Choosing a boat is always about finding a trade-off between lifting capacity, weight and comfort on the water. The bottom type is a special part of this equation, because it determines how stable your boat will be in choppy conditions and how easy it will be to plane. inflatable floor has become the de facto standard for most modern models because of its versatility, but many still do not understand the difference between technologies.
There is a misconception that any inflatable floor is the same, but reality dictates its conditions: not only the speed of assembly, but also the safety of the crew depends on the design. Seaworthiness The vessel depends on the rigidity and shape of the bottom, and in this article we will discuss the nuances that will help you avoid mistakes when buying or upgrading your boat.
So why do manufacturers and owners choose this particular type of design? transportation And when you fold a boat with an inflatable floor, you get a compact backpack that can easily fit in the trunk of a car, which is not possible with aluminum or plywood paioles.
AirDeck Technology: How it Works
The most common type of inflatable floor is a structure known as AirDeckIt's two layers of solid material, connected by thousands of threads. drop-stitchThey prevent the balloon from inflating into width during pumping, directing pressure to expand to height, which creates a hard as a board surface.
The process of creating pressure inside the balloon requires careful attention, and when pumped, the threads are pulled and the surface becomes rigid, and this allows the boat to keep its shape even when it encounters a wave, ensuring predictable behavior on the water.
How to check the quality of drop-stitch threads?
High-quality inflatable floor when pressed with a finger bends no more than 1-2 cm If you can push the bottom deep, then the pressure is not enough or the technology is broken during production.
There are several modifications to this technology: some manufacturers use tighter thread weaving to increase rigidity, others use special coatings to reduce friction against water, and the choice of the specific option depends on whether you plan to operate the boat in calm lakes or on high-speed rivers.
- 🌊 High surface rigidity after pumping to working pressure.
- 🎒 Minimum weight compared to plywood or aluminum floorboards.
- ⚓ Excellent buoyancy and additional unsinkability in emergency cases.
Use a pressure pump to accurately monitor pressure, and it is almost impossible to determine the required 0.25 atms in the eye, and the pumped bottom can be deformed in the sun.
Comparison with hard floorboards: ND vs. H
In the world of inflatable boats, there is an eternal confrontation between fans of the inflatable floor (ND - Nautical Deck) and adherents of the hard floor (H - Hard). Hard floorboards made of moisture-resistant plywood or aluminum provide the perfect geometry of the bottom, which theoretically gives the best possible result. hydrodynamics.
But the inflatable version has its own trump cards, and the main one is that there are no gaps between the floor sections. In hard-bottomed boats, water often flows into the joints, creating a slacking effect and increasing weight. monolithic surface.
| Characterization | inflatable floor (ND) | Hard bottom (H) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight collected | Easy 15-20%. | Harder because of the floorboards. |
| Assembly time | Faster (no need to collect floor) | Longer (laying of sections) |
| Comfort in the parking lot | Tall (sitting softer) | Low (hard surface) |
| planing | Good (at the right pressure) | Excellent (perfect geometry) |
The choice between these two types often depends on the physical abilities of the owner. NDFor anglers who spend a lot of time in a static boat, the softness of the inflatable floor also becomes a decisive factor.
Materials and durability of construction
The base for the inflatable floor is the same material as for cylinders. reinforced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) But the density of the tissue is critical, and PVC is typically used at a density of 750 to 1,100 g/sq.m. The denser material is more resistant to puncture, but it is heavier and harder in the cold.
The seams on the inflatable floor are subjected to enormous stresses, and when pumping a balloon, the seams stretch the area, so the quality of their gluing or welding is a matter of life and death. heat-seedwhich are not inferior to the material itself.
Special attention should be paid to protecting the bottom of the bottom, which is in contact with sand, shell and stones when pulling the boat ashore. Many models are equipped with reinforced tape around the perimeter or linings from the boat. rubbery in the most vulnerable places.
- 🛡️ The use of multilayer PVC with protection against UV radiation prolongs the service life.
- 🔥 The quality of the glue and compliance with the temperature regime during assembly determine the tightness.
- 🧪 Resistance to fuel and lubricants (fuel and lubricants) is important for motor boats.
The life of the inflatable floor is directly dependent on storage conditions, and moisture residue and dirt are the main enemies of PVC, causing mold and tissue structure destruction.
Instructions: how to properly pump and prepare
The right pumping is the key to long-lasting life in your inflatable floor, and many newcomers make the mistake of trying to inflate the balloon on the shore, without considering the physics of gases. When heated in the sun, the air inside expands. pressure It can grow so big that it will damage the stitches.
The process of preparing the boat for water has to be systematized, first the boat is laid out on a flat surface, cleared of sharp objects, then the primary pumping of the cylinders and the bottom to a state of elasticity, but not to full pressure, only after that, before getting on the water, the final pumping is done.
☑️ Preparing the bottom for pumping
It is important to use pumps with the right cylinder volume.AirDeckLow-power foot pumps may be inefficient, causing too much effort and time to be wasted. Electric stop pumps make this process much easier.
⚠️ Attention: Never leave a fully pumped boat in direct sunlight unattended, and the pressure inside may exceed the permissible limits, causing the seams to rupture or deform the bottom.
inflatable floor management and care
The inflatable floor is taken care of immediately after returning from the water, and the boat must be thoroughly washed with fresh water to remove salt, silt and sand. quilt (if any) and places of docking of the bottom with cylinders, where dirt often accumulates.
Drying is a must. Even if the boat appears dry, there may be moisture between the PVC layers or in the folds; it is ideal to dry the boat in a disassembled but partially inflated state in the shade; direct sunlight during drying can lead to uneven heating and damage to the material.
When stored in winter, it is recommended to treat PVC with special air conditioners, which maintain the elasticity of the material, preventing it from suffocating and the appearance of microcracks, it is better to store the boat in an unswerving form or in a freely folded state, avoiding tight clamps.
- ❄️ In winter, keep the boat at plus temperature to avoid cracking PVC.
- 🧼 Use only soft detergents that do not contain solvents.
- 🔍 Regularly inspect the bottom for scuffs and seal them in a timely manner.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use abrasive sponges or hard bristles to clean the bottom. You may damage the PVC protective layer, which will lead to tissue dissection in the future.
Repair and restoration of leakage
Despite its high strength, the inflatable floor is not immune to punctures. A sharp branch, a fishing hook, or a stone hidden under water can violate the tightness. drop-stitch It allows you to easily localize and eliminate damage in the field.
For repairs, you will need a remake complete with a boat, or a specialized glue for PVC (for example, Texacol or KlejcolIt is important to degrease the surface before patching. The gluing process takes time for polymerization, so don't rush to pump the boat immediately after repair.
Algorithm of repair:1. Find the puncture site (soapy water).
2. Dry and degrease the surface (alcohol/acetone).
3. Apply glue on both surfaces and allow to dry for 10-15 minutes.
4. Apply a second layer of glue and tightly press the patch.
5. Roll the roller from center to edge.
If the damage is serious, such as a seam rupture or a long cut, it is better to contact a specialized service. strength-plate products.
Can I seal the boat in winter?
Repairing PVC at low temperatures is highly undesirable, the glue may not catch on and the material becomes brittle, and it is better to postpone the repair to warm or do it in a heated room.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the optimal pressure in the inflatable floor?
The optimum pressure is usually 0.25-0.3 atmospheres (about 3-4 psi). Accurate data is always indicated in the boat's passport. Excess pressure is dangerous to rupture seams, especially in hot weather.
Can I walk on the floor in shoes?
It is advisable to use special soft shoes (boats or sneakers) Shoes with a rigid sole or heels can damage the protective layer of PVC, especially if there are pebbles stuck on the sole.
How fast does the boat blow off the ND?
A high-quality boat at normal air temperatures can lose up to 10-15% of its volume overnight due to cooling. That's OK. If the boat deflates faster (becomes soft in a couple of hours), then there's a leak.
What is the difference between AirDeck and just an inflatable floor?
term AirDeck It is often used as a marketing name for technology. drop-stitchA simple inflatable floor (without threads) will be cushion-shaped and will not provide the stiffness needed to plane. The AirDeck creates a flat, hard surface.