Choosing a boat for fishing or water recreation always starts with a fundamental question: which bottom is better, inflatable or hard? This choice determines not only the cost of the kit, but also your safety, speed of movement, and comfort during fishing. The PVC inflatable boat market offers many options, and it is easy for a beginner to get confused in terms like “sleigh mat” or “aluminum floorboard.” Understanding the physical properties of materials will help avoid mistakes when buying.
Many beginners in the water system mistakenly believe that the main thing in the boat is a powerful motor, forgetting about the hydrodynamics of the hull. bottom-shape It dictates how the boat will behave and how much fuel it will eat. If you plan to troll or walk in open water, this parameter becomes critical. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the nuances so that you can make an informed decision.
Design features of the inflatable floor
The inflatable floor, often called the High Pressure Floor, is a single chamber pumped to a pressure of 0.2–0.4 of the atmosphere. ease Boats with this type of floor are ideal for fishermen who have to travel long distances to the reservoir on foot or cannot transport equipment directly to the water's edge by car.
But the soft surface has its limitations, and despite the internal slings that hold the shape, the inflatable floor is not absolutely rigid, and when you go into sleeve under the influence of a powerful flow of water, the bottom can bend, forming a kind of bubble, which negatively affects the development of the sleeve. hydrodynamicsThis leads to increased water resistance and, as a result, lower maximum speed and higher fuel consumption.
⚠️ Attention: On the inflatable floor it is highly recommended to use outboard motors with a capacity of more than 5 hp Excessive traction can deform the transom and the floor itself, creating a dangerous situation on the water.
The comfort of using these models also has its own specifications: sitting on a pumped floor is softer than on plywood, but at the same time there is no hard foot support. resilience However, for quiet fishing in small bodies of water and for hunters who care about every gram of weight, this is often the only option.
And the advantages are that you can also make it easy to build, you don't have to spend time laying floorboards, you just spread the boat, you pump the tanks and the bottom, and you can go down, and this is especially true in windy weather, when you can't tinker with heavy sheets of plywood or aluminum, but it's worth remembering that puncturing a sharp stone or a snag is easier than damaging a rigid structure.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Hard Gender (Slan and Paioll)
Hard bottoms in PVC boats are divided into two main types: plywood slate (often called "rug") and typed aluminum floorboard. Plywood sheets coated with moisture-resistant film provide excellent performance. rigidity The sleigh boats are intermediate between fully inflatable models and high-speed catamarans on the aluminum profile.
Aluminum floorboard is the choice of those who are at the highest performance. The jointed profiles create a monolithic surface that does not deform under load. This allows the boat to confidently go out on the boat. gelling The hard floor takes over some of the load from the excitement, protecting passengers from impacts, which is critical when running against the wave.
But comfort and speed are expensive. A boat with an aluminum floor can weigh 1.5 to 2 times as much as an inflatable floor boat, and it takes longer to transport it, and it takes longer to get the sheets stacked properly, to lock them in the stringer slots, and to make sure the connections are reliable. In frosty weather, the metal becomes cold, requiring additional mats or insulation.
What's the difference between slan and floorboard?
Slates are individual sheets of plywood that are placed in a boat and fixed by the pressure of cylinders. floorboard is a section (usually aluminum), connected into a single plate using hinges and fixed by stringers. floorboard is always stiffer and more expensive than sleigh.
Plywood, even moisture-resistant plywood, can eventually dissipate with constant contact with water if you don't care for the ends. Aluminum is almost eternal, but requires careful handling to avoid bending profiles when loading inactive. The choice between these two options depends on your budget and your willingness to put up with excess weight for the sake of weight. speed-response.
The effect of the bottom type on driving performance and speed
The hydrodynamics of a boat depends on how smooth and hard the bottom forms when it comes into contact with water. leaseThis reduces drag and allows you to achieve higher speeds at the same power of the engine, the difference in speed between a boat with an inflatable and a hard bottom can be as high as 5-7 km / h, which is significant.
Inflatable bottoms, by contrast, under pressure from water, form a deflection, increasing the area of contact with water, and the boat begins to dig water rather than slide over it, especially when fully loaded, when the weight of passengers and equipment additionally pushes the soft floor, in which conditions the boat may not go into plane, remaining in displacement mode, which dramatically increases fuel consumption.
Manipulability also suffers from softness of the floor. At high-speed corners, an inflatable floor boat can behave unpredictably, tilting more than the design allows. A hard bottom ensures course stability and clear responses to the roaming of the roamer. For trolling anglers, the hard floor is also important because it extinguishes the vibration from the motor, making the wiring of the wobbleers more uniform.
⚠️ Attention: When installing the motor on a soft-bottom boat, never exceed the manufacturer's recommended power. Attempting to squeeze out the speed can cause the transom to tear off or the seams of cylinders to depressurize due to excessive vibration.
The effect of wind and wave should also be considered: a hard bottom boat cuts the wave better and is less susceptible to lateral drift due to deeper landing and preserving the keel geometry. The inflatable floor on the wave acts as a shock absorber, which is softer on the one hand, and on the other creates a "slap" effect on the water, reducing the overall comfort of movement.
Comparison of weight, transportability and assembly
Weight is a crucial factor for many boat owners, and an inflatable floor kit can weigh as little as 20 to 25 kg, making it easy for one person to carry in a backpack. mobile fishingWhen the fishing point has to be changed or reached through the forest often, the bag with such a boat is compact and can fit even in the trunk of a small sedan.
Aluminum piol boats are heavy artillery, often weighing more than 40 to 50 kg, and the bag is not long enough to be removed from the passenger car without folding the seats. Transportation usually requires a trailer or roof trunk, and takes 15 to 20 minutes to assemble, and requires some physical effort, especially when installing stringers.
☑️ Are you ready for a boat with a hard bottom?
Plywood slate is in the middle, heavier than inflatable floors, lighter than aluminum floors, and can be removed from the boat one by one, spreading the weight when carrying. But when assembled, it still requires a vehicle to be transported to the water. It's comparable to aluminum-based counterparts, although working with plywood in dirt or wet grass can be less pleasant.
It's also important to consider the seasonality of use. Aluminum gets very cold in the cold, and without a special mat, being in a boat can be uncomfortable. Plywood is better in this regard, but is afraid of moisture. The inflatable floor always remains warm and pleasant to the touch, which is a big plus for fishing in cool weather, if you do not take into account the risk of puncture.
Cost of ownership and durability of materials
Price is always an important argument. Boats with inflatable bottoms tend to be cheaper to manufacture, because they don't require complex metal profiles and fittings. This makes them accessible to beginners. However, the life of the inflatable floor may be shorter due to the risk of mechanical damage and aging of the PVC material under the influence of ultraviolet light.
Aluminum floorboard is an investment for decades. Metal doesn't rot, it doesn't absorb water, it doesn't deform over time. The only thing that might be required is lubrication of hinge joints. Plywood slate is the most budget-friendly option for a hard floor, but it requires regular maintenance: drying, varnishing or oliphurizing the edges to avoid swelling.
If we look at the cost of ownership in the long run, aluminum-floor You pay more when you buy, but you forget about the problems with the floor for the entire life, and in the case of plywood, there is a high risk that after 3-5 years of active use, you will have to order new sheets, because the old ones may lose their properties.
To extend the service life of plywood sleigh immediately after purchase, cover the ends of the sheets with 2-3 layers of moisture-resistant varnish or special impregnation for wood.
Repairability also varies. inflatable floor puncture can be re-sealed directly on a pond in 10 to 15 minutes. Infection of aluminum piles is rare, but if you bend the profile, it will be difficult to correct it in the field, and plywood can be replaced with a new one by cutting sheets according to a sample, which makes this option the most flexible in terms of maintenance.
specifications comparison table
To help you organize the information and make it easier to choose, we compare the main parameters in the table, and here are the averages for boats 320-340 cm long, which are the most popular among anglers.
| Characterization | inflatable floor (NDB) | Plywood slut | aluminum pyeol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight of kit | 20–25 kg | 30-35 kg | 40-50 kg |
| Assembly time | 5-7 minutes | 10-15 minutes | 15-20 minutes |
| Max, speed. | Low/Medium | Medium | High. |
| Comfort on the wave | Medium (depreciation) | Highly | Very tall. |
| Sex service life | 5-7 years | 3-5 years (plywood) | 10+ years |
And if you look at the data from the table, you can see that there's no perfect solution, and each type of bottom is focused on a specific task, and if your priority is to get the boat to the water quickly and get back, then weight and assembly speed come to the fore. If you're planning a serious walk in Ladoga or Onega, then you're going to have to go to the fore. safety and seaworthiness The hard floor becomes more important than extra pounds in the trunk.
⚠️ Attention: When buying a boat with aluminum floorboard, be sure to check the quality of treatment of the edges of the profiles. Aluminum burrs can damage the inner surface of the cylinders during active operation or inactive assembly.
Final selection recommendations
The choice between a hard and inflatable floor is always a compromise. For single fishing from the shore or from a short distance to the water, the inflatable floor (NDND) is the uncontested leader in terms of the totality of qualities. It forgives mistakes for beginners, is easy to transport and is inexpensive, but once a car comes along and wants to walk faster or two or three, a hard floor becomes a necessity.
If you're choosing a boat for family, for a walk with children or for serious trolling, you don't need to skimp on the type of floor. Hard aluminum peyol provides the stability and predictability of behavior on the water that gives you a sense of confidence. Plywood slate is a good budget start, but with an eye on future upgrades to aluminum.
The bigger the body of water and the higher the speed requirements, the tougher the bottom of the boat should be. For small rivers and overgrown lakes, light inflatable flooring is the priority.
And don't forget engine compatibility. When you buy an inflatable boat, you limit yourself to 5 hp (rarely 6 hp for high-volume models), the hard bottom opens the way for 9.9, 15, and even 20 hp engines, turning an inflatable boat into a full-fledged speedboat. Think ahead of time if you want to change the oar to a more powerful unit in a year or two.
Ultimately, the best boat is the one you enjoy, and if a heavy boat is lying in the garage because it's lazy to carry heavy loads, then no amount of speed can help. Conversely, a light boat that doesn't hold the wave can discourage you from going out in windy weather.
Can I replace the inflatable floor with a hard one?
Most of the time, no. The design of the cylinders, the location of the stringers, and the shape of the transom on the boats under the NDND and under the pyeol/sleigh are fundamentally different, and the reworking is impossible without loss of tightness and strength.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I put a motor on a boat with an inflatable floor more powerful than 5 hp?
Technically, some models allow you to install the engine up to 6 hp, but this is risky. The inflatable floor can not withstand the pressure of water at high speeds, which leads to deformation and possible rupture of the seams. In addition, the transom on these boats is often not designed for the weight and vibration of a powerful motor. It is better not to experiment with safety.
How often should you pump the inflatable floor in the heat?
In hot weather, the pressure in the cylinders and the bottom increases, you need to check the pressure periodically with a pressure gauge. If the boat was in the sun, you may have to blow a little air to keep it from overdoing it. work pressureConversely, in cold water, the pressure drops, and pumping is mandatory before going out.
Is it true that plywood slate rots quickly?
It depends on the quality of the plywood and the care, and the use of marine plywood and regular drying after each fishing allows you to operate the slate for 5 years or more. If you leave wet plywood in a closed bag for a month, it will inevitably dissect. Aluminum is much more unpretentious in this regard.
Does the color of the bottom of the boat affect the fish?
It is believed that the light bottom (gray, light green) is less frightening to fish, especially in shallow water, because it creates less contrasting shadow. Dark bottom (khaki, camouflage) better masks the boat from above, but may be more noticeable to fish from below. However, for most fish species in our latitudes, this factor is secondary to motor noise and fishing behavior.
Which is better for fishing in winter: inflatable or hard bottom?
For winter fishing with ice and tent, inflatable floor boats are often chosen because of their lightness and the fact that PVC remains elastic in the cold (if you use special winter oils). Hard aluminum floors become icy in the cold, and you can not sit on them without a thick mat. However, plywood slate in this case benefits from aluminum, since the tree conducts the cold worse.