The question of choosing the optimal floor rises before every boater, deciding to buy his first boat or upgrade already available. Underbody design It's the second most important element after the tank itself, determining the performance, comfort and scope of the vessel, and a mistake in choosing can cost you tens of kilograms of excess weight or turn a pleasant walk into back torture.
In the inflatable boat industry, there are several basic types of bottoms, each of which has its own technical features. Inflatable The models offer maximum ease, plywood (Sludge) - Stiffness and stability, and aluminum The trade-off between weight and strength is that understanding the physics of how these materials behave on the water will help you avoid overpaying for unnecessary performance or risking safety.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the mechanics of each type of bottom, compare their performance and help you decide on the choice of the right type of bottom. Whether you plan to go fishing quietly on the lake or high-speed walks on the big water, the right floor is the foundation of your pleasure. Let's look at how the sole of your future boat is arranged.
Slate bottom: classics for small boats
The slate floor, often called plywood, is a set of individual boards (sleeves) that are inserted into special pockets on the inside of cylinders. small-dimensionalThe assembly principle is simple: the cylinders are inflated, and then wooden or plastic plates are placed between them.
The main advantage of this system is the possibility of compact transportationA boat with a slate bottom can be folded into a small bag that can easily be placed in the trunk of a passenger car, but it is worth considering that the floor surface is not monolithic, which creates certain inconveniences when moving inside the cockpit while fishing.
Sleighs are usually made of water-resistant plywood coated with a special varnish or of durable plastic. phanera It's tougher, but it's afraid of prolonged contact with water, and it can dissipate if it's not dried after each operation. Plastic options are lighter and not afraid of moisture at all, but they're often more slippery and less resistant to puncture by sharp objects.
⚠️ Warning: Never keep a slate bottom boat assembled in a damp garage or basement. Plywood sleighs must be extracted and dried, otherwise they will gain moisture, swell and lose their bearing properties.
For those who value simplicity and minimalism, slate bottoms are the only option, they're cheap to manufacture and they're repairable, and you can replace a broken board with a new one that's cut down in size. outboard power above 5 hp such a design is no longer suitable due to insufficient stiffness of the transom.
Pieder system: rigidity for serious tasks
The payroll bottom is the choice of those who plan to use the boat under the power-drive And the design is a single flooring of aluminum profiles that connect to each other and are fixed in the slots of cylinders. Unlike sleighs, paioles form a single rigid plane, which greatly improves the performance of the sleigh. hydrodynamics boat.
The main material here is aviation aluminum, which is non-rust, has a high strength on the kink and is relatively lightweight. gellingIt's easier to go into mode and be more confident on the wave, and you stop feeling every wave hitting the bottom, because the structure works like a monolith.
The process of assembling a solder boat is more complicated and takes longer. Aluminum profiles have locks that need to be properly docked and then inserted into pockets. slingIt's a perimeter-tightening system that gives the bottom extra tension, and it takes physical effort, especially in the cold or the wind.
The secret to quickly assemble paioles
Start assembling the bottom from the nose, gradually moving to the transom. First, just insert all the profiles into your pockets without locking, align them, and then start snapping the locks in turn, which will save you up to 30% of the time.
Despite the complexity of the assembly, solder boats are considered the “gold standard” for trolling fishermen and long-distance walkers. Hard floor allows you to stand confidently while catching large fish or mounting tackle. accessories: seats, tables and rod holders.
inflatable floor of NDND: comfort and speed of assembly
Technology NDMA (Low Pressure inflatable floor) revolutionized the PVC boat world, where the floor is an integral part of the design and is pumped at the same time as the cylinders, and inside the floor are special stiffness ribs (stringers) that give it the necessary shape and stability at a certain pressure.
The main advantage of the NDND is the speed of assembly and comfortYou don't have to mess with heavy sheets of plywood or aluminum profiles. Just pump the boat up and it's ready to go down. In fact, the inflatable floor provides excellent cushioning, which makes the boat incredibly soft even on a chop wave.
From the point of view safetyNDND also benefits from hard floors, and if a boat tips over on water, the inflatable floor will not sink or break off, keeping it buoyant, and it's a critical factor for those who walk alone or take children with them, and the boat stays afloat even when it's fully filled with water.
But the technology has its limitations, because inflated bottoms are sensitive to puncture, so you need to be very careful about swimming in reed-covered water or in shallow water with a shell. resilience with a strong side wind compared to flat-bottom piercers.
Aluminum leaf: a rare guest on the water
A separate point to mention is the one-piece-sheet boats, which are less common and are more common in specific models or artisanal production, and the idea is to use a thin but durable aluminum sheet that is inserted into cylinders in a similar way to plywood slates, but provides greater rigidity.
The advantage is the absolute water-resistance Aluminum does not rot, does not rust (with an oxide film) and does not require drying, but the weight of this solution can be significant, and the sharp edges of sheets when assembled carelessly can damage the inner surface of the cylinder or PVC fabric.
In modern production models from well-known brands, solid aluminum sheets are almost never used, giving way to profiled paioles. The profile system is lighter and more compact when folded. However, for stationary solutions or special purpose boats, this option may be considered an alternative.
If you're considering an aluminum sheet option, make sure its edges are carefully rolled or edging rubber. Any barb on the metal is a potential hole in your boat. Tightness cylinders in this case directly depends on the quality of processing of the edges of the metal floor.
Comparative analysis of specifications
To organize the information and help you make the final choice, let's put the basic parameters in a single table, and here we compare the three main types of bottoms on the key criteria for a water motor: weight, stiffness, assembly speed and price.
| Parameter | Slate (Phanera) | floorboard (Aluminum) | NDND (Inflatable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure weight | Medium. | Highly | Low/Mediocre |
| Floor rigidity | Low (nay) | Maximum | Medium (elastic) |
| Assembly speed | Quickly. | Long (15-20 mins) | Very fast (5-7 minutes) |
| Transportability | Great. | Good. | Great. |
| Cost | Low. | High. | Medium/High |
From the table, it is clear that there is no ideal solution. Piolet The boats win in driving qualities, but lose in weight and preparation time. NDMA They're ideal for tourism and recreation, but they can be less reliable in extreme conditions. Slugs are a budget entry ticket to the world of inflatable boats.
☑️ Bottom selection criteria
Effect of bottom type on driving performance
The bottom type directly affects how the boat behaves for an outboard motor. keel-jetThe inflatable floor of the NDNDM, which has rounded contours, creates greater resistance to water at low speeds, but provides a soft run.
With powerful motors, the soft bottom can play, creating a trampoline effect that is not only uncomfortable, but also dangerous. aluminum-profileThey ensure that the energy of the engine is transferred to the movement, not to the deformation of the body.
Weight distribution is also important, because in slate-bottomed boats, the weight is unevenly distributed, which can create a roll when a fisherman moves, and the monolithic bottom of a solder boat distributes the load evenly, increasing the weight of the boat. stabilityThis is especially important when fishing standing or when you're in abrupt movements.
⚠️ Warning: When installing a heavy motor on a soft-bottom boat, be sure to use transom wheels and watch the transom angle. Excessive load can lead to deformation of the aft part and loss of leakage of the seams.
Features of operation and care
The maintenance of the bottom of the boat depends on its material. Plywood sleigh requires mandatory drying. If you leave the wet plywood in the rolled-up boat, in the season you will get layered material and an unpleasant smell of mold. Aluminum floorboards are easy enough to wipe with a cloth, they require almost no maintenance, except protection from oxidation in the scratches.
The inflatable floor of the NDND requires careful treatment of the interior space. Be sure to clean the bottom of sand and fine debris before pumping, which can get inside through valves or when assembled. Abrasive particles when rubbed against the fabric can damage the inner covering of the balloon, which will lead to depressurization.
To extend the life of any type of bottom, it is recommended to use special mats or mats in the seat and foot installations, this will protect the surface from abrasion and mechanical damage. Regular checks of the paiola locks and the integrity of the slates should be part of your ritual preparation for the season.
Use talc or silicone lubricant to process aluminum paiole locks, which will prevent jamming of the machinery and make it easier to assemble/disassemble the boat, especially in cold weather.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I replace the plywood floor with aluminum in my boat?
Theoretically, this is possible if the cylinder design allows for the insertion of a hard floor, but you have to order a customized cut of aluminum, because standard paioles may not fit in the same direction, and the weight of the aluminum sheet will be significantly higher than the plywood, which will affect the carrying capacity.
What pressure should be pumped into the bottom of the NDND?
Generally, manufacturers recommend pressures in the range 0.2 to 0.4 atmosphere (psi). The exact values are always indicated in the product's passport. Insufficient pressure will make the bottom soft and unstable, and excess pressure can damage stringers or seams.
Why is a flat boat heavier than an inflatable boat of the same size?
The difference in weight is due to the use of an aluminum profile instead of PVC fabric. Aluminum is denser and heavier, but it provides the necessary stiffness that the fabric cannot give, which is the price for being able to install a powerful motor and safely plane.
Is it possible to walk in a boat with NDND in shallow water with stones?
This is risky. Although PVC fabric is strong, inflated bottoms are more vulnerable to sharp stones and shells than hard floors, and it is better to under-pump the cylinders (within reasonable limits) or use a boat with a hard bottom when passing through such areas.
What's better for a night fishing?
For multi-day hikes and overnight stays in the boat, the ideal option is NDND: the inflated bottom is warmer, softer and smoother (no joints between sleighs), which allows you to comfortably accommodate for the night. In addition, such boats are faster to assemble, which is important when moving often.