For a beginner in water-motor tourism device flyboat It may sound simple: cylinders, trawlers, seats and floors. However, when you go into the specifications of the models, you might come across the term "cockpit." Many people mistakenly think that it's just a synonym for interior space or floor, but in fact it's a complex design feature that directly affects the design of the cockpit. seaworthiness and the boat's handling.
In classic shipbuilding, a cockpit is the deepened part of the deck where the helmsman or rowers are. PVC boat This concept has been transformed and now refers to a specific design of the bottom, which provides rigidity and shape. The presence of a full-fledged cockpit distinguishes professional models for open water from simple rowing or motor “flat-bottoms”.
Understanding how this space works will help you choose a boat that won't turn into porridge when you're excited or planing. longitudinal stringer The hardness of the inserts depends on whether you can comfortably fish in the wind or high speed.
Design features of the cockpit in inflatable vessels
Unlike rigid hulls, where the cockpit is a notch in the deck, the cockpit is a cockpit in the deck. floatboat This is a concept that refers to the bottom rigidity system, and most often it's a structure where the inflatable tubes are perimetered and the center (bottom) is reinforced. bottom High pressure (HPD) or insertion of rigid materials.
The main task of this cockpit is to keep in shape. The soft bottom, under the influence of water and the weight of passengers, bends, creating sailing and degrading course stability. balkIn NDNDM models, stiffness is created by thousands of threads stretched between layers of PVC, creating an inflatable carpet effect.
There are also hybrid versions where the cockpit is formed by removable plywood sheets (floorboards) laid on inflatable tubes, which allows you to fold the boat into a compact backpack, but takes time to assemble. cockpit rigidity It is a critical parameter for safety.
When choosing a boat, pay attention to the pressure that withstands the bottom of the NDND. The optimal indicator for glides with a motor from 5 hp starts from 0.8-1.0 atmosphere (800-1000 mbar).
Differences between the cockpit and the classical floorboard floor
Many anglers confuse the notion that any floor in a boat is a cockpit. whole-bottom The payroll floor is made up of individual aluminum or plywood sheets connected by stringers, and it's rigid, but it has joints that can let water through or make it uncomfortable to lie down.
The cockpit, as performed by NDND, is devoid of these disadvantages, and it's a single plane that inflates into a drummy membrane, and you can stand on that bottom without fear of falling between the sheets, and it doesn't absorb water. aerodynamics The whole bottom is much better: water does not linger in the cracks, which reduces resistance when moving.
On the other hand, solder boats are often cheaper and easier to repair. If you punch through the NDNDT with a stone, repairs can take longer than replacing one sheet of plywood in a soldered structure. comfort and speed or repairability and price.
- 🛶 NDND (inflatable floor of low pressure): It is quickly assembled, excellent geometry, high comfort, but heavier in drying.
- 🔩 The floorboards: maximum stiffness, lighter weight, cheaper, but longer assembly and possible cracks.
- ⚓ Mixed type: inflatable stringer cylinders and rigid inserts, a compromise option for tourism.
It is also worth mentioning profiling The cockpit. In good models, the bottom is not flat, but keeled, and this is achieved by the shape of cylinders or special profiles, the keeled cockpit is better at cutting the wave and less prone to yaw, which is critical when you go against the wind.
Materials and technologies of production of the bottom
The basis for creating a rigid cockpit is reinforced PVCIt's not a simple film, it's a complex composite material, and the fabric base (usually polyester) provides tensile strength, and the polyvinyl chloride coating protects against water, ultraviolet light and mechanical damage, and the quality of this material directly determines the life of your cockpit.
High-density PVC is used for bottoms, often with markings 1100 g/m2 The most important element of technology is the method of joining seams. hot-vulcanization It's a risk, because when you get hot, it makes the seam stronger than the material itself, and cold gluing on the bottom is a risk, because when you're under extreme temperatures and stresses, it can float.
⚠️ Attention: Never leave a fully pumped NDND cockpit boat in the direct sun on a hot day unattended. The pressure inside the cylinders increases proportionally to the temperature, and the excess pressure can cause the seams to rupture or deform the geometry of the bottom.
It is also worth paying attention to the presence of shield-layer This is an extra tape of denser material that takes on the impacts of rocks, shells and sand when pulling the boat ashore, and the lack of such protection significantly shortens the life of your vessel.
| Parameter | PVC for cylinders | PVC for cockpit (NDND) | Phanera (Pyola) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/m2) | 750–900 | 900–1100+ | — |
| Working pressure | 0.2-0.25 atm | 0.6-1.0 atm | — |
| Weight. | Easy. | Harder. | Medium. |
| Comfort. | Tall (soft) | Tall (elastic) | Low (hard/cold) |
The impact of the cockpit design on driving performance
Why are the experienced water-engineers so insistent on a rigid cockpit? It's all about the physics of motion. gellingIt relies on water only at the back of the bottom, and if the cockpit is soft, it flexes under the pressure of water and centrifugal forces in the corners, which is called the "diaper effect."
The deflection of the bottom changes hydrodynamics The nose picks up, the boat starts to go off (jumping on the waves), speed drops sharply and fuel consumption increases. The hard cockpit keeps the angle of attack set, allowing the boat to lie confidently on the water even when fully loaded, which is especially important for boats longer than 3 meters.
A hard cockpit is the only condition for safe and economical planing. A soft bottom turns a powerful motor into a useless load that burns gasoline in vain.
In addition, the rigidity of the cockpit affects handling, and on a soft bottom, it is more difficult to redistribute the weight of passengers for balancing, since you are standing on a trampoline. The hard bottom gives you a strong footing, allowing the fisherman to react quickly to a change in situation, for example, when you are in a trampoline. snatch large fish or maneuvering in reeds.
Operation and care of the inflatable cockpit
Even the most durable. PVC material The main enemy of the cockpit is sand and fine dust, and when it gets between the folds of the deflated bottom, the grains of sand act like an abrasive, and when inflated and then blown off, they can rub the inner layer of tissue, causing microcracks and loss of sealing.
Before packing the boat, make sure to wipe the cockpit with a wet cloth. If the boat is wet, dry it in the shade. Wet PVC when rolled up is the perfect environment for development. fungusThey destroy the structure of the material from the inside, making it brittle.
☑️ Caring for a cockpit after fishing
Winter storage also has its nuances: Don't leave the boat in the cold in an unheated garage unless it's prepared. Although modern materials are frost-resistant, extreme temperature changes can have a negative impact on the water. gluedIt is better to keep the boat in straightened or semi-assembled form at plus temperature.
Repair of cockpit damage in the field
Despite its high strength, a cockpit puncture is not uncommon. repair-packIt includes PVC lats and special glue (usually polyurethane) and it is important to understand the difference between an emergency repair on the shore and a major repair in the workshop.
To temporarily eliminate the puncture, clean and degrease the surface around the damage. Put a latch on it, press it tightly and let it dry according to the instructions. seam It's dangerous to operate a full-load boat, or it's large, and it requires professional vulcanization.
How do you put PVC in the cold?
Normal polyurethane adhesives below 5°C will not work, they will crystallize. For winter fishing, carry two-component compounds or special winter adhesives that retain elasticity at low temperatures. In extreme cases, warm the site and the boat with body heat or chemical heating.
Remember, the quality of the repair depends on the surface preparation. Just smear and stick is not enough. Mechanical cleaning (light grinding) and chemical etching of the surface are mandatory steps to create a new model. monolithic.
How to Choose a Boat with the Right Cockpit
When choosing a boat, ask yourself the question: where and how will you fish? For a quiet fishing on the lake in calm and budget model with a small boat. plumbateBut if your plans include the river with the current, the wind and the planing outlet, you can't save on the cockpit.
Pay attention to the quantity balloon The more of them and the higher the pressure, the tougher the cockpit will be, and the more important is the inflatable keel, which is an extension of the cockpit and provides stability, and the boat without a keel on the wave will prowl, requiring constant control with the tiller.
Don't chase the maximum length if you have a weak engine. The large sailing and weight of a large cockpit can make the boat clumsy. The optimal balance is when motor-power The boat is designed according to the data-sheet specifications and the bottom design is appropriate for your tasks.
Can I use a boat with a punctured cockpit?
Use a boat with a punctured cockpit (NDND) can only be in EK