When choosing a boat for fishing or outdoor activities on the water, beginners often encounter incomprehensible abbreviations in the names of models. NDMAIt's a name that's found in the catalogues of most inflatable boat manufacturers, and many newcomers mistakenly assume it's the name of a particular technology or brand, when in fact it's much simpler and more logical.
The acronym for this abbreviation sounds like Low-pressure inflatable floorThis is a key feature of your boat's floor design that has a direct impact on the rideability, weight, cost and comfort of operation, and understanding what's behind these letters will help you avoid buying mistakes and properly prepare the vessel for its first launch.
Unlike traditional plywood or aluminum plywood floors, it uses a balloon system, and air pumped into the compartments creates a rigid support surface, but it retains some flexibility, and it is this feature that dictates the specific rules of operation that each owner needs to know in order not to damage the property in the first season.
Detailed decoding of the abbreviation and the principle of operation
To understand what a NDND boat means, you need to look at it piece by piece. InflatableThis is a reference to the material and the method of creating rigidity, and unlike hard decks, it's supported by air enclosed in sealed polyvinyl chloride cloth chambers, which makes the boat much easier to transport, because the floor can be blown away and folded with the sides.
The second part of the abbreviation - "ND", means Low pressure.This is a critical technical parameter: If the sides of the boat are pumped to a pressure of 0.25-0.3 atmosphere (or even higher in some models), the floor requires much more delicate handling. The working pressure here usually does not exceed 0.2-0.25 atmosphere, exceeding this indicator can lead to rupture of seams or deformation of the boat's geometry, especially in hot weather.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a pumped-up NDND boat unattended in direct sunlight. Heating the air inside the cylinders causes a sharp increase in pressure, which can cause bulkheads or seams to rupture. On a hot day, blow excess air or use an awning.
The bottom is based on load distribution, and when you step on the floor, the air inside the cylinders splits evenly to the sides, creating a shock-absorbing effect, but in order for the bottom to really become rigid and deck-like, you need to use a sling system. These inner bundles (stringers) connect the top and bottom surfaces of the balloon, preventing it from swelling into a ball, but forming a plane.
Technical nuances of the truss system
Inside the bottom cylinders are thousands of strong threads that connect the top and bottom sheets of PVC, which hold the shape, and if these threads break (which happens in critical overload or marriage), the balloon will turn into a shapeless bubble, and it will become impossible to walk on it.
Structural features of the sex of the NDND
The floor in these boats is a complex layered pie, and it's based on a solid PVC fabric, often reinforced. Inside the cylinders, as mentioned, is a sling system that provides stiffness. On top of the cylinders, there's often an extra slate, either removable plywood or aluminum sheets, or a solid corrugated PVC mat.
Having additional coverage is not just a whim, but a necessity. inflatable floor It has a ribbed surface by itself, because of the cylinders, which is inconvenient for cruising and installing equipment. Slag mat or sheet deck protects the main cylinders from puncture, abrasion and exposure to ultraviolet light, prolonging the service life of the product.
An important design feature is the valves, and in NDND boats, there can be several valves, from two to four, depending on the length of the vessel, which is designed to be evenly pumped and locally repairable, and if one compartment gets damaged, the rest will remain buoyant, although the rigidity of the floor will decrease.
It's also worth noting the geometry of the cylinders. High Pressure (although the name is "low", modern materials allow for greater pressure), where the cylinders are cylindrical in shape in the cross section, which provides better stability. In budget versions, the cross section can be flatter, which reduces the driving performance on the wave.
Comparison with high pressure flat and inflatable boats
To understand the position of NDND boats on the market, it is worth comparing them with the main competitors: the main opponents are hard floorboard bottom boats (plywood / aluminum) and high-pressure inflatable floor boats (high-pressure NDNDM or simply flat bottom inflaters), which will help you choose the best option.
Unlike the solder boats, the DHD is much lighter and more compact when folded. You don't have to carry heavy sheets of plywood that are also afraid of water and rotting. However, the solder boat will always have a tougher and flatter floor, which is critical for trolling or active fishing in a standing position. DHD will always be a little "play" underfoot.
| Characterization | NDND boat | Pillet boat | Flat-bottomed boat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight of kit | Medium (lighter than pielled) | Tall (heavy floor sheets) | Minimum |
| Floor rigidity | Medium (depreciates) | Tall (perfectly flat) | Low (soft bottom) |
| Assembly/disassembly | Quick (no need to pack the sheets) | Long-term (laying floorboard) | Very fast. |
| Driving performance | Good (smooth bottom) | Excellent (hard redane) | Medium (bottom sailing) |
Compared to boats with flat inflatable bottoms (no cylinders, just a stretched fabric), NDNDM is superior in hydrodynamics. Balloons create a full-fledged redan that allows the boat to easily plane with a low-powered engine. Flat bottom creates greater water resistance and sails more strongly in the wind.
⚠️ Attention: When choosing between a BND and a solder boat, consider physical fitness. BND is easier to carry to one person, as the weight is evenly distributed, whereas a solder boat with heavy floor sheets can become unaffordable for one person in full configuration.
Advantages and disadvantages of technology
Every technology has its strengths and weaknesses, low-pressure inflatable floor boats are no exception, and their popularity is driven by the balance between comfort and transportability, but there are no ideal solutions.
To the undeniable advantages are:
- 🚀 Ease of assembly: No need to mess with the laying of heavy and bulky floor sheets, just pump the cylinders.
- ⚖️ Low weight: The absence of plywood or aluminum in the floor structure significantly reduces the total weight, which is important for low-power cars.
- 🌊 Excellent hydrodynamics: smooth inflated bottom provides good access to the plane and stable running even with engines 2-5 hp.
- 🎒 Compactness: In a deflated state, the boat takes up a minimum of space, it is easier to store it in an apartment or a small garage.
But there are flawsWhich you should know in advance:
- 🌡️ Temperature-dependent: In winter or in cold water, the bottom becomes "oak" and hard, and in summer it can sag, requiring constant pumping.
- 👟 Shoe restrictions: On the bottom of the NDND you can not walk in rigid shoes with tread, heels or spikes - a high risk of puncture or tissue damage.
- 🔧 Difficulty of repair: If the bottom cylinder is seriously damaged, field repairs will be more difficult than replacing a single sheet of plywood.
To protect the bottom of the NDND from wear and cold, use special protective carpets made of corrugated PVC fabric. They not only protect the cylinders, but also create a thermal insulating layer, on this mat it is more pleasant to sit or stand barefoot.
Operational rules and inflatable floor care
For a long-term NDND boat, you have to follow a set of rules specific to inflatable structures, the main enemy of these boats is improper pressure and mechanical damage, pumping must be done strictly according to the instructions, preferably using a pressure gauge built into the pump or a separate one.
It's important to remember that the temperature expansion of the air is very important, because if you pump a boat in a warm garage or house and then take it out into the cold, the pressure inside will drop and the bottom will become soft. And vice versa, a boat pumped in the cold, when it gets in the sun, can burst. So always leave a small supply or blow the air when conditions change.
Bottom care involves regular washing and drying, sand and dirt, getting between the cylinders, work like an abrasive, rubbing the fabric, after each fishing, it is advisable to rinse the boat with fresh water, especially if you swim in salt water or polluted water bodies.
☑️ Checklist of the preparation of the boat NDND for the season
Keep the boat in a deflated but not folded "accordance" state, if possible. It is best to hang it or spread it out in a dry room. Prolonged storage in a compressed state under load can lead to deformation of the seams and "break" of fabric.
How to choose a quality boat NDND
When buying, pay attention to the density of the fabric. For the bottom, which experiences maximum loads, the optimal density of PVC is from 750 to 1100 g / sq.m. Thinner fabric will be lighter, but less durable. Also important is the safety margin of the seams - they must be carried out in a sweep and well-gladed or welded.
Notice the number of independent compartments in the bottom, the more, the more safety and stability of the structure, the good tone is the presence of three or more compartments in the bottom, and also check the equipment: the remix, the pump with a pressure gauge and the bag-packaging.
A critical parameter is the quality of the valves. They're the ones that get the most air, and good boats use frog valves, or their quality valves, which hold pressure and are easy to maintain, and cheap plastic valves can crack in the cold or not keep pressure when they're in active use.
⚠️ Attention: Don't skimp on the pump. Using compressors from a car without pressure control (manometer) is the fastest way to damage a NDND boat. At 0.5 atmosphere pressure on the bottom can be destructive, and it's impossible to spot it by eye.
Repair and restoration of leakage
Even the most durable boat is not immune to punctures. NDNDM repairs are made with special remixes that come in the kit, or liquid PVC and fabric tone. Small punctures can be cold-stitched, degreased and glue-sticked. More serious damage may require a hot hair dryer method.
If the problem is with the etching valve, you can try to clean it or replace the gasket. In some models, the valves are twisted with a special key, which allows you to replace them completely without disassembling the boat, which is a great advantage over models with glued valves.
In case of serious damage to the bottom cylinder (sling rupture or a large cut), repair is better entrusted to professionals in a specialized workshop. Self-gluing large areas at home often leads to a violation of geometry, and the boat ceases to keep shape.
The main conclusion: the boat is the perfect compromise for a single fisherman or a small company that values mobility and ease of assembly, but is ready to put up with some restrictions on the rigidity of the floor.
Can I use a NDND boat in winter?
You can use a NDND boat in winter, but with caution. PVC cloth in the cold bluffs and becomes brittle. Any mechanical impact (hitting the ice, sloppy movement) can lead to cracks. Also, the pressure inside in the cold drops, the bottom becomes soft. If there is no exit, use the boat carefully, do not drag on the ice and keep warm until the last moment.
What is the optimal pressure for the bottom of the NDND?
The optimum pressure is usually 0.2 to 0.25 atmospheres (about 3-4 psi). Accurate data is always indicated on the passport of a particular model or on the sticker next to the valve. Exceeding the manufacturer's value is strictly not recommended, as this leads to overstretching of the tissue and rupture of the seams.
How is NDD different from ND (high pressure)?
The main difference is in design and rigidity: NDND (low pressure) has cylinders that hold shape due to slings and little pressure. High pressure bottom boats (often referred to simply as flat bottom "inflators") have a dense-tissue bottom stretched like a drum or individual high-pressure cylinders. NDNDND is usually stiffer and better shaped than a simple inflatable floor, but softer than a solder one.
Do I need to dry the boat after every fishing trip?
It is not necessary to dry the boat completely every time if you plan to go back to the water in a couple of days. However, before long-term storage (for the winter or just in the garage), the boat must be washed and completely dry to avoid the appearance of mold, fungus and unpleasant smell that destroy PVC and glue seams.
Which glue is best for repairing NDND?
It is best to use a special two-component polyurethane adhesive designed specifically for PVC materials (for example, Texacol, Kleyberg or original remixes of boat manufacturers). Conventional household adhesives ("Moment" and analogues) may not provide tightness and elasticity of the seam, which must "work" together with the fabric.