Choosing a first boat or replacing an old one always poses a difficult question for the owner: what type of bottom will provide maximum comfort and safety? The PVC inflatable boat market offers many solutions, but it is the design of the floor that is the key factor influencing the performance, weight and ease of assembly. Many beginners are lost in terms, not understanding what is hidden behind the acronyms NDNDND or "floorboard".
The right choice depends on how you plan to use the boat, whether it's an open-water high-speed plane with a powerful motor or a quiet fishing trip in the thickets of reeds, and whether your swimmer will become a reliable assistant or a source of constant problems depends on the answer.
Design features of the inflatable floor (NDND)
Low-pressure inflatable floor boats, often called NDMAAnd they're a structure where the floor is an integral part of the balloon, and they have stretching slings inside them that, when pumped, create a hard surface, and they make it as light as possible to build a boat that can be assembled in just a few minutes without the need for extra elements.
The main advantage of such models is an exceptional one. floatability Because the entire hull is sealed, it is virtually non-sinkable even when the side is severely damaged, and the soft floor provides high comfort when sitting on the floor without the need for additional seats, which is critical for those who like to fish in static.
However, the inflatable floor has its limitations. planing In these boats, the engine starts at higher speeds because of the greater resistance of the water and the deflection of the surface under load, and at high speeds, the bottom can bend, creating a hamming effect, which reduces handling and increases fuel consumption.
Technology for the production of NDT
Inflatable flooring requires high precision cutting and gluing, because it is the stretching slings inside the floor that form the stiffness. Cheap models can quickly lose shape if the manufacturer has saved on the number of slings or the quality of the glue.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hard Plyol Floor
Hard floor, or pyeolIt's made of waterproof plywood or aluminum alloy, and the floor sections are connected by special profiles to form a single rigid platform, and it provides a perfectly flat surface, which greatly improves the boat's hydrodynamics when it's moving at speed.
The main advantage of the hard floor is stability in planing, the boat goes faster to mode, better holds the course and behaves more confidently on the wave. speed-responseThe hard base also makes it easier to navigate the cockpit without fear of falling between the cylinders.
On the other hand, the assembly and disassembly of such a boat takes much longer and requires physical effort. The weight of a boat with plywood or aluminum floor will always be higher than that of an analogue with NDNDM. In the cold season, working with metal and wood becomes less comfortable, and the risk of damaging the floor covering with careless assembly increases.
When choosing a solder boat, look at the profile of the junction of the floor sections: Aluminum profiles are more reliable and durable, but can oxidize. Plastic compounds are lighter, but over time become brittle in the cold.
Comparison of driving performance and stability
When it comes to driving performance, the difference between bottom types becomes apparent at mid-engine speeds. Hard bottom boats are better. manageability They're less prowling and easier to control with a tiller or distance.
The inflatable floor, in turn, has excellent cushioning, and when traveling at low speeds or standing on the wave, passengers feel more comfortable because the soft floor extinguishes the impacts on the water. However, when you try to achieve high speed, the soft bottom begins to play, which can lead to loss of engine and propeller efficiency.
Importantly, modern technology minimizes the disadvantages of both types: high-quality NDND models have reinforced slings that virtually eliminate deflection, and lightweight cleavage floors made of aviation aluminum reduce the total weight of the boat to acceptable values.
Weight, dimensions and ease of transportation
Boat transportability is one of the most important criteria, especially if you don't have a trailer or the ability to leave the boat assembled. Boats with inflatable bottoms gain weight unconditionally. The difference can be anywhere from 5 to 15 kg depending on the size, which is a critical parameter for one person pulling the boat out of the water or dragging it into the trunk.
Hard floors, even those with multiple sections, take up more space in a packing bag. Plywood sheets can't be folded compactly, they'll always have a certain geometry. Aluminum profiles and floor sections also require space, although they weigh less plywood. For small car owners, this is often a crucial factor.
Building a floorboard boat takes time to lay out the floor, insert profiles and pump the cylinders to a certain pressure to get the floor back in place. Inflatable bottoms only require pumping, which in the field, especially in windy weather or in the cold, is a huge advantage.
⚠️ Warning: When transporting a boat with a hard floorboard, make sure that the floor sections are securely fixed in the bag. Shifting heavy elements when the car is moving can damage the valves or cylinder seams.
Effect of the bottom type on the life of the boat
The durability of the boat is directly dependent on the operating and maintenance conditions: the inflatable floor is less susceptible to mechanical damage when hitting water or soft soil, but is more vulnerable to punctures with sharp objects (snags, stones, spines).
The plywood floor can eventually dissect if moisture is constantly flowing between sections, the plywood ends must be dried and treated regularly with special compounds, and the aluminum floor is practically eternal, but can corrosion at the attachment sites if a poor-quality alloy is used or the anodic coating is damaged.
The piled floor profiles are points of wear and tear, and the constant friction of metal against metal or plastic can lead to backlashes and creaks, and in inflatable floor boats, there are no such nodes, which theoretically increases their resource, provided the integrity of the PVC material itself.
☑️ Post-season boat care
specifications comparison table
To make the choice easier, we'll give you the main differences in the form of a table, which will help you quickly navigate the key parameters that distinguish these two types of designs from each other.
| Parameter | inflatable floor (NDB) | Hard floor (Pyol) |
|---|---|---|
| Boat weight | Minimum | Medium/High |
| Assembly time | 5-10 minutes | 15-25 minutes. |
| Gleaming speed | Lower fuel consumption | Higher, more economical. |
| Comfort in the parking lot | Tall (softly) | Low (needs seat) |
| Price. | Usually higher. | Varying. |
Financial aspect and final recommendations
The cost of inflatable floor boats is generally higher due to more complex production technology and greater consumption of PVC material. However, if you consider the purchase as an investment in comfort and mobility, the overpayment is often justified. transom-wheel And comfortable seats.
The cost of potential repairs must be considered when choosing: replacing a plywood or aluminum floor section can be more expensive than patching a balloon; on the other hand, a large inflatable floor that is punched is sometimes easier to replace than to repair.
There is no perfect solution for everyone. If your priority is fishing from anchored position, long hours on the water and not wanting to waste energy on assembly, choose the right one. NDMAIf you are a fan of high-speed walks, water skiing or frequent crossings between fishing points, hard floorboard will be your best ally.
The choice between NDND and floorboard is a compromise between weight/speed assembly and driving performance/speed on the water.
Can I install a hard floor in a boat with an inflatable floor?
Theoretically, this is possible if the design of the boat involves the use of removable stringers and the availability of space for laying plywood. However, (doing so) is not recommended by manufacturers, because it violates the calculated geometry of the cylinders, can lead to their deformation and loss of warranty, the boat will become heavier, and the center of gravity will shift.
Which floor is best for winter fishing?
inflatable floor (BBB) is preferred for winter fishing, it retains heat better, does not freeze as much as metal or plywood, and is safer for the feet if water enters, and in cold weather the metal becomes slippery and cold, and the inflatable floor retains some elasticity.
Do I need to dry the bottom after every fishing trip?
Yes, drying is mandatory for any type of boat, moisture between layers of PVC or under plywood decks causes mold, unpleasant smell and destruction of glue seams. If you can't dry the boat at home, at least wipe the floor with dry rags before packing.
Does the type of bottom affect the safety of the boat?
Both types are safe as long as the material is intact. However, boats with NDNDM are considered safer due to the large number of independent seal compartments (cylinders + bulkheads inside the floor). If one cylinder is penetrated, the inflatable floor boat will stay afloat longer and more stable than the hard floor boat, where the cylinders may be less bulky.