Choosing a boat is always a search for a compromise between comfort, speed and practicality. Boat for an outboard motor with an inflatable floor (often labeled as NDND) has become a hit with fishermen and tourists looking for a versatile solution, and unlike classic hard-bed models, it uses a special inflatable design that changes the behavior of a vessel on the water.
Many newcomers mistakenly believe that the inflatable floor is the lot of small rowing boats, but modern PVC production technologies and design solutions allow you to create serious problems. keel These are the kinds of things that we're going to talk about, the benefits and the hidden nuances of operation, that we're going to talk about in this article.
The basic idea of the technology is that if the floorboards (plywood or aluminum sheets) are just on the cylinders, then the floorboards are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are the ones that are. bottom It's part of the power kit, taking on some of the load, which makes the hull more monolithic, and the weight of the boat can be much lower than that of the hard-floored boat, which is critical when carrying the gear to the water.
Design features and types of inflatable floor
To understand why a boat with NDND behaves differently on the go, you need to understand the anatomy of the bottom. There are two main types of design: AirDeck (flat inflatable floor) and AirBoat (bottom with inflatable tubes-ribs of stiffness). The first option is a single inflatable stove that unfolds inside the cylinders. The second option is more complex and resembles the structure. keel a vessel where the inflatable tubes create a V-shaped profile.
The key element here is kielson It's a rigid longitudinal beam that runs along the bottom, and in inflatable boats, the quilson is often built into the structure itself, or is a removable element that is inserted into a special pocket, which provides longitudinal rigidity and prevents the bow from picking up when glides, and without a high-quality kilson, even with a powerful motor, it will be impossible to get into the plane with a passenger.
It's important to note the difference in assembly. DHL boats are going faster than the plywood ones. You don't have to lay out heavy sheets of plywood on the floor, lock them together and put stringers in. You just need to spread the cylinders, pump them up and insert them. kielsonThis saves time and effort, especially if you often change fishing spots or travel alone.
- 🚀 Assembly speed: takes 2-3 times less time than that of solder boats.
- ⚖️ Uniform weight distribution: The bottom does not shift during movement, as it is part of an inflated structure.
- 🌊 Comfort: The inflatable floor works as a shock absorber, softening the shocks against the wave.
- 🛡️ Safety: The absence of hard corners inside the cockpit reduces the risk of injury when falling.
But there's a caveat that's worth mentioning right away, because inflatable bottoms require a more careful approach to the surface of the water. PVC They're very strong, and you don't have to drag a boat on a sharp rock or concrete, but you'd better use a special trolley or slip to get down.
⚠️ Attention: Never leave a fully pumped boat with NDNDD under direct sunlight for a long time unattended. The air inside the cylinders expands and the pressure can exceed critical norms, leading to strain of the seams or rupture of the valves.
Comparison: inflatable floor (BND) vs. Payolny (PDP)
The eternal boating debate: which is better? To make a good decision, let's compare performance. The solder bottom (PDP) gives you the feeling of a "concrete" platform. You can stand on it full-length without fear of bending. But the price of that comfort is weight and build time. float-bottom Loses in the rigidity of the platform "on dry", but wins in driving performance on the water.
When you move on the wave, the NDND boat slaps less. The hard bottom of the solder boat, when it hits the water, makes a characteristic loud sound and transmits vibration to the board. The inflatable structure extinguishes these impacts. In addition, the thermal conductivity of the inflated floor is lower: sitting on it without an additional mat, you will freeze not as quickly as on cold plywood.
From the point of view of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, a well-assembled boat with NDND and high-quality quillson It's more streamlined, and the inflated bottom cylinders move smoothly into the sides, creating less water resistance, and this allows you to achieve higher speeds at the same power. boat-engine.
| Parameter | Boat with NDND (Blow bottom) | Boat with NDP (Pyol bottom) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight gathered | Easy 15-20%. | Heavyer due to plywood/aluminum |
| Assembly time | 10-15 minutes. | 25-40 minutes. |
| Floor rigidity | Elastic, trampoline | Absolutely tough. |
| Comfort on the wave | High (depreciation) | Medium (hard punches) |
| Repairability | More complicated (special glue needed) | Easy (replacement of floorboard) |
And let's not forget the temperature regimes. Plywood floorboards can absorb moisture and become heavier in the cold, and they can dry out in the high sun. The inflatable floor is free of these problems, remaining stable over a wide range of temperatures, although in the cold, the PVC material becomes tougher and requires careful pumping.
Choosing a motor for an inflatable floor boat
Powertrain selection is critical. DHLD boats are generally lighter than their mutually-powered counterparts, so they require less horsepower to get to the plane. But there's a subtlety: the center of gravity. The inflated bottom is higher than the thin floorboard, which can slightly raise the center of gravity of the entire structure.
For models with a length of 320-360 cm, the best choice will be motors with a capacity of 5-9.9 hp This is enough to bring 2-3 people and equipment to planing. If you plan active fishing with trolling, pay attention to engines with a high-speed scaling. electronically controlled Or the possibility of installing an electric motor on the nose.
It is important to set it right graffiti And then we can adjust the angle of tilt of the lower unit, because the bottom is soft, the excessive different on the nose can cause the bow of the boat to start to "grow." transom-angle compensates for that.
When you install the motor on a boat with NDND, use an additional transom slab made of aluminum or stainless steel, which will distribute the load from the engine over a large area of the inflated cylinder, preventing its deformation and prolonging the life of the transom.
For large boats (380-420 cm) with an inflatable floor, engines from 15 hp and above are often recommended. But remember about the passport power. Exceeding the recommended engine power can lead to the detachment of the transom or the destruction of the bottom structure at high speed, which can lead to rollover.
- 🎣 For fishing alone: motor 2.5 - 5 hp (economic mode, quiet stroke).
- 👨👩👧 For family walks: engine 9.9 hp (optimal balance of speed and traction).
- 🌊 For open water and wave: motor 15+ hp (power reserve required for safety).
- ⚡ For trolling: electric motor with thrust from 40 lbs (noise and no exhaust).
⚠️ Attention: Before starting with the new engine, be sure to check the tightening of all the mounting bolts of the transom. Vibration when the engine is running at high revs can weaken the connections, especially on a soft inflatable structure.
Materials and quality of manufacture
The durability of the boat is directly dependent on the quality of the PVC fabric. Inflatable bottoms are more dense than cylinders, often with reinforcement. The standard density is 750-850 g/m2, but for professional models the bottom can be strengthened to 1100 g/m2. This provides protection from puncture and abrasion.
Pay attention to the type of seams. In quality boats, the seams are glued by the method. hot-vulcanization Or two-part glue bonding, which is not afraid of water or temperature changes, and cheap boats, where the seams are simply threaded or cold-stitched, can start poisoning the air after the first season of active operation.
The fittings also play a role. Lavas (seats), carry handles and liner cables must be securely secured. lyctross The quality of that groove and the density of the bottom to the sides determines whether you're going to have water in the boat.
Secrets of PVC durability
Modern PVC fabrics contain special UV filters, but they don't last forever. After every fishing trip, especially on a sunny day, try to rinse the boat with fresh water. Salt and silt, when dried on the fabric, work as an abrasive and catalyst for the destruction of polymers under the influence of the sun.
The color of the material matters, too: Light colors (gray, light green) are less heated in the sun, which keeps the comfort inside the boat and reduces the risk of overheating. Dark colors (camouflage, dark blue) better mask the boat on the water, but heat up more, requiring constant pressure monitoring.
Operating rules and care for BNDT
The maintenance of an inflatable floor boat has its own specifications, the main task is to maintain the tightness and elasticity of the material. After each operation, the boat must be dried. The moisture left between the inflatable floor and the outer cylinders can lead to mold and unpleasant odor, which is then difficult to get rid of.
Pumping should be carried out strictly according to the manufacturer's recommendations, usually 0.2-0.25 atmospheres. The use of a pressure gauge is mandatory! Pumping "peephole" often leads to either underperformance (the boat is sluggish, poorly controlled) or to pumping (the risk of rupture of seams). When the temperature changes, the pressure inside the cylinders changes: in the sun it grows, in the cold it falls.
☑️ Checklist after fishing
Keeping the boat in a straightened or half-folded, dry room, and sharp temperature changes and storage in a compressed state for years can lead to "sticking" of PVC layers and the formation of microcracks in the places of folds.
Check your condition regularly valveThey're the ones that get the most air out of the boat, and the periodic lubrication of these rubber bands with silicone helps keep them elastic and tight, and if you notice that the boat is softer by morning, don't rush to look for the hole, it's probably because of the cold at night.
Popular models and brands
The market offers many options, with Russian manufacturers specializing in boats for harsh conditions, Cayman, Flagman and Mnev series models have long proven to be reliable workhorses, often with a reinforced inflatable floor and a wide cockpit.
Among the imported options (or assembled under license) models with technology are popular. AirDeckThese boats are often chosen not only by fishermen but also by rescue services, because they are quickly assembled and very stable.
When choosing a particular model, pay attention to the width of the cockpit. For fishing together, a width of at least 120-130 cm is optimal. Narrow boats with NDNDM can be unstable when active fishing, especially if one of the anglers stands up.
The ideal boat with NDND for a beginner is a model length of 320-340 cm, with a reinforced bottom, a cockpit width of 120 cm and a power reserve for the engine up to 9.9 hp This is the "golden mean" for price, capacity and handling.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can a fire be lit in a boat with an inflatable floor or a gas burner be used?
It is strongly discouraged to place gas burners or primuses directly on the inflated bottom without special thermal protection. Although modern materials are resistant to short-term contact with fire, sparks or prolonged heating can melt PVC or disrupt the glue seam. Use special tables mounted on the sides or stand with a heat-reflecting screen.
How hard is it to break the bottom of the rocks?
It is quite difficult to penetrate a modern inflatable floor (especially with a density of 850 g/m2 and above) with a regular sharp stone. The material is highly elastic: it bends around an obstacle, rather than piercing. However, sharp edges of shells, sticking out fittings or spikes can damage the fabric. For such reservoirs, it is better to use protective linings or Kevlar tape on the bottom.
Is the boat sailing hard with NDND in the wind?
Sailing depends primarily on the height of the balloons inflated and the presence of an awning, not the type of bottom. However, boats with NDND often have higher sides to compensate for the softness of the floor, which can increase sailing. In high winds, this requires more frequent operation with oars or motor to hold the course. Installation of anchors and proper anchoring solves the problem of parking.
Can the inflatable floor be replaced with plywood in case of damage?
Structurally, the NDND and NDD are different: In a boat designed for the inflatable floor, there is no stringer system and locks to fix rigid floorboards. You can put plywood in there, but it will lie unstable, which is dangerous. It is better to repair the inflatable floor: modern remixes and two-component adhesives allow you to restore tightness even in severe cuts.