Fishing or resting on the water is no longer comfortable when your back is running out of the hard inflatable floor and your feet are freezing from the cold water. boat-mattressIt's not just a luxury, it's an important ergonomic component that keeps you healthy and healthy on multi-day expeditions.
The modern market offers many options, from simple foams to complex designs with headrests and pockets. However, buying an inappropriate model can lead to problems with the stability of the vessel or damage to cylinders. In this article, we will break down all the nuances to make your vacation on the water really safe and enjoyable.
Well-chosen cockpit Or the mattress should fit perfectly into the cockpit, without interfering with oars and without blocking access to the transom, and it is important to consider not only the dimensions, but also the material, and the way in which the vessel is attached.
Why you need an extra inflatable layer in the cockpit
The main function of this accessory is thermal insulation and cushioning. Water, even in summer, often has a temperature well below human body temperature. Being in a boat for several hours, a fisherman risks hypothermia sitting on a thin layer of PVC that comes into contact with water. Airspace The mattress works as an effective thermos, keeping the body warm.
The second aspect is comfort in a long-term static posture, the hard inflatable floor of the PVC boat does not provide anatomical support for the spine, a specialized mattress with a cellular or wavy structure. Low Pressure Floor (although this is the top layer), or just a dense inflater, distributes the body weight evenly, which reduces the load on the tailbone and lower back.
⚠️ Attention: Using a mattress that is too thick (more than 10-12 cm) in a narrow boat can critically reduce your stability. The center of gravity rises, and the risk of overturning when driving sharply increases many times over.
And it's also worth mentioning the protection of the bottom of the boat, because the mattress takes the brunt of the knees, the gear and the sharp corners of the drawers, and replacing a leaky mat is much cheaper than repairing the floor of the boat itself. estuarywhere mechanical damage is most critical.
Selection criteria: size, shape and material
When choosing a product, you first need to focus on the geometry of the cockpit of your boat. There is no universal size, since the width of the boats varies from 120 to 220 cm or more. floppy-mattress It is often rectangular in shape, but for the nose, models with rounded corners or the shape of a “scapula” are better suited.
The material must match the material of the boat or be more durable. The optimal choice is reinforced PVC of the same density as the cylinders (usually 850-1100 g / sq.m.). Thinner materials (as in beach mattresses) will quickly become unusable from friction on the rough bottom of the boat and exposure to ultrafi.
Yes.An important parameter is the pump height. For fishing in a sitting position, the optimal height is 5-7 cm. If you plan to use a mattress for sleeping in a campground or in a large boat with high sides, you can consider options 10-15 cm high. resilience.
- 📏 Dimensions: The width of the mattress should be 2-4 cm less than the inner width of the boat in the narrowest part, so that it does not cut the sides unnecessarily.
- 💨 Valve type: It is desirable to have a valve of the type "frog" or "petal", which allows you to quickly blow air and compactly fold the product.
- 🧵 Sutures: Pay attention to double-stitching of seams or welding with hot air, since it is the seams that are the weak spot with constant friction.
When buying a mattress, take a centimeth tape with you and measure the inner width of the boat at three points: at the transom, in the middle and in the nose. Often the boats are conical in shape, and the mattress must be selected at the narrowest place.
Comparative table of mattress types
To make it easier to choose, consider the main types of designs on the market, each with its own advantages for different use cases.
High Density PVC| Type of design | Materials | Height (cm) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat mat | Oxford fabric/PVC | 3-5 | Summer fishing, protection of the bottom |
| Cell mattress | PVC reinforced | 6-8 | Long transitions, sitting comfort |
| Mattress sofa with headrest | 10-12 | Overnight in a boat, rest lying down | |
| Sectional (multi-chambered) | PVC reinforced | 8-10 | Maximum safety and reliability |
Sectional models, consisting of several independent chambers, are the safest, and if one section is punctured, the rest will continue to hold their shape, and you won't suddenly be in the water, which is a critical safety factor.
Sofa mattresses with a headrest often have built-in pockets for trifles, which is convenient for anglers, but they take up more space in the trunk of the car when deflated due to the more complex design of the seams.
Instructions for installation and fixation
Just throwing a mattress into a boat is not always the right decision. In planing or in high winds, an unattached object can shift, disrupting balance or even blocking the control of the engine. fixation It's mandatory.
Most high-quality models are equipped with tethered belts or hinges, and if they are not available, you can organize the mounting yourself using carbine slings or Velcro straps (contact tape).
☑️ Checking the mattress installation
The installation process is as follows:
First, you need to fully pump the mattress to working condition, but not pump it into stone. It should be elastic, but when you press your finger, bend 1-2 cm. Then lay it on the bottom of the boat, aligned in the center.
If there's a boat stringer The mattress is placed on top of the mattress, and if the bottom is slate (plywood or aluminum), the mattress is rolled directly onto the slate, and in the latter case, the risk of damage to the mattress is higher, so it is recommended to use a dense cloth substrate.
⚠️ Attention: Never use sharp metal hooks or wire to fasten your mattress, which can damage the boat’s cylinders when it rocks on the wave.
Use the rings on the sides of the boat to fix it, run the sling through the ring on the mattress, and fasten the carbine to the ring of the boat, or tie it around the balloon, protecting the contact area with a soft cloth, the tension should be such that the mattress does not ride along the bottom, but does not deform.
Care, storage and repair
Your durability fly-in After every fishing trip, especially in dirty weather or salt water, the mattress must be washed with fresh water and thoroughly dried.
Moisture left inside the folds or under the valve can lead to mold that destroys the polymer structure of the material. Dry the product should be in the shade, straightened, avoiding direct sunlight, which causes overheating and deformation of the glue.
- 🌡️ Temperature: Store the mattress is better at a temperature of -20 to +40 degrees Celsius.
- 🐀 Protection against rodents: Mice and rats love PVC gnawing, so in a garage or barn, the mattress should be suspended or packed in a hard container.
- 🧴 Chemistry: Do not use aggressive solvents, gasoline or acetone for cleaning.
In case of damage (puncture, cut), repair is done in the same way as repairing a PVC boat. The surface is degreased, a special glue is applied (for example, polyurethane), and a patch is placed of the same material. It is important to let the glue polymerize according to the instructions, usually 24 hours.
How to check the mattress for micropunctures?
Pump the mattress to the maximum and laminate it with a sponge of soapy solution. Leave it for 10-15 minutes. The appearance of growing bubbles will indicate the location of the air leak, which is especially effective for finding damage at the seams.
Frequent errors in operation
Many users make common mistakes that shorten the life of a product, one of the most common being using a mattress as a seat with a hard chair, and the legs of a fishing chair often have sharp edges that, under a person's weight, push and puncture a thin layer of PVC.
Another mistake is keeping a pumped mattress in the sun, and the air inside gets hot and widened, the pressure rises, and the seams can't withstand the load, especially if the mattress is tightly inscribed on the sides of the boat, which can cause rupture.
It is also not recommended to walk on a mattress in shoes. Sand and small pebbles that fall on the sole work as an abrasive, gradually erasing the protective layer, it is better to use special soft shoes or be barefoot.
Proper care and careful handling can increase the service life of an inflatable mattress to 10 years or more, maintaining its tightness and appearance.
Final recommendations
Choosing an inflatable mattress in a boat is an investment in your comfort and health. You don't need to skimp on this element by buying cheap thin film counterparts. reinforced PVC It will pay off with a long service life and no problems with punctures at the most inopportune time.
When buying, be sure to check the equipment: the presence of belts, bags for transportation and repair kit. Make sure that the dimensions of the product correspond to your boat, leaving room for free movement and work with gear.
A well-chosen and installed mattress will turn your boat into a cozy place where you can spend the whole day with pleasure, forgetting about back pain and cold.
Can I use a regular tourist mattress in a boat?
Technically possible, but not recommended: Tourist mattresses (especially those with foam on the inside) are much more afraid of punctures than boat mattresses, and they often have slippery surfaces and may not have fasteners, which is dangerous on the water.
What is the optimal air pressure for a mattress?
The optimum pressure is usually 0.2 - 0.25 atmosphere (or to the hardness of the "middle apple"). Accurate data are always indicated in the product passport. Pumping is dangerous by rupture of seams in the sun, failure to pump - loss of thermal insulation properties.
What to clean the mattress if it is contaminated with fish mucus or oil?
Use warm water with a soft detergent (for example, for dishes). To remove oil stains, you can carefully use alcohol, but immediately flushing it with water. Abrasive brushes are prohibited.
Do I have to blow off my mattress after every fishing trip?
Deflated storage takes up less space and avoids accidental damage to objects sticking out in the garage, and it also allows you to check the leakiness before your next trip.