Choosing an inflatable watercraft for serious fishing or water recreation often leads to the need to compromise mobility and sustainability. PVC-boats They are leading the way, offering the optimal balance between floor rigidity and the ability to transport in the trunk of a passenger car. Unlike models with an inflatable floor, it uses rigid flooring, which significantly changes the behavior of the vessel on the wave and allows you to confidently install higher power engines.
Many beginners don't fully understand why this design is so popular, and whether it's worth overpaying for rigid bulkheads. Hard floors not only provide comfort when moving inside the cockpit, but also provide the foundation for the anchor box, sonar and hinged transoms. If you plan to go out on the water together or three, and use powerful motors, then you can use a powerful engine. pile-system It will be the only right solution for your safety.
In this article, we will discuss design features, compare different types of decking, and answer questions that 90% of customers have before purchasing. You will learn about the nuances of assembly, material care and critical errors that can reduce the life of your vessel. A properly selected boat will last more than a decade, becoming a reliable partner on the water.
Structural features and types of hard sex
The basis of any solder boat is a frame assembled inside cylinders. There are several basic types of decking, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. flange-floorboardThe grooves are connected by aluminium profiles inserted into special slots, which ensure high rigidity of the structure and allows you to withstand significant loads without deflection.
The second popular option is the system. NDS (Nautical Drop Stitch)Although technically transitional to inflatable floor, in the context of rigidity, it is often considered separately, but the classic floorboard of water-resistant plywood covered with a special anti-slip net remains the gold standard, the weight of such a floor can vary from 15 to 40 kg depending on the size of the boat, which must be considered when planning a transportation.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a assembled paiola floor boat under direct sunlight for long periods of time unattended. The air inside the cylinders heats up and expands, creating excess pressure, which, combined with the rigidity of the paiola, can cause the seams to deform or rupture the valves.
The third type is transom cans, which do not form a solid coating, but serve only as seats. This is the easiest option, but it is least convenient for active fishing, because it limits the movement and installation of equipment. small-boat with predictable controllability.
The quality of the plywood used in floorboard is critical. The best manufacturers use the highest grade aviation plywood with a laminated surface. Cheap counterparts can delaminate after several seasons of active use, especially if moisture gets inside through microcracks in the varnish. So inspecting the ends of the plywood before buying is a mandatory procedure.
Advantages of solder boats before the inflatable floor
The main argument in favor of buying a model with a hard floor is its behavior on the water. Pillet boat It's much better at steering, especially against a wave or a side wind, and the rigid structure of the bottom works like a keel, reducing yaw and making motor control more predictable, and this is especially important for anglers who often troll or need to be positioned precisely at a point.
The second undeniable advantage is the ability to install a powerful motor. inflatable floor (NDND) is often not recommended to put engines above 5-8 hp due to the risk of underbody deformation and loss of hydrodynamics. whereas the unit structure with a reinforced transom calmly withstands engines at 15, 20 and even 30 hp, allowing you to develop high speeds and plane with full load.
Comfort inside the cockpit is also worth highlighting separately, you can walk on the hard floor in shoes (with caution), it is stable fishing box, not bending under weight. Installation of fixed equipment, such as a sounder mount or rod holders, on floorboard is safer and more reliable.
- 🚀 High speed of exit to planing due to a flat bottom without bubbles.
- ⚓ Excellent course stability and controllability on a high wave.
- 🛡️ Increased protection from underwater obstacles (stones, driftwood) due to the thickness of the paiola.
- 🎣 The ability to install more attachments and accessories.
But remember, comfort comes with a weight to pay, and it takes longer and more physical effort to assemble and disassemble a solder boat, and if you're critical to deploying speed in 5 minutes, that can be a crucial downside.
When assembling the boat, first slightly inflate the cylinders (up to 30-40% of the working pressure), insert the floorboards, and only after that pump the sides and bottom to par value. This will reduce the load on the seams and facilitate installation.
Materials and production technologies
Modern. PVC They are made of five-layer reinforced material, which is not inferior in strength to metal, but retains elasticity. The basis is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), reinforced with synthetic mesh. The key parameter here is the density of fabric, which for solder boats should be at least 750 g / sq. m, and for models for powerful engines - 900-1150 g / sq. m.
The elements are connected in high-quality boats by gluing hot or cold method using two-component polyurethane adhesives. Suture technology It ensures absolute tightness and durability of compounds that are not afraid of ultraviolet light, salt water and temperature changes. Cheap models where the cylinders are simply sewn together with threads are not suitable for soldering structures due to high tear loads.
Special attention should be paid to protecting the floorboard, the plywood should be coated with a non-slip coating, often called lanolin or simply corrugated film, which prevents the legs from slipping in wet shoes, and the ends of the plywood should be properly sealed, because it is through them that moisture penetrates into the interior, causing the stratification.
| Characterization | Economy class | Middle class | Premium class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tissue density | 750 g/sqm | 900-1000 g/m2 | 1100+ g/sqm |
| Type of seam | Stitching/Glue | Glue (2 comp.) | Welded/Glue |
| Guarantee | 6-12 months | 2 years | 3-5 years |
| Weight of kit | Minimum | Optimal. | Enhanced. |
The quality of the fittings also directly affects the lifespan: the lyctros (the cable sewn along the junction of the cylinder and the bottom) must be durable and elastic to withstand tension when assembled. Cheap lyctross quickly loses properties, leading to sagging floors and the appearance of folds that rub against the floorboard.
How to choose size and load capacity
Size of boats is always about finding a compromise between capacity and transportability. For single fishing with a 5 hp engine, the best choice is the length. 2.80 - 3.20 metresSuch a boat can easily fit into the trunk of a hatchback, and its weight when assembled allows it to be carried ashore by one person without undue effort.
If you plan to fish together or take a dog with you, the minimum comfortable length starts from 3.40 meters. For such sizes, a 9.9 hp engine is already desirable, which will allow you to go to the plane even with a full load. Boats longer than 3.80 meters are considered heavy class and require a separate trailer or roof on the car for transportation.
⚠️ Attention: When choosing length, consider not only the number of passengers, but also the length of their legs. In short boats (up to 3 meters) when fully loaded, passengers have to sit with their knees bent, which quickly tires their backs.
The load capacity specified by the manufacturer is the limit at which the boat is still afloat, but its sides will be in dangerous proximity to the water. For comfortable operation, it is recommended to load the boat no more than 70-80% of the declared carrying capacity, this will ensure high board, dryness in the cockpit and better handling.
The width of the cockpit is also important: narrow boats are faster but less stable; wide models (over 140 cm) are more stable on the water, they are more convenient to change seats and stand up at full height (in models from 3.6 m), but they sail more in the wind and gain speed more slowly.
☑️ Pre-purchase check
Rules of operation and storage
Durability flat-boat It depends on how you store it and transport it, and the main enemy of PVC is ultraviolet and dirt, and after every fishing trip, especially in saltwater or muddy rivers, the boat needs to be rinsed with fresh water and wiped with a soft sponge, and the dirt, when it dries, becomes an abrasive that scratches the protective layer when it is blown out and folded.
The piolas are removed, wiped dry and stored separately or carefully placed inside the cylinders, if space in the bag allows. Do not keep the boat in a deflated state for a long time. It needs to be inflated and left straightened for a couple of days every season to straighten the folds and restore the structure of the material.
Temperature storage is also important. Although modern materials are frost-resistant, keeping the boat in the cold is not recommended - PVC becomes brittle. The optimal storage temperature is from -10 to +30 degrees Celsius. In the summer, do not leave the boat in a closed car where the temperature can reach 60-70 degrees, which is dangerous for adhesive seams.
- 🧼 Wash the boat with only mild detergents, avoid solvents and gasoline.
- ☀️ Dry the boat in the shade, direct sunlight when drying accelerates the aging of PVC.
- 🔧 Check the pressure in the cylinders with a pressure gauge regularly, especially when the weather changes.
- 🦀 Before packaging, make sure there is no sand inside that works like sandpaper.
If you notice a minor cut or puncture, don't delay repairs. Use a rem.