When choosing an inflatable watercraft, a future boating inevitably encounters the acronym NDNDM in its description of specifications, a term that often puzzles beginners, although it hides one of the most common and convenient floor designs.
Understanding the PVC NDD is critical to the right choice of vessel for specific tasks. The type of floor determines the hardness of the bottom, the speed of assembly, the weight of the kit and, of course, the final cost of the product. In this article, we will discuss in detail the inflatable floor device, its advantages over the plywood counterpart and the nuances of operation.
The main feature of these models is that they don't have rigid elements in the bottom structure, and the entire surface is made up of a special inflatable balloon that only takes shape after being pumped with air, fundamentally changing the way we store and transport a boat, making it as compact as possible.
Decoding of the abbreviation and the principle of operation
abbreviation NDMA It stands for "inflatable floor," which sounds tautological at first, but technically it describes a two-layer structure, and unlike a conventional inflatable balloon, it uses High Pressure technology to create a rigid platform.
The structurally, the floor is a sealed balloon, and there are thousands of strong threads strung inside it. drop-stitchWhen the compressor is pumped to a pressure of 0.5-0.8 atmosphere (sometimes up to 1 atmosphere), the threads are stretched, turning the soft bag into a hard plate.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to pump the NDND with a conventional foot pump to a stone without a pressure gauge. Excess pressure in hot weather can cause internal bonds or seams to break.
It's important to understand that the rigidity of this floor is relative, that if you step on it in the center, it will bend, unlike plywood, but it's quite enough to kneel or sit, and the technology allows you to build boats up to 4 meters long and more, while maintaining a minimum weight.
Use of use high-pressure The usual "frogs" that come with a kit often cannot provide the necessary pressure, so experienced water motors buy electric or more productive mechanical pumps.
Key Benefits of Inflatable Floor
The main advantage of the NDND design is weight, which weighs 30 to 40 percent less than the plywood floor, which is critical for walker anglers who carry a boat in a backpack on their shoulders or float it alone without the help of a ladder.
The second undeniable plus is compactnessA folded boat takes up the minimum amount of space in the trunk of a car, and it can easily fit fishing rods, motors and other supplies, and the absence of hard sheets of plywood allows you to pack the boat in an irregularly shaped bag, filling the voids between things.
The third aspect is thermal insulation. The inflatable floor works like a heat mat. When you're out in the water for a few hours, you don't feel the cold from the water as much as you do through thin plywood, and this is especially true in the off-season or when you're out for the night.
Also worth noting is safety: In the case of a boat tipping over (which is rare but happens), a soft bottom is less traumatic than hard plywood or aluminum, and the soft floor extinguishes the vibration from the engine, making the swim more comfortable.
- 🎒 Minimum weight of the kit, allowing to carry the boat to one person.
- 🚗 Perfect compactness when transporting in folded form.
- 🌡️ High thermal insulation, which preserves body heat in cool weather.
- 🛡️ Safety in case of accidental falls inside the cockpit.
Disadvantages and limitations of operation
Despite the obvious advantages, there are serious downsides to NDND, and the main one is the time to get ready for the water, the boat needs not only to spread, but also to pump the bottom thoroughly, and the process takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on the pump performance.
Floor rigidity is the second important nuance: At high speeds or at high wavelengths, the soft bottom can play, creating a trampoline effect. This reduces course stability and increases water resistance. For high-speed glissers longer than 3.5 meters, plywood flooring is often preferred.
⚠️ Attention: On the soft bottom of the NDND, it is more difficult to install a stationary sonar or spinning mount, and devices can collapse when the floor is deformed during movement.
Wear resistance is another risk factor, and puncture a puncture floor with a sharp object (hook, stone, branch) is easier than damaging plywood. PVC They are very durable, the risk of cuts during careless landing on shore remains.
And we also have to mention the temperature dependence, because in winter, at low temperatures, the material tans, and it becomes harder to pump it to the right state, and the pressure inside the cylinder drops in the cold, requiring constant pumping.
To compensate for the disadvantages, manufacturers often reinforce the bottom with additional safety tape, but this is only a partial solution. NDMA It's going to take a lot of caution.
The myth of the strength of NDD
There is a popular belief that the bottom of the NDND can be easily punched with a heel. It is not. Modern fabrics can withstand point loads of hundreds of kilograms. Only a sharp object (knife, hook) is dangerous, but not a blunt blow or a person's weight pressure.
Comparison with plywood floorboard bottom
To make a final decision, you need to do a comparative analysis: plywood floors are classics that have been tested for decades; they provide perfect stiffness and geometry of the hull; a plywood boat is better at glides and more stable on course.
But plywood is heavy and afraid of water. plywood It can dissipate over time if not dried after each fishing trip, and the weight of the floorboard can reach 15-20 kg, which is essential for single wear.
Below is a table comparing the main specifications of both types of bottom:
| Characterization | NDND (Inflatable) | Plywood (Pyolas) |
|---|---|---|
| Sex weight | 2–4 kg | 10–18 kg |
| Assembly time | 15-20 min (with pumping) | 5-10 minutes (assembly of sheets) |
| Toughness | Medium (spring) | Tall (monolithic) |
| Compactness | Maximum | Limited by sheet size |
| Heat insulation | High. | Low. |
The choice between these options depends on the use case: For long walks and water trips, where every kilogram counts, NDND has no competitors; For fishing from the shore, where the boat is assembled for a week, or for high-speed walks with a powerful engine, it is better suited for fishing from the shore. plywood.
There are also hybrid variants, such as the AirFloor floor, which combine a rigidity close to plywood and a lower weight, but cost significantly more than the classic BND.
Features of assembly and pumping
The process of bringing the boat with NDND to work requires compliance with the technology, first straighten the sides, then pump the keel (if any) to form the keel, only then start pumping the bottom.
Pump the bottom evenly, moving from valve to valve (usually two or four), it is important to make sure that the fabric is straightened out, without folds, and the folds under pressure can become stress points and lead to damage.
☑️ Checklist of boat assembly with NDND
In hot weather, the pressure inside the balloon increases, so if you pump the boat in the shade and then expose it to the sun, the pressure can rise to critical values, and in such cases, you need to put some air through the overpressure valve.
For ease of use, many models are equipped with high pressure valves with sand protection, which is an important element, since the entry of abrasive particles into the valve mechanism can disrupt the tightness.
The electric pump is a lot faster, but it requires a battery. The mechanical pump is more reliable, but it requires physical effort. The best combination is to pump it quickly with electricity and apply it manually.
Care, storage and repair
The maintenance of the inflatable floor is simple but mandatory. After each operation, the boat must be washed with fresh water and, most importantly, thoroughly dried. The wet cloth in the rolled-up state is the perfect medium for mold that breaks down the adhesive layer.
It's better to keep a boat with NDND in its straightened form, or at least half-assembled if space permits, but most owners have to roll it up, and in this case it's important to keep the cloth from breaking in the cold season.
⚠️ Warning: Do not keep a boat with PDD in the garage near heat sources or in the direct sun during the summer. Ultraviolet and overheating accelerate the aging of polyvinyl chloride.
Inflatable floor repair in the field is possible with a refit, which uses a special glue and a patch made of PVC fabric, and it is important to degrease the surface before gluing and press the load tightly during drying.
To make the seams invisible and durable after repair, use a dryer to preheat the glued surfaces. Warm glue penetrates deeper into the fabric structure.
The service life of high-quality NDND is 10-15 years when operated carefully, the main enemies are mechanical punctures and ultraviolet light, regular treatment with protective compounds (for example, the main enemies are mechanical punctures and ultraviolet light). Hi-Gear) prolongs the life of the material.
The final choice: who will suit the NDND
So to sum up, inflatable floor boats are the choice of a pragmatist who values mobility, and if you live in an apartment without an elevator, have a small car, or like to go fishing on foot, that's your option.
For trolling on large reservoirs or long-distance high-speed walks, it is better to consider models with a hard bottom or hybrid. AirFloorBut for 80% of recreational fishing and recreational tasks, NDND is the optimal balance of price, weight and comfort.
The main conclusion: NDND is a choice in favor of lightness and compactness at the expense of the absolute rigidity of the body and assembly speed.
Modern fabric manufacturing technologies allow inflatable floors to be almost as rigid as plywood, while retaining all the advantages of inflatable construction. The market is constantly evolving, offering increasingly sophisticated solutions.
Can I put the motor on a boat with NDND?
Yes, of course. Boats with inflatable bottoms are successfully operated with engines up to 15-18 hp (for models with a length of 3.6-4.0 meters). It is important to adjust the transom angle and distribute the weight so that the boat goes faster to the plane.
What pressure should I pump into the NDND?
The optimal working pressure is usually 0.5-0.6 atmosphere (500-600 mbar). The maximum permissible pressure is indicated in the product passport and usually does not exceed 0.8-0.9 atm.
What do you do to fix a puncture on the bottom?
For repairs, a remake kit is used, complete with a boat, or universal PVC kits. Special glue for PVC is needed (for example, Texacol or two-component polyurethane) and a degreasing agent (acetone or alcohol).
Is it true that NDND is colder than plywood?
No, it's a myth. Inflatable bottoms, on the contrary, work like thermal insulators. The air inside the balloon does not conduct heat well, so it's warmer to sit and stand on NDNDT than on cold plywood, which cools quickly from water.