Awnings for boats: varieties and installation recommendations

The use, transportation and parking of boats involves the use of its own type of awning (canopy, canopy) for each episode. It protects not only the people on board, but also the boat itself from the negative effects of the environment.

The basis of the awning are aluminum U-shaped arcs, which are fixed by means of screws or bolts to specialized eyelets (rings) made of PVC molding and installed directly on the boat's cylinder. This is a quick connect. Due to the durable aluminum frame, the canopy has sufficient rigidity. In a raised position, it allows the team to hide from bad weather. As a material for such a canopy, usually strong waterproof fabrics are used. They provide ultimate protection from the hot rays of the sun, from the rain and serve as a camouflage.

Due to the presence of transparent windows under the canopy, you can walk under the engine in displacement mode. Due to the large surface area, movement under it is allowed when there is no strong wind. The fixation of the side edges in the lowered state is carried out with zippers, and in the raised state - on specialized slings. The parties have the opportunity to rise in any number and in a very different order.It is especially cozy under a canopy equipped with ventilation windows.

Manufacturers of accessories for boats, taking into account the needs and requests of customers, have created a lot of various models of awnings, which are divided according to their intended purpose. Boat curtains can be divided based on the following principles:

• from the purpose of the protective structure;
• on the size of the boat.

Let us consider in more detail the samples of canopies for their intended purpose.

Such an awning is practiced when transporting a watercraft on a motor vehicle, trailer, or when carrying a boat from one area to another. The presence of a kind of cape on the boat means the absence of people in it. From the transport canopy it is hardly possible to create a universal device and especially a transformer, which makes it possible to adapt the canopy for different purposes.

In essence, this canopy is needed only in order to protect the craft, and everything that is in it during parking. For example, in the process of long-term fishing trips or long hikes interspersed with stops, there is a need to cover the motor boat with a canopy on top. When it is a simple rowboat, then the problem can be solved more simply. The boat simply capsizes on the shore with the bottom up and dust and moisture do not penetrate inside. However, if there is a motor on the boat, in order to tip it upside down, it is necessary to remove the device. And this is not always convenient, so it is better to stock up on a parking canopy that will cover both the ship and the engine during the parking period.

A PVC boat shelter is generally boat-like in shape, however, in the area that covers the stern, the awning material structure can be configured to closely cover a protruding motor. Basically, such a canopy has a sequence of iron rings from below along the entire contour of the canopy. A rope is threaded into the rings, which is pulled together, and thereby the awning is fixed to the boat.

A comfortable stay in the boat during its movement is guaranteed by the running canopy. It can be made in different forms, but basically it looks like a simple tent, attached to the edges of the balloons of the boat. A running canopy is considered to be based on the presence of transparent windows on the sides and a wind window in front. In certain modifications, real glasses are used. The running awning is also called a transformer or an awning convertible.

These awnings can be divided into the following 3 groups:

• covering the bow of the vessel;
• forming something like a roof;
• partially covering.

The canopy, which is placed on the cockpit, covers approximately 1/3 or 1/4 of the bow of the vessel. This canopy protects against the oncoming wave, which will certainly be in the process of movement. In the rain, under this canopy, you can place part of the property so that it does not get wet. As a rule, a bow canopy for a PVC boat is fixed on specialized holders placed along the contour of the bow of the vessel. There is a way when it is attached to a cable running along the sides of the vessel. This is, in fact, the most uncomplicated canopy that can be used on PVC boats.

This is a type of awning that is fixed on the frame. Such canopies are also called "tent-roof". The tubular frame, made of aluminum, is a very strong construction. The frame is fixed to the inflatable sides of the boat on specialized rubber bosses glued to the sides. Such a canopy can cover only on top, or cover both sides and top. It protects from both splashes and rain. In particular, the model that covers the ship on the sides. A flat canopy, located on top of the skeleton, covers both from rain and from the hot sun.

It is not uncommon to see combined specimens where the nasal canopy is combined with the running canopy. There are more composite varieties of frame canopies that cover the craft from the bow to the rear of the hull. In these structures, the canopy for the cockpit is often mated, and then the frame canopy, the tension of which is carried out over the entire watercraft, covering both the top and sides. If a canopy of this type is placed on a boat, a PVC model and a plastic boat with an engine begin to resemble a boat. The height of the canopy is sufficient so that a steering console can be installed inside the craft. The front part of this canopy is made transparent so that it is possible to easily control the swimming facility.

The sample is designed personally for the boat of this model. It is tailored so that it closely embraces the outlines of the floating craft. This is of great importance for maintaining aerodynamic characteristics when moving on the engine. The canopy is made of high quality PVC material with a density of 470 g/m2. Manufacturer - South Korea. There is a transparent insert for the efficiency of the review.

Made from PVC material company Scantarp. Large glassy soft window made of PVC film VENTANA SC. A flawless fit is facilitated by flexible and elastic lacing, swept along the edge. Fastening by means of hooks mating with the water stopper. The skeleton is made of aluminum pipe 1.5 × 22 mm.

A domestic company that produces high-quality awnings according to its patterns. The requirements of the client are provided, for example, a transparent window for the number, additional pockets, etc.

A company from St. Petersburg offers products in a traditional design (transparent front, deaf sides). However, a sample of increased transparency is especially interesting, consisting almost without residue of a transparent high-quality PVC films "Crystal" 0.5 mm. Tubular arches are made of anodized aluminum, fixed on glued holders included in the kit, plus glue. There is a possibility of fixing to the fender bar. If it is not there, then the kit contains fungi, which are also glued to the craft. Curious option with a trolling tube. The extensive selection includes the most famous boat modifications.

PVC boat manufacturer producing bow canopies as an accompanying branded accessory. Transparent front insert significantly increases visibility. It is fixed to the fender bar or to the glued holders included in the kit. Equipped with a transparent window for the room.

Another large company from St. Petersburg, which manufactures a wide range of products from PVC, including boats and boat bow canopies.The company functions under the order, therefore all individual requirements of customers are taken into account.

An awning is a great addition to an inflatable boat. It increases the service life of the boat, and also protects it from splashing water, rain and strong winds when moving. When choosing a canopy, it is mainly required to highlight its size. It must correspond to the dimensions of the craft and closely adjoin the hull. Focus on the mount and frame of the canopy. With high-speed movement and strong wind, the flimsy mount can deform, and you will need to change it, which will cost a lot.

One of the varieties of running canopies is the awning roof. You can distinguish it by the absence of front and side walls. In the same way as a tent, this device must have a strong but lightweight frame, so it is made of aluminum tubes. Before buying such an accessory, you should compare all the advantages and disadvantages of the purchase. In fact, almost any device has imperfections. This canopy is not deprived of them either.

You also need to determine for what purpose you are making a purchase. If a rain canopy is required for a PVC boat, then it is necessary to give priority to a tent-type structure. Bad weather is associated not only with precipitation, but also with strong winds. The roof alone will not save you from such natural phenomena. As an alternative, a transformer canopy is used on the boat.Its list of features makes it possible to easily remove the walls and leave only the roof.

The roof on light racks of the skeleton is a successful structure that protects passengers from the scorching sun. Such canopies are equipped not only with PVC boats, but also with small pleasure boats. Folding structures are very comfortable. Everything is explained by the fact that high structures, roofs or tents increase the windage of the craft, which significantly limits the speed of its movement. The folding roof can be quickly assembled and disassembled if necessary.

When buying a canopy, you need to pay attention to the material. It should be waterproof and lightweight. As a rule, artificial matters are practiced. For example, Ripstop, Oxford sometimes use PVC-coated fabric, only it is heavier.

Even when you are not completely oriented with what type of canopy will be, one way or another you will need to do the installation of the frame. Basically, it is performed in the form of an arc. Since a boat made of polyvinyl chloride is not designed to transport significant loads, the skeleton material must be not only strong, but also lightweight. Duralumin or aluminum tubes with a diameter of 15 to 30 millimeters are ideal.

It is required to install and calculate the dimensions of the frame. The height is determined in this way: stand at the helm, trying on and tilting the arc until the dead zone behind the watercraft is 6 meters (no more than 7).

After making the required configuration of the arcs, try them out by laying them on a flat plane - if there are no gaps between the tube and the floor, then everything is done correctly, the frame can be installed. If you have a vise and handy tools, you can make a bend with your own hands. As we know, aluminum and duralumin are not heavy materials, and it is not necessary to apply heat to bend them.

In order to thoroughly fix the finished arcs, you will need bolts and the mounting hardware that is located on the boat. But sometimes such components are simply not available - then you need to buy them and install them yourself. Be careful when assembling the frame to avoid scoring, wear and cuts on the tubes in order not to damage the boat. Fix the frame so that it is located as far as possible from the cylinder.

In the next video, you will find the installation of a combined transforming awning on the RiverBoats RB-370 PVC boat.