Choosing an inflatable boat for fishing or resting on the water often comes down to finding a balance between carrying capacity, comfort and transportability. Hunter 345 LKA It's a model that combines classic dimensions with a modern low-pressure inflatable floor design, designed for those who appreciate the cockpit space but don't accept the weight of plywood peyols when carrying the kit to the water.
Modification with an abbreviation NDMA (Low Pressure inflatable floor) dramatically changes the user experience compared to hard-keel versions. Instead of assembling a floor from multiple plywood plates and installing stringers, the user gets a single inflatable element that is formed into a rigid structure due to high internal pressure. Hunter 345 One of the most convenient boats in its size class for solo-operation, that is, use by one person without assistants.
In this article, we will discuss the design features of the model in detail, evaluate its seaworthiness and find out why this modification is the number one choice for many aqueous engines.
Design features and materials
The basis of reliability of any inflatable boat is the material of its cylinders. Hunter 345 LKA This material is not only resistant to mechanical damage from stones or driftwood, but also has excellent resistance to ultraviolet radiation and fuel. The thickness of the fabric is 750 g / sq.m., which is the gold standard for boats of this size, providing the necessary rigidity of the side during pumping.
The key element of the design is the inflatable floor itself, and it's a complex system where the top and bottom plates are connected by thousands of reinforced threads. 0.25-0.3 atmospheres These strands are pulled, turning a soft bag into a rigid stove, and the nose is often fitted with an inflatable keel that acts as a kiltron, providing course stability and cutting wavelengths, which are critical for water safety.
⚠️ Attention: Never leave a fully pumped boat in direct sunlight for long periods of time unattended. Heating the air inside the cylinders and bottom can lead to a critical increase in pressure and rupture of the seams or the material itself.
The body is assembled using hot air welding technology, which ensures that the seams are tight throughout their lifetime. Hunter 345 It uses enhanced perimeter protection of the bottom, special tapes of denser material that take the brunt of the impact when in contact with the shore or bottom relief, protecting the main cylinders from abrasion.
Technology of connection of cylinders
The Hunter 345 uses double-sweetening of the joints in the most loaded places, which increases the margin of tensile strength by 30% compared to single-sweetening.
Advantages of the design of NDND before the soldering
Switching to low-pressure inflatable floor design gives boat owner Hunter 345 There are some undeniable advantages, especially in terms of weight and dimensions in packaged form, and if a classic solder boat requires carrying a heavy plywood bag and a separate bag of cylinders, the BNDD version is packed in one, maximum two bags of acceptable weight.
The second important thing is speed and ease of assembly, and you don't have to spend time laying out stringers, inserting floorboards, and fighting against the snagging elements of the floor, and it takes minutes to get ready to go, just straighten the boat, pump the cylinders and the bottom, and install a transom, which is especially valuable when you're out on the water or when you're using a boat when you can't mess around the shore for a long time.
- 🚀 Mobility: The boat fits easily in the trunk of most passenger cars, including sedans, due to the lack of rigid elements.
- ⏱ Assembly speed: The deployment time is reduced by 2-3 times compared to hard-keel counterparts.
- 🌊 Comfort: The inflatable floor works as an additional airbag and shock absorber, making sitting on the floor more comfortable.
- 🛡 Safety: The risk of cutting your legs or damaging equipment on the sharp edges of plywood is completely excluded.
However, it is worth noting that Hunter 345 NDLD The inflatable floor, despite its high rigidity, still has a minimal deflection under load, which theoretically can have little effect on hydrodynamics at high speeds, although in practice for boats of this size and power of engines this effect is imperceptible.
specifications and seaworthiness
Dimensions of the model Hunter 345 The water is designed to allow two adults to be comfortably placed on the water with a full suite of fishing equipment, 3.45 meters long and 1.66 meters wide, providing sufficient buoyancy and interior space, and the 45 cm height is optimal: it protects against splashes even when moving against a wave, but does not create sailing difficulties to control.
The seaworthiness of a boat is largely determined by the shape of the cylinders and the presence of an inflatable keel. The design of the bow allows you to effectively break the oncoming wave, and a wide transom plate provides stability when going to planing. The boat is confidently on course and has good course stability, as evidenced by numerous tests in open water.
| Parameter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Total length | 345 cm |
| general width | 166 cm |
| Diameter of the cylinder | 45cm |
| Load capacity | 600 kg |
| Boat weight (bottom of NDND) | ~42-45 kg |
An important parameter is the recommended power of the outboard motor. Hunter 345 The optimal range is the engines power from 5 to 9.9 hp With a motor of 5 hp the boat goes to planing with one person, and 9.9 hp allow you to comfortably planing together and tow a small load.
Completement and ergonomics
The manufacturer is committed to making the boat as convenient as possible, so the basic equipment includes all the necessary elements. The transom plate is made of moisture-resistant plywood and reinforced with metal linings for the engine mounting. It is securely fixed in cylinders and is able to withstand vibration loads from the engine.
Inside the cockpit, there are comfortable carry handles that are made of durable material and are firmly sewn to cylinders, and there are perimeter liner cables that can be held by diving from the board or that serve to attach additional equipment. Seats (banks) are usually included and have soft linings, which increases comfort during prolonged fishing.
To increase comfort on NDND, you can use special inflatable (seats) or homemade foam mats, since the surface of the inflatable floor can be slippery when wet.
The valve system deserves special attention. Hunter 345 They use flaps like the Frog, or their modern counterparts, which allow you to quickly pump and blow the boat, and also reliably hold the pressure, and they are protected from water and dirt with special caps.
⚠️ Attention: When installing an outboard motor, make sure that the lower unit does not touch the inflatable elements of the transom assembly. Use the motor stop or adjust the angle of inclination of the motor to avoid damage.
Compatibility with motors and tuning
As mentioned, Hunter 345 LKA It is a great friend with petrol two-stroke and four-stroke engines with a capacity of up to 10 hp The popular choice is the engines Tohatsu, Yamaha, Hidea and their Chinese counterparts. It is important to choose the right lower unit: for this model, the standard length (S) is best, since a long leg can lead to a burrow of the nose at full speed.
Owners often resort to small tuning to improve functionality. Installing sonar, navigator or spinning holders greatly enhances the boat's capabilities. Thanks to the rigidity of the NDNDM design, you can safely attach various platforms and gearboxes to the floor without fear of displacement.
- 🎣 Anchor system: It is recommended to install an anchor shell in the bow for a convenient anchorage.
- 🔋 Battery: For motors with electric starter or powerful 9.9 hp, it is worth providing a place for the battery, possibly in a sealed runduk.
- 🛶 Oars: The regular oars in the kit can be heavy, consider buying lightweight aluminum or carbon oars.
Electric motors are also a great option for this boat. They are quiet, do not require gasoline and are ideal for fishing where noise is prohibited. With an electric motor of 30-40 lb (pounds of thrust), the boat reaches speeds of up to 5-7 km / h, which is enough to move around the reservoir.
☑️ Pre-season checks
Care, storage and wintering
Durability of the boat Hunter 345 After each operation, especially in salt water or muddy waters, the boat needs to be rinsed with fresh water, which will prevent the fittings from corroding and the adhesive seams from being broken down by aggressive components.
Drying is a critical step. Before packing, the boat must be completely dry. Even the minimum amount of moisture inside the bag can lead to mold that destroys the PVC reinforcement layer and causes an unpleasant odor. It is better to dry in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight in a fully pumped state.
For winter storage, it is recommended to slightly lower the cylinders (leave pressure of about 0.1 atm) to compensate for temperature changes, and keep the boat in a straightened or semi-folded form in a warm room. If this is not possible, it is permissible to store in a cold room, but without sudden temperature changes.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use aggressive solvents, acetone or chlorine-containing agents to clean PVC, this will soften the material and lose leakiness. Use only soap solution or special PVC products.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can you put a 15 hp engine on Hunter 345 NDND?
Technically, the transom will survive, but it's overloading power, the boat will become uncontrollable on the wave, the risk of water flooding and damage to the structure increases, the optimal limit is 9.9 hp.
How long does it take to pump a boat with a normal pump?
With a bidirectional foot pump (included), the process takes about 10-15 minutes. With an electric pump (12V), you can meet in 5-7 minutes, but the finishing pressure will still have to be reached by hand.
How strong is the bottom of the NDND, can you get on your knees?
The bottom can withstand pressure up to 0.3 atm and calmly holds the weight of an adult. However, cruising in shoes with sharp soles or dragging heavy loads along the bottom is not recommended - this is designed to protect the perimeter.
What repairs are possible in the field?
For small punctures (up to 3-5 mm), a glue and patch remix is sufficient. For more serious damage, especially at seams, drying and professional repair with warming up, which is better done in the workshop, is required.
Will the boat fit into the trunk of the sedan?
In a standard sedan trunk (such as Solaris or Rio), a boat with a transom and cylinders usually does not fit due to the length, but if you fold it compactly and put it diagonally through the cabin (folding the rear seats), then there will be no problems.
Hunter 345 LKA NDND is the perfect compromise between the size that allows you to comfortably fish together, and the weight that allows you to manage the boat alone.