Operation of an inflatable boat from NDMA The low pressure inflatable floor is very different from the classic soldered one, and one of the key elements of comfort is the proper floor covering. Many owners are faced with the fact that the standard "rug" that comes with the kit quickly wears or does not provide proper thermal insulation, turning fishing into a test of cold and damp. The solution lies in the use of specialized materials, including the use of specialized materials. EVA foam (ethylene vinyl acetate) has established itself as a leader in terms of price and quality.
Installation of such a coating is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a serious step towards improving the quality of the product. ergonomics And the right material, when properly assembled and assembled, suppresses vibrations, hides the bumps in pumping cylinders, and critically, it keeps the soles together even in conditions of abundant moisture, and unlike wood or plywood, it doesn't absorb water, it doesn't rot, it doesn't require complex maintenance, making it an ideal companion for a water motor.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to choose the optimal thickness of the material, what tools will be required for self-cutting and why. 10 mm thickness It's considered the gold standard for inflatable floor boats, and you'll learn about the nuances of installation that will help you avoid bloating and shifting, and you'll also learn how modern composites are superior to traditional solutions. A competent approach to cockpit design will prolong the life of your boat and make every outing as pleasant as possible.
Advantages of EVA material over classical plywood
For a long time, the only way to protect the bottom of the boat and the fisherman's legs from the cold was to lay sheets of plywood. plywood It has some intractable disadvantages: it's heavy, it absorbs moisture even when it's done with the best varnish, it's layered over time, and it can injure soft cylinders with sharp edges when it's deformed. EVA material It is a closed-cell polymer that is completely inert to water and aggressive environments found on the reservoir.
One of the main advantages of ethylene vinyl acetate is its heat-insulatingWhen on the water, especially in the off-season or early morning, the angler is in constant contact with the cold bottom of the boat. A thin layer of NDNDM tissue cools quickly, and no clothes save from the piercing cold coming from the bottom. A rug 8 mm thick creates an effective barrier, keeping the body warm and allowing you to spend much more time on the water without the risk of overcooling.
It is also worth mentioning the safety The surface of the EVA mat has a relief structure (often mimicking a diamond face or honeycomb) that acts as an anti-slip coating. Even if fishing slime, water or engine oil hits the floor of the boat, the risk of slipping and getting injured is minimal, and the plywood, even with a skin applied, becomes slippery over time and requires constant updating of the coating.
When buying material, pay attention to the density of the foam - too soft option will quickly doubt the weight of a person with tackles, and excessively hard will be uncomfortable for the legs.
Selection criteria: thickness, density and texture
The boat tuning market offers a variety of options, and it's easy for a beginner to get confused about numbers and names. NDMA For an inflatable floor that is elastic when pumped, but retains some elasticity, a sheet that is too thin (3-5 mm) will not give you the necessary comfort and will be wiped quickly. 8-10 mmThis thickness provides cushioning and heat, but does not eat up useful space in the cockpit.
The second important aspect is material-density. For PVC boats, where mobility and the ability to roll equipment into a compact backpack are important, it is better to choose medium-steel versions, which are resilient enough to keep their shape under your feet, but allow you to fold the mat together with the boat without forming cracks that may not spread. Excessively rigid industrial varieties of EVA can crack on the bend at low temperatures.
Surface texture also plays a role not only in aesthetics but also in functionality. Smooth sheets are rare because they are slippery.
- 🔹 Diamond facet - classic grooved pattern, providing excellent water removal from under the sole.
- 🔹 Cells - a hexagonal structure that masks pollution well and is pleasant to the touch.
- 🔹 Wave A less common option, more often used for decorative inserts, rather than the main coating.
Color choices are guided not only by personal preference but also by practicality: light colors (gray, light beige) visually expand the cockpit space and heat less in the sun, but they show dirt more prominently; dark colors (black, dark blue, camouflage) are more branded in terms of dust, but better hide footprints and fish scales.
The necessary tools and preparation for the disclosure
Before you start making a mat yourself, you need to prepare a workplace and a set of tools. High-quality cutting is impossible on the knee in the garage or on the floor of the room, because the material requires a flat and hard surface for accurate cutting. You need a sheet of plywood or chipboard size of at least 2x1 meters, which will serve as a workbench, and good lighting.
The main tool for working with EVA is sharp-knifeA stationery knife with a retractable blade is only suitable for a rough clipping, but for a clean roar it is weak - the blade quickly blunts and begins to chew the material, leaving ragged edges. shoe-knife You'll also need a fixed short blade or a special foam cutting knife that you can buy at the construction stores.
- ✂️ Metallic ruler 1 meter long (plastic will not work, the knife will slip).
- 📐 Roulette and marker for marking (the marker is better to take washed or use chalk).
- 🧹 Degreaser (alcohol, acetone or white spirit) to prepare the surface of the boat before fitting or installation.
- 🔨 Cargoes To fix the material when cutting, if you work without an assistant.
It's important to think ahead about the mat configuration. Is it going to be a single sheet on the bottom or a set of separate sections? For boats with NDND, you often make a mat that repeats the outlines of the bottom, but doesn't reach the mounting points of the stringers or cylinders, so as not to disturb the geometry of the pump. Accuracy of measurements At this stage, it is critical: an error of 1-2 centimeters can lead to the fact that the mat will go “wave” or, conversely, will interfere with the installation of seats.
☑️ Preparation for the mat opening
Technology cutting: from measurement to clean cutting
The process of creating a mat begins with taking the dimensions. Don't rely on the "eye gauge" or the standard dimensions specified in the boat's passport - the real geometry of the inflated product always has its nuances. The most reliable way is to make a pattern of paper or the material itself, if it is enough, attach the EVA sheet to the inflated bottom of the boat, straighten it and carefully circle the outline with a marker, retreating from the sides of about 2-3 cm.
When cutting, follow an important rule: The knife should be perpendicular to the surface. If you keep the blade at an angle, the cut will be oblique, and when you dock the elements or lay them to the sides, you will form gaps. The movements must be confident and continuous — you do not need to cut the material in short jerks, this will lead to the formation of "steps" on the cut. For straight lines, use a long metal ruler as a guide.
If your mat is made up of several parts (e.g., the center and the side segments to protect against splashes), the joints should be made as dense as possible. This is done using the double-cut method: two sheets are superimposed on each other with a slight overlap, and through both layers in one movement, a through-cut is made. After removing the prunings, the edges are perfectly matched, forming an imperceptible seam.
The Secret of the Perfect Edge
To make the cut smooth as on a factory product, use a knife with a new blade and heat it with a lighter every 30-40 cm cut. The warm blade passes through the foam more easily without getting stuck or leaving burrs.
Pay special attention to the cuts under door-wheelThese holes are cut last after the main circuit is already laid in the boat, use a sharp knife or special punchers for round holes.
Methods of fixing the mat in the boat
There are several ways to fix a rug in a boat, and the choice depends on whether you plan to remove it for drying or leave it forever. laying-outThe rug is just lying on the bottom, pressed by its own weight, cans and gear, and it's convenient for drying: after fishing, just turn the boat over and the water will leak out, and the rug can be quickly removed for washing.
But the downside is that over time, the mat can shift, especially when you're rowing or you're moving on the motor. double-scotch It is important to understand that the only way to glue EVA to PVC tissue is with special adhesives (e.g. polyurethane-based adhesives) that do not destroy the fabric or the foam itself. A normal "moment" or shoe adhesive can react chemically with the PDPDT material and damage the boat.
The table below will help to compare the methods of fixation:
| Method | Reliability | Difficulty in dismantling | Risk to PVC fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free stowage | Low (possible bias) | Instant. | Missing. |
| Double-sided scotch | Medium | Medium (remains traces) | Minimum |
| Special glue (e.g. 88-NP) | High. | High (requires solvent) | Medium (with inept use) |
If you choose the adhesive method, be sure to degrease the surface of the boat and the back of the mat. Apply the adhesive with a thin layer, let it dry ("on the stick") according to the instructions, and only then connect the surfaces. Use a roller or a hard bar wrapped in cloth to expel the air bubbles to smooth out.
For seasonal operation (only in summer), it is better not to glue the mat dead - this will make it difficult to dry the boat in winter and can lead to mold between the layers.
Care, storage and durability of the coating
EVA mats are unpretentious, but they require minimal maintenance to maintain their properties over the years. After every fishing, especially if you've caught bait or butchered a catch in a boat, the coating needs to be rinsed with fresh water. Fish mucus and blood, when dried, can clog the pores of the relief, making the surface slippery and emitting an unpleasant odor.
For cleaning, use a soft brush and neutral detergents. Aggressive chemistrySolvents, gasoline, or acetone can damage the foam structure by making it sticky or breaking the cells. If there are hard-to-remove stains on the mat (such as oil or paint), try using specialized PVC cleaners or a regular soaked soap solution.
⚠️ Warning: Never keep a rolled-up boat with a wet mat inside! Although the EVA material itself does not absorb water, there may be moisture between the mat and the bottom of the NDNDND, which in a confined space will cause fungus to appear on the fabric of the boat.
When stored in winter, avoid placing heavy objects on the rolled-up boat to avoid deforming the foam. Although the EVA has shape memory and is recoverable, prolonged compression under load (such as an anchor or motor) can leave residual dents. The optimal storage option is in the straightened form or in a rolled-up, but not overstretched, dry room.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use EVA with regular PVC glue?
You can use glue designed exclusively for gluing PVC tissue (polyurethane-based) to glue EVA to PVC, but with caution. However, it is better to glue the EVA itself between themselves or on other surfaces with special contact adhesives for foam. Normal "superglue" (cyanoacrylate) can not be used - it crystallizes and crumbles, without providing an elastic connection, and can burn the material.
Do I need to remove the mat in winter?
Although EVA is frost-resistant (up to -40...-60°C), the constant cycles of freezing-sizing in the rolled-up state can reduce elasticity. Aquablast or LiQuid) the very bottom of the boat, which will prolong its life.
How long will the boat mat last?
When used carefully, a high-quality EVA mat lasts 5-7 years or more. The main enemy of the material is not water or the sun (it contains UV filters), but mechanical damage by sharp objects (hooks, knives, dog claws).
How do I replace EVA if there is no one?
The alternative could be isolyte (foamed polyethylene), but it's less durable, it crumples faster and it has a more slippery surface, and rubberized bathroom mats are also used, but they're much heavier and can absorb odors. EVA remains the leader in terms of performance.