Boats "Riviera": the best models and recommendations for choosing
Today, PVC boats have become an integral part of many people's lives. Nowadays, inflatable boats help to cover the whole range of entertainment on the water, while such watercraft are relatively inexpensive. There are boats for gatherings with friends, peaceful fishing or hunting, as well as for the most trivial recreation on the waves. Everyone will be able to find something suitable in the assortment of similar products.
Due to the wild popularity of such products, many companies have appeared working in this area, but some of the most reliable boats are produced by domestic company "Master Boat". We will analyze the features of the popular Riviera model.
About the manufacturer
The Master Boat company, which appeared back in 1993, from the first years began to win a name for itself in the domestic market for the production of PVC boats. And it is not surprising that consumers began to give their preference to this particular brand. The company adheres to all European production standards, uses only the highest quality materials, and independently monitors the customer base and the sale of goods. "Master of Boats" covers a large part of the market segment of inflatable boats. Now, under her leadership, five independent brands have been created: Riviera, Taimen, Aqua, Apache and Rush, each brand produces its own unique boats for different purposes.
Such ships are completely original products, which have appeared as a result of the introduction of the latest technologies and new engineering ideas.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before buying any product, you should familiarize yourself with all its advantages and disadvantages. Advantages of the boats "Riviera":
- reinforced PVC keel;
- splash guards included;
- functional, compact seats;
- high tonnage up to 1 ton and capacity up to 7 people;
- low weight of the craft 60 kg with the installed NDND (low pressure inflatable bottom) technology.
Flaws:
- insufficiently good controllability at high speeds;
- reduced mobility when moving against the current;
- slate coating, which increases the level of friction of the boat on the water surface;
- large sizes of some models.
The lineup
Now let's move on to the list of the best PVC inflatable boats. Here are the technical characteristics of the most popular models ("Riviera 4000, 2900, 3400SK, Premium 3600C, 3200C"):
- distance from the nose to the engine - 400 cm; 300 cm; 370 cm; 350 cm; 320 cm;
- the distance between the sides - 186 cm; 150 cm; 185 cm; 178 cm; 165 cm;
- the number of inflatable compartments - 4 pcs.; 3 pcs.; 4 things.; 4 things.; 4 things.;
- cylinder diameter - 54 cm; 56 cm; 63 cm; 54 cm; 42 cm;
- tonnage - 900 kg; 450 kg; 58 kg; 500 kg; 467 kg;
- number of seats - 4 people; 2 people; 3 people; 4 people; 3 people;
- maximum number of people 6 people; 3 people; 4 people; 5 people; 5 people;
- throughput of the motor 30 l. With; 5 l. With; 12 l. With; 24 l. With; 17 l. With;
- bottom type - NDND; NDVD; NDND; NDND; plywood;
- inflatable keel - no; option; there is; there is; there is;
- can fastening - lyktros / lykpaz;
- coating material density – 2 kg/m2; 1 kg/m2; 1.3 kg/m; 22 kg/m2; 1 kg/m2;
- plywood thickness - 16 mm; 10 mm; 13 mm; 17 mm; 11 mm;
- feed cut thickness - 25 mm; 18 mm; 23 mm; 23 mm; 20 mm;
- feed cut length - 1.2 m; 1m; 1.5 m; 1.7 m; 1m;
- explosive valves - present;
- connection of seams - rivets; rivets; glue; glue; glue;
- stringers - present;
- boat weight - 70 kg; 37 kg; 44 kg; 54 kg; 50 kg;
- booking - partial; complete; partial; No; complete.
"Riviera 3200 SK Compact"
In this model, updates have already begun with the carrying bag. It has become more comfortable, compact and durable, as it is made of canvas fabric. The slate is made from laminated marine plywood and has A-joints to secure it in place. The seats are varnished with a waterproof solution. The boat itself is inflated with air in about 8 minutes.
This effect is achieved due to the fact that air first enters the back of the cylinders, and then to the front. The transom is edged with PVC tape to prevent moisture from getting inside the plywood. Small visors were added to the fender to protect the cockpit from spray.
"Riviera 3600 C"
Inflatable motorized PVC boat is compact, easy to operate and assemble. Suitable for fans of long fishing, as it has a fairly wide space on board to comfortably accommodate, as well as comfortable movable seats, so you can find the most suitable position for yourself. High tonnage will allow transporting up to 500 kg of weight. The motor is provided with fixed mounts.
They can put the engine weighing up to 23 kg. The manufacturer has also provided security measures for users. So, in the kit there are 2 life jackets and rail fastenings on the sides, for which in an emergency you can hook on and climb aboard.
This model has a fairly high maneuverability due to the inflatable keel, which helps to stabilize the boat at high speeds.
"Riviera 3400 SK Premium"
The secret of the popularity of this boat is due to the quality of workmanship and a spacious cockpit. Cylinders consist of 3 inflatable compartments: rear, middle, front. The bottom of the vessel is equipped with an inflatable keel with additional armor. The keel runs the entire length of the boat for better handling. Transholders are installed near the aft cut, which evenly distribute the weight of the boat on the cylinders. The drain button has been moved closer to the stern.
It is possible to install a fuel tank in the front of the boat, this is necessary in order to maintain the balance of the vessel with uneven loading.
"Riviera 2900"
The boat comes in two types: with a flat bottom and with an inflatable keel. Along the perimeter there is a shockproof fender with a water collector, to which you can attach additional elements in the form of railings and hanging awnings. Slant is made of lightweight but durable waterproof wood. It has connections according to the principle of a book and is fastened with PVC tapes that come with the set.
The basic equipment includes lyktros/lykpaz seat mounts, 2 handles on the stern, front anchor mount and an innovative skipper handle, which is needed to ensure the safety of the boat operator. A universal plywood pad is installed on the aft cut for mounting almost any motor. PVC mudguards are sewn on the back of the cylinders.
The cockpit is designed for a maximum of 3 people, which is quite enough for fishing or for relaxing.
"Riviera 4000"
Large boat, representative of the new range of NDND boats. The shape of the boat has been changed: the bottom has become bulging, keel-shaped, the cylinders are now at a greater distance from each other. Such changes increase passenger comfort as well as improve handling, enhancing the ship's buoyancy. So, with an engine of 30 l / s, the boat can easily turn at full speed and go on planing.
Moreover, thanks to the ribbed shape of the bottom, the speed at maximum load can exceed 40 km/h. The cockpit area is about 586 cm, which will allow you to easily accommodate 5-6 people on board, while maintaining enough space for cargo, for which special fastenings are provided along the stringers in order to prevent it from moving freely around the cabin of the vessel. On the bow there are built-in places for landing a frontal awning.
Criterias of choice
Often in stores when choosing a boat, we can get confused, not knowing certain criteria, thereby picking up the wrong product, from the use of which we will not get the desired effect.
- Before going to the store, clearly define for what purpose you need a boat. It can be fishing, family vacations, hunting, sports swimming and many other activities. Not only the design and size of the boat, but also the engine power will depend on this criterion, which will certainly affect the price.
- In the store, pay special attention to the aft cut (transom). For a better understanding, the transom is the connecting part for mounting the engine to the surface of the boat. The aft cut is often made from lightweight materials such as plastic or plywood.Its size plays an important role, because it depends on whether you can install this or that engine. The size of the transom is selected based on the size of the reservoir. For example, for navigation on a lake, you will need a small motor, and therefore a small transom. In large water bodies, the opposite is true - the larger the engine, the longer the feed cut.
- The interior space of the boat must be sufficient for the area in which you use it. So, for ordinary lonely fishing, you will have enough capacity for 2-3 people and a distance between the sides of about 150-170 cm. And for a family holiday, it is better to choose boats with a passenger capacity of 6 to 9 people and with a distance between the sides of 180 cm.
- When choosing, look at the material of manufacture. It is better to give preference to strong polymer rubber, armored plywood or impact-resistant wood in the form of a bottom. Neoprene, Hypalon and reinforced PVC are perfect for cylinders and sides.
- Don't forget about the most important criterion - safety. Check the PVC boat for the presence of special fabric railings inside and out. Even on the boats, there must be handles on the outside, they are needed there so that in an emergency, falling overboard, you can grab them in time. And to further increase the level of safety, in addition to the boat, purchase life belts that are installed on the seats even before the first entry into the water.
Operating tips
During the use of the boat, we may not even notice how we violate certain rules, thereby personally cutting the life of the vessel. By following these tips, you will minimize wear and prolong the life of your boat.
- Keep your boat clean of dirt, silt, algae, fish oil, and anything else you might find in the water. Aggressively active substances that they contain can destroy the structure of the fabric of the boat.
- It is necessary to clean not only the boat itself, but also all its elements - from oars to fences and seats.
- Make sure your boat is completely dry before packing. Otherwise, mold and microcracks may appear on it.
- The boat should be dried in a position on its side and on each side, so the vessel will dry faster, completely getting rid of the water.
- Before winterizing or long-term storage, wash the boat with a soft cloth and normal soap. Do not use harsh chemicals or metal sponges.
- In advance of the descent, clear the shore of sharp stones and branches.
- Keep all sharp objects in special plastic containers so as not to perforate the rubber.
- Avoid high temperatures. Do not smoke near the boat and do not leave it near an open flame. Heat and ash can melt through the material, making further use impossible.
- When folding, make sure that small pebbles or dirt do not get inside the bundle with the boat.
- Do not leave the boat without explosive valves in direct sunlight. Due to internal overheating, it can break and become unusable.
- Do not install homemade seats.
- Storage temperature should not go beyond 0 to 25 degrees.
- Make sure the boat storage area is free of rodents and other pests.
Owner reviews overview
Regarding user reviews, they vary quite a lot.Many people complain that defective goods are found in stores, which are offered to customers and are persistently trying to sell it. But do not forget that "Master of Boats" cares about its customers, so If you find a manufacturing defect during the purchase or after, feel free to contact customer support.
Also in the shortcomings note the low power of some boats and insufficient carrying capacity. Among the advantages are: good design, easy storage, easy operation and high security. In PVC boats, you can find both their pluses and minuses.
In the average value, the Riviera boats have good ergonomic properties in all models, but the technical characteristics vary from the activity to which this or that boat is directed.
Review the inflatable motor boat "Riviera 3400 SK Compact" in the next video.