The navigation season is open and you are already on the shore, but yours is yours. PVC The inflatable floor boat assembly (BBB) has its own specifications that distinguish it from the classic plywood piol models, and the right sequence of actions will not only save time, but also prolong the life of the material, preventing premature wear and tearing of the seams.
Unlike hard bottoms, the main element of rigidity is the pressure of the air inside the bottom itself. Inflation errors can cause the boat to have unstable geometry, which is dangerous when driving on the motor. So it is important to clearly understand the algorithm of actions, which we will discuss in detail in this article.
Preparation of the seat and check of the completeness
Before you turn around. PVC materialThe ideal solution is to have a clean, flat surface without sharp stones, branches or broken glass, grass or sand is great, but asphalt or concrete requires extreme caution, as it can damage the fabric when dragging.
Take the boat out of the bag and straighten the cylinders carefully. Don't pull the valves, which is a weak point in the design. At this point, it's important to make sure that all the components are in place. Usually, the cylinders, the transom, the seats (banks), the pump and the remix are all included.
Visual inspection is mandatory even for a new boat, check for obvious defects, cuts or factory defects of the seams, and if you find foreign objects inside the bag, they should be removed immediately so that they do not damage. bottom in the pumping process.
⚠️ Warning: Never start assembly on dirty or wet pavement without using a protective mat or litter. Abrasive sand particles trapped between layers of fabric act as sandpaper when pumped.
Make sure you have access to electricity or a proper foot/manual pump. For models with NDND, an electric pump with auto-stop function is highly desirable, as pumping the bottom requires a significant amount of air and precise pressure control.
Bottom and cylinder pumping technology
This is the most critical step. In inflatable floor boats, the pump sequence is critical to the right geometry, and the side cylinders are always inflated first, but not completely, about 50 to 60 percent of the operating pressure.
Then you have to pump the bottom, and that's what shapes the boat, and the NDND design uses stringing tapes that, when you get pressure, pull the sides in, and you get a hard profile, and if you pump the sides right up to the bottom, the bottom may not be straightened out properly.
- 🎈 Open up. valves Make sure they are clean of sand and dust.
- 💨 Pump the cylinders to a state of elasticity, but without fanaticism.
- 📉 Pump the bottom to the working pressure (usually 0.2-0.25 Bar).
- 🔧 Bring the pressure in the sides to normal (0.25-0.3 Bar).
Once fully pumped, the boat should be hard like a drum. Knock on the sides - the sound should be ringing. Leave the boat to lie in the sun for 10-15 minutes. The air inside will heat up, the pressure will rise, and it may be necessary to put some extra air through the valve to avoid rupturing the seams.
Pressure control is carried out by a pressure gauge built into the pump or separate. passportThe thermal expansion of gas is a physical law that cannot be ignored.
Installation of transoms and power elements
Once the cylinders and bottom have gained the necessary elasticity, you can start installing a transom. In boats with NDND, the transmolant is often inserted into special pockets or fixed by belts that pass under or around the cylinders, which provides a rigid bundle of the entire structure.
Carefully insert the transom in the prepared slots. It should stand vertically and fit tightly to the sides. If the design provides for longitudinal power belts (stringers), make sure that they are stretched evenly. The skewed transmuner can lead to yaw boats on the water and uneven distribution of load on the engine.
| Element | Pressure (Bar) | Pumping time (min) | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balloons | 0.25 - 0.3 | 5-7 | Pump after bottom to end |
| inflatable floor | 0.2 - 0.25 | 7-10 | Forms geometry |
| Keel (if any) | 0.8 - 1.0 | 2-3 | High blood pressure. |
Once you have the transom, check the reliability of the mounts. Pull it with your hand, it should not hang around. Some models use additional belts that need to be tightened, which will prevent the motor from shifting when you start abruptly or hit a wave.
Use a soap solution to check the valves' leakiness after the first pump, and the bubbles will immediately indicate an etching nipple or a loosely closed valve.
Installation of seats and additional equipment
The next step is to install the cans, which are usually attached to the lyctros (the cables in the groove) or fixed on special platforms, and it is important to set them symmetrically relative to the diametric axis.
Displacement of the center of gravity can have a negative impact on the performance. If you plan to fish with a sonar, fix its sensor in advance, passing wires through special holes or fixing them on the sides so that they do not interfere with the legs.
- 🪑 Fix the front jar in the position for the rower or passenger.
- ⚓ Set the rear jar closer to the transom to control the motor.
- 🔦 Set the rods if they are designed.
Don't overload the boat with unnecessary accessories. Every extra kilogram is lost speed and increased fuel consumption. Load capacity This is indicated in the passport and must be taken into account together with the weight of the passengers and the motor.
⚠️ Warning: Do not kneel or feet on the inflatable floor during assembly or operation unless authorized by the manufacturer. Pinpoint load from the knees can damage the interior partitions (stringers) of the bottom.
Final inspection and launch
Before launching, make a final round, check if all valves are closed, the lids are in place, and make sure that the boat is free of debris, rocks or tools that may have fallen during the assembly process.
You can drag the boat down by hand, don't drag it down the sharp bottom, if the shore is flat and sandy, you can carefully put the boat into the water, and when you enter the water, make sure that the waves do not overwhelm the transom, if it already has a motor.
☑️ Checking before getting on the water
On the water, in the first minutes, listen to the feeling again. The boat should be stable. If you feel a strong roller, maybe the pressure in the cylinders has dropped or, conversely, the bottom has been pumped. The exit to the planing should be smooth.
Typical errors in assembly
Beginners often make mistakes that can cost expensive repairs, most common being trying to pump the boat in the eye. Without a gauge, it's easy to pump the sides in the sun, which will lead to joints divergence, or to under-pump the bottom, getting a "belly" that will slow down the course.
Another mistake is to build in high winds, a boat with NDND has a large sailing speed, a gust of wind can turn it over or hit nearby objects, in windy weather, assemble the boat in shelter or press the cylinders with a load (bags) during pumping.
What if the boat doesn’t keep its shape?
If the boat remains soft after pumping, check the valves. They may have been hit by a grain of sand. Try pressing a nipple several times or blowing the valve. If the problem is in the bottom, check if you forgot to open the valve between the compartments (if the design allows it).
Also, don't ignore the temperature regime. A warm-boat in the cold air will lose pressure. A cold-boat in the cold can burst. Always adjust the pressure to the environment.
The key to long-term service of a NDND boat is to keep the pressure accurate and protect the bottom from puncture. Don't save time checking the assembly site.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to assemble a boat with NDND?
On average, it takes 10-15 minutes for an experienced user; for a beginner with an electric pump, about 20-25 minutes; the time depends on the pump's power and the habit of algorithmic action.
Can I leave a packed boat in the sun?
It is strongly advised not to leave a fully assembled and pumped boat unattended in direct sun, the pressure inside can rise to critical values, which will lead to rupture of the seams, be sure to blow the air or hide the boat in the shade.
Do I need to lubricate the valves before assembly?
Special PVC valve lubricant is sometimes recommended by manufacturers to facilitate closure and sealing, but conventional engine oil cannot be used - it destroys rubber seals. It is better to keep the valves clean.
What if the bottom is pumped and the side is not?
Check if the throughpass valve is open between the compartments (if the model provides for a single system). If the valves are separate, make sure that you connect the pump hose to the desired hole and it is not blocked by sand.