Fiberglass boats: description, varieties and best models

Many lovers of fishing and just boating fell in love with the original and practical models made of fiberglass. Not so long ago, they were represented exclusively by rowing models, but today their range has expanded significantly. The boat market offers a variety of options from domestic and foreign manufacturers. You can also order a fiberglass boat according to your preferences in the shortest possible time.

Fiberglass boats have numerous advantages, among which the most notable is unsinkability. Even if the boat capsized, it continues to stay on the water surface. It is also worth noting a small draft, which allows such a vessel to fish in shallow water. Plastic is a lightweight material that is easy to transport even alone.

In fiberglass boats, the hull is two-layer, and the compartments are sealed. Due to the solid surface in the boat, it is convenient to mount the motor and install the rod stand. Rigidity is given by transverse cans, keel and corrugated redans. The steering console is present in almost all models.

Boats may vary in hull thickness. As a rule, fiberglass structures can withstand two or more people. The strength of the plastic is enough to withstand impacts on pitfalls and sharp objects. If scratches and other defects appear, they can be removed by grinding.

The fiberglass construction of the boat has a number of advantages.

• Low cost compared to boats made of aluminum or wood.
• Light weight simplifies the transportation of fiberglass boats. Due to this, it is possible to install not very powerful motors on them without loss of speed and other characteristics.
• The boat can be installed as a flat bottom, and with a keel. This makes it possible to use the vessel in open water spaces and in places where shallow water is observed.
• No vulnerabilities in the form of joints using welding or rivets. It is they who lead to a weakening of the structure and subsequently to a leak. A monolithic construction made of glass and plastic, supplemented with polymers and epoxy resins, does not dry out and deform over time.
• Resistant to corrosion and fouling.
• Preservation of the original appearance for a long time.
• Plastic does not absorb moisture, being in water for a long period, and does not swell.
• Unsinkability.
• Reliability.

Despite such a number of advantages, fiberglass boats also have some disadvantages.

• Fiberglass is a fragile material that requires compliance with certain operating rules.
• The material is afraid of temperature changes.
• Over time, "bald patches" may form, which interfere with normal operation. Most often they appear on the longitudinal redans, sharp edges of the cheekbones, keel, sheathing in the region of the transom and stem. To prevent such problems, overlays made of materials that are resistant to abrasion can be applied to weak points.

Plastic boats do not need to be repainted every year, but over time the original luster may fade and need to be renewed. This is best done in special services where there are trained professionals. They use a spray gun for painting. Before the procedure, on parts that do not need to be painted, a protective tape should be applied.

Fiberglass can be coated with coloring compositions based on polyurethane. Such paints are of high reliability and quality. Alkyd colorants can also be used. It should be noted that their quality is somewhat lower.

Epoxy backed materials exhibit a strong response to changes in the weather. Ground paints can only be applied at a level that is lower than the waterline. This is due to the fact that such products can corrode fiberglass.

The main advantage of fiberglass over many other materials is that a boat made of it does not need preparatory measures before launching. Many boats made of PVC, metal or wood do not allow you to safely move along the bottom.With the option under consideration, such problems will not arise, this is due to the good stability of fiberglass boats.

Multilayer plastic structures cannot be sunk. Neither an aluminum nor a wooden boat can boast of this, which is undesirable to use without a life jacket. Of course, PVC boats are better in terms of unsinkability, but there is always a risk that the cylinder will be damaged.

Among the differences, it is worth noting the high carrying capacity of fiberglass vessels. For example, a boat 2.5-4 meters long can withstand from 200 to 700 kg. This makes it possible to equip them with heavy motors and take on board from 2 to 6 people.

Wood, unlike plastic, is prone to drying out, rotting, and attacks by woodworms. At the same time, they are not always strong enough due to the different direction of the fibers and do not retain their original dimensions.

The main disadvantage of steel boats is the rapid destruction as a result of electrochemical corrosion or due to aggressive drains. In this case, plastic clearly wins. In addition, fiberglass structures do not flow at the joints.

Compared to inflatables, plastic can withstand fishhooks, sharp branches, lit cigarettes, cornerstones. Also, fiberglass is not interesting for rodents, it tolerates ultraviolet and low temperatures well.

Fiberglass ships can be divided into the following types.

• Rowing, and most modern models are designed for the motor. The advantage of such boats is that they can be easily carried or transported on the roof of an ordinary car.It is also worth noting that as soon as such a tool is launched, it is immediately ready for use. Unlike other types, the boat does not need to be assembled or otherwise prepared before sailing.

• Planing are vessels with small motors with a capacity of 8 horsepower. They can be used for recreation, towing, fishing or hunting. The minimum weight of such a boat is 40 kg. Among the advantages it is worth noting the excellent stability and more predictable behavior on the water. Large motor models are transported on special trailers with a carrying capacity of 500-750 kg. It should be borne in mind that with large boats, problems can arise both during transportation and when launching. In terms of transfer and launching, a two- and three-section collapsible model is positively different.

• Plastic canoe popular among tourists and hunters for maneuverability and good speed on oars. With obstacles like reeds, grass, bottlenecks and shoals, such vessels do an excellent job. On some of the models you can install a motor.

There are a lot of manufacturers of fiberglass boats, among them there are both Russian and foreign companies. Models produced in Russia are in great demand due to the price-quality ratio. Among the worthy options for plastic boats stands out "Penguin". This model is suitable for walking and fishing.

High quality plastic allows you to stay on waves 60 centimeters high.It can also be used for hunting, but only on water bodies without a current or with a very slow one. The boat goes under the oars, but if desired, a low-power motor can be installed on it.

Another great option for outdoor activities is fiberglass boats. STEALTH. These boats are comfortable and affordable. Good surface protection of structures allows them to serve for quite a long time.

Russian production is represented by various companies, among which the most popular are "MK VYATBOT", which produces inexpensive and fairly high-quality swimming facilities. Company North Silver famous for its compact boats for recreation and fishing. Electroplastic boats with an electric motor "E-Motion" are represented by the company "Shuper Boats Russia". Also among the Russian manufacturers of plastic vessels it is worth noting Slider Boat, Vivacraft, Katerus, Saitov, SPEV, SAVA.

Foreign producers are not inferior in number to Russian ones. At the same time, many of them began to produce fiberglass boats back in the 60s of the last century, for example, the French company Jeanneau. Among the products of this company today, many models of boats occupy a leading position in the market.

A Turkish company has been producing plastic boats for over 30 years "Safter Marine". Among American companies stand out Pro-Line, Starcraft Marine, Rinker Boat Company, Monterey, Four Winns. Their products are high quality fiberglass boats for walking and fishing. Vessels of Finnish companies have also become famous on the foreign market. "Marino Ab" and "Tekno-Marine". Fiberglass models are no less popular from the New Zealand company Fi-Glass Boats and the Norwegian company Marex Boats.

It is necessary to start choosing a boat by determining the purpose for which it will be used - for fishing, recreation, walking, long journeys. It is good to think in advance which reservoirs will be used. For beginners, you can choose the classic rowing option, on which you can install the motor. It should be borne in mind that not all motor models can be equipped with oars.

Ride quality is also important. Most modern fiberglass models keep a clear course and at the same time they are easy to row with oars. It is convenient when the swimming facility is as practical as possible, for example, it has shelves, sides.

A rigid hull affects the strength of the boat and resistance to damage. The appearance of the ships should not be underestimated. After all, it is more pleasant to use a pretty watercraft. It is worth finding out how this or that model is environmentally friendly. Sometimes toxic resins and coatings can be used in the production of plastics.

In order for the boat to serve as long as possible, and repairs are required infrequently, it is worth following some rules during operation. For fiberglass boat models, protection from direct solar radiation is important. It is advisable to use a special case.In the event that the craft is planned to be left on the water for a long time, it is better to use a bioactive coloring agent. In winter, it is necessary to cover the vessel with a tarpaulin, as it is not friendly with frozen water.

It is important to keep your boat clean at all times.. To do this, it is enough to regularly wash the structure with water, and if necessary, use gentle detergents. For very difficult stains, it is allowed to take a solvent. Do not use acetone, nitro thinner, metal clips, which can cause irreparable damage to fiberglass.

It is important to protect the keel in time, for which it is convenient to use durable polymer tapes with a layer of glue. It is necessary to store the boat on a flat surface with a large number of support points to avoid deformation.

About what is stronger: fiberglass or metal boat, see the following video.