Owning a PVC inflatable boat is a constant search for balance between mobility, load capacity and comfort. Many budget model owners are faced with the fact that a regular bottom-book or classic plywood peyol eventually becomes uncomfortable. The tree swells with moisture, becomes heavy, and when it dries, it becomes deformed, which creates the risk of damage to inflatable tubes. boat-cloth It is often the most rational solution to a problem.
This composite coating, which is made of compressed wood fibers impregnated with special resins, dramatically changes the performance of the craft, does not absorb water, does not rot, and, importantly, has a rough surface that prevents slipping. Marine Deck It provides a confident movement on the cockpit even in wet shoes.
Replacing the bottom with a composite flooring is not just a cosmetic tuning, it's an investment in the durability of your boat. maridec It evenly distributes the load on the cylinders, protecting them from puncture and grinding, and let's take a look at why this material is considered the standard for upgrading inflatable vessels and how to make sure you choose it.
What is a maridek and its key advantages
The material known as Marine DeckIt was originally designed to provide terraces and piers that require high resistance to aggressive aquatic environments, and in the context of inflatable boats, it is a corrugated board that is as strong as hard wood but lacks its main drawbacks, and is based on a mixture of wood flour and polymers, which makes the material inert to biological influences.
The main advantage is zero water absorption, and if you leave a plywood floorboard in a closed boat for a week, it can gain several kilograms of weight. Maridek for the boat It's going to stay dry inside and it won't change its mass, which is especially true for tourists, where every extra kilogram of equipment matters, and it doesn't require periodic paint or varnishing.
⚠️ Warning: Despite its high strength, maridec is a tough material. When laid in an inflatable floor boat (BBB) or soft floorboard, you need to use a protective carpet, otherwise the cylinders may be damaged.
From a safety perspective, the corrugated surface provides excellent traction, and even if fishing slime or water hits the bottom, the risk of slipping is minimal, which is critical when fishing or landing full gear. Production technology It allows you to create boards of various colors that do not burn out under the influence of ultraviolet light.
Comparison of maridek with plywood floorboard and aluminum
Boat bottom selection always comes down to comparing three basic materials: plywood, aluminum and composite. Plywood floorboard is a classic, affordable and cheap, but short-lived. Aluminum is light and durable, but noisy and cold. maridek It occupies a niche of the “golden mean”, combining the best properties of competitors.
Let’s look at the detailed differences in the table to make it easier for you to make a decision:
| Characterization | Plywood (laminated) | aluminum | Marine Deck (Marine Deck) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water absorption | High (swells) | Missing. | Missing. |
| Noise | Medium | High (ringing) | Low (deaf sound) |
| Thermal conductivity | Low. | High (cold) | Low (warm) |
| Slip. | High (no carpet) | Very high. | Minimum (roughing) |
| Term of service | 3-5 years | 10+ years | 10+ years |
Aluminum sheets are often criticized for being “rattled” when moving along the wave and are heated in the sun. Composite board It absorbs vibrations and doesn't heat up to a condition that's dangerous to the skin of the legs, but it's worth noting that maridecs can be heavier in weight than fine aluminum, although lighter than heavy marine plywood.
Another important aspect is the tactile sensation, which is that when you're fishing barefoot or with thin socks, it's much more enjoyable to stand on a composite than it is on cold metal or rough, plywood with shrivelled varnish. Durability The material allows you to forget about replacing the bottom for many seasons, which in terms of service life makes it economically viable.
Technical specifications and compatibility with boats
When buying a material, it is important to consider not only its appearance, but also its physical parameters. Marine Deck It is 22-25 mm, which provides the necessary rigidity for spans of up to 40-50 cm without additional support. However, for boats longer than 3.8 meters, the installation of a central beam or stringers may be required.
It's easy to process. You can cut the shapes you want, using a simple jigsaw or a circular saw with a hard disk. Density The composite is about 1,100 to 1,200 kg/m3, which makes it sink in water, and that's an important caveat: if the board falls overboard, it will go down, unlike some plastics.
Can I paint maridecs?
Yes, you can paint the surface with special paints for polymer composites or sea enamels, but the factory texture of the wood already has an aesthetic appearance, and painting is only required to harmonize with the color of the boat cylinders.
PVC boats are almost 100% compatible, and Maridek is used to replace the floorboards in the Flagship, Kazanka, Mnev, Hunter and many others, and the key is to correctly size the segments so that they can freely enter the cylinders and do not create excessive pressure on the seams when inflated. Linear expansion The material is minimal, but it is still recommended to leave small gaps (2-3 mm) between the boards.
Instructions for the manufacture and installation of the floor DIY
The floor replacement process can be divided into several steps, and self-manufacturing can save up to 50% of the cost compared to buying a finished kit, and you'll need: maridek sheets, an electric jigsaw, a roulette wheel, a pencil, and perhaps a grinder to handle the edges.
First, you have to dismantle the old bottom and thoroughly clean the inside of the boat of sand and dirt, then take measurements, and it's important to measure the width of the cockpit in several places, because inflatable tubes can have irregularities. Markings It's done with the clearances in mind. Don't try to drive the pullboard, it'll deform the boat.
☑️ Checklist before the start of work
After sawing the segments, it is recommended to walk along the ends with fine sandpaper to remove the burrs. The stacking is done sequentially. If the boat has a complex geometry (for example, a narrowed nose), the extreme boards can be made composite or use special inserts of the same material. To fix the boards between themselves (if necessary for rigidity), you can use hidden metal braces or simply rely on a tight fit in the cylinders.
⚠️ Attention: Cutting a maridek produces fine wood-polymer dust, work with a respirator and safety glasses to keep the dust out of your eyes and airways, and the dust is also sticky, so you'd better cover your workplace with film.
The final step is to check the build. Inflate the boat and walk on the new floor. It should not bend or creak. If you hear a creak, then there is friction on the balloon or between the boards, which needs to be eliminated by grinding the ends. Correctly assembled floor It turns an inflatable boat into a kind of small boat with a hard bottom.
Caring for composite flooring and storage
One of the main advantages Marine Deck Unlike wood, it doesn't have to be dried for weeks, and after fishing, you just rinse the boards with fresh water from a hose to flush the salt off and wipe it with a cloth. If you have fish mucus or oil on the surface, use a regular dishwashing tool.
You can keep a maridek-mounted boat assembled, but it is better to remove the floor during long-term storage (for the winter), which will allow you to thoroughly dry the PVC fabric of the boat and avoid condensation between the board and the bottom. Although the material does not rot, stagnant moisture under it can cause mold to appear on the fabric of the boat.
To remove persistent stains from gasoline or oil, use white spirit or specialized cleaners for a composite terraced board. Do not use aggressive solvents such as acetone, they can damage the polymer ligament.
Once a season, it is recommended to inspect the surface for deep scratches or chips. Although the material is durable, a strong impact by a sharp object (for example, an anchor hook) can leave a mark. Service resource The correct coating is 10-15 years.
Where to buy and pricing policy
You can buy maridecs at water-powered specialty stores, as well as at large construction hypermarkets in the terraced board department, and it's often cheaper to buy from a construction store, because you only pay for linear meters, not for a branded boat product, but you have to do the opening yourself.
Price per square meter varies depending on the manufacturer, the thickness of the board and the availability of riffling. On average, the cost ranges from 2500 to 4000 rubles per m2. Ready-made kits for specific models of boats (for example, the Flagship 360) will cost more - from 10,000 rubles and more, but will eliminate the need for calculations and sawing.
When buying, pay attention to the class of material. For a boat, it is better to choose profiles with bilateral riffling ("wels" or "chess"), since the smooth side intended for the street will be slippery in the boat. Guarantee The manufacturer usually has 1 to 5 years to avoid structural defects.
Buying a maridek sheet in a construction store and cutting your boat by size is the most economical option, allowing you to save up to 40% of the budget.
Can I use a maridec for inflatable floor boats (BBBD)?
You can use a hard maridec over an inflatable floor (NDB), but with caution. You need a tight rug-back to keep the corrugated surface from rubbing PVC. But the point of replacing it is questionable, because you lose the main advantage of NDB - comfort and softness. For NDB, it is better to leave the regular bottom or use soft mats.
How hard will it be to carry a maridek boat?
The weight of the maridek is comparable to that of heavy marine plywood, but it is lighter than aluminum of the same thickness. For a boat 3.6 meters long, the floor kit will add about 15-20 kg to the total weight. This is palpable if you carry the boat alone, but when transported on a trailer or in the trunk of a car, the difference is insignificant.
Do I need to handle the ends of the boards?
The cutting of the factory is usually already smooth edge, but when you saw it yourself, you form burrs. The ends should be slightly traversed so that they do not scratch the inner surface of the cylinders. The ends do not require special sealing, since the material throughout the thickness has the same moisture resistance.
Will the maridec slide in winter?
The riffled surface ("wels") provides good grip even in the cold. However, if the ice clogs the grooves of riffling, slipping is possible. Unlike smooth plastic or metal, maridec remains relatively rough, but in severe frost it is recommended to use tread shoes or to put a rubber mat on top.