Buying an inflatable vessel is often just the beginning of the owner's journey, who is eager to adapt the craft to their specific needs. Standard equipment usually includes a low-pressure inflatable floor or a simple slate, but for full fishing or long walks, this is not enough. flooring for the Pelican 268 boat It is the first and most important element of modernization, which is looking for owners of this popular model.
Owners often face the need to create a rigid, flat and stable platform on which to stand confidently while catching a trophy or installing additional equipment. Boat Pelican 268 Originally designed as a light and maneuverable vessel, the lack of a full-fledged hard floor reduces its seaworthiness in wind and wave. Properly made flooring not only adds comfort, but also significantly extends the service life of the cylinder itself, protecting it from mechanical damage.
In this article, we will take a look at all the nuances of creating the perfect floor, from the choice of materials to the final installation, you will learn why some types of wood are better for water, how to avoid typical cut mistakes and what alternative solutions exist for those who do not want to work with wood.
Why the bottom of the staff does not always suit the owners
The standard inflatable floor (BBB) or simple plywood slate that comes with the boat has a number of design limitations, which provide basic buoyancy, but do not provide the rigidity that is necessary for active operation. Hard floor. In the boat, the load is distributed evenly over the entire area of the cylinders, which prevents their deformation and “play” when moving.
In addition, it is extremely inconvenient to place heavy anchors, boxes with tackles or install a powerful transom motor on the soft bottom. The lack of a solid support under the feet makes you constantly balance, which quickly tires and reduces concentration during fishing. Installing a high-quality decking turns an inflatable boat into a full-fledged small boat with predictable behavior on the water.
⚠️ Warning: Operating a boat with an improperly installed or too heavy floor can lead to disruption of the centering and reduce the stability of the vessel, which is dangerous on the water.
Many fishermen note that with the advent of hard flooring, the boat begins to hold its course better and is less exposed to the side wind, which is due to the fact that the structure becomes more monolithic. Pelican 268 It is a compact boat, and every kilogram of weight counts, so it is important to find a balance between the strength of the deck and its weight.
Selection of material: plywood, aluminum or composite
The first and most important step is to choose the material from which the floor will be made. The market offers several options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. plywoodIt combines availability, ease of processing and sufficient strength.
Aluminum sheets or profiled systems (as in rigid boats) can also be used, but they require specific installation skills and are often more expensive. Composite materials such as fiberglass allow for a lightweight and durable design, but the process of making them is difficult for home conditions and requires molding.
When choosing plywood, it is critical to pay attention to its marking. For use on water, only moisture-resistant plywood of the brand is suitable. FSF It's glued together with phenolic resins that are not afraid of moisture and temperature changes. FC (carbamide) is strictly prohibited, as it will quickly dissipate and become unusable at the first contact with water.
Technical specifications and requirements for plywood
For a boat measuring 268 cm, the optimum thickness of plywood is 7 to 9 mm. Using a thinner sheet (4-6 mm) will require a complex rib reinforcement system, otherwise the floor will be bent under human weight. A thickness of more than 10 mm will significantly increase the weight of the entire structure, which can be critical for a small boat.
Surface quality also plays a role: it is better to choose sheets without knots or with a minimum number of them, since knots can fall out with prolonged exposure to moisture. Grinded on one side (Sh1) Plywood is more convenient to process and is easier to cover with protective compositions.
The table below compares the main parameters of the different flooring options:
| Parameter | Plywood FSF 9mm | 3mm aluminum | Plastic (PP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (approximate) | Medium. | Low. | Low. |
| Difficulty of manufacture | Low. | High. | Medium |
| Cost | Budgetary. | Expensive. | Middle-Average |
| Durability | High (with impregnation) | Very high. | High. |
You don't have to skimp on the quality of the material by buying the cheapest plywood in the construction market, and often these sheets have internal voids and a low degree of veneer gluing. Boat Pelican 268 It requires a solid base that can withstand dynamic loads.
Step-by-step instructions: making a floor from plywood
The process of creating a floor starts with accurate measurements. You need to measure the interior dimensions of the boat inflated. It is important to consider that the floor should not rest against the sides with force; you need a small gap of 1-2 cm around the perimeter to compensate for the temperature expansion and ease of stowage.
☑️ Checklist of preparation for flooring
Untighten plywood is most convenient to produce an electroclover with a file for clean cutting. Standard sheet of plywood has a size of 1525×1525 mm, which is enough to make the floor on a boat with a length of 268 cm The floor is usually made composite, of 2-3 sections connected to each other.
The sections of the floor are connected by using special aluminum profiles or "tongues" to fold the floor into a compact structure for transportation, and the profiles are attached to bolts with a wide hat and nut, necessarily using washers to avoid pushing the tree.
⚠️ Attention: All plywood slices after cutting must be carefully grinded and covered with varnish or epoxy resin, otherwise the ends will quickly gain moisture and stratify.
Once the structure is assembled, it is recommended to do a dry fitting in the boat, check how the sections fall into place, whether the edges are lifted, whether it is convenient to connect the locks, and only after making sure that the perfect fit, you can start the final treatment of the surface.
Protection and Impregnation: Extend the Life of the Service
Even moisture-resistant plywood. FSF It requires additional protection, especially if the boat is to be used in salt water or stored in a garage with temperature changes.
The best option is to use olive oil or special yacht varnishes, and the olive oil is applied in several layers with drying between them, so that the top layer of the veneer is completely saturated, which creates an oily film that repels the water.
Can I use regular paint for the floor?
Use of ordinary enamel or paint for the floor is not recommended, as they form a rigid film, which when deformed plywood can crack, opening the water. It is better to use penetrating compounds or elastic yacht varnishes.
An alternative to varnish is epoxy, which creates a durable plastic shell on the surface, but this floor becomes slippery, so an anti-slip coating (linoleum, carpet or special tape) is often pasted on top. Slip-resistant coating It is a safety issue, especially in wet shoes.
Pay special attention to the places where the bolts and profiles are attached, and they also need to be thoroughly smeared with varnish or sealant so that moisture does not get into the structure of the tree through the holes.
Alternative options: floorboards and aluminum profiles
If you don't want to mess with wood, you might want to consider buying pre-made aluminum floorboards or profiles, which are a system of docked slats that are assembled into a single hard shield directly in the boat.
These systems are lightweight, rotten and easy to clean, but they have their downsides: higher cost and specific cold comfort, sitting or lying on aluminum profiles without an additional mat is quite uncomfortable.
To improve comfort on the aluminum floor, use tourist foam mats or special non-slip boat mats that can be quickly rolled up and removed.
And there are composite slabs that are lighter than plywood and are not afraid of water at all, and they have the disadvantage of being expensive and difficult to cut without a special tool. Pelican 268 These options may be excessive in price, but they have the right to exist.
The middle ground for the 268 Pelican is a 9mm plywood floor with high-quality impregnation and anti-slip coating, a balance of price, weight and durability.
Installation and operation: advice from experienced
Putting the floor in the boat is a process that requires a certain skill, first the first section is laid out, then the rest are added in succession, and they are connected by locks, and it is important to make sure that there is no debris or stones under the floor that can damage the balloon when pressed.
When operating, try not to keep the boat assembled for too long if the floor is wooden, take out the paioles, wipe them dry and store them separately or unbuttoned, which will prevent mold and the smell of dampness.
Check the condition of the fasteners regularly. Bolts can weaken from vibration, so once a season it is recommended to extend the joints. Grooming the floor It is a guarantee that it will serve you for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use regular FC plywood for the floor?
No, FC plywood (carbamide) is not designed to be in constant contact with water, it will quickly gain moisture, swell and dissect, leading to floor damage and possible damage to the boat's cylinder by sharp edges.
What thickness should be the floor for a boat 268 cm?
The optimal thickness for a boat of this size is 7-9 mm. This provides the necessary rigidity at an acceptable weight. Thinner plywood will require reinforcement, and a thicker one will make the boat too heavy.
Do I need to paint the floor or enough varnish?
You don't have to paint the floor, the main task is to protect the tree from water, and good-quality oil and yacht lacquer will provide reliable protection, while paint can crack and crack.
How much does a plywood floor weigh for a 268 Pelican?
The weight of the finished 9 mm FSF plywood floor for a boat 268 cm long will be approximately 12-15 kg, depending on the number of sections and aluminum profiles used for the connection.