The best fishing boats for 2020

Many fishermen are considering buying a boat. Someone tried fishing with a friend and appreciated such an important tool, someone wants to improve their comfort level, and someone wants to fulfill their dream. Whatever the reason for the desire, you need to prepare for such an important purchase - to understand the key characteristics of the product, as well as the functionality of its parts.

Therefore, the editors of the site "Ya Nashla" have prepared for you detailed instructions on how to choose the best boat for fishing or hunting, which will not fail in difficult times.

What is a boat for fishing or hunting?

• Allows you to change the deployment to a more profitable one. This is especially true in those areas where the coast is heavily overgrown with reeds, and it is difficult to approach the water.
• Expands your possibilities - you can fish not only in the coastal zone.
• You can get away from popular recreational, fishing or hunting spots. There are fewer people, more catch.
• Boat trips in clear weather.

What to look for when choosing a boat?

Let's highlight the main criteria for choosing a good vehicle:

• design,
• material;
• Colour;
• equipment.

Now let's take a closer look at what boats are.

Design features

The ability to steer a boat with a motor, whether it is present or not, divides the boats as follows.

A type

• Rowing. As the name suggests, boats of this type are moved with oars. The design is simple: the sides are divided into compartments (cylinders), and between them there is an inflatable or non-inflatable bottom. The most popular shape is the closed, oval shape.
• Motor-rowing. Some rowing options can be equipped with a motor. For this, a hinged transom is used, which is installed directly on the inflatable board. Often, products of this type come with a soft bottom and no keel, so only low-power engines are used on them.
• Motor. The key difference between the latter type is that they have a built-in transom. Also, motor boats are easy to recognize by their shape - if rowing boats are oval, due to the sides around the entire perimeter, then motor boats are similar to the Latin letter U. Since these means usually go in a planing mode, manufacturers often equip them with a hard bottom. Most models are equipped with a keel.

Transom

This part of the structure is used to attach the motor to the watercraft. Always at the rear of the stern. It can be outboard (for motor-rowing boats) or stationary (for motor boats). Suspended transoms are equipped with models with a closed body shape, and stationary ones, on the contrary, with a U-shaped one. Thus, in the second case, the transom replaces the tailgate.

Number of seats, capacity

Speaking about the number of places for which the product is designed, we cannot but clarify that, first of all, the capacity of the craft determines its carrying capacity - the maximum permissible load on the product, as well as its length and width.

Air compartments

The rule applies here: the more, the better.The more air cylinders a boat has, the more stable it will behave in case of damage, puncture on the water. The more time you will have to repair or move to a safe place. There are models on the market with a different number of cylinders: from 1 to 5.

Bottom

The bottom of the boat is inflatable, as well as non-inflatable (tension).

The inflatable version is more stable, it insulates well. Often, special reinforcing inserts provide additional strength to such a bottom.

Payol

Payol is a removable floor and is of three types:

• Inflatable. The lightest, similar to an ordinary air mattress. It can be collapsed and expanded. The only negative is that it can deform under heavy load.
• Rack. These are several pieces of plywood connected to each other. Easy to fold and unfold. Often used in small inflatable boats.

• Solid. The toughest. It is used in medium and large boats.

Keel

A structural element of a floating craft, passing in the middle of its bottom, from the bow to the rear side. The keel can be either rigid or inflatable.

The hard version is usually made of wood. Models with this keel are more stable and manageable than punt.

The inflatable keel versions also offer good driving characteristics. They are also easier to transport.

Material

Fishing and hunting boats are made of PVC, rubberized fabric, neoprene, hipalon, and a combination of the latter.

• PVC. The most popular material is polyvinyl chloride - lightweight, durable, UV-resistant, well tolerates short-term exposure to fuels and lubricants, salt water. There are two types: with and without a reinforcing base. Typically, polyester or nylon is used as a reinforcing base. Boats without a reinforcing base are cheaper than with it, but they are not as reliable and strong, they serve somewhat less.
• Rubberized fabric. Products made from this material are inexpensive, but they do not last long and do not tolerate salt water well.
• Hypalon. Elastic, high temperature resistant material.
• Neoprene. This is a type of artificial rubber. Differs in strength, elasticity, as well as resistance to negative environmental influences.

Colour

Depending on where and how you plan to use the boat - fishing or hunting - the color of the product you are looking for also changes. If a craft is needed in order to get as close as possible to the prey, then it is better than khaki or camouflage colors to find. As an option, models of all kinds of calm green, sandy shades will come down.

If your choice is fishing, then there are two options. For small reservoirs, as well as medium-sized rivers with a calm current, it is better to take boats of white or silver color.

• the fish sees light objects worse;
• the watercraft heats up less.

For wide rivers or rivers with a strong current, as well as large bodies of water, seas, it is safer to take a bright boat, for example, a yellow or orange boat. Such a noticeable floating craft will be easier for rescuers to find in the event of any emergency. A dark object will merge with water, while a light object can be confused with lambs.

Equipment

• Seat. They are rigid or inflatable. Rigid option - a strap that is attached to the sides of the boat with its ends. The disadvantage of these seats is that some manufacturers make them out of slippery material. Also, sitting on a hard surface for a long time may not be suitable for anglers with back problems. The inflatable version is devoid of these disadvantages, it is more comfortable and pleasant to sit on it.
• Anchor eye Is a ring-shaped fastener for the anchor rope. Often located in the bow of the boat.
• Leer cable - a tightly stretched rope, both ends of which are fixed with clamps to the cylinders. It is a lifesaving device. The sides of any inflatable boat have an impressive large diameter and it is quite difficult for a person in the water to grasp and hold onto them. Plus, they're slippery.
• Repair kit - a set for quickly fixing a puncture or a hole; usually includes a tube of waterproof glue, a few patches.

Selection errors

• The size. It is better to take a boat a little larger than it does not fit. Never blindly choose an item. When you go shopping, dress like you're fishing. Sit there in the model you like, try it on in this way. If you prefer to fish with friends, then take them with you. Otherwise, after the purchase, a situation may arise when you can sit in the boat only resting on each other's knees.
• Ignoring the place and time of operation. These two parameters also set the type of the boat, its design features, color. There is no universal boat model in which it will be equally comfortable both on a small lake and at sea. Likewise, a model that is great for a hunter will get lost in the waves or reduce the catch for a fisherman. Thin, unreinforced material of the model, not designed for low temperatures, will quickly break in cold weather, and create a dangerous situation on the water.

Top manufacturers

Wanting to buy a quality boat, every fisherman thinks about which company is better to give preference to. After all, the quality of materials, the level of assembly, the life of the product depends on the manufacturer.

The best Russian brands whose products comply with GOSTs are:

• Flinc;
• HUNTERBOAT;
• Aqua;
• Pilot;
• Phoenix;
• Teal.

You should also not reject Chinese manufacturers. Among them, worthy competitors are:

• Intex is an international corporation headquartered in the USA that manufactures boats, as well as many other products for swimming, such as inflatable mattresses, pools, balls.
• HDX - the advantage of models from this manufacturer is that they were developed taking into account the harsh Russian climate.

Rating of quality fishing boats for 2020

The editors of the site offer an overview of the most popular as well as high-quality models with comprehensive descriptions, which will help you make the right choice. The list is divided into groups by type of goods, includes options for various price categories: from budget to expensive.

Rowing

Pilot C-260

A two-seater boat of domestic production, made of durable green reinforced PVC. Resistant to fuels and lubricants, does not fade in the sun.

It is possible to purchase modifications with a collapsible floorboard or transom.

Average price: 9100 rubles.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Teal 200

A single-seater khaki polyvinyl chloride boat is designed for one person (carrying capacity up to 150 kg). Small, agile and safe. Suitable for winter fishing, a good option for hunters.

Average price: 5400 rubles.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Intex Seahawk-200

The small two-seat green model can carry up to 200 kg. Taking care of the safety of users, the manufacturer divided the design of the floating craft into three independent air chambers, and also equipped it with a handrail. Also, the boat is equipped with a comfortable inflatable bottom.

It is sold in two versions: basic and extended with plastic paddles and a pump.

Average price: 3014 rub.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Motor rowing

Aqua 260

A good option for shallow and calm water is the model from the Russian manufacturer Aqua. Compact, green model made of reinforced PVC. The maximum lifting capacity is 220 kg. Maximum engine power - 2.5 HP

It is sold in two versions: with and without a transom.

Average price: 9100 rubles.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Intex Challenger-3

The striking model of unreinforced PVC consists of two cylinders: inner, smaller, and outer, larger. The inflatable floor can be filled with air separately. The product is designed for three people and can hold a maximum of 300 kg. Maximum engine power - 1.5 HP It is sold in two colors - yellow and blue. Since the low density of PVC makes the product unsuitable for traveling on big water, and the bright colors will scare off all living creatures, coastal fishing and rafting for short distances along a calm river remain the best options for application.

Average price: 4249 rub.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Phoenix 280T

The compact two-seater model is well suited for fishing or walking in a small, quiet pond. Installation of a motor up to 3.5 HP is possible. and weighing no more than 17 kg.

It is sold in two versions - with a transom (luxury) and without.

Average price: 13960 rub.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Motor

HUNTERBOAT Hunter 320

Three-seater boat made of durable reinforced PVC with an independent inflatable bottom, which can be used as a mattress on a hike. Maximum engine power - 8 HP

Average price: 22,990 rubles.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

Flinc 290

The two-seater green model has excellent driving characteristics, suitable for both hunting and fishing.

Motor power - 5-9.8 HP

It is sold in several versions: with or without an inflatable keel, as well as with an inflatable or stretched bottom.

Average price: 17,990 rubles.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

HDX 300

The four-seat model boasts a tough, stable hull construction as well as durable reinforced PVC. It is an excellent option for lovers of sports rafting. Maximum motor power - 10 HPIt is available in various modifications: with or without an inflatable keel, as well as with an inflatable or stretched bottom and a collapsible floor.

Average price: 41,900 rubles.

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

How to store your boat correctly?

To prevent the boat from deteriorating after a couple of seasons, you should familiarize yourself with the rules for its storage. Best of all, if you have the ability to store and transport it inflated. Then the material will not form unnecessary folds, wrinkle, bend. Unnecessary folds on the material reduce elasticity and lead to tears.

After hunting or fishing, the craft must be washed in the following sequence:

• First, wash off all visible dirt on the spot with water from the river or plain clean water if there is a settlement nearby. Do not overdo it, do not rub the boat with a hard cloth, as large grains of sand or debris can scratch the material.
• At home, wash it thoroughly with soapy water.
• After drying, it is recommended to treat the product with chemicals from rats and rodents. Even after thorough washing, the smells of mud and fish remain, and the rodents, attracted by the pleasant aromas for them, will spoil the watercraft.
• Some anglers advise pouring talcum over the watercraft for better safety.

Also remember to pump up the boat every 2-3 weeks.

Conclusion

If you have experience using one of the products described in this review, or you know a more interesting option, you can share your impressions in the comments.

No tail, no scales!