Rubber boats for fishing: choosing the right one. Choosing the right inflatable boat for fishing

Compared to rubber inflatable models, fabric fishing boats (coated with polyvinyl chloride) have many advantages. However, this does not a priori mean that a PVC boat should be taken. There are many nuances, without taking into account which it makes no sense to make a decision to purchase just such a product.

Fishermen who neglect this or rely only on the advice of “experts” often face quite big problems after purchasing. How to choose a PVC boat for fishing, what to evaluate before going to the store - all this will be the subject of detailed consideration.

A simple listing of all its parameters and technical characteristics is unlikely to be useful to the reader. He will be able to familiarize himself with this on his own, at the point of sale. The author will try to understand the specifics of the purchase, relying not only on personal experience, but also on the opinions and reviews of his friends who are interested in fishing. And what will be useful, and what you may not agree with, everyone will understand for themselves.

Boat selection criteria

It’s worth pointing out right away that you shouldn’t particularly look at prices or manufacturers when buying a PVC boat; you can get confused, since the assortment is very large. Moreover, according to fishermen, domestic products are in no way inferior to widely advertised imported ones, and in some respects even surpass them.

The explanation is simple - Russian boat manufacturers take into account the specifics of our climate, the characteristics of fishing, and focus more on this, sometimes losing in design. But what is more important for a fisherman – practicality, convenience or the appearance of such a craft?

Linear parameters

First of all, the length of the boat is assessed. The larger it is, the better the product’s ability to “plane,” and the higher the permissible load. Basically, fishermen focus on 3-meter models (maximum 3.8 m). This length of a PVC boat is considered optimal for recreational fishing for 1 to 2 people (for example,). For three people, a watercraft up to 4.2 m is enough.

Payola type

This is the name of the bottom of the boat. For PVC products there are two options.

Air Dec. This bottom is “soft”, inflatable.

The boat is compact and can be brought into “working” condition alone.
Less weight, absence of some components, which simplifies the process of storing and transporting the product.

Stability is lower than that of analogues with a “hard” bottom.
Such boats are not used on large bodies of water when long journeys have to be made.
The number of fishermen in a boat, as a rule, is no more than 2.
Limitation in the power of the installed “engine” (up to 10 hp).
Possibility of bottom damage in shallow water.

It turns out that such models are not suitable for group fishing.

The bottom is “hard”

Good stability on water.
Minimal risk of damage to the bottom.
Increased service life.
Such a boat can withstand heavy loads and is capable of making longer journeys.

The downside is the cost, which is higher than air deck models. Perhaps this is the only drawback of such PVC boats.

Which “hard” bottom should you prefer? Options: plastic, aluminum, plywood. Basically, a good owner doesn't care. If you follow the operating rules, regular care and care, any type of payola will last quite a long time.

Material

It is clear that this is PVC coated fabric. But the difference is in the number of layers (which means density) and the presence (absence) of reinforcement. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately, and for the future, decide whether a motor will be installed on the boat. If not, then a lighter product is sufficient, although, for example, fishing with a spinning rod from such a craft can be difficult.

Transom version

If it is simply fixed with PVC tapes, it is better to look for another model. The best option is when the transom is additionally secured with special rubber linings.

Valve type

In short, automatic ones are better. The method of inflating the balloons is also important. It’s faster with a compressor, but for small boats the option with a “frog” is more convenient and cheaper.

Boat color

The PVC on which the boat is made is quite sensitive to some external influences. In this case, you need to understand that ultraviolet radiation gradually destroys the polymer (as well as many other materials). And although this process is lengthy, it is advisable to choose a light boat for fishing, as it will better reflect the sun's rays. Moreover, unlike hunting, there is no need to camouflage on water. Therefore, preference is given to silver and light gray models.

Manufacturer

If we summarize all the reviews, then the conclusion suggests itself - it doesn’t matter. The main thing is that the product has a certificate. There are different opinions about boats from the Asian region. Somehow it is generally accepted that everything “made in China” is by definition suspicious. At the same time, for some reason, it is forgotten that many companies (including ours) transfer part of their production capacity to this country, fortunately, there is no shortage of workers there. Therefore, some models of Chinese PVC boats have proven themselves quite well.

What to consider additionally

Cylinder protection from below. The boat will have to be pulled out of the water regularly, and by dragging. How is PVC protected from damage?
How is the anchor eye made?
Drain valve. If they are not there, then the liquid that gets into the boat will have to be scooped out manually.

Boat cost

Just a few examples to understand whether the family budget can support such a purchase.

"INTEX". Seahawk Series 3 (68349). Rowing boat designed for 3 fishermen. Length 2.95 m; inflatable bottom; load capacity up to 300 kg. Price – 4,980 rubles.
"Compact-290". For two with a length of 2.9 m. Possibility of installing a motor up to 3.5 hp. Price – 13,390 rubles.
"Taiga". T-320 series. With three compartments, 3.15 m long, for three fishermen. The bottom is “hard” (plywood), for an engine of up to 10 “horses”. Price – 19,780 rubles.

All of the above is mostly theory. What will you have to face in practice? It is then, after the purchase, that the fisherman is faced with many questions, the answers to which are best found in advance.

Fishing area

Where do you most often go (or are you still planning to go)? And here you need to define:

possibilities for delivering PVC boats to a pond. After all, when we go fishing, we take with us a lot of necessary things. What kind of car is it, how much can you load into it, will just an additional roof rack be enough or will you have to think about buying a trailer? If so, where should I arrange a parking space for it, especially in winter?
specifics of fishing. Do you really need a motor for your boat? For fishing in relatively small bodies of water, a rowing craft is quite enough. It should also be taken into account that a model with a motor of more than 10 “horses” goes into the PLM category, and it will have to be registered and receive a certificate for the right to drive (after appropriate training). And all this is not free!

Storage conditions

A disassembled PVC boat, depending on the model, can take up 2 to 3 “seats”. For the owner of a private house, finding where to put everything is not difficult. If a fisherman lives in the city, but goes to his “small homeland”, to the village, to fish, then it’s even easier. The boat can be stored there, with your parents, somewhere in a warm attic or barn.

But what about the garage? The location is not so convenient. First of all, due to the fact that PVC is “afraid” of low temperatures. Even if the box is insulated, you will have to think about how to provide additional thermal insulation for the bags (bags) with all the components. What if it’s a metal garage, a “shell”? There is something to think about, and in advance.

When purchasing a boat, its suitability for use and the absence of defects must be checked directly in the store. If the product is of high quality, the seller will be happy to show it “in all its glory.” He will pump it up and assemble the kit. Particular attention is paid to the transom and the quality of all gluing. The hull of a boat that is ready for use should not have any wrinkles, abrasions or anything similar.

How to choose a PVC inflatable boat. Which PVC inflatable boat to choose. Registration in GIMS, RIGHTS to operate a small boat. A visual aid to the components of an inflatable boat and its main features.

An inflatable boat made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride is a type of plastic) today is much more reliable, lighter and more durable than rubber boats. The PVC boat is compact and mobile.

Swims in bodies of water without a current or with a slight current, without a boat motor on oars, with 1-2 passengers on board: length from 1.9 meters to 3 meters

Similar walks on water but with a boat motor up to 3.5 hp. inclusive: up to 3 meters long.

Relaxation in any reservoirs and rivers with moderate currents with a boat motor from 3.5 hp. and more: .

Once you have decided on the type of boat, you can divide the options by price, PVC density (low PVC density for calm waters and low weight, high PVC density from 900 g/m. The boat weight is greater and more reliable for operation in choppy waters , difficult terrain, high loads, and large waves.), you can choose payol (floor). Payolas come in a single version per boat, or are offered as a choice.

On average, marine pressed plywood is heavier than aluminum flooring; marine plywood, when used carefully, with the correct pressure in the cylinders, and carefully stored, will last for many years. Aluminum plyol has, on average, less weight, the structure is more rigid, unpretentious in operation, it is considered more durable and weighs lighter (the structure is hollow with partitions) than plywood. Basically, aluminum flooring is more expensive than its plywood counterpart. Aluminum heats up in the summer from the sun; when fishing, it emits sound waves into the water when it comes into contact with objects, which can scare away fish (during fishing). The maximum configuration floorboards have a stringer for a more rigid structure of the entire boat.

For rowing boats, there is often no need for payols or slans (a board, a single section of marine plywood); as soon as the ability to stand in the boat is needed, you need to consider the option with a slan, or slans, or already with a payol-book (a modification of the payol with several slans fastened together between each other using PVC material). Many experienced inflatable boat lovers choose AIRDECK or high-pressure inflatable floor, there are many options, the main characteristics are: low weight, ability to stand (but not as stable as on plywood or aluminum), there is a risk of puncture. Also, many rowing boats come equipped with low-pressure inflatable floors, which look like children's mattresses for a sea holiday.

Inflatable boats differ in the diameter of the cylinder. On calm water, in a rowing boat, for one or two people, a cylinder diameter of 36-38 cm will be sufficient. For a boat with a built-in transom with the ability to install a 5 hp motor. and more, it is recommended to choose a cylinder diameter of 40 cm or more. The larger the cylinder diameter, the more stable the boat is on the waves, the less splashes fly into the boat, the greater the carrying capacity, the greater the weight, respectively, and the price of the boat. You need to understand one subtlety, the larger the diameter of the cylinder, the smaller the usable area (cockpit) of the boat, but manufacturers increase the diameter of the cylinder along with the width and length of the boat, respectively, in practice, the larger the diameter of the cylinder, the larger the usable area of the boat, for different models of boats, with the same width, the diameter of the cylinder may be different, and as a result the useful area.

All boats are equipped with oars, a repair kit (glue and several sheets of PVC material), and a foot pump with the ability to both pump air and suction (creating a vacuum in the cylinder). pumping is almost impossible. Most boats are equipped with railing ropes (they are convenient to hold on to) and you can also tie objects to them. Boats with a built-in transom are most often equipped with eyes (rings for towing, for anchors), on many models.

Boat valves: In all inflatable boats, the valves from the cylinders are screwed in and ready for use, the valve has 2 positions: 1) for inflating the boat and fixing the pressure (nipple position is closer to the outlet) 2) for downloading the cylinder (nipple position is closer to the center of the cylinder). The position changes by pressing the nipple and scrolling it 45 degrees. By scrolling accordingly, you can set the valve either in one position or another. It is possible to inflate the boat in the downloading position (the adapter from the pump, when put on the valve, will not allow air to pass through), but after removing the hose from the pump with the adapter, the valve will blow off all the air, since the position is designed to allow air to pass in both directions. And the inflation position allows air to pass only towards the center of the balloon.

Carefully look at the weight of the boat in the characteristics and check with consultants; sometimes a novice sailor has chosen a boat for himself, but is not ready for its weight. The heaviest part in an inflatable boat is a set of full flooring (for the entire area of the boat).

All boats are sold with covers from the manufacturer, if there is a cover for the entire area of the boat, a cover for the cover is also included from the manufacturer, in extremely rare cases with a small cover it happens that the complete set of the boat is packed in one cover.

Registration of an inflatable boat in GIMS. It is difficult to find reliable information on the Internet regarding interaction with GIMS (State Inspectorate of Small Vessels). GIMS is a structure in the hierarchy of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation. At the moment, it is necessary to register a small boat with the GIMS in two cases: 1) if a motor with a power of more than 8 kW (inclusive) is installed on the boat, this is 10.8 hp. (for Russia, many manufacturers produce outboard motors with a power of 9.9 hp specifically for passing on the scale of those not subject to registration in the GIMS.

2) If the weight of a small boat is equal to or exceeds 200 kg (including the installed outboard motor). Let me clarify for the misinformed not the carrying capacity of the vessel, but the weight. In other cases, the inflatable boat should not be registered with the GIMS.

RIGHTS to operate a small boat. Previously, licenses were required when installing an engine over 5 hp. From January 1, 2015, the conditions under which you are required to have a license with you are equal to the conditions under which registration of a small boat in the GIMS is required (see “Registration of an inflatable boat in the GIMS” above).

These are the basic principles for choosing a boat. To select a boat more accurately, you need to know what exactly you want, and there is probably a model that is right for you.

I recently received a letter from my nephew from Kirovsk in the Leningrad region, where he said that he had bought a new inflatable boat and asked for his comments on the purchase. He fishes on the Neva, from the confluence of the Mga tributary to Lake Ladoga. Buy a boat in St. Petersburg he decided to go to this store because he said it had the lowest prices in their area and a large selection of boats from different manufacturers. He was recommended this store by his friend, an avid fisherman, with whom he was choosing a boat and the store employee actively helped them. The choice fell on the inflatable boat Admiral 320 S. I answered him, and now I decided to tell him in more detail on the blog, how to choose an inflatable PVC boat when purchasing it.

For fishing enthusiasts who do not have a place to store the boat in winter, and also do not have the ability to transport it using a trailer, PVC inflatable boat– the best solution for fishing from a boat. The main advantage of an inflatable boat is its ease of transportation. To do this, the boat should be brought to the shore of the reservoir, inflated with air, and you can not worry about anything, enjoying the scenery and the soft motion of a comfortable vessel, as well as a rich catch. After all fishing from a boat allows you to get close to the places where fish move, feed and stay.

Currently, the market for PVC inflatable boats is diverse, and in order to subsequently enjoy its purchase, you need to carefully consider its choice. It is necessary to give preference to exactly the model that will meet exactly your requests and needs, while maintaining its high quality for a long time.

Separation of PVC boats by class

Boats are divided by capacity (from one to twelve seats), by density (from 750 g/m2 to 1350 g/m2), by price (from 5,500 to 1,100,000 rubles) and type.
The following types of boats are known: rowing boats, with a hinged transom, motor boats, catamarans, fiberglass boats and launches, rubber boats, RIB boats, with an inflatable bottom and boats with an inflatable keel.

How to choose a PVC inflatable boat

PVC boats have many more advantages in terms of their qualities than rubber ones inflatable boat. How to choose made of PVC, since they are much easier to care for, and their operation requires less attention, not to mention storage. Until recently, a rubber boat was the ultimate dream, but those times have passed, and with them the choice of boats has expanded.

Boats made of reinforced PVC are most often chosen. Reinforced PVC has a special protective durable fabric woven between two layers. There may be several protective layers of this fabric. As a result, the fabric cannot be stretched and is less likely to pierce. This material is durable and is not afraid of storage even when wet. A boat made of reinforced PVC rocks less on a pond, and you can fish in it even while standing with a spinning rod, which cannot be done in a rubber boat or a boat made of unreinforced PVC.

The boats have high rigidity and are ideal for use with a gasoline engine. Boats are glued or welded at the seams. In terms of strength characteristics, a glued boat is not inferior, and often superior, to a boat welded at the joints. Boats that are glued together are more likely to have their seams come apart over time than boats that are welded.

How to buy a PVC inflatable boat so that it suits you?

Of course, first of all, they look at the price tag, and then I pay attention to the appearance. But even these two parameters are not always the most important and important.

When choosing an inflatable PVC boat, you should first understand for what purpose you are buying it and how many people will be in it. Hence, you should pay attention to its carrying capacity. If you take it for fishing in a large water area, then you cannot do without a motor - so ask what maximum power motor can be installed on it, and what the additional fuel costs will be.

Depending on the number of people, boats come in the following sizes:
— Up to 2.5 m per person
— from 2.6 m to 3.9 m for two people
— from 3.9 m to 4.3 m for three
- over 4.3 m for a company of four or more people.

The working volume of a PVC boat is much smaller than its actual dimensions. And if in the store it may seem big to you, then when you are in it on a pond, the boat will seem much smaller due to the inflated cylinders.

Next, decide on your fishing spots. If you don’t have to travel long distances on a pond or river, then it’s quite possible that fishing spots are located nearby, and a rowing boat with oars is enough. Modern rowing boats come with a set of floors for the bottom of the boat, so you should pay attention to this too. Rowing boats made of PVC are quite compact; when folded, they are easy to carry over your shoulders, and take up little space in the car.

There are two main types of folding bottom for PVC boats - a folding bottom made of slate, specially impregnated with waterproof plywood or aluminum, and an inflatable bottom with an Air Deck floor. The bottom with Air Deck is less rigid, but its advantage is that it is much lighter than slate, which is very important if you fish on a boat alone.

But the modern angler, even if he should fish at short distances, has recently preferred to buy an inflatable PVC motor boat. Please note that a boat with an outboard transom must be equipped with an electric motor. But many people install gasoline engines. When installing a motor with a gasoline engine, the motor power should be no more than 3.3 hp. But even this motor power for a boat with a suspended transom can be high, and the speed of the boat drops.

Motor slate boats are suitable for high-speed travel on water. Their transom is mounted rigidly into the frame, and this design allows the installation of more powerful motors up to 5-6 hp. They have more sealed compartments than a rowboat and use thicker PVC fabrics. This boat is much safer and more reliable.

On a single boat, a gasoline engine of 5 hp is required to go on planing, and for boats with a length of 3.5 m to 4.2 m, a gasoline engine of more than 8 hp is required to get them on high-speed planing with two anglers on board. With.

After you have decided on the size of the boat, pay attention to its colors. When fishing, people usually choose light gray or silver tones. Boats in regular colors are much cheaper than camouflage ones. In addition, when fishing in the daytime, light-colored boats heat up less, and on a sunny day they are less visible to fish than dark ones. Camouflage boats are more suitable for hunters when it is necessary to covertly get close to their prey.

PVC boats have a gradation in density. For example, for rowing boats it is 750 g/m2, for oar-motor boats up to 950 g/m2, purely motor boats up to 1050 g/m2 and higher. This gradation is approximate. But if manufacturers put gasoline engines on a PVC boat with a density of 750 g/m2, then the boat loses its rigidity, and this reduces your safety. Of course, it will cost less, but do you need such a reduction in price at the expense of security?

Pay attention to the quality of the country of the PVC manufacturer and give your preference to manufacturers from European countries that have the best quality. PVC from Southeast Asian countries is not bad, but it is still of worse quality. The better the quality of PVC, the heavier the boat, and you don’t always need this.

When choosing a PVC boat, you should never take the folded boat without checking it. Be sure to unfold the boat, fully inflate it, and visually inspect the joints and seams. There should be no folds on it - this indicates the quality of gluing or welding.

Pay attention to the valves. They can be with automatic release of excess pressure in the boat’s cylinders and without release. An automatic valve allows you to relieve pressure in the PVC boat to the desired state.

Pay attention to how the transom is glued into the boat between the cylinders. The transom can be glued in several ways. It can be glued using pieces of PVC fabric or a rubber rim can be glued to it, and cylinders can be glued to it. The second method of attaching the transom is preferable, since rubber softens strong vibrations of the motor, and the boat can last longer.

Pay attention to how the boat is inflated - using a foot frog or a compressor. Each boat has a strictly established pressure limit. Therefore, when inflating a boat with a frog, it is impossible to pump it, unlike a compressor.

Operating a PVC boat

Boats made of PVC material are afraid of all kinds of sand that can get between the cylinders and the floor. Therefore, the boat must be washed after every fishing trip. To do this, turn the boat upside down, lift it, and throw water inside with your palm.

When using a strong motor, the transom may move away from vibration and become unstuck. In this case, it will be problematic to repair it yourself. Therefore, do not try to use the largest possible motor for your boat.

If you are not going to fish with a spinning rod in a boat or not engage in twitching, but fish only for white fish, then we can advise you to buy an inflatable chair for the boat, which is made from PVC boat fabric. It is especially useful to purchase it for those whose backs ache from sitting for a long time behind a fishing rod, and whose fifth point is in a soft place. True, the landing in it will be a little lower.

PVC boat storage

In order for the boat to serve you for a long time while fishing, it must be stored correctly. It is most correct to store and transport inflatable boats in an inflated state. After all, then no folds or kinks of the PVC material are formed, which is why the elasticity and strength of the boat usually deteriorates. And if it can be problematic to transport a boat in an inflated state, storing it in this condition will extend its service life.

Having decided on the answers to these questions, it will be easier for you to evaluate the choice of your boat, and then you can evaluate other parameters.

See you on the site
No tail, no scales!

I recently received a letter from my nephew from Kirovsk in the Leningrad region, where he said that he had bought a new inflatable boat and asked for his comments on the purchase. He fishes on the Neva, from the confluence of the Mga tributary to Lake Ladoga. Buy a boat in St. Petersburg he decided to go to a fairly well-known store because he said it had the lowest prices in their area and a large selection of boats from different manufacturers. He was recommended this store by his friend, an avid fisherman, with whom he was choosing a boat and the store employee actively helped them. The choice fell on the inflatable boat Admiral 320 S. I answered him, and now I decided to tell him in more detail on the blog, how to choose an inflatable PVC boat when purchasing it.

Currently, the market for PVC inflatable boats is diverse, and in order to subsequently enjoy its purchase, you need to carefully consider its choice.

It is necessary to give preference to exactly the model that will meet exactly your requests and needs, while maintaining its high quality for a long time. For fishing enthusiasts who do not have a place to store the boat in the winter, and also do not have the ability to transport it using a trailer, PVC inflatable boat– the best solution for fishing from a boat. The main advantage of an inflatable boat is its ease of transportation. To do this, the boat should be brought to the shore of the reservoir, inflated with air, and you can not worry about anything, enjoying the scenery and the soft motion of a comfortable vessel, as well as a rich catch. After all fishing from a boat allows you to get close to the places where fish move, feed and stay.

Separation of PVC boats by class

How to choose a PVC inflatable boat

How to buy a PVC inflatable boat so that it suits you?

Of course, first of all, they look at the price tag, and then I pay attention to the appearance. But even these two parameters are not always the most important and important.

The comfort of a large boat is negated by its significant weight - after all, the PVC material is multi-layered and quite heavy. In addition, the volume of the boat is large, and transportation by car requires significant capacity. Therefore, the boat must fit into the trunk of the car in which you are going to transport it. The working volume of a PVC boat is much smaller than its actual dimensions. And if in the store it may seem big to you, then when you are in it on a pond, the boat will seem much smaller due to the inflated cylinders.

Operating a PVC boat

When using PVC boats, please note that they are more sensitive to cuts and scratches, and in this they are inferior even to rubber boats. Therefore, you should avoid its contact with objects that can cut it. Boats made of PVC material are afraid of all kinds of sand that can get between the cylinders and the floor. Therefore, the boat must be washed after every fishing trip. To do this, turn the boat upside down, lift it, and throw water inside with your palm.

PVC boat storage

When fishing from a boat, mucus from the fish always ends up on the side of the boat, and this smell attracts rodents. Therefore, during long-term storage, the boat should be thoroughly washed with detergents, and hung higher in an inflated and unfolded state so that rodents cannot reach it. In order for the boat to serve you for a long time when fishing, it must be stored correctly. It is most correct to store and transport inflatable boats in an inflated state. After all, then no folds or kinks of the PVC material are formed, which is why the elasticity and strength of the boat usually deteriorates. And if it can be problematic to transport a boat in an inflated state, storing it in this condition will extend its service life.

Having decided on the answers to these questions, it will be easier for you to evaluate the choice of your boat, and then you can evaluate other parameters.