Choosing a swimming aid for fishing or relaxing on the water often comes down to finding a balance between portability and comfort. PVC material The standard for many water lovers is compact and reliable, but many models have an inflatable floor that can be uncomfortable with long-term parking or active fishing.
That is why many owners are thinking about upgrading and installing a rigid flooringIt's not just a matter of comfort, it's also a factor that affects the stability of the vessel and the distribution of the load. floaterIt is capable of withstanding more severe operating conditions.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the types of hard floors, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the nuances of installation. plywood 9 mm thickness It is considered optimal for most two-seater boats, and how to avoid typical construction errors.
Why change the inflatable floor to hard
The inflatable floor, often called NDND, provides excellent wave germination and ease of assembly. However, when using the boat as a fishing platform, the soft surface creates significant discomfort. The constant swaying of the support prevents the accurate installation of gear and tires the legs.
And if you put a hard flooring in, it changes the ergonomics, and you get a solid footing, and you get a lot more confidence in the cockpit. hard-bottom Protects inflatable tubes from sharp objects, hooks or tools that may accidentally fall inside.
And hydrodynamics is also important, because the rigid flat floor improves the flow of the hull on the plane, reducing water resistance, and this is especially noticeable when you install a medium-powered motor, when the boat enters plane mode faster and more stable holds its course.
- 🛡️ Cylinder protection: The solid surface prevents punctures and damage to the inside of the chamber from sharp objects.
- 🎣 Sustainability: The rigid platform allows you to confidently kneel or sit on a drawer without the risk of turning over.
- 🚀 Speed: Improved bottom geometry contributes to faster access to the plane and fuel economy.
⚠️ Warning: Installing too heavy decking can shift the center of gravity of the boat, which will adversely affect the handling and stability of the vessel in the excitement.
Types of hard decking: plywood, slate and aluminum
The PVC boat accessories market offers several basic hard floor options. The most common and affordable material remains the one that is the most widely used. plywoodUsually used moisture-resistant birch plywood brand FC or FSF. The latter is more resistant to moisture, but requires mandatory painting of the ends, as it contains phenolformaldehyde resins.
Structurally, plywood floors are divided into whole sheets and slateSlate is a set of separate boards or plywood strips connected by a strong fabric tape or profiles, which allows you to fold the floor with an accordion, which saves space in the trunk of the car.
A more expensive and durable option is aluminumIt's not afraid of water, it doesn't rot, it's a minimal weight, it's very durable, but it can cost a lot more than plywood, making it a choice for professionals or for owners of expensive boats.
- 🪵 Plywood slate: Budget option, easy to manufacture yourself, but requires care and drying.
- 🔩 Aluminum profile: Maximum durability, does not absorb water, but has a high cost and can be slippery.
- 🧩 Sandwich panels: Modern material, combining the lightness of foam and the strength of plastic, an excellent thermal insulator.
The secret to plywood durability
Plywood brand FC must be covered with at least two layers of yacht varnish or special impregnation for wood. the ends are painted 3-4 times, because it is through them that moisture penetrates into the fastest. If this is not done, after 2-3 seasons, the slate will begin to layer and lose strength.
Comparative specifications of materials
When choosing material for upgrading your boat, it is important to consider not only the price, but also the weight, as well as storage conditions. Moisture resistance It's a critical parameter, because it's inevitable that you'll come into contact with water, and even the best impregnations lose their properties over time.
The weight of the flooring directly affects the carrying capacity of the boat, for small single or half models, every extra kilogram counts, while too light a floor can be unstable and deformed under the weight of the angler.
| Materials | Weight (kg/m2) | Moisture resistance | Price. | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood FC (9 mm) | ~6.5 | Medium | Low. | 3-5 years |
| Plywood FSF (9 mm) | ~6.8 | High. | Medium | 5-7 years |
| aluminum | ~2.5 | Great. | High. | 10+ years |
| Plastic (PVC sheet) | ~4.0 | Great. | Medium | 7-10 years |
And you can see from the table that aluminum is winning in weight and durability, but losing in price. Plywood remains a compromise solution for most users. Plastic sheets are becoming a popular alternative, as they don't rot and are easy to wash.
Technology of manufacturing decking DIY
For many fishermen, the production slate-mat It's a very exciting process, and it's a very, very simple process to fit the dimensions perfectly into a particular boat model, and you need to take accurate measurements from the inflated bottom of the boat, given the curvature of the sides.
The optimum thickness of plywood for boats up to 3.5 meters in length is 7-9 mm. The use of a thinner material will lead to deflections and discomfort, and a thicker one will lead to an unjustified weighting of the structure.
To connect the elements of the slug is used dense fabric (for example, tarpaulin or reinforced PVC) and glue 88-H A gap of 3-5 mm between the boards must be left to drain water and compensate for temperature expansion.
☑️ Checklist for slag-making
⚠️ Warning: When plywood is cut, use a respirator, as dust from glue and varnish is toxic.
Installation and operation rules
The hard bottom of a PVC boat requires a sequence of steps, first it is placed in a rolled-up boat, and then the cylinders are pumped, which avoids distortion and excessive tension of the fabric.
If you're using a collapsible design of separate sheets, you need to spread them evenly, making sure that the edges don't go up. Some boat models have special designs. pockets or fixings to fix the bottom position.
After every fishing, the slate must be extracted, wiped and dried. Even moisture-resistant plywood does not like constant contact with water. Keeping a boat with wet decks installed inside is absolutely impossible, this will lead to mold and rot.
Use an anti-slip coating on the top of the plywood flooring, you can glue strips of carpet or use a special self-adhesive film with abrasive so that your feet do not slide over wet wood.
Particular attention should be paid to the compatibility of the flooring with keel-in-flatThe hard bottom should fit tightly to the cylinder, but not overly squeeze it, otherwise the geometry of the boat may be disturbed and driving performance deteriorated.
Floating and extension of service life
Your durability wood-floor The main enemy is the moisture that accumulates between the slug boards and the bottom of the boat, and regular drying is a mandatory procedure.
Once a season, before navigation, it is recommended to conduct a coating inspection, and if you notice varnish bloating or darkening of the tree, these places should be cleaned with fine sandpaper and covered with a new layer of protective composition.
For storage of sleigh in the off-season, it is best to disassemble it (if the design allows) or fold it in a dry, ventilated place. It is not recommended to keep a PVC boat with a hard bottom installed in a compressed state for a long time, as this creates a constant stress on the seams of cylinders.
The rule of thumb is never to leave wet plywood inside a rolled-up boat for storage, guaranteed to cause decking damage in one season.
Can I use a regular floorboard instead of plywood?
You can use a regular pine board, but it's less convenient. The boards have different humidity and can deform (arc out) when they dry, which will create gaps. The plywood is more stable geometrically. If you choose to go to the board, it should be well dried and handled on all sides.
How does a hard bottom affect the speed of the boat?
The hard flat bottom improves hydrodynamics, allowing the boat to go out faster on the plane, but if the flooring is too heavy or has an uneven surface with protrusions, it can, on the contrary, resist. It is important that the joints between the elements of the slug are minimal.
Do I need to paint the bottom of the plywood?
Yes, the bottom that comes into contact with the balloon also needs to be protected, but only use paints and varnishes that do not contain aggressive solvents that can damage the PVC fabric of the boat.
What if the slate doesn't fit into the bag?
If you've made the slate yourself and it doesn't fit into your regular bag, you can buy an extra decking case, and often the slate takes up more space than the assembled boat itself, and it's more convenient to carry it alone or in the trunk in a straightened form.