Operation of inflatable craft with low-pressure (NDND) offers a unique sense of comfort and unsinkability, but requires a special approach to interior decoration. Unlike models with hard floorboard bottom, you can not use plywood or heavy carpeting, as they will disrupt the geometry of cylinders and can damage the soft membrane. PVC-boat mat It becomes not just an accessory, but a functional necessity that protects the delicate surface from mechanical damage and provides an anti-slip effect.
Choosing the right flooring is a balance between protection, weight and drying speed. Many anglers make the mistake of trying to adapt car mats or tight rubber, which leads to moisture accumulation between the layers and mold. Properly selected material allows water to evaporate freely, keeping the bottom dry, and the angler's legs warm and safe even in high humidity.
In this article, we will discuss in detail why standard solutions are not suitable for NDNDM, what materials have proven themselves best and how to properly organize the interior of the vessel. You will learn about the technical nuances of laying that will prolong the life of your boat for years, and understand how to avoid common mistakes during tuning.
Why DND requires a special approach to sex
The main feature of the design with NDMA The problem is that the inflatable membrane itself is the load-bearing element that forms the rigidity of the housing. Any extraneous switching on that doesn't have the elasticity of the PVC fabric creates stress points. If you put a conventional dense carpet or a sheet of plywood on the bottom, when you pump the cylinders, the floor material will start to walk, rub against roughness and quickly become unusable, and the bottom under it can get microtraumas.
In addition, a critically important aspect is air-circuitIn classic paiola boats, water drains into a special compartment or is scooped out, but in inflatable-bottomed models, moisture is often trapped in the folds of fabric. Using hygroscopic materials (water absorbers) will cause you to bring home a heavy, wet cargo that will dry for weeks, exuding an unpleasant smell of dampness after fishing.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to use materials based on closed rubber crumb or a dense felt base in boats with NDNDM, which create a "greenhouse effect" under which PVC tissue bleeds, achaea moisture erodes the protective layer of polyurethane.
Perfect. boat-mat It should be as light as possible, not absorb water and have a relief structure that allows air to pass freely between the bottom of the boat and the surface of the surface of the coating, which ensures rapid drying even without completely disassembling the vessel.
Materials: from EVA to specialized grids
The market offers several basic solutions, each with its pros and cons. The most popular material in recent years has become a popular one. EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate)It's a foam polymer, often called a foam, that is completely water-free, lightweight, nice to touch, and has great thermal insulation properties, but when you go to EVA, you need to look for perforation or riffling, otherwise the water will be on the surface.
The second option is specialized polymericThey're a rigid or semi-rigid grille that doesn't hold water at all, and it's ideal for those who appreciate minimalism and speed, and it just lets all the moisture down to the bottom of the cylinders, where it's easy to scoop it out or let it dry out in the air, and the legs in this boat can freeze, so it's often combined with other materials.
A third, less common but effective option is: microporous rubber mats They have an open mesh structure, and unlike car models, they have no pile, and they're designed to get water through the cells, and they're durable, but they can be heavier than EVAs.
- 🌊 EVA mats: Light, warm, do not absorb water, but require perforation to drain moisture.
- 🕸️ Polymer nets: Maximum drainage, minimum weight, but low foot comfort and the risk of getting stuck in small debris cells.
- 🛡️ Microporous rubber: High wear resistance and good cushioning, but can accumulate the smell of fuel with prolonged contact with the engine.
When choosing a material, it is also worth considering its resistance to ultraviolet light. Cheap analogues of EVA can crumble after one season of active use in the sun, while a quality material retains elasticity for years.
The design of the mat: integral or modular?
Having decided on the material, you need to choose the format of the execution. Whole matsCarved exactly along the outline of the bottom of your boat, they look aesthetically pleasing and provide complete coverage, they prevent water and dirt from directly hitting the PVC fabric throughout the area, but they have a significant disadvantage: to dry this mat, you have to take it out completely, which in a cramped boat with an installed motor and gear can be difficult.
Modular system The floor is assembled from individual segments that can be quickly removed, rinsed and decomposed to dry without removing the rest of the equipment. This is especially true for boats over 320 cm long, where the bottom area is large. Modularity also makes it easy to replace the damaged area without buying a new coating entirely.
An important element of the design is side-pieceThe mat should have a slight rise along the edges (2-4 cm) so that the water that gets inside the boat does not spread throughout the floor, but collects in the center or near the transom, from where it is easier to remove, and the absence of sideboards will turn the entire floor into one large "swamp" in a strong wave or rain.
When ordering custom tailoring or cutting material yourself, be sure to take into account the shrinkage of the material. Some types of EVA can slightly change sizes under the influence of temperatures, so leaving a small margin or making technological gaps between modules is the right decision.
Instructions: how to properly lay the mat
Laying flooring in a boat with NDND is a simple process, but requires a sequence of actions to ensure durability. Incorrect stacking can lead to the rug moving while moving or the formation of folds that will rub the bottom.
First, you need to fully pump the boat and let it stand for 15-20 minutes to stabilize the pressure, then the bottom should be thoroughly wiped with dry rags, removing the sand and dust. Mud under the mat It works like an abrasive, so the purity of the surface is the key to the whole bottom.
If you're using a modular system, start laying on the nose, gradually moving towards the transom. Do the modules tightly but without tension. If the mat is solid, spread it gently from the center, driving air from under the material to the edges.
To fix the mat on a smooth surface of PVC, special Velcro straps or bilateral tape for PVC materials are sometimes used, but experienced boaters advise avoiding adhesive compounds. velcro-lockersewn to the boat, or simply rely on the weight of the equipment and the right cut that will prevent the mat from riding.
| Type of mat | Difficulty laying | Drying speed | Protection from cold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole EVA | Medium | Low (to be taken out) | High. |
| Modular EVA | Low. | High (dried parts) | High. |
| Polymer grid | Very low. | Maximum | Low. |
| Rubber with cells | Low. | Medium | Medium |
Care, drying and storage of coatings
Even the best quality. boat-mat The main problem with PVC boat owners is wet storage, and if you roll the boat up with a wet mat, you run the risk of getting a mould coating by next season, and the NDNDND fabric can have a persistent smell of rot that's hard to get rid of.
After every fishing trip, especially in rainy weather, it is recommended to remove the mat (or its modular parts) and hang it to dry. EVA materials dry quickly, just shake off the water and spread them out in the sun or in a ventilated place for a couple of hours. The mesh coatings dry almost instantly.
To cleanse dirt and fish mucus, use warm water and a soft brush. Aggressive chemicals, solvents and gasoline can damage the structure of EVA or melt the polymer mesh, so their use is strictly prohibited. Ordinary household soap or special products for the care of PVC products will be ideal.
⚠️ Warning: Do not dry EVA mats near open flames or on hot heaters. At temperatures above +60C, the material may deform and lose its shock-absorbing properties.
Keep the removed mat is better in straightened form or rolled up in a wide roll, but not in a tight coma. This will prevent the appearance of cracks, which over time can turn into cracks.
Frequent errors in selection and operation
Many anglers, in order to save or improve comfort, go to experiments that often end in property damage. carmatThey're heavy, soak up water in the pile, and they have a rigid base that, when the boat moves along the wave, will mercilessly rub the delicate bottom of the NDNDM.
Another mistake is to try to stick the mat dead, so using a Moment glue or polyurethane glue to fix the floor makes the boat a disposable product, so you can't dry the bottom of the mat properly, and if you need to change the coating, you have to peel it off along with the pieces of the boat fabric.
Also, you should not ignore the weight. The mat should not be heavy. Every extra kilogram in a small boat is tangible, especially when carrying equipment to the water. polyethylene or thin EVA is preferable to massive rubber.
- ❌ Use of pile car mats (accumulate water and dirt).
- ❌ Fixing the coating with glue (impossibility of drying the bottom).
- ❌ Ignoring the sides (water spreads throughout the boat).
- ❌ Buying too thick material (reduces the useful volume of the cockpit).
Remember that a mat is a consumable that should protect the more expensive boat, rather than becoming a problem in maintenance.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I use a rug in a boat with NDND in winter for fishing?
Yes, you can, and you should. The EVA mat works like a heat insulator, protecting your feet from the cold of the inflated bottom. But in winter, the material can become stiffer, so choose coatings at least 8-10 mm thick for better comfort.
How often do I need to remove the mat to dry?
Ideally, after every trip, if you can't, be sure to remove and dry it before setting the boat for long-term storage (end of season), leaving a wet mat in the rolled-up boat for a month is a guarantee of fungus.
Will the floor pad damage the bottom pump valve?
It doesn't hurt if the mat is properly carved. In quality products, the valves are always made process cuts. If you cut the mat yourself, be sure to circle the location of the valves and leave a free space around them with a diameter of 5-7 cm.
How to replace a specialty mat if there is no money?
A budget alternative is a tourist foam mat with a relief surface, it can be cut to the size, the main thing is to make sure that it does not have a villous surface and is strong enough not to break against the bottom rebar.