Choosing a swimming aid for fishing or resting on the water often becomes a compromise between load capacity, weight and price. PVC Navigator 335 NDND LightThe squirrel, which in recent years has become a real bestseller in the Russian market of small craft, is not just another “rubber”, but a full-fledged tool for a boating that requires reliability and mobility.
The index model 335 It's the length of a boat, which is a class of medium-sized boats that can hold two or three people. Light This is not a marketing ploy, but an indication of using a less dense, but sufficiently durable material for certain structural elements, which allows you to reduce the overall weight of the kit. The weight of the full set with floorboards is about 46-48 kgThis is an outstanding indicator for low pressure inflatable floor.
Why is this particular configuration so controversial and interesting? It's all about balance. You don't have to carry heavy plywood paioles, but you have to replace the soft bottom, like the classic ND, with a rigid structure. NDMA (low pressure inflatable floor) is becoming the standard for boats of this size and whether to overpay for this technology.
Structural features and materials of the bodyThe basis of durability of any boat is the material. Navigator 335 It uses a five-layer reinforced PVC fabric. The density of the material varies depending on the zone: the sides are made of a denser cloth (about 750 g / sq.m.), which guarantees resistance to punctures against reeds or branches. NDMAIt has its own specifics.
Low-pressure inflatable floor technology uses Drop-Stitch fabric, where thousands of threads connect the top and bottom layers of PVC. When pumped to 0.6-0.8 atmospheres, the bottom becomes stiff as plywood, but it remains light, which solves the main problem of classic boats - the lack of hard redane, which is necessary for glides.
⚠️ Attention: Don't pump cylinders in the sun! The pressure inside rises with temperature. If you pump a boat in a cool garage and then take it out in the sun, the excess pressure can damage the seams. Use a pressure gauge.
It's important to note the quality of the seams. The manufacturer uses gluing rather than welding, which ensures high maintenance in the field. The seams are glued with a margin of safety, however, like any other. PVCThe material requires careful treatment during transportation in winter.
To prolong the life of the fabric, treat it with special UV sprays after each season. Ultraviolet is the main enemy of polyvinyl chloride, causing it to dry out and crack.
Advantages of inflatable floor of NDND over floorboardThe main question that the buyer faces is: why do you need an inflatable floor when you have proven plywood paioles? The answer lies in the assembly and driving performance. plywood-bottomed It takes 15-20 minutes, it takes a flat area and physical effort to dock the sheets, and the NDNDM design is laid out in 5-7 minutes by one person.
In addition, the inflated bottom creates a single plane without joints and gaps, water does not linger between the sheets of plywood, which reduces the overall weight of the boat during operation, the rigidity of this bottom allows you to stand on your feet and throw tackles without fear of deflection under the weight of the fisherman.
- 🚀 Assembly speed: Bottom inflating takes 3-5 minutes with a foot pump, which is much faster than floorboard laying.
- 💧 Lack of water: Unlike solder boats, there are no pockets between the sheets where water and dirt accumulate.
- ⚖️ Weight: The design of the NDND is lighter than the plywood analogue by about 5-7 kg, which is critical when carrying equipment to water.
But there's a caveat: The inflated bottom is sensitive to sharp objects at the bottom of the pond, and if you plan to dock frequently on rocky beaches or drag the boat along abrasive sand, you're at risk of damage. Drop-Stitch The fabric is taller than scratching plywood, and although repairs are possible, in the field, it's an unnecessary headache.
Driving and planingBoat. Navigator 335 NDLD It's designed to get on plane mode, and the presence of a very pronounced keel and inflatable tubes that act as beads creates great hydro aerodynamics. When you install a 5 hp motor, the boat easily goes into the plane with one person on board.
The keel shape provides excellent course stability, the boat doesn't blow off the side wind as much as the flat-floor models, and it's better at holding the wave. Navigator 335 suitable not only for quiet lakes, but also for large reservoirs with moderate chop.
The table below shows approximate speed indicators depending on the engine power and load:
| Engine power (hp) | Loading (kg) | Speed (km/h) | Mode of traffic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | 100 (1 person) | 22-24 | planing |
| 5.0 | 180 (2 men) | 12-14 | Water-displacement |
| 9.8 | 100 (1 person) | 32-34 | planing |
| 9.8 | 250 (3 persons) | 18-20 | half-glyss |
It should be noted that the real performance depends on the propeller, the state of the bottom and the wind. For confident planing with two adult passengers and equipment, a motor with a capacity of at least 8-9.8 hp is recommended.
Package and ergonomics of the cockpitInside the cockpit Navigator 335 It's designed to be comfortable, and it's designed to be a comfortable fishing place, and it allows you to have two inflatable seats, which are very comfortable, and they don't rot, unlike wooden seats, and they can be easily washed, and they can be mounted in the form of liktros likpases or slings, which allows you to adjust the landing height.
In the bow, there's an inflatable anchor pouch, and on the sides, there's a liner cable for insurance. protector It's a bank that takes over the major abrasion loads, and it significantly extends the life of the main cylinder.
☑️ Checking the completeness when buying
The Trans plate, which is reinforced with fiberglass, allows you to attach the engines with lower unit to a standard length, and it is important to set the angle of inclination of the engine (different), because on boats with inflatable keel, this parameter affects the output on plane more than on rigid hulls.
⚠️ Warning: When installing an electric motor, make sure that the lower unit does not touch the inflated bottom at maximum zip. Use transom wheels or limiters to avoid damage to fabric by the screw.
Comparison with competitors: Flagman, Miv, SolarThere are many analogues in the market. Flagship It offers similar specifications, but often uses heavier tissues, which affects weight. Mneve and K They are famous for their quality, but their price in the 330-350 cm segment is often higher. Solar. It relies on a hard inflatable keel, but the Navigator's NDND technology wins in assembly speed.
Key advantage Navigator 335 BND Light You get almost the same performance as the top brands, but at a lower cost. However, the quality of the accessories (handles, valves) from the competitors may be slightly higher, although the Navigator's maintainability compensates for this.
The Hidden Secret of Choice
Pay attention to the color of the fabric. Light colors (gray, light green) are less heated in the sun, which reduces the risk of depressurization of the seams due to air expansion. Dark boats (green khaki, camouflage) require more frequent pressure checks in the heat.
If you consider a family boat with a child, the Navigator benefits from safety due to high inflated sides. For professional trolling, where maximum rigidity and the ability to install downriggers are important, it is still better to look towards aluminum or heavier PVC boats with a hard bottom.
Maintenance and winter storageProper care of the PVC boat is the key to its longevity, and after every fishing trip, especially in salt water or polluted water bodies, you need to wash the dirt with fresh water. PVC It does not absorb moisture, but the sand between layers of fabric can act as an abrasive when folded.
Drying is a must. Even if the boat appears dry, moisture can remain in the valves or seams; it is better to store the product in an unswerving or freely rolled state, avoiding sharp clamps; the storage temperature should not fall below -15 °C, as the material tans and becomes brittle.
- 🧼 Cleanup: Use a soft sponge and a soap solution. Aggressive chemistry (solvents, gasoline) destroys the polymer layer.
- 🌡️ Conservation: Before long storage (winter), treat the surface with silicone lubricant to restore elasticity.
- 🔧 Audit: Once a season, check the tightening of the fittings and the condition of the valves for etching air.
If you puncture, don't panic. The kit you're wearing is enough to do a few repairs, and the key is to degrease the surface and let the glue (usually polyurethane) dry out for the time it takes to load. Using a hair dryer to speed up the drying process is a common mistake that leads to bubbles.
Compliance with drying and storage rules increases the life of the PVC boat by 2-3 times. Do not store wet product in a bag for more than 2-3 days!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum weight of the Navigator 335?
rated carrying capacity is 500 kg, however, for comfortable movement and maintaining driving performance, it is recommended not to exceed the load of 350-400 kg. This includes the weight of passengers, engine, fuel and equipment.
Can I use this boat in winter for winter fishing?
Technically possible, but PVC material loses elasticity at low temperatures. There is a high risk of damaging the bottom of the ice. If you plan to operate in winter, be sure to use additional protection of the bottom (mats, plywood sheets) and be extremely careful.
How long does it take to complete the assembly and disassembly of the boat?
It takes about 10-12 minutes for the experienced user to assemble (including pumping cylinders and bottom) and 15-20 minutes for disassembly, washing and packaging.
Do I need to register a boat with GIMS?
According to the current legislation of the Russian Federation, boats weighing less than 200 kg and with an engine up to 8 hp (inclusive) are not subject to registration. The weight of the Navigator 335 NDNDM with a 5-6 hp engine usually falls within this limit, which frees the owner from bureaucracy.