difficult. Basic package includes:

• oarlocks;
• plywood beam;
• handrail;
• nasal rim.

Handrail cables facilitate the transfer of the craft even when inflated. Due to the sharp nose, the boat easily pushes the reeds, which is very important for hunters. The included bag makes it easy to carry even for one person.

No significant shortcomings are found. The oars are quite comfortable and allow you to fully paddle. The design is characterized by good gluing of parts, inflation and deflation occur quickly. It must be taken into account that two oversized people feel cramped in this boat.

This product is perfect for waterfowl hunters. To form the hull of the boat, an inflatable balloon 0.27 m high from 8 segments was used. The balloon is divided into 2 main compartments. The basic modification is equipped with aluminum oars. In the “S 200 VU” version, oarlocks are used in the format of clamps that do not have a hinge, and in the “S 200 GR” boat, the bank is shifted towards the stern.

The firm "Kovcheg" is engaged in the production of not only the boats themselves, but also auxiliary accessories, including awnings.There are awnings with an additional arch, most of them are placed on the bow. Positive ratings among consumers were won by the single-seat modification "Lotsman S 200" and a number of other versions. The production of boats under this brand is localized in Ufa. It is curious that the technological process is organized in a closed cycle.

The bottom line is that all stages of production (from design to assembly and shipment to consumers) are carried out at the Ufa enterprise itself. The attractiveness of the finished product is largely due to the purchase of high-quality reinforced polyvinyl chloride abroad. It is very resistant to mechanical stress, abrasion and scratching. It is very rare to service boats made of such material.

100% of the boats in this series are made in full accordance with the provisions of the international ISO standard. The technology worked out to the smallest detail and solid equipment, combined with the contribution of professional designers, allow the company to give a 2-year warranty. This warranty period covers:

• on the material used;
• binding sutures;
• accessories.

In the next video you will find a test of the boats "Pilot" M-300, M-320 and M-340.