Choosing a low-pressure inflatable boat flooring (LDPB) is not just an aesthetic issue, it is a critical stage in preparing the boat for the season. Many owners face the dilemma of leaving the regular textiles, installing plywood or choosing more modern composite solutions. The right answer to the question of "what to put on the floor in a NDNDB boat" depends not only on the comfort of fishing, but also on the durability of the tank itself.
The load on the bottom is distributed unevenly, and improperly selected material can cause local wear of the fabric or even damage to its sharp edges. In this article, we will discuss in detail all popular decking options, their advantages, disadvantages and features of installation.
Role of hard decking in NDND boats
The low-pressure inflatable floor is a complex structure with longitudinal and transom partitions that, when pumped, create a rigid surface. textile It's not designed to be used for cruising in rigid shoes or mounting heavy anchor boxes, but it takes the main mechanical load, protecting the cylinders from abrasion and puncture.
In addition to the protective function, the correct coating significantly increases the ergonomics It's much easier to move around on a flat surface while catching fish, setting up a tent or just sitting on chairs, and the absence of sagging floors between cylinders prevents water from accumulating in the center of the cockpit, which is especially important when you're excited.
It is important to understand that any additional weight affects driving performance, light alloys or special plastics may be preferable to heavy plywood if the boat is operated with a minimum power engine. The optimal weight of the decking should not exceed 15-20% of the payload capacity of the boat.Not to reduce speed and controllability.
Plywood floors: classics of budget tuning
Plywood remains the most popular material due to its availability and ease of processing. plywood (moisture resistant) because a conventional building FC will quickly dissipate from contact with water, and the thickness of the sheet usually varies from 9 to 12 mm, which provides the necessary balance between strength and weight.
The main advantage of plywood is that it can be self-made in any configuration, so you can perfectly fit the geometry to a particular boat model, cut holes under stringers and provide space for mounting cans, but the material requires a finishing process, otherwise it will absorb water and become heavy.
- 🪵 Affordable price and the ability to buy material in any construction store.
- 🛠️ Ease of processing with electroclub jigsaw and grinding edges DIY.
- ⚖️ The possibility of accurate fitting to the size of the cockpit and the shape of the cylinders.
- 💧 Risk of swelling and loss of strength in violation of impregnation technology.
When using plywood, it is critically important to grind all the ends and cover them with several layers. sail-varnish Even a microscopic scratch on the end of the tar will be a gateway to moisture that will destroy the leaf from the inside in one season.
Aluminum grooved sheets: strength and lightness
Aluminum sheet with corrugation ("quintet" or "dural") is the choice of those who are looking for maximum durability. The material is completely inert to water, does not rot, does not absorb moisture and does not require any care other than rinsing. The weight of aluminum flooring is much less than that of plywood of the same area, which has a positive effect on the plywood. centre-up.
The riffled surface provides excellent adhesion to shoes even when wet, which improves water safety, but aluminum has its own specifications: it is cold to the touch, can rattle when moving and requires very high-quality edge treatment to avoid cutting the balloon.
Why can aluminum be dangerous for PVC?
Aluminum, when rubbed against PVC in the presence of sand or fine abrasive, works like sandpaper, and to avoid this, a thin layer of linoleum is often placed under aluminum sheets or special protective tapes are used on cylinders.
When mounting aluminum sheets, you need to use gaskets made of dense fabric or rubber in the contact areas with the cylinders, which will prevent the formation of scuffs and prolong the life of the craft, and it is also worth considering that aluminum conducts heat, so in hot weather in the sun it can heat up very much.
Rack flooring made of larch and composites
The rack floor, often called the "deck", is assembled from narrow slats connected by flexible bonds or mounted on guides. SiberianIt's made from water, and it's made stronger and has a beautiful texture, and the alternative is a wood-polymer composite (WPC), which doesn't require any processing.
This design allows water to flow freely into the hold, leaving the floor surface relatively dry, especially for fishing, when the floor is constantly splashing water. Rack flooring creates the feeling of a classic wooden boat, adding aesthetics and tactile comfort.
Despite the beauty of the tree, it needs maintenance. The larch must be periodically oiled so that it does not silver and dries too much. Composite materials do not have this drawback, but they are generally heavier than natural wood and have a limited choice of colors.
To reduce the weight of rack decks, use slats with a thickness of no more than 15-18 mm. thicker slats will significantly weight the structure without a significant increase in strength.
Coatings for comfort: carpet and EVA-mats
If the main priority is comfort, especially when fishing from spinning or fly-flying, then soft coatings are laid on top of a rigid base (plywood or aluminum). Carpet rubber-based or specialized EVA mats (used in yachting) create a shock-absorbing layer.
This floor allows you to spend many hours on your feet without fatigue, and the soft coating is great for drowning the noise of falling objects and steps, which can be important when catching careful fish, mats are easy to wash, dry quickly and do not absorb the smell of fish or gasoline.
But remember, soft coatings are an extra layer to dry after every fishing trip, and if you leave the wet carpet in the closed boat, you may get mold or an unpleasant odor, and regular drying and cleaning is essential for hygiene.
Comparative table of materials for sex
To finally decide on the choice, let’s compare the main specifications of the materials considered in the summary table.
| Materials | Weight. | Durability | Price. | Difficulty of installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSF phanera | Heavy. | Medium (requires care) | Low. | Low. |
| Aluminum grooved | Light. | High. | Medium | Medium |
| Larch (reiki) | Medium. | High. | High. | High. |
| Composite (KDP) | Heavy. | Very high. | High. | Medium |
As you can see from the table, there is no perfect solution, depending on your budget, your willingness to care for the material and the weight requirements of the equipment, and for most anglers, carpeted plywood is the best trade-off.
Installation technology and important nuances
The placing of the floor in the boat requires a certain sequence of actions: first, you need to completely inflate the boat and let it lie in the sun or in the heat, so that the material of the cylinders stretched and took a working form, only then you can start to fit the flooring.
If you use plywood, make sure that the sheets are barbed. All corners should be rounded with a radius of at least 10-15 mm. Sharp angles are guaranteed puncture when loaded. When laying the sheets, make sure that they do not rest on the seams of the cylinders, but lie on flat parts.
☑️ Checklist before floor installation
Some models have special pockets or slings to fix the floor, and if they don't exist, you can use anti-slip mats under the sheets to prevent them from moving while driving, and it's not recommended to stick the floor firmly to the cylinder, as this will make it difficult to dry and repair the boat.
⚠️ Attention: Never use sheets with raw edges or with sticking nails / screws. Even a slight roughness on the end of the plywood when rubbed against an inflated cylinder can wipe the fabric in a matter of minutes of active use.
Floor care and storage
Proper floor care extends the life of not only the deck, but also the boat, and after each foray into the water, you need to remove the floor, wash it with fresh water and dry it thoroughly, especially plywood and wooden slats, which, when stored in a wet state, quickly lose their properties.
Aluminum sheets are easy to rinse and wipe, removing the residue of salt or silt. Periodically check the condition of the lower surface of the deck for corrosion or oxidation, especially if the boat is used in salt water.
It is better to store the removed floor in an unfolded form or vertically to ensure air circulation. A stack of wet plywood is the ideal environment for fungus development. Regular treatment of wooden elements with antiseptics for outdoor work will also not be superfluous.
The main rule of storage: the floor and the boat should be stored separately, in a dry and ventilated room, this will eliminate the appearance of mold and unpleasant odors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a regular floorboard instead of plywood?
You can use it, but you don't recommend it. You can often have knots that can fall out, and it's less stable in geometry, and it's heavier than plywood and requires more careful grinding. You'd better use a pelted larch board, but it's going to be more expensive and harder to install.
Do I need to paint the plywood floor?
You can paint, but the paint on a flexible base (if the floor is slightly bent) can crack. Better to use penetrating compounds, terracing oils or yacht varnish, which create an elastic film. The anti-slip properties of the paint also need to be considered - smooth painted surface will become slippery.
How to remove the creaking floor in the boat?
Screeching usually occurs because of friction on the floor or between sheets, a pad of dense fabric, felt or special carpet between the floor and the bottom of the boat, and you can also lubricate the rubbing ends of the sheets with paraffin or silicone grease.
Does the hard floor affect the speed of the boat?
The hard floor itself does not affect hydrodynamics, because it is inside. However, weight (especially from plywood or composite) reduces the payload and can slightly reduce maximum speed or increase fuel consumption.