Anyone who is just beginning to get acquainted with the world of inflatable swimming aids inevitably comes across the mysterious term "floorboard" from experienced anglers or shop assistants. To a beginner, this word may seem complex technical jargon, but in fact it is a simple but critical element of the design that ensures the rigidity of the bottom. In fact, these are type plates that are inserted into cylinders and form a solid platform, turning a soft "inflator" into a full-fledged boat that can hold the course and withstand the weight of passengers.
It is the quality and type of these elements that determine not only the comfort of your fishing, but the safety of the entire crew, especially when you go on a wave or when using a powerful engine. Unlike simple inflatable mattresses, where the bottom remains soft and slack under your feet, the right rigid slate allows you to confidently stand, move around the cockpit and install heavy attachments without the risk of overturning. Let's examine in detail what these elements are made of, how they differ from each other and why sometimes it is better to choose a heavier but reliable option.
Definition and functional purpose of floorboard
Paiola (or slate) are rigid removable or non-removable floor elements in an inflatable boat that provide the necessary transom and longitudinal rigidity of the structure. Without them, the PVC boat would be just an elongated bubble that is difficult to row, because it does not hold shape under the load of paddle strokes. The main task of this component is to distribute the pressure from the weight of people and cargo evenly over the entire bottom area, preventing excessive tension of the PVC fabric at certain points.
It's important to understand that a hard bottom allows the boat to glid, to slide on the surface of the water when the engine is running, the soft bottom creates resistance to water, "falling" and not allowing you to develop high speed. cross-plateFishing boxes or sonar without worrying about equipment sinking in the cloth, the hardness of the floor directly affects the seaworthiness of the vessel.
The Paioles turn a soft inflatable balloon into a full-fledged vessel that allows you to glid and confidently stand on your feet during fishing.
There is a misconception that a hard floor is not necessary for quiet fishing on a calm lake, but even when fishing from shore or in shallow water, having a hard area under your feet protects you from the cold of the water and allows you to use more effective angling techniques, such as spinning or feeder, where you need active rod work and constant movement on the cockpit.
Basic materials for flooring
The choice of material from which paiolas are made is one of the most important decisions when buying a boat. The market offers several basic options, each with its own unique specifications, weight and application. plywoodIt's a very tough, very reliable film, but it has one major drawback: weight and susceptibility to prolonged moisture exposure when stored improperly.
The second popular material is aluminum-alloyThese floorboards are grooved sheets that are not afraid of water at all, weigh much less plywood and have high strength. However, aluminum has its own peculiarity: it is very cold to the touch, which can be unpleasant in cool weather, and emits a characteristic ringing when sloppy handling tackles or anchors. In addition, aluminum sheets are more difficult to stack, because they are less flexible than thin plywood.
The third option is the so-called VAT (Low pressure inflatable floor) Technically, these are not classical paioles, but a special design with internal partitions that inflate to a certain pressure and become rigid. This solution is ideal for those who value mobility and light weight, because these boats are assembled faster and weigh less. However, it is easier to punch the bottom with a sharp object than plywood or metal, and it is less resistant to punctures on a rocky bottom.
⚠️ Warning: When choosing plywood floorboards, be sure to check the quality of the coating. Cheap laminated plywood can dissipate after the first season of active use, if you do not dry it carefully after each fishing.
Design features: book and set slate
In addition to material, paioles differ in the way they are connected and laid, the most common is the so-called "book" slate, in which several sheets (usually 3 or 4) are connected together by a strong cloth tape, forming a single folding system, and it takes a minimum of time to assemble such a boat: you spread the book inside the cylinders, straighten it and fix the edges, which is ideal for single and double boats up to 3 meters long.
Larger models, especially those designed to fit powerful motors, use a typed slate, in which case the paioles are separate independent slabs that are stacked in series, and can be connected by special profiles (aluminum or plastic “stringers”) that are inserted into the grooves on the sides of the sheets, which ensure maximum stiffness and monolithicity of the bottom, which is critical for safety during high speed.
Why are stringers important for large boats?
Stringers are longitudinal beams that bind individual paioles into a single rigid structure, without which the typed slate could walk under load, leading to deformation of cylinders and loss of driving performance. Stringers take on the main bending load.
There are also combinations where the central part is made of one material and the side sections are made of another, or where a hybrid mounting system is used. The choice between a book and a mounting structure is often dictated by the size of the boat: compact "book" is more convenient in transportation, as it packs into a more compact case, while for large boats, the typed slate, although it requires more time to assemble, gives a gain in stability.
Comparative table of material specifications
To make your choice easier, we have prepared a summary table comparing the basic parameters of different types of floorboards. Note that there is no ideal solution: each option represents a compromise between weight, price, durability and usability.
| Parameter | Plywood (Laminated) | Aluminum alloy | VAT (Inflatable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight. | Heavy. | Medium/Light | Very light. |
| Moisture resistance | Medium (requires drying) | Tall (not rotting) | High. |
| Toughness | High. | Very high. | Medium (spring) |
| Price. | Low/Medium | High. | Medium/High |
| Comfort (warmth) | Warm. | Cold. | Warm. |
And you can see from the table that plywood loses weight, but it gains in price and haptic comfort. Aluminum is the choice of pragmatists who are willing to put up with cold for longevity. VAT is chosen by those who want maximum compactness when assembled, for example, for hiking or light travel. Bottom hardness It directly affects how much power the motor can safely use.
If you buy a boat with plywood floorboards, you should buy a special compound to treat the ends of the sheets, which will extend the life of the tree for several seasons.
Instructions for proper assembly and stowage
The process of assembling a paiola boat requires a certain algorithm, which can cause damage to the cylinder fabric or difficulty installing a transom. First, the boat is partially pumped to spread the folds, then the paiola is put inside. If it's a book, it's simply spread out in the center. If the slate is set, the sheets are stacked sequentially, starting with the bow or from the transom, depending on the design.
Special attention should be paid to fixing the edges of the floorboard, they should be tightly filled with cylinders or in special pockets on the sides. The loosely lying slate will shift during movement, creating heel and discomfort. After laying the floor, the boat is pumped fully to the working pressure specified in the product passport. Only after the final pumping is installed the transom board.
☑️ Proper assembly of the bottom of the boat
When assembled in the cold season, materials can become less elastic, plywood sheets become more fragile in the cold, so you need to fold them carefully, without sudden movements, while aluminum, on the contrary, retains its properties, but becomes very cold, so you need gloves to work with it. Proper stowage ensures that the boat will last the manufacturer's stated term.
Care, storage and typical problems
The durability of paioles depends not only on the material, but also on how you store the boat in the off-season. The main mistake of plywood floor owners is to pack a wet or wet boat for long-term storage. Even if the plywood is laminated, moisture inevitably penetrates through microcracks and unprotected ends, causing swelling and rotting. Before packaging, the boat must be thoroughly dried in a disassembled form.
Aluminum floorboards require little maintenance, except for periodic sand and silt washing, which can act as an abrasive. However, it is worth checking the condition of the connecting elements and profiles. If you use a VAT boat, monitor the integrity of the valves and the absence of microcracks in the areas of adhesions of partitions. Regular washing and drying is the guarantee that the bottom will not begin to leak.
⚠️ Warning: Never dry paioles (especially plywood) in the direct sun or near an open flame. Rapid drying leads to deformation of the sheets and loss of their geometric shape, after which they may not stand in place.
A typical problem is the appearance of fungus on wooden elements. If you notice black dots or smell damp, you should immediately treat the surface with an antiseptic for the tree. Also worth (regularly check) the condition of tissue compounds in book floorboards - the folding places can be rubbed over time, especially if the fabric is poor.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Can I replace plywood floorboards with aluminum floorboards in my boat?
Theoretically, if the size and shape of the boat allow, but aluminum sheets do not bend like plywood, and may not fit into the curvature of your model cylinders, and the weight and thickness of the profiles may vary, which will require reworking the mounts.
What if the floorboards do not straighten and flaunt?
Often it's because the boat is under-performed. Let the cylinders take the right shape and they will press the slate. If the problem is deformation of the sheets themselves (curved from moisture), they need to be dried under the load. In the case of aluminum, check if the connecting profiles are inserted correctly.
How dangerous are cracks in plywood paioles?
Small surface cracks on the laminate are not critical, but if the crack is through or the tree has begun to layer, the floor strength is impaired, and this can lead to a bottom fracture under human weight, which is better replaced or seriously restored.
Does the color of the paiole affect the heating of the boat?
Dark floorboards (especially black aluminum or dark plywood) heat up more in the sun, transferring heat to the air inside the boat. Light surfaces reflect the sun's rays, making staying in the boat more comfortable in hot weather.