Buying an inflatable vessel is just the first step towards fully exploiting the water, and many owners of budget models or boats without a hard floor face the problem of a soft bottom that bends under the weight of passengers and motor, creating a hammock effect. stringerThese elements make the inflatable boat more stable and fast, bringing its performance closer to full-fledged boats.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what stringers are, how they differ from classic floorboards and why they are needed for your boat. You will learn about materials, installation technologies and nuances that will help to avoid errors during modernization. PVC boatsUnderstanding the working principles of these elements will allow you to make the right choice and significantly improve the performance of your vessel.
Many people confuse stringers with conventional flooring, but the functional difference is huge. If the floorboards just create a flat area, the stringer system acts as a framework that distributes the load over the entire area of the cylinders, which not only increases comfort, but also significantly extends the life of the fabric. PVCprevents its overstretch in high pressure zones.
What are stringers and why do they need them
Stringers are longitudinal or transom rigid elements that are mounted inside an inflatable boat to give it the stiffness of the bottom. Unlike removable plywood plywood plywood that simply lie on the bottom, the stringer system is often integrated into the design or installed on the principle of the principle of the stringer system. stretch-floorThe main purpose is to create a rigid platform that does not bend under load, which is especially critical when installing an outboard motor.
The stringer-shaped rigid bottom greatly improves the vessel's fluid dynamics, so the boat stops scouring, keeps its course better, and goes plane at lower engine power. motor-load It's not transmitted to the local area of the tissue, but distributed over the entire bottom area through a system of rigid bonds, which reduces the risk of damage to the cylinders and improves overall safety of navigation.
⚠️ Warning: Installation of rigid stringers in a boat not designed by the manufacturer can cause joints to rupture or deform the cylinders when the temperature changes. Always check the technical documentation before upgrading.
In addition, having a hard floor allows you to move more confidently inside the cockpit, which is especially important when fishing or hunting actively. You are no longer dependent on how the balloons are inflated - the platform remains stable. It also makes it easier to install additional equipment, such as sonars, spinning mounts or anchor winches, which require a solid base.
The main types of stringer systems
The water accessories market offers several types of soft bottom solutions, depending on your boat's design, desired stiffness and budget. aluminum-stringers, which are profiles inserted into special pockets on the inside of the cylinders or placed in the provided slots.
The second popular option is based on systems NDMA (Low Pressure inflatable floor) Although technically an inflatable structure, it often has longitudinal stringers made of strong fabric or composite materials that, when pumped, create a rigid plane, lighter than aluminum, but require careful pressure control.
- 🔹 Built-in stringers: These are the elements that are inserted into special pockets on cylinders in the factory, which provide maximum rigidity and are often found in premium models.
- 🔹 Overhead systems: These are profile sets that fit on top of the inflatable floor or into special niches, and they require the right build to create tension.
- 🔹 Combined options: combination of inflatable floor and removable rigid elements, allowing you to vary the stiffness depending on the swimming conditions.
Separately, it is worth highlighting transformableThese structures are easy to transport, because they take up less space in the trunk of a car than solid sheets of plywood, but they can be heavier and take longer to assemble on shore.
When choosing stringers, pay attention to the presence of anti-corrosion coating, especially if you plan to operate a boat in salt water.
Materials of manufacture and their specifications
The durability and weight of the boat depend on the materials used in the production of stringers. aviation It has an excellent strength-weight ratio, does not rust (although it can oxidize) and tolerates mechanical stress well.
A more budget-friendly but heavy option is steel or a conventional low-alloy aluminum alloy, which is strong but significantly increases the overall weight of the vessel, which can have a negative impact on load capacity and speed. For those with maximum lightness, there are composite variants or stringers made of magnesium-aluminum alloys.
| Materials | Weight. | Strength | Corrosion resistance | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum D16T | Low. | High. | Medium (requires oxidation) | Medium |
| Stainless steel | Highly | Very high. | High. | High. |
| Plastic/Composite | Medium. | Medium | Very high. | Low/Medium |
| Wood (plywood) | Highly | Medium (depending on moisture) | Low (impregnated) | Low. |
An important aspect is the surface covering of the stringers. The smooth anodized coating not only protects the metal, but also prevents friction against the fabric of the boat. PVC The quality of the edges treatment should be given special attention when buying or making them yourself.
Technology of installing stringers DIY
Installing stringers is a process that requires careful and consistent action. If you decide to upgrade your boat yourself, you'll need a toolkit and a clear understanding of the design, and mistakes at this point can cost you the integrity of the cylinders.
⚠️ Warning: Never install rigid elements in a fully pumped boat without prior preparation. This can cause valves or seams to be damaged due to excessive internal pressure.
The process usually starts with surface preparation. The bottom of the boat should be clean and dry. If you install the system for the first time, you may need to mark the anchorages or check for guide pockets. In some models, stringers are simply put into special slots between the layers of the bottom fabric.
☑️ Stringer installation algorithm
The key is to evenly distribute the elements, so they need to be parallel to each other, and not be pushed into the sides at an angle that creates a point of tension, and then the cylinders are pumped out, and the air expands, and the stringers are pressed against the sides and the bottom, creating the necessary rigidity of the structure.
Nuances of working with duct tape
If your system requires stringing to be fixed with adhesive tape (scotch) to prevent bias when assembled, use only specialized PVC tape. Conventional stationery can leave traces of glue that are difficult to remove, or damage the protective layer of fabric when removed.
The effect of stringers on driving performance
The hard flooring system changes the boat's behavior on the water, and the first noticeable change is the reduction of water resistance, and the hard bottom doesn't create a bubble for an outboard motor, which makes it easier for the boat to go out on the boat. gellingThis is especially noticeable on boats with powerful engines, where the soft bottom extinguished some of the propeller's energy.
And it also improves handling, and the boat becomes more responsive to steering, and the yaw disappears when the sideways wave, and passengers feel more confident because the platform doesn't bend every time they move, which reduces fatigue during long transitions and increases safety when fishing actively.
- 🚀 Speed: Increase the maximum speed by 10-15% due to improved hydrodynamics.
- 🌊 Sustainability: Decrease in the amplitude of pitching and rolling on excitement.
- ⚖️ Balancing: The ability to more accurately center the load, which is important for small boats.
But the reverse side of the coin is also worth considering: the rigid structure can be noisier when hit by a wave than the fully inflatable floor, which acts as a shock absorber, and the weight of the boat assembled will increase, which must be considered when transporting and launching alone.
The hard stringer floor is a trade-off between comfort/speed and weight/size assembled. For fishing in large bodies of water, the pros outweigh the pros.
Care, maintenance and typical mistakes
Stringers require minimal maintenance, but ignoring simple rules can shorten their lifespan. After each trip, especially over salt water or in muddy conditions, the elements must be washed with fresh water. This will wash away salt, sand and organics that can cause corrosion or abrasion of the surface.
Storage of stringers should be in a dry place, preferably disassembled, if the design allows. Prolonged storage in a strained state (assembled boat) can lead to deformation of profiles or loss of elasticity of the boat fabric at the points of contact. It is recommended to periodically lubricate the movable joints (if any) with silicone lubrication.
One of the most common mistakes is to use inappropriate materials to replace or repair. For example, trying to replace an aluminum profile with a wooden bar can cause the tree to swell from moisture and swell the cylinders from the inside. It is also dangerous to use sharp-burrowed stringers - they work like a pressurized blade.
Can I install stringers on an inflatable floor boat (BBB)?
Yes, there are special rigidity systems designed for NDB boats, which are usually additional profiles that are placed in special pockets or attached to the inflatable floor, increasing its rigidity. However, standard stringers for hard bottom boats (Hard Bottom) may not fit geometry.
How much will the weight of the boat increase after installing the stringers?
Weight gain depends on the material and the floor area. An aluminum boat kit 3.2-3.6 meters long will add about 5-8 kg to the total weight. Steel or combined systems can be heavier. This is important to consider if you plan to carry the boat alone.
Does the installation of stringers affect the manufacturer's warranty?
The use of original accessories from the boat manufacturer does not usually affect the warranty. However, the installation of third-party rigid elements, especially if it requires structural modification (sweeping, drilling), can cause a denial of warranty service.
How to clean oxides from stringers?
To clean aluminum stringers from white plaque (oxidants), use special polyreles for aluminum or weak acid solutions (for example, acetic water), after which be sure to thoroughly rinse with water and dry.