PVC boats for a motor: features, types and tips for choosing

Sooner or later, there comes a moment when every angler realizes that for long gatherings with a fishing rod in the center of a reservoir and fishing in wetlands, he needs a reliable boat. Nowadays, modern inflatable PVC products for a motor are most in demand - they are more durable than rubber. In the article we will dwell in more detail on the features of such boats.

Boats made of PVC under the motor in most cases are vessels with an inflatable bottom - this option is considered the most common, although a few decades ago, manufacturers rarely produced such. However, the introduction of technological production processes and the use of the most modern materials have significantly improved the quality, practicality and reliability of the models.

Today, boats with an inflatable bottom have significant advantages:

• they move silently - this is especially true when catching shy and cautious fish, which reacts sharply to all sorts of extraneous sounds;
• such vessels are lightweight, and therefore their transportation to the place of fishing and back is not difficult.

All boats with a similar design can be divided into 2 categories.

• Products with high pressure inflatable bottom. Due to the pressure acting on the materials during production, the material is particularly wear-resistant and durable.
• Vessels with low pressure inflatable bottom. Such products have some resemblance to an air mattress, therefore they take on an additional shock-absorbing function.

There are also models with a slatted bottom. They are plywood flooring. This option has many advantages:

• the possibility of self-production;
• low cost of consumables;
• assembly speed;
• increased rigidity of the bottom, which makes it possible to fish in a standing position;
• absolute safety of disembarkation and landing;
• the presence of a special protective layer that reduces slip.

PVC motorized boats have a number of advantages, which include:

• the use of reinforced material allows you to get quite impressive strength;
• the installed motor improves the functional characteristics of the craft;
• the ability to abandon the trailer if necessary;
• compact dimensions make it much easier to transport the boat in the trunk of a car;
• all materials used for the manufacture of boats are highly resistant to aggressive environmental factors, so the products serve their owner for several decades;
• low landing allows the craft to maneuver even in shallow water.

The disadvantage of PVC boats under the motor is only one - the material is susceptible to the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. It is for this reason that the user will have to avoid direct sunlight in every possible way, if possible, otherwise the life of the vehicle will be significantly reduced.

Polyvinyl chloride, which is used for inflatable ships, unlike rubber, is lightweight. PVC does not rot, does not absorb water, the material is not affected by mold, fungi and other pathogenic microorganisms. Compared to rubber boats, PVC boats are much more practical - they can be operated in the widest temperature range.

Another point in which rubber boats significantly lose to PVC boats is that this material is not afraid of any aggressive environment - they withstand contact with gasoline, engine oil and other chemical solutions.

At the same time, the cost of such watercraft is high and far exceeds the price of rubber boats. And also, do not forget that if the owner of the boat is a smoking person, any cigarette butt or spark will make a noticeable hole in the PVC vessel, in the case of rubber, trouble will happen a little later.

In general, all PVC boats for motors can be divided into several categories:

• vessels intended for navigation in large water areas with an overnight stay;
• boats for small water areas, organization of short-term trips;
• budget models designed for use with a low-power engine.

PVC boats for use in large water areas are usually have impressive dimensions, they must certainly be able to go on gliding. Such vessels are assembled for a long time and at the same time they are equipped with a powerful engine so that the boat is stable even on the strongest wave. As a rule, products are designed for two or more users with impressive luggage. The requirements for the quality of such models are the most stringent: they must certainly be practical and reliable, since a cylinder puncture far from the coast poses a significant threat to the fisherman.

The main disadvantage of such products is their impressive mass., boats are difficult to fold, and therefore transporting them is very inconvenient. In most cases, the owners inflate them before fishing and move them to the reservoir already inflated, for this you can take an automatic pump (it operates from the car's cigarette lighter).

A PVC vessel for small water areas and carrying out one-time trips is usually used near the coastline. These are jet boats, when folded they take up little space, and they can be carried by hand without any discomfort. Despite this, The quality of the materials used meets all accepted requirements of reliability and safety. The same requirements apply to boats as to boats intended for operation in large water areas. The fact is that near the shore the bottom is often cluttered, there is a high risk of running into the remains of scrap metal or driftwood. Yes, and in the reservoir you can always pierce the bottom with aquatic plants.

Boats of this type do not need to be registered with the GIMS, in accordance with the rules, the power of their engine should not exceed 8 kW, the mass of the vessel together with the engine should not exceed 200 kg, otherwise registration cannot be avoided, although the indicated parameters are more than sufficient for boats of this type.

Budget models are not designed for gliding. Most often, such products are purchased without an engine, if the user does not have the opportunity to purchase everything at once - in this case, he can use the vessel for some time as an additional means of transportation on oars.

When buying a motor, keep in mind that for a safe exit to planing, it is important that for every 30 kg of the mass of the structure, including the weight of the angler and his luggage, there is at least 1 liter. With. engine, preferably 2-3 liters. With., since at low power planing will be accompanied by a nose that is too upturned. This is quite uncomfortable for the driver, and the speed of movement will be much lower.

The vast majority of engines can be overclocked in power somewhat higher than the parameter indicated in the passport. Nevertheless, we must not forget that any boat designed for an engine of a certain traction force is designed for it without taking into account acceleration. If the size of the boat is less than 2.7 m, you can install an engine with a power of 2-3.5 liters. s., the maximum permissible engine power for a 3-4 m boat is 5 horsepower, and for a 4 m boat it makes sense to purchase a motor with a parameter of 15 to 20 horses. Well, if the size of the vessel exceeds 4-5 m, it is best to use a motor with a power of over 30 hp. With.

Several models are among the most popular PVC boats for motors.

Such a boat is usually used for large water areas, it is possible to fish standing on it. The vessel of this brand goes well on gliding and holds its course excellently. The big advantage is the mass of accessories for the angler, for example, additional inflatable seats with soft backs. The length of the cockpit is 29 cm, the width is 9 cm. The maximum permissible power of the motor that can be installed on such a boat is from 50 hp. With. The boat can be easily folded, when folded, it can be transported in a standard car trunk.

One of the most popular and sought-after models of large boats for a motor, its power is 10-20 hp. With. This design has a low pressure inflatable bottom and has a number of advantages compared to other vessels of the same class. Boat owners give the highest ratings for its running characteristics, ease of use, ease of storage and transportation. The vessel has good carrying capacity and capacity.

Another popular boat that is in demand due to its balance of price and quality is among models of the same class, it is simply impossible to find a boat of a similar configuration at the same cost. The vessel has a pleasant appearance, has a good capacity.

When choosing a boat with a medium power motor, it is very easy to get confused.This is not surprising, because today the market is replete with a wide variety of models of PVC inflatable boats. First of all, you need to focus on the characteristics, and only after that pay attention to the brand. Nevertheless, most shipowners distinguish several models among the most reliable and practical watercraft.

According to reviews, this model is characterized by the highest parameters among all inflatable boats in principle - it is distinguished by powerful contours for an easy, simple move, and the materials used for manufacturing have the highest strength. Thanks to these and other characteristics, the control of the vessel is very fast, simple and easy. A boat of this type has an unusual shape: in front it is rounded and directed upwards - thanks to this design, the vessel can be used on waves up to half a meter in height.

The boat of the domestic manufacturer of the firm "Ark". This model can be safely called semi-professional. Most often it is purchased by experienced boaters. However, if you purchase a low-power outboard motor for it, it can be used as the very first inflatable boat. The main advantage of the "Pilot" is that the surface of the cylinders is reliably protected from wiping PVC with a special bar 6 cm thick.

Another popular inflatable boat model on the market. This is an inflatable keel boat, which is sold at a fairly affordable price. It fully complies with all accepted international standards for inflatable small boats. The floor is made of 12 mm plywood with high moisture resistance parameters. On this model, you can install a motor with a capacity of 15 liters. With. The transom of the boat is made of special plywood 7 mm thick. The capacity of the Hunter is high, there are comfortable seats that can be moved, the boat has a large carrying capacity. The boat has a 5 year warranty.

Among the shortcomings, a rather impressive weight and large dimensions of the structure are usually noted.

On sale are a variety of models of inflatable boats under the motor: with a keel, a bulwark, a tunnel for a water cannon. Boats can be with a plastic or solid aluminum bottom, have different lengths, colors, and can be designed for the sea or river rafting.

Today, inflatable boats can often be found on sale. Japanese, Chinese and American made — they are recognized as the best in quality and durability. The fact is that the motor vehicles of these countries today have the most advanced modern characteristics, even if we are talking about Chinese motors.

When buying a PVC inflatable boat for a motor, first of all, pay attention to the engine. Today, two types of motors are most in demand on the motorcycle market: two-stroke and four-stroke outboard engines, they best meet the requirements of reliability, safety, practicality and durability. And if we are talking about a four-stroke engine, then they are also environmentally friendly, their power can reach up to 300 hp. with., you can install them on your own.

If you are buying a single boat - too powerful a motor is not needed in it, an aggregate up to 3.5 horses will be quite enough, for double boats, an engine up to 5 liters will be optimal. s., a 4-seater boat is well combined with engines of 10 horses.

Another important characteristic of the boat under the motor is the transom of the boat, most often it goes separately from the boat and requires additional installation. At the same time, in recent years, several models with a stationary transom, that is, built into the design, have entered the market. Any boat engines of various configurations are suitable for it. That is why when buying an inflatable boat for a motor, it is best to use the option with a stationary transom.

The design of the bottom deserves special attention. By choosing an inflatable bottom, you get a stable and durable structure that you can stand on while fishing.

Of fundamental importance is the method of attaching the seams of an inflatable boat. There are two options: welded and glued. The second version is more practical, since the seams become 2 times denser and larger, thus the entire boat structure is more reliable and powerful.

Of no small importance is the material from which the inflatable boat is made. PVC for motorized boats can be reinforced and non-reinforced. It is advisable to dwell on the first option, since in this case the coating is distinguished by maximum practicality, resistance to mechanical damage and durability.

Be sure to pay attention to the thickness of the material - the larger it is, the safer your boat will be. The reinforced material withstands increased pressure, is highly resistant to contact with snags and scrap residues. Non-reinforced material is, in fact, the same material from which inflatable circles and beach mattresses are made. It is fragile, any punctures are dangerous for it.

As for the size, a boat with a length of 2.7 to 3.3 m will be enough for one user, for two people it is better to give preference to models from 3.3 to 4.2 m, in other cases, feel free to purchase a boat with a length of more than 4 m. Some users think that a boat with a length of 3.3 m is the best option for large companies. This opinion is erroneous, because the length of the boat will include the sides, so the free space will be greatly reduced.

Think about the color of the boat. Modern models can be performed in light or dark shades. It is best to give preference to the first option. The fact is that this is very important for fishermen, since the sky and any objects from the reservoir seem very light, if the boat is dark in color, it will become noticeable in the water column.

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