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.
Duralumin alloys D1 and D16
Truly “duralumin” is only an aluminum alloy of the D1 alloy type according to GOST 4784. This is what its inventor, the German metallurgical engineer Alfred Wilm, called it at the beginning of the 20th century. Another name for this alloy is duralumin. The more durable alloy D16 was previously called superduralumin. Often all aluminum alloys of this Al-Cu-Mg series are called duralumin, duralumin or duralumin . However, these names are not standardized and are not used in regulatory documents, for example, in GOST standards.
Currently, aluminum alloy D1, known abroad as alloy 2022, finds very limited use, mainly in the form of rivets. Alloy D16 - alloy 2024 - continues to be widely used in aircraft construction, most often in the form of clad sheets, that is, sheets coated with commercially pure aluminum up to 10% of the sheet thickness.
Table 1 – Aluminum alloys D1 and D16
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.
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:
- Doerak Sneek.
- UZOLA.
- 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 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.
conclusions
A small rating for seaworthiness and comfort, spaciousness and ease of use of Russian-made motor boats
- Progress-4
- Kazanka-5M4
- Progress-2,3
- Crimea
- Ob
- Voronezh
- 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
| Model | Dimensions (LxWxH) | Weight (kg) | Passenger capacity | Load capacity (kg) | Max. motor power (hp) | Speed (km/h) |
| Kazanka(M) Yuzhanka | 4.63x1.24x1.6 | 172 | 4 | 400 | 15 (25 with boules) | 40 (Whirlwind-20) |
| Voronezh | 4.2x1.5x0.67 | 152 | 4 | 400 | 30 | 44 (30 hp) |
| Ob | 4.2x1.45x0.55 | 140 | 4 | 400 | 25 | 40 |
| Crimea | 4.2x1.55x0.65 | 170 | 4 | 400 | 30 | 36 (20 hp) |
| Kazanka-5 (all models) | 4.5x1.6x0.72 | 190 | 4 | 400 | 30 | 44 (30 hp) |
| Progress-2,3 | 4.65x1.7x0.65 | 223 | 5 | 500 | 30 | 37 (25 hp) |
| Progress-4 | 4.69x1.72x0.69 | 220 | 5 | 475 | 50 | 37 (30 hp) |
Based on materials from the Motolodka website and the magazine “Boats and Yachts”.
Tags
Voronezh Kazanka Crimea Ob progress yuzhanka
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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Boat deckhouse design
During the construction of the cabin, the article “Topsy-Turvy Construction” provided invaluable assistance. First, a lightweight aluminum frame was made, then plywood laminated with valuable wood veneer was attached to it from the inside, on top of which a layer of polyurethane foam 50 mm thick was sprayed. The polyurethane foam was cut and sanded to give the desired shape, after which it was covered with fiberglass based on Norpol polyester resin. I would like to note that working with this material, which has excellent characteristics, is easy.
The length of the cabin is 3.5 m, the height in the ceiling is 1.8 m, which allows an adult to stand at full height. The cabin is decorated with decorative plastic and laminated plywood. In the bow there are sleeping places for four people (Fig. 9).
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Closer to the midships there is a cupboard, sink and gas stove. A bow hatch is used to ventilate the room. A high degree of sound insulation of the hull was achieved by covering the sides with foam plastic 50 mm thick. This hull design, in combination with the polyurethane foam coating of the deckhouse, allows the temperature inside the boat to remain no higher than 20-25°C with outside temperatures exceeding 30°C.
The method of attaching the wheelhouse to the hull is shown in Fig. 10.
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Engine
As mentioned, the boat is equipped with a D-245 diesel engine with dual-circuit cooling. Rotation is transmitted to the gearbox through a clutch device activated by a pedal. The steering is of the steering cable type.
It seems that the boat “Amadeus” turned out to be successful overall. In the future, I would like to use a suitable water jet installation and slightly reduce the overall height of the vessel, because in crosswinds there were some difficulties with steering due to the large windage.
The construction of such a boat is within the power of amateurs. The cost of using imported materials and installing a new engine is $4,000–4,500.
Konstantin and Anatoly Kurakov, N. Novgorod, 2002
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| Other boat projects: |
| Tourist boat "Sivuch" |
| Seaworthy reinforced cement boat "Grinda" |
| Multi-purpose boat project |
| Whaleboat tourist boat |
| "Walrus" - a boat for family travel |
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.
Voting leaders
Leader 500 Length, cm: 500 Reader rating: 65.8 Total votes: 839
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Catfish 310 Length, cm: 310 Reader rating: 60.4 Total votes: 1,041
Compact 200 Length, cm: 200 Reader rating: 59.8 Total votes: 940
J.Silver 300 Length, cm: 300 Reader rating: 59.6 Total votes: 1,488
Marlin 320 Length, cm: 320 Reader rating: 59.5 Total votes: 1,477
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.
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.
