Dec for PVC boats: official catalog and specifications

In today's world of water-powered technology, the choice of watercraft is no longer a matter of engine availability. Today's demands for comfort, stability and functionality on the water dictate their conditions, forcing owners to pay close attention to the design of the bottom. deck of the boats official query is often entered in search engines by users who want to find a reliable bottom for their vessel, whether it is plywood floorboard or all-welded aluminum floor. Understanding what a quality deck is is the key to safe and comfortable operation of your vessel in all conditions.

At first glance, it may seem that the bottom of the boat is just a flat surface on which a fisherman or a passenger is sitting. However, in reality, it is a complex engineering system that provides hull rigidity, hydrodynamics and protection from sharp objects at the bottom of the reservoir. Badger, WinBoat or NerpaThey offer many options for execution, each of which has its own unique features and purpose.

In this article, we will discuss all aspects of choosing a deck, consider the technical specifications of various materials and answer the questions that most often arise when customers search for original products.

Design features and types of flooring

The basis of any hard-bottomed inflatable boat is the floorboard, which in the professional environment is often called the deck. There are two main types of execution: a water-resistant plywood indented floorboard and an all-welded aluminum bottom. NP It's a set of sheets, which are connected by stringers, and it allows you to fold the boat into a compact backpack, while maintaining excellent performance on the water. NDMA (low pressure inflatable floor) with rigid inserts, are a monolithic design that provides maximum rigidity and stability.

When choosing between plywood and aluminum, you have to consider not only weight, but also operating conditions. Aluminum is rotten, does not absorb water and lasts for decades, but it is much heavier and more expensive. plywood Laminated flooring is a great trade-off between weight, cost and durability, and it's important to understand that the official deck from the manufacturer always has a special treatment of the edges to prevent the material from being stratified.

The geometry of the deck deserves special attention. In models with a keel, the bottom has a V-shaped profile, which significantly improves wave germination and course stability. The flat bottom, characteristic of simple rowing boats, is less comfortable on the move for an outboard motor, because it creates a strong shaking on the choppy water. So if you plan to actively use a motorized boat of more than 5 hp, the presence of the keel and hard deck becomes a critical factor.

⚠️ Note: The use of homemade plywood decks instead of the original deck can lead to violation of the geometry of cylinders and their premature wear in areas of friction.

Modern manufacturing techniques allow you to create decks with complex fixation systems. Lock & Go Or similar stringer attachment mechanisms allow for rapid assembly without losing stiffness, and in official models, all the stringer holes match perfectly, which is difficult to achieve in artisanal conditions.

Manufacture materials and their durability

When it comes to boat durability, deck material comes to the fore: official products of leading brands use only certified raw materials; plywood flooring is used with top-quality birch plywood impregnated with special moisture-resistant compounds. The thickness of the sheet usually varies from 9 to 12 mm, which provides the necessary margin of safety. The surface is often covered. laminate A phenolic film that protects the tree from mechanical damage and water.

Aluminum decks are made of aviation aluminum brand AMG This material is highly corrosive and durable. Unlike conventional steel, aluminum does not rust, and when properly maintained, it retains its presentable appearance for many years. Welds on quality decks are made by argon welding, which ensures that they are tight and that there are no sharp edges that could damage the PVC material of cylinders.

An important design element is stringers, profiles inserted into the slots between sheets of plywood or aluminum sections, which act as stiffness ribs, spreading the load over the entire area of the bottom. In cheap analogues, stringers can be made of a thin profile that deforms under load, while formalities They use a reinforced profile.

How do you extend the life of the plywood floor?

After each fishing, be sure to dry plywood floorboard. Even moisture-resistant plywood, if constantly in contact with water, can begin to layer. Store the sheets in a straightened form in a dry room, avoiding direct sunlight that overdries the wood.

The surface texture also matters. Smooth surfaces make it easier to move around the boat and clean, but they can be slippery. slip-coating (called "skin" or ruffling), which significantly improves the safety of being on board, especially in wet clothes or shoes.

Overview of popular models and brands

The inflatable boat market is saturated with supply, however the leaders remain unchanged. - Brand Badger (previously known as Badger Boats) offers some of the most reliable decks on the market. Classic and Light It comes with high-quality plywood floorboard with reinforced stringers, and users note excellent docking of sheets and no backlashes after repeated builds.

Company WinBoat I've been betting on aluminum decks, and their models are like, 460RF or 520RFThey have a welded bottom that turns an inflatable boat into a full-boat in performance, and it's the choice of those who don't accept hard-core compromises, and the official dealers of these brands guarantee the integrity of the bottom structure.

Brand Nerpa It offers interesting solutions in the mid-range, with well-designed ergonomics and good value for money. Standard Often choose novice water engines for ease of assembly and reliable materials.

Brand	Type of deck	Materials	Features
Badger	Setting floorboard	Laminated plywood	Strengthened stringers, anti-slip
WinBoat	Whole-welded	Aluminum AMG	Maximum stiffness, keeliness
Nerpa	Setting floorboard	Waterproof plywood	Optimum price, light weight
Flagship	NDNDM/Pyol	Plywood/PVC	A variety of options for an outboard motor

When buying, it is important to pay attention to the marking, the official deck always has the manufacturer's stamp or the relevant documentation. counterfeit or products that have not passed quality control.

Where to buy the original deck and how to verify authenticity

The request for “official decan” often arises from the desire to avoid buying a substandard substitute. To buy components and boats should only be from authorized dealers or in official brand stores. Markets and dubious Internet sites often offer products that only look like the original, but do not meet the declared specifications of strength.

Authentication begins with visual inspection. Plywood sheets must be perfectly smooth, without curvatures ("helicopters"). The aluminum bottom must not have dents or traces of careless welding. Packaging also matters: original decks are often supplied in protective film or cardboard boxes to prevent damage during transportation.

The dealer always provides warranty These documents must include the series, model and date of production, the absence of documents - a red flag, indicating the risk of buying defective goods, and official sellers can offer services to install or replace the old deck with a new, reinforced one.

⚠️ Warning: Buying a deck with no documents deprives you of warranty. In the case of hidden defects, such as internal rotting of plywood or cracks in welded aluminum seams, it will be impossible to return the goods.

Pricing is also an indicator: too low a deck price for a boat over 3 meters long should alert, quality plywood and aluminum cannot be cheap because of the cost of raw materials and processing technology.

Installation and replacement of paiola DIY

Replacing the deck is a procedure that many boat owners do on their own, which may be required when the old plywood deck is worn out or if you want to Upgrade, you start by dismantling the old deck, you need to carefully remove the stringers, trying not to damage the material of the cylinders.

When you install a new paiola, it's important to be consistent, first you put the sheets in the nose, then the central ones, and lastly the aft ones, and then you put the stringers in the slots gradually as you move along, and you can use a soap solution to make it easier by putting it on the ends of the plywood, but it's important not to overdo it with moisture.

Special attention should be paid to the fixation of stringers. They must enter tightly, with little effort. If the stringer hangs, the rigidity of the structure will be broken. Some models use a fixation system using bolts or special locks, which makes it easier to do, but requires care when tightening the fastener.

Assembly order:
Spread the cylinders on a flat surface.
2. Lay down the deck's nasal leaf.
3. Insert the nose ends of the stringers.
4. Consistently stack the remaining sheets, inserting stringers.
5. Secure the stern leaf.
Inflate the cylinders and check the geometry.

Once assembled, it is recommended that the boat be left to rest for several hours so that the materials adapt to the temperature and spread out, especially for plywood decks that could be stored in a cold room.

Hard bottom care and maintenance

The durability of the deck depends on proper maintenance. After each operation, the boat must be washed with fresh water, especially if the swim was in salt water or a body of water with abundant vegetation. The sand stuck between the sheets of the deck works like an abrasive, rubbing the PVC fabric of cylinders from the inside.

Storage is critical. A plywood-bottomed boat is not recommended to be stored in a assembled state for long periods, especially when it is humid, and this can cause mold and deformation of the tree. The ideal option is to store the deck in a straightened form, separate from the cylinders in a dry, ventilated room. Aluminum decks are less demanding, but also need to be dried.

Periodically, inspect the condition of the coating. If the lamination on the plywood has started to wear off, it is recommended to treat the surface with special wood impregnation or yacht varnish. This will restore moisture protection properties and prolong the life of the decking. For aluminum floors, it is useful to use polyroles that remove the oxide film and return the shine.

Can I use a deck from one boat model to another?

In most cases, no. The geometry of the cylinders, the location of the stringers and the shape of the keel are unique to each model and even to different years of production of the same model. Installation of an inappropriate deck can lead to skewing of the boat, uneven tension of the seams and, as a result, to tear the cylinder under load. Except for universal decks, specially designed by the manufacturer for a number of models, but this should be indicated in the instructions.

What to do if the plywood deck is swollen?

If the swelling is minor, you can try to dry the sheets in a warm dry place (not in direct sun!) and treat the ends with a moisture-repellent compound. If the deformation is severe and the sheets no longer fit into the slots or lose flatness, such a floorboard should be replaced. The operation of the swollen deck is dangerous to destroy the adhesive seams of the balloon.

How to distinguish aluminum deck from steel deck?

Aluminum is much lighter than steel (about 3 times). Besides, aluminum is non-magnetic. A simple test with a magnet will immediately show the material: the magnet will stick to steel, the aluminum will not. Also, aluminum has a matte, silvery hue, while steel is often coated with paint or has a darker color.

Do I need to lubricate the stringers before assembly?

You can't lubricate the stringers with oil or fat, because these substances can react with PVC material of cylinders and destroy it. You can use a soap solution or a special silicone grease on a water-based basis only on the ends of the plywood to facilitate slipping, but not on the metal parts that come into contact with the balloon.