Choosing the first inflatable boat always involves finding a balance between cost, size in the assembled form and performance on the water. Flink 320For several years, it has been one of the best-selling engines in Russia, and many aquatic motorists see it as an ideal start for calm water or as an easy alternative to heavy plywood-bottom keels.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the design features, quality of materials used and the real capabilities of the vessel under different use scenarios, you will learn how justified the savings when buying this model and what nuances should be considered before going to the store.
It should be noted immediately that Flink 320 It's a classic flat-bottom, which imposes certain limits on wave behavior, but it gives a significant advantage in payload capacity and stability on standing water. The developers have relied on time-tested solutions, abandoning complex engineering delights in favor of reliability and simplicity.
Structural features and materials of the body
The basis of durability of any inflatable boat is the quality of the fabric and, more importantly, the quality of the seams. Flink 320 It uses a five-layer reinforced PVC density of 850 g/sq.m. This is a standard indicator for a budget class that provides sufficient strength for fishing on lakes and rivers with moderate currents. However, it is worth considering that the material has the property of stretching under load, which requires periodic checks of pressure in the cylinders.
The cylinders are designed in a classic way: two main sides and an inflatable keel that runs along the bottom, and it's the inflatable keel that gives the hull stiffness and improves the ride, allowing the boat to better steer its course. most reliable a method of connecting PVC tissue, excluding stratification at temperature changes.
⚠️ Warning: When operating in hot weather, do not leave the boat unattended in the direct sun. The pressure inside the cylinders can critically rise, leading to deformation of the seams or even tearing of the fabric, especially if it is stretched.
The stringer system deserves special attention, because in this model, they pass through special sleeves, which allows more evenly distribute the load on the floorboards, a solution that prevents the formation of humps between sections of the floor under heavy loads, which is often found in cheaper analogues.
To prolong the life of the fabric, regularly treat the surface with UV filtered protective sprays, especially if the boat is often outdoors.
Sex analysis: floorboards vs. inflatable floor
One of the key issues in the selection Flink 320 The basic equipment usually involves a rigid folding floor made of waterproof plywood, which turns the boat into a complete vessel with a flat platform, which you can move freely without fear of puncturing the bottom with a fishing rod or a knife.
Hard floorboards provide excellent seaworthiness The boat is more confident in the wave and less prowling at speed, but the presence of plywood greatly increases the weight of the kit and dimensions in the packaged form, a bag with a boat, motor and paioles can weigh up to 35-40 kg, which requires a car to transport.
There is the possibility of upgrading and installing a low-pressure inflatable floor (LDPB) instead of plywood, although this is less common in the regular sense. inflatable floor makes the boat lighter and more compact, but sacrifices hardness. For fishing in standing water, this may be an acceptable compromise, but for going out into open water, a hard floor is preferable.
Why is plywood better for the engine?
The hard floor creates a single plane that better distributes vibration from the motor. The inflatable floor walks under the feet, which can lead to leg fatigue during prolonged parking and less predictable behavior of the boat on the plane.
When assembling the paillary floor, it is important to monitor the cleanliness of the sled and the boards themselves. The ingress of sand or small pebbles between the floor elements can lead to the wiping of the bottom fabric from the inside, which is a common cause of hidden damage.
Dimensions, weight and transport packaging
The length of the boat is 320 cm, and the width is 142 cm These dimensions allow you to comfortably accommodate two adults with a minimum set of equipment. The interior space is organized quite rationally: there is space for the legs, and the transom allows you to install a motor with a capacity of up to 5-6 hp, although the optimal range is 2-3 hp for economical cruising.
The weight of the kit depends on the type of floor. The plywood floorboard version weighs about 28-30 kg, which is a significant indicator. For comparison, fully inflatable counterparts weigh 10-12 kg less. Transportation is carried in a special bag made of dense fabric that has straps for carrying over the shoulder, but it is inconvenient to carry 30 kg for long distances.
| Parameter | Meaning | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Total length | 320 cm | Optimal for 2 people |
| Width | 142 cm | Sustainable landing |
| Load capacity | 400 kg | Including boat weight |
| Engine power | up to 5 hp | 2-3 hp is recommended. |
| Weight of kit | 29 kg | With paioles and a bag. |
Driving qualities and behavior on the water
On the water. Flink 320 The flat bottom provides excellent parking stability, which is highly valued by winter anglers who use the boat to set up stalls or to spin from an anchored position, and the boat is not rolling, and you can get in safely without fear of tipping over.
When you get on plane with a 3.5 hp engine, the boat goes into mode in 10-15 seconds. The speed with one passenger is about 20-22 km / h. However, it is worth remembering that the flat-bottom is sensitive to lateral wind and excitement. On the wave above 0.3 meters, the characteristic slapping of the bottom begins, which reduces comfort and speed of movement.
Management It's very satisfying. It's lightweight, and it's easy to turn, but at high speeds, you can yaw if you don't have the right center of gravity, and it's important to distribute the load properly, so you better place the battery and the fuel tank closer to the center or the transom for better differentiation.
⚠️ Attention: Do not exceed the recommended engine power. Installation of an engine with a capacity of more than 6 hp can lead to transom bend and destruction of the transom plate, since the design is not designed for high loads from a powerful screw.
Setup and capabilities of tuning
Standard equipment usually includes the boat itself, bag, pump (often two-way, but low quality), remix and instruction. Experienced users recommend immediately replacing the regular pump with a more productive electric or high-quality foot, as “native” products often fail after several seasons.
The boat has good tuning potential. Owners often install additional leers (taut cables) to attach gear, soft seats on a transom jar to enhance comfort and anchor ducks.
☑️ Basic set for tuning Flink 320
Special attention should be paid to the protection of the bottom, the installation of a timber and keel belt (if they are not provided basic or made of a thin material) will significantly prolong the life of the vessel when pulling on a rocky shore. crucial An element of protection that is often ignored by beginners, saving on small things.
Comparison with competitors and final conclusions
In its price segment Flink 320 It competes with models such as Hunter 320 or I'm 320.Flink's main advantage is often cited as more neat seams and the use of high-quality glue in assembly, which reduces the likelihood of "humming" cylinders, but it can lose weight to some lightweight competitors.
Compared to more expensive brands like Badger or YamaranAnd the difference is going to be noticeable in the density of the fabric and the fittings, and Flink's valves might be less sealed over time, and the handles might be less comfortable, but at a price, it's one of the most rational offerings on the market.
The Flink 320 is a workhorse for calm water fishing, where price and simplicity are the priority, not speed performance or high wave passability.
In conclusion, a boat is worth the investment, if you understand its limitations, it's a great option for a summer cottage, fishing on a small lake or as a spare boat in a garage, and with care and timely maintenance, it can last 5-7 years or more, maintaining its basic functions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can the Flink 320 be taken to the open sea or to Ladoga?
Going to the open sea or to large bodies of water with unpredictable weather (like Lake Ladoga) on a flatbed of this size is strongly discouraged. The lack of a V-shaped hull and small size make the boat vulnerable even to a small wave. This vessel is exclusively for protected water areas: rivers, lakes, reservoirs in calm.
Which engine is best for this boat?
The best choice would be a two-stroke engine with a power of 2-3 hp (for example, the Tohatsu M2B or Chinese analogues like Sea-Pro). They are light, economical and allow you to reach a speed of 15-20 km / h, which is quite enough to move. 5-6 hp motors will already be redundant and require installation of a gas tank on the bottom, which will take up useful space.
How to keep a boat in the winter?
The boat should be thoroughly washed, dried and folded at room temperature, not stored in a collected inflated state in the cold or in direct sunlight, the ideal place is a cabinet or shelf in a heated room, away from the heating appliances.
How to seal the boat in the field?
For emergency repairs, the kit should always be remixed. It is best to use special patches of PVC and polyurethane glue (for example, 88-NP or two-component compounds). Before gluing, the surface must be degreased and cleaned. Inflated after repair can only be after complete polymerization of the glue (usually 24 hours).