Aluminum boats and fishing boats made in Russia

Aluminum boats are becoming more and more popular and widespread among fishermen in our country every year. To get a good catch, an angler often needs to travel many kilometers across a body of water. A light and fast aluminum boat can help him with this. Aluminum boats can be used not only for fishing, but also for hunting, tourism or regular boat trips.

In our article we will talk about how to choose an aluminum boat, what technical characteristics and parameters you should pay special attention to when choosing, and we will provide a list of the 20 best aluminum boats in terms of price-quality ratio.

Advantages of aluminum boats

Aluminum boats have a number of unique qualities, thanks to which they have become so popular among fishermen:

• Aluminum alloys, as a material for the manufacture of boats, have a very high strength-to-weight ratio, that is, with a low specific gravity they have high strength.
• Aluminum alloys are more impact resistant than steel and fiberglass. Even under stress, an aluminum sheet stretches by more than 10% before breaking. The elasticity of aluminum is three times greater than that of steel.
• Aluminum alloys are practically not subject to corrosion. The oxide film formed on the surface of the metal reliably protects it from external influences.
• An aluminum boat does not require painting, special storage conditions or complex maintenance.

Manufacturing technology

The company has been producing aluminum boats since 2006 under the Vyatka brand.
In 2013, a reorganization took place; boats of two names are coming off the slipway - Wyatboat and Neman, differing only in size. Due to the complex configuration of the housing, it is impossible to make it entirely from aluminum sheet. Therefore, the technology of welding from individual body elements is used. The previously used construction material contained copper and was connected exclusively with rivets. Therefore, the boats were subject to electrochemical corrosion and were unsuitable for salty sea water.

Currently, aluminum fishing boats are made from “marine” aluminum with an admixture of magnesium. However, all seams are joined by electric arc welding in a shielding gas environment. The casing is attached to a metal frame made of bent or solid rolled aluminum.

In places where attachments are installed, the body is reinforced with technological overlays. By default, the ship has several independent buoyancy blocks - hollow, sealed chambers filled with air. Transoms, keel, stem, transverse/longitudinal steps and attachments are made of stainless steel.

Disadvantages of aluminum boats

Aluminum boats have their disadvantages, which, however, are greatly outweighed by their advantages:

• Aluminum boats have a higher cost than steel and fiberglass boats due to the higher cost of aluminum as a material. However, at the same time, boats made of aluminum lose less value during resale. An aluminum boat that lasts 3-4 years loses no more than 10% of its original cost.
• Aluminum alloys, due to their physical and chemical properties, can get your hands dirty. For example, if you push a boat into the shallows with your hands, black marks will remain on them, which can be easily washed off with water even without soap. If you simply hold the aluminum handrail with your hand, leaning on it or touching the deck will leave no traces.

conclusions

A small rating for seaworthiness and comfort, spaciousness and ease of use of Russian-made motor boats

1. Progress-4
2. Kazanka-5M4
3. Progress-2,3
4. Crimea
5. Ob
6. Voronezh
7. Kazanka

Why is the Progress-4 boat in first place? It seems that the boat is heavy and large and will lose in speed to the same “Kazanka-5M4” or “Crimea”. But the advantages of “Progress” outweigh all the minor shortcomings. The boat has phenomenal stability, you can freely move from one side to the other and it practically does not heel. Large spacious cockpit where you can easily spend the night. Large load capacity and spaciousness. The autonomy is also excellent - 2 tanks of 22 liters each. From personal experience: “Progress-4” can easily withstand waves of 1 meter and higher.

Technical characteristics of motor boats

Based on materials from the Motolodka website and the magazine “Boats and Yachts”.

Tags
Voronezh Kazanka Crimea Ob progress yuzhanka

Boat dimensions

The dimensions of the boat must be optimally selected to suit the needs of its owner. The larger the boat, the more people and cargo it can carry on board. In addition, the larger the size of the boat, the greater the amount of free space inside it and the more convenient it is for fishing.

Having said that, the larger the boat, the more difficult it is to carry it by hand, the larger the trailer needed to transport it, and the more powerful the outboard motor it will require.

The names of most aluminum boat models indicate the approximate maximum length of the boat hull in centimeters.

Boat hull dimensions and overall dimensions are usually indicated in passports and on the websites of boat manufacturers.

The dimensions of the boat hull are the actual dimensions of the projection of the hull onto the supporting surface, excluding protruding parts and superstructures. It is the dimensions of the boat's hull that characterize its main performance qualities.

Overall dimensions indicate the length and width of the boat, taking into account all its protruding elements. The overall dimensions of the boat should be taken into account when choosing a place to store the boat in winter.

Reviews

Kirill: “I once made inflatable boats myself. But for this I did not use expensive equipment. As a result, they were short-lived. If you start production for sale, then it is better to initially spend money on modern equipment.”

Vadim: “The demand for inflatable boats is not decreasing. People will always buy such products. True, it is quite difficult for a novice entrepreneur to promote his product, since different watercraft are put up for sale on every corner.”

Ivan: “This doesn’t seem like a particularly attractive idea to me. Firstly, it will not be possible to create boats in large quantities. This is a long process. Secondly, you can’t count on special profits either. Thirdly, earnings appear only in the summer; for the rest of the year you need to look for another occupation to feed your family.”

Source

Boat material

Aluminum boats can be made of duralumin or AMG alloys.

Dural belongs to the group of aluminum-copper alloys. The mechanical properties of duralumin can even exceed the mechanical properties of low-carbon steels. At the same time, duralumin has low corrosion resistance, so on duralumin boats it is necessary to use protective coatings, without which the boat can get through corrosion within a very short period of time. Duralumin cannot be welded; duralumin sheets quickly burst near the weld. For this reason, duralumin boats are made using the riveting method. The main disadvantage of riveted duralumin boats is the high probability of leakage.

AMG alloys are used to manufacture aluminum boats using welded technology. AMg alloys belong to the group of aluminum-magnesium alloys. They contain up to 6% magnesium and less than 0.1% copper. AMG alloys have good strength, high ductility and vibration resistance, are well welded and resistant to corrosion. Aluminum boats with a high-quality welded seam have high tightness. The disadvantage of AMG alloys is that due to their lower strength compared to duralumin, thicker and heavier sheets have to be used for the manufacture of boats. For this reason, welded boats made from AMg alloys are 1.4-1.5 times heavier than riveted duralumin boats of comparable size.

Cabin boat

If other types of vessels are successful, then you can begin more serious shipbuilding. To build even a small version, you need to have a large area in reserve, protected from the sun and rain.

You will have to build using several types of materials; you must call friends or a neighbor for help. The highlighted photos and drawings of how to build a boat with a cabin with your own hands will help in the implementation of the project

It is unlikely that a homemade product will withstand high water, but for a summer cottage and fishing in the rain it will definitely do. For inspiration, you can look at alternative models:

1. Doerak Sneek.
2. UZOLA.
3. Amadeus.

Drawings and diagrams of how to make a boat with your own hands can be found in the public domain. It is impossible to say that it will be cheap and fast.

Boat control method

To steer an aluminum boat or speedboat, three steering methods are used: tiller control, front console and center console.

• Boats with tiller control.
  In tiller steering, the boatmaster sits at the stern, next to the outboard motor, and controls the boat by moving the tiller from side to side. Tiller-driven boats cost less and have more space inside the boat. At the same time, tiller boats are more difficult to get into planing mode due to the shift of the center of gravity to the stern. In addition, the helmsman located at the stern of the boat has worse visibility than the helmsman located in the middle or front of the boat, especially if there are passengers sitting in front of him in the boat.
• Boats have an automotive layout, with a hood on the bow of the boat and a front steering console.
  The helmsman controls the boat using a steering wheel located on the front console; passengers are behind him, in the middle and stern parts of the boat. The helmsman is protected from wind and splashing water by a windshield, which has a door in the central part through which you can exit onto the hood of the boat. Boats with a car layout are convenient for boating, but not very convenient for fishing, since the hood greatly reduces the interior space of the boat.
• Boats with center console.
  Boats with the control console located in the center of the boat are the most convenient for fishing. The center console divides the boat into two zones: front and rear. Each angler is in his own zone and feels quite comfortable both when casting bait and when landing fish.

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Preparation

The prepared wood is brought into a dry room and laid on a flat surface. Then a small weight is placed on top to avoid distortions. The board will remain in this position for a year.

Boat hull sheathing with sheet metal

After waiting the allotted time to prepare the material when building the boat, we proceed to the following stages of preparation:

• We measure the length of the sides, leaving a small margin, and file them down, maintaining an angle of 45 degrees. The location of the cut will be the bow of the boat. Next, take a plane and plan the board along the entire length on both sides; chamfer is removed at the cut points in order to fit the parts tightly to each other. After the preparatory work, it is necessary to cover all cut areas with an antiseptic.
• Next, you need to make a triangular block to fasten the bow of the vessel. The length of the workpiece should be one and a half times the width of the side. The block is planed and coated with an antiseptic.
• To make the back part, you will need a wider board, preferably fifty. Don't forget about small reserves after sawing.

Boat weight

Boat manufacturers are interested in reducing their weight by reducing the thickness of the metal used in their manufacture. But as the thickness of the sheets decreases, the strength of the boat decreases, and along with it its safety and durability. Therefore, when choosing a boat, you should pay special attention to the weight of the boat indicated by the manufacturer. It should be taken into account that many manufacturers indicate in the boat’s passport and on their website the theoretical weight of the boat, which may be 10-20% less than its actual weight.

Some tips

Some tips from craftsmen who have already figured out the question of how to make a boat with their own hands:

• When choosing materials for the manufacture of a floating craft, you must forget about the word economy. Quality above all!
• When preparing workpieces, always leave a small gap. It is easier to fit parts and cut off excess than to cut out a new blank, increasing material consumption.
• It is better to have consumables such as tow, sealant or resin in large quantities.
• The holes that are needed to fasten the parts must be made smaller in diameter than a nail or self-tapping screw - this is necessary so that the board does not crack during the process of fastening the parts.

The best aluminum boats

Golden Eagle S-Jacket

The Berkut S-Jacket boat is the top aluminum boat on the market in terms of price and quality. The boat has a hood design and has high speed, stability and maneuverability. The boat is 4.7 meters long and 1.65 meters wide. The boat hull is made of aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the side of the boat at the midsection is 91 cm. The Berkut S-Jacket boat has a mass of 230 kg, accommodates 4 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 400 kg. All connections of the boat are welded, made using double-sided welding technology. The boat is designed for use with outboard motors with a maximum power of 15 to 50 horsepower.

Wellboat 37

The Wellboat 37 is one of the most popular aluminum boats in its class. The boat has a length of 3.76 meters and a width of 1.42 meters. The hull of the boat is made of marine aluminum alloy AMg-5M. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the side of the boat at the midsection is 50 cm. The boat Whaleboat 37 has a mass of 95 kg, can accommodate 3 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 300 kg. Thanks to two foam buoyancy blocks, the boat is essentially unsinkable. The Wellboat 37 is equipped with two longitudinal benches in the stern, one bench in the middle and one in the bow. There are two dry lockers in the middle and bow of the boat. The floor of the boat is covered with moisture-resistant plywood. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of 10 to 15 horsepower. Boat transom height 380 mm. The following can be additionally installed on the boat: a console for remote control, a windshield, bollards, and rails.

Quintrex 390 Dart Long

The Quintrex 390 Dart Long boat is manufactured in Voronezh by Quintrex Rus, which is a joint Russian-Australian enterprise for the production of boats and motor boats. The Quintrex 390 Dart Long is a longer version of the Quintrex 390 Dart tiller boat. The length of the boat was increased to accommodate an outboard motor of up to 30 horsepower. The boat has a length of 4.03 meters and a width of 1.60 meters. The boat hull is made of aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 2 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the boat's side at midship is 77.5 cm. The Quintrex 390 Dart Long boat has a mass of 160 kg, accommodates 4 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 340 kg. An outboard motor with a power of 10 to 30 horsepower can be installed on the boat. The height of the boat transom can be 380 or 510 mm. The Quintrex 390 Dart Long boat is equipped with a floorboard made of moisture-resistant plywood with a laminated coating, buoyancy blocks, rails, three lockers and a self-draining recess.

Wyatboat 390

The Wyatboat 390Р is one of the popular aluminum boats in its class. The boat has a length of 4.00 meters and a width of 1.5 meters. The boat hull is made of aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the boat's side at the midship is 65 cm. The Vyatbot 390 boat has a mass of 95 kg, can accommodate 4 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 350 kg. The boat is equipped with buoyancy blocks located in the bow, along the sides and at the stern of the boat. The boat is equipped with a locker in the bow, two removable seats and two storage pockets on the sides. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of up to 30 horsepower. Boat transom height 380 mm. In addition to the Wyatboat 390Р, the manufacturer produces modifications Wyatboat 390У and Wyatboat 390М, which differ in their characteristics.

Salyut 480 NEO

The Salyut 480 NEO boat has been produced by the manufacturer since 2022; it replaced the very popular Salyut-480 boat, which was produced for more than 10 years. The Salyut 480 NEO boat has a length of 5.25 meters and a width of 1.93 meters. The boat hull is made of aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the boat's side at the midship is 91 cm. The Salyut 480 NEO boat has a mass of 308 kg, can accommodate 5 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 500 kg. The boat is equipped with buoyancy blocks made of foamed PET. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of 50 to 70 horsepower. The height of the boat transom can be 380 or 510 mm. With a 70 horsepower engine, the boat is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 70 km/h. The manufacturer offers a modification of the boat called Salyut-480 Neo PRO, which has a slightly longer length, a bottom and transom thickness of 4 mm, all this allows you to install a motor with a maximum power of 90 horsepower. In addition, there are boats Salyut-480 Neo and Salyut-480 Neo PRO with Fish layout, which are specifically designed for fishing.

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WINDBOAT 4.0 Evo

The WINDBOAT 4.0 Evo is a descendant of the popular aluminum boat Windboat-38M, which was produced for more than eight years.

The boat has a length of 3.98 meters and a width of 1.75 meters. The boat's hull is made of imported aluminum-magnesium alloy 5083, which is an analogue of the domestic Amg-5M alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the boat's side at midship is 66 cm. The WINDBOAT 4.0 Evo boat has a mass of 130 kg, accommodates 3 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 300 kg. The boat is equipped with buoyancy blocks. The boat is equipped with a bow locker and two side lockers. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of up to 20 horsepower. Boat transom height 380 mm.

Tactics 390

The Taktika-390 boat is one of the most popular aluminum boats on the market. The boat has a length of 3.9 meters and a width of 1.46 meters. The boat's hull is made of AMG-5M aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the side of the boat at the midship is 60 cm. The Tactics 390 boat has a mass of 90 kg, can accommodate 3 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 350 kg. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of 5 to 20 horsepower. Boat transom height 380 mm. The Tactics 390 boat is available in several modifications: Tactics-390, Tactics-390R, Tactics-390RM, Tactics-390DC, Tactics-390DC Lite. Modifications differ in equipment and installed additional equipment.

WINDBOAT 4.2 Evo

The WINDBOAT 4.2 Evo is a popular aluminum boat in the class of tiller boats up to 4.5 meters in length. Designed for professional fishing. The boat is 4.2 meters long and 1.9 meters wide. The boat's hull is made of imported aluminum-magnesium alloy 5083, which is an analogue of the domestic Amg-5M alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the boat's side at midship is 70 cm. The WINDBOAT 4.2 Evo boat has a mass of 162 kg, accommodates 4 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 350 kg. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of up to 30 horsepower. The height of the boat transom can be 380 or 510 mm.

Trident 450

The Trident 450 boat has been produced in St. Petersburg since 2015. The boat has a length of 4.52 meters and a width of 1.65 meters. The boat hull is made of aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the boat's side at midship is 73 cm. The Trident 450 boat has a mass of 250 kg and can accommodate 5 people. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of up to 50 horsepower. Boat transom height 380 mm. Since 2016, the production of the Trident 450 Pro boat has been launched, which differs from the base model in the presence of a hood and windshield.

Wellboat 43

The Wellboat 43 is one of the popular aluminum boats with a large cockpit area, designed for a motor of up to 50 horsepower. The boat has a length of 4.51 meters and a width of 1.82 meters. Trimaran contours provide the boat with a significant cockpit width and high lateral stability. The hull of the boat is made of marine aluminum alloy AMg-5M. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the boat's side at the midship is 72 cm. The Wellboat 43 has a mass of 280 kg, can accommodate 4 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 400 kg. Thanks to the foam buoyancy blocks located under the sides, as well as in the bow and stern, the boat remains afloat even when completely filled with water. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of 40 to 50 horsepower. Boat transom height 510 mm.

Quintrex 455 Coast Runner

The Quintrex 455 Coast Runner is a popular mid-size aluminum boat with an automotive design. The boat is produced in Voronezh, a joint venture with the Australian company Quintrex Australia. The boat has a length of 4.53 meters and a width of 1.87 meters. The boat hull is made of aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the boat's side at midship is 107 cm. The Quintrex 390 Dart Long boat has a mass of 242 kg, accommodates 5 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 570 kg. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of 40 to 50 horsepower. The height of the boat transom can be 380 or 510 mm.

Visa Alumax 355

Boat VIZA Alumax-355 is an inexpensive three-seater aluminum boat. The boat has a length of 3.54 meters and a width of 1.39 meters. The boat hull is made of aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 2 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the side of the boat at the midship is 51 cm. The VIZA Alumax-355 boat has a mass of 79 kg, can accommodate 3 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 350 kg. The boat is equipped with two large buoyancy blocks, which are located on the sides of the boat. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of up to 10 horsepower. Boat transom height 380 mm. In addition to the basic modification, the boat is also available in the VIZA Alumax-355 PRO and VIZA Alumax-355R modifications. The VIZA Alumax-355 PRO modification has a 3 mm thick bottom and allows the installation of a motor with a power of up to 15 horsepower. The VIZA Alumax-355R modification has a high swivel seat, an enlarged front hood locker and front railings.

WINDBOAT 4.5 EvoFish

The WINDBOAT 4.5 EvoFish is a popular aluminum boat in the class of tiller boats up to 5 meters in length. A light, inexpensive boat for its class, with good habitability and decent performance. The wide hull of the boat provides good stability both statically and while moving.

The boat has a length of 4.5 meters and a width of 1.89 meters. The boat's hull is made of imported aluminum-magnesium alloy 5083, which is an analogue of the domestic Amg-5M alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the boat's side at midship is 71 cm. The WINDBOAT 4.5 EvoFish boat has a mass of 225 kg, accommodates 4 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 400 kg. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of up to 30 horsepower. The height of the boat transom can be 380 or 510 mm.

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Vyatka Profi 37

The Vyatka Profi 37 boat is an inexpensive aluminum boat, which is produced by the Shipbuilding Company LLC PF-Vyatka. The boat is 3.7 meters long and 1.4 meters wide. The boat hull is made of aluminum alloy AMg-5. The thickness of the bottom metal is 2 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 1.5 mm. The height of the side of the boat at the midship is 40 cm. The Vyatka Profi 37 boat has a mass of 65 kg, can accommodate 3 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 300 kg. The boat is equipped with buoyancy banks, which ensure the unsinkability of a boat completely flooded with water. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a maximum power of up to 10 horsepower. Boat transom height 380 mm.

Tactics 430

The Taktika-430 boat is a popular aluminum boat in the class of boats up to 4.5 meters. The boat has a length of 4.5 meters and a width of 1.62 meters. The boat hull is made of marine aluminum alloy AMG-5M. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the side of the boat at the midship is 77 cm. The Tactics-430 boat has a mass of 190 kg, can accommodate 4 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 450 kg. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of 20 to 40 horsepower. Boat transom height 380 mm. The Tactics 430 boat is available in several modifications: Tactics-430, Tactics-430R(M), Tactics-430DC, Tactics-430DCM, Tactics-430DC Lite. Modifications differ in equipment and installed additional equipment.

Salyut 430

The Salyut 430 boat is one of the most popular aluminum boats in its class. The boat has a length of 4.52 meters and a width of 1.745 meters. The boat hull is made of aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the side of the boat at the midship is 67.5 cm. The Salyut 430 boat has a mass of 170 kg, can accommodate 5 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 400 kg. There are buoyancy blocks located in the bow of the boat, along the sides and in the stern, which are capable of keeping a boat with a motor afloat when it is flooded with water. An outboard motor with a power of 10 to 30 horsepower can be installed on the boat. The height of the boat transom can be 380 or 510 mm. In addition to the classic tiller boat, the manufacturer offers a modification with a hood and windshield called Salyut Pro 430. This modification weighs 198 kg and can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of 30 to 40 horsepower.

Wyatboat 430

The Wyatboat 430 is manufactured by the famous Wyatboat company. The boat is 4.3 meters long and 1.6 meters wide. The boat hull is made of aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the boat's side at the midsection is 70 cm. The Vyatbot 430 boat has a mass of 150 kg, can accommodate 5 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 400 kg. Thanks to the buoyancy blocks, the boat is essentially unsinkable. The boat is equipped with bow and stern lockers. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of up to 30 horsepower. The height of the boat transom can be 380 or 510 mm.

Alumax-415

The VIZA Alumax-415 boat is a four-seater aluminum boat with a favorable price-quality ratio. The boat has a length of 4.14 meters and a width of 1.5 meters. The boat hull is made of aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the side of the boat at the midship is 65 cm. The VIZA Alumax-415 boat has a mass of 131 kg, can accommodate 4 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 400 kg. The boat is equipped with several buoyancy blocks. The boat can be equipped with an outboard motor with a power of 20 to 30 horsepower. Boat transom height 380 mm. The boat is produced by the manufacturer in 4 modifications: Alumax-415, Alumax-415 Light, Alumax-415 Console, Alumax-415R. The Alumax-415 Light modification has a 2mm thick bottom and is designed for a motor with a power of up to 10 horsepower. Modification Alumax-415 The console is equipped with a console. The Alumax-415R modification is equipped with a fisherman’s chair and a front hood locker.

Tactics 370

The Taktika-370 boat is a popular aluminum boat in its class. The boat is 3.7 meters long and 1.3 meters wide. The boat hull is made of marine aluminum alloy AMG-5M. The thickness of the bottom metal is 2 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 1.5 mm. The height of the boat's side at the midship is 45 cm. The Tactics 370 boat has a mass of 75 kg, can accommodate 3 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 300 kg. An outboard motor with a power of 5 to 15 horsepower can be installed on the boat. Boat transom height 380 mm. The boat manufacturer offers a large selection of additional equipment and equipment that can be installed on the boat at the request of its owner.

RUSBOT-45

The Rusbot-45 boat is an all-welded aluminum boat designed for fishing, hunting and outdoor activities. The boat has a length of 4.7 meters and a width of 1.75 meters. The boat's hull is made of AMG-5M aluminum alloy. The thickness of the bottom metal is 3 mm, the thickness of the side metal is 2 mm. The height of the side of the boat at the midship is 75 cm. The Rusbot-45 boat has a mass of 300 kg, can accommodate 5 people, and has a maximum load capacity of 4000 kg. The boat has two rows of seats. The front seats are mounted on a locker. The aft sofa is made in the form of a metal box across the entire width of the cockpit. On the hood of the boat there is an anchor locker hatch and a luggage compartment hatch. The boat is designed for use with outboard motors with a maximum power of up to 50 horsepower.

Popular manufacturers

Among the wide selection of boats, it is easy for consumers to get confused. Which model is better to buy, Russian or American made, buy a product made of thick aluminum or look for a lightweight one?

Popular water transport in Russia: Lund, GOevil, Laker, Malutka, Rivercraft, RusBoat, Volzhanka, Kazanka, Crimea, Neman, Ob, Dnepr, Voronezh, Progress, Vyatka, Winboat, Tactics, Whaleboat, Smartliner.

Let's look at the features of common boats in more detail:

1. KingFisher

Models for professional fishermen who are ready to intensively operate their vessel, as well as for lovers of active recreation on the water, you can look for a vessel from KingFisher. They are intended for year-round use. The company produces several product lines that will suit the most picky user. Boats from the “Offshore” series will be useful for sailors; those who like to walk in calm, windless weather will certainly like “Coastal” products; those traveling along deep rivers and lakes with complex bottom topography will love “Sport”, “Multi-Species” or “River Jet”.

2. G3

manufactures a variety of fishing boats. Compact dimensions provide increased maneuverability. The American manufacturer made sure that the boats were comfortable to navigate on rivers and lakes with different conditions. This is a suitable option for summer holiday lovers with large luggage.

3. Volzhanka

A product with a unique price/quality ratio, each series of models from a domestic manufacturer is ideal for use in reservoirs of the Russian Federation. The Volzhanka “Classic”, which has a hood design, will be useful on routes with frequent waves, unstable, changeable weather; if you are a fan of active recreation, fishing in narrow straits, choose “Bowrider”.

“Original” has a strong, lightweight body layout, it is unpretentious, and has an open or closed nose. Fishing in the shallows will not be complete without a “Fish” boat, and professionals will appreciate the “Sport” (Fish Pro). The “Cabin” has the most reliable design, allowing you to swim far from the shore.

4. Quintrex

The Russian manufactures open-top boats. Its models are distinguished by their elegant body design and are available on the market at inexpensive prices. The company offers small-sized vessels, complete with an economical engine, and huge flagships with a powerful engine, suitable for outdoor activities and fishing.

5. Berkut

“Berkut” is suitable for lovers of strong models who go fishing and walk on the water. The company's products can be purchased without a large budget. Berkut products are not only affordable, but also have a convenient design. Among the options presented by the manufacturer, there are boats with oars “Berkut XS”, or boats equipped with a wheelhouse for year-round use “Nord Cruiser”.

6. Grizzly

The following manufacturer is distinguished by a flexible approach to the manufacture of its vehicles. Its models have a combined structure made of strong aluminum with the addition of magnesium (AMg-5), the deck space is made of reliable fiberglass. The Grizzly product line includes attractive models; the company experiments a lot with the shapes and appearance of its products.

7. NorthSilver

Nord Silver is a Russian company that produces simple, reliable products. The elegant design, different from other products, will appeal to fishermen and their friends. An important advantage that the company can boast of is its affordable price.

Voting leaders

Leader 500 Length, cm: 500 Reader rating: 65.8 Total votes: 839

Fantasy Length, cm: 420 Reader rating: 65.3 Total votes: 959

JackBot 240 Length, cm: 240 Reader rating: 64.9 Total votes: 643

ProfMarine PM 300 Length, cm: 300 Reader rating: 62.8 Total votes: 817

Spinningline 470 / SL 470 Length, cm: 478 Reader rating: 62.7 Total votes: 1,364

Volzhanka 65 Length, cm: 650 Reader rating: 62.7 Total votes: 977

Catfish 310 Length, cm: 310 Reader rating: 60.4 Total votes: 1,041

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Homemade plywood boat

Many people choose this option. The key advantage of plywood is that it is a cheap material that is easy to work with. You can make a small boat from one sheet, the thickness of which is 6-8 mm. The elements will have to be connected using copper wire. But first you need to make small holes in the plywood sheet every 15 cm. The lower part of the flat stern (transom) and the sides must be placed on the bottom of the boat.

Internal and external joints should be glued with fiberglass, on top of which a bead, seat frames and extensions for oarlocks can be mounted. To provide the structure with the required rigidity, several slats must be installed at the bottom. The elements can be fastened together using wooden dowels pre-treated with epoxy resin. It is recommended to fasten brass tubes into the holes for the oarlocks.

How to make a plywood boat with your own hands so that it does not leak? There is a simple answer: before use, the vessel must be treated with paint and varnish solutions. To increase the life of the boat, it can be covered with fiberglass. Don’t forget about the oars, since you can make them yourself from wood.

Fastening galvanized bottom

The main material for the manufacture of the bottom will be galvanized sheet. The most suitable option would be the appropriate sheet length to match the dimensions of the boat frame. If you cannot purchase iron of this size, you can take two sheets, but some difficulties may arise during the construction of the boat. The main actions when performing such work are:

1. We cut out a piece of galvanized sheet along the bottom of the boat. To do this, you can outline the outline with a marker and trim it.
2. We apply sealant to the lower parts of the sides in a straight line, and a special thread is laid on it. If there is neither one nor the other, then everything can be replaced with paint and tow. These steps will prevent the boat from leaking.
3. We lay galvanized sheeting on top.
4. We secure it with self-tapping screws with a press washer or nails (1.8x32). You need to start fastening from the middle to the edges. The distance is approximately 2-5 cm between the fasteners.
5. Galvanized iron protruding beyond the edges is trimmed and tapped with a hammer.
6. Next, you need to strengthen the bow. We also do this using tin.

Further work consists of varnishing and drying the boat. Drying must be done in the shade. If desired, you can protect the bottom from corrosion by covering it with oil paint in several layers.

History of the use of aluminum in shipbuilding

The first experience of using light metal in shipbuilding dates back to 1891, when a Swiss company used aluminum in the production of the eight-seater boat Le Migron. In 1894, the Scots produced the Falcon torpedo boat with an aluminum hull for the Russian Empire. Saving weight allowed us to increase speed. "Falcon" reached a speed of 32 knots. In 1985, an aluminum boat won the American regatta. The weak points of aluminum at that time were low corrosion resistance and high cost of the material.

A revolutionary solution came only in 1954, when alloy 5083 appeared. The alloy turned out to be resistant to salt water, molded well and welded well. In 1995, the French company registered a new alloy, 5383, with higher corrosion resistance, increased toughness and increased yield strength of welded structures. At the very end of the 20th century, the Germans registered the Alustar alloy (5059), which surpasses the French development in many respects.