Progress motor boats

Since 1966 Kuibyshev Aircraft Plant has started producing the famous Soviet motor boats "Progress". Until the seventies, the production of models of the first, second and third series continued. They differed slightly from each other. The Progress-2 boat had a sub-engine niche and some other improvements, Progress-3 was distinguished by a reinforced hull and roof rails.

Initially, the Progress boats could compete only with the very mediocre motor boat Kazanka of the first models. Specialists of the Kuibyshev plant offered to use the remote control of the motor with the help of an automobile steering wheel, the deck is much more spacious than the former, a convenient, easily removable canopy. In addition, Progress had a carrying capacity, one hundred kilograms exceeding the analogues of competitors. At that time, these were significant advantages.

Boats "Progress" were very roomy. Five people with cargo were easily placed in them. They showed good stability both on the spot and on the move. The case was reliable and durable. The facts of the overturning of this boat are unknown even with a large wave. Boats "Progress" were an excellent choice for a quiet family holiday or exciting fishing.

In fairness, I must say that there were some shortcomings. Boats "Progress" have several "blunt" contours. The boat rigidly beats against the oncoming wave and loses much in speed, but the germination remains excellent. For these shortcomings, the "Progress" of the first modifications was often called the "iron".

To create the hull, the designers used duralumin of very high quality. Thanks to this, the Progress motorboat turned out to be reliable and sound. The body is practically not putrefied. Even today, almost half a century later, the first models are in excellent condition, and they can be bought for five to seven thousand rubles.

The Progress-2M boat is all-metal, single-hull, made of aluminum alloy with planing contours. The model is designed for water walks, tourism, swimming at a distance of up to three kilometers from the shore, with a maximum wave of seventy-five centimeters. A motor with a power of up to thirty horsepower is recommended. The boat is made in two trim levels, which differ from each other by the presence of a carrier and a rack with wheels.

In 1974, the production of the latest Progress-4 model began. It was a completely different boat. She had significantly improved contours, there was a pronounced keel of the bottom, seaworthiness was significantly increased. For this model, the counter wave was not a problem. There was a spacious place for storage of tanks with fuel, in which loosely fit two tanks of 22 liters. The kit of this boat included removable soft seats, which were laid out directly on the floor.

But the Progress-4 model also had some shortcomings. The shape of the windshield changed not for the better: it was angular-square in contrast to the first models, where it was curved and very cute. Steel mooring handles became somewhat weak.

All models of "Progress" refer to heavy boats, so it is desirable to install propellers with a pitch of two hundred and fifty-two hundred and eighty-eight millimeters on the motor.