The choice of inflatable boats often boils down to finding the optimal balance between weight, comfort and cost. One of the key design elements that directly affect the performance and ease of fishing is the use of the water. boat-floorThe abbreviation NDND stands for "Low Pressure inflatable floor", which means the use of inflatable tubes as a rigid base on which the deck is placed.
Many beginners mistakenly believe that the floor is a secondary detail that can be saved. However, it is the quality of the floorboards (floor sections) that determines the speed of the vessel's assembly, its stability on the wave and the ability to withstand loads when moving on a plane. Unlike inflatable floor boats (ND), where the floor is a soft membrane, the NDNDM system requires a hard coating, which imposes its own requirements for operation.
In this article, we will discuss in detail what materials are used to create a deck, what are the features of installation and how to extend the life of your vessel. Understanding the physics of the process will help you avoid common mistakes in assembly and transportation.
Design features of the BDLD system
Low-pressure inflatable floor boats represent a trade-off between the rigidity of the hull and the compactness of the folded body, and the design is based on a cylinder divided into many partition cells, which are connected by tape ties, which prevent the bottom from over-inflating into height, providing the necessary space for the body to be used. surface rigidityHowever, the inflatable floor itself is not perfectly flat and rigid for comfortable movement or seat installation.
That's why it comes in the package. flat-flooringIt consists of separate sections that connect to each other and are fixed on the sides or special stringers. In NDND boats, the floor installation process is often different from the classic models with a rigid bottom. It is important not to damage the sensual tissue of the balloon with sharp edges of the sections. The design must evenly distribute the load so that when plane the bottom does not bend under the weight of the motor and passengers.
The key advantage of this system is the ability to quickly assemble without using heavy aluminum or magnesium profiles, characteristic of plywood bottom boats. However, the weight of the solder flooring can be a significant part of the total weight of the kit.
Materials for the manufacture of deck coating
The market offers several basic options for the materials used to make the floor into a NDNDM boat, each with its own physical and mechanical properties that affect durability and usability. plywoodIt has high strength, excellent moisture resistance and is able to withstand significant impact loads.
But plywood has its drawbacks, and the main one is weight, a plywood-floored boat will be much heavier than an aluminum-floored boat, and when the plywood coating is damaged, it can start to absorb moisture, which will lead to layering and increase the weight of the vessel, and it often uses special profiles or additional layers of paint to protect the ends.
An alternative to the tree is aluminumAluminum sheets, often grooved for anti-slip effects, are much lighter than plywood and are absolutely water-free. They don't rot, they don't deform from temperature changes and they're easy to wash. However, the metal is colder, which can be felt when fishing in cool weather, and requires careful care not to scratch the cylinders. There are also composite materials that combine lightness and strength, but they are usually more expensive.
When buying a boat with plywood floor immediately treat the ends of the sections with moisture-resistant paint or varnish - this will prolong the life of the floor for several seasons.
Technology of installation and assembly of floor
The process of assembling a hard-floored NDND boat requires a sequence of actions. Errors during the installation phase can lead to deformation of the structure or damage to the fabric. First of all, you need to fully pump the bottom cylinder to the operating pressure specified in the product passport. Insufficient pressure will lead to the floor lying unevenly, and excess can break the joints when installing the rigid elements.
The floor sections are placed in the nose, and usually the first pellet has a special shape or attachment to fix the position of the floor, and when you stack the sections consistently, you have to make sure that they get into special pockets or lie on stringers. Quick Lock It's important to make sure that there are no gaps between the sections through which water or sand can penetrate.
The final step is to install a stern paioli and fix the stern board, and after all the elements have been laid, it is recommended to walk on the floor to check for stability and no creaking, and if you use the boat for the first time, you may need to assemble and disassemble it several times to make the materials "wear" together.
☑️ Sex assembly algorithm of NDNDM
Comparative specifications of the floors for boats
To make the choice easier, consider the basic parameters of different types of floors in a comparative table, which will help you understand which option will be optimal for your operating conditions, whether it is calm fishing in the reservoir or active trolling at high speeds.
| Parameter | Sea plywood | aluminum | Composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight. | Highly | Low. | Medium. |
| Strength | High. | Medium (deformed) | Very high. |
| Moisture resistance | Medium (requires care) | Absolute. | High. |
| Price. | Low/Medium | Medium | High. |
As you can see from the table, aluminum flooring They are the most expensive to lose weight, which is critical for single boats or long-distance casts, while plywood remains the leader in price-to-hardness ratio, making it popular with boat owners of 3.2 meters or more in length, and composite materials are the choice for those who are looking for the highest quality and willing to pay for it.
The metal floor in the boat NDND quickly cools down in the wind and coldens the legs, so in the cold season it is recommended to use special mats or thermal insulation linings.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a boat with a plywood floor installed under direct sunlight for long periods of time unattended. The air between sections can heat up and expand, putting pressure on the cylinders, and the plywood itself can overheat.
Deck maintenance and care
The durability of the floor in your boat depends on how you care for it. After every fishing, especially if you have been fishing with the ground or in muddy conditions, you need to thoroughly wash the space between the sections. The sand, getting between the floorboards, acts as an abrasive, rubbing the fabric of the balloon and the lacquer coating of plywood.
Use a soft brush and warm water with a neutral detergent to clean. It is not recommended to use aggressive chemicals that can destroy the glue connecting the layers of fabric or damage the protective coating of the tree. After washing, the floor must be thoroughly dried before packaging. Wet plywood in a closed case is the ideal environment for mold and fungus to develop.
Periodically check the condition of the edges of the sections. If you notice burrs or chips, they must be immediately sanded with fine sandpaper. The sharp edge of aluminum or plywood when loaded on water can cut through the fabric of the cylinder, which will lead to an emergency on the water. Regular inspection allows you to identify defects at an early stage.
How to store floor in winter?
Keeping the floor in a NDND boat is better in straightened form or rolled up in large turns, but not folded along the same bend. Sharp temperature changes can lead to microcracks in plywood varnish, so the ideal place is a dry garage or storage room temperature.
Typical problems and their solution
During operation, owners of NDND boats may face a number of typical problems, one of the most common is the displacement of the floor sections during movement, this occurs if the mounts are weakened or installed incorrectly, and additional fixtures can be used to solve the problem or replace worn-out fasteners.
Another common issue is floor creaking, which occurs due to the friction of sections against each other or against cylinders, you can eliminate unpleasant sound by putting special tapes between the elements or treating contact surfaces with silicone grease (strictly making sure that it does not fall on the cylinder fabric, unless recommended by the manufacturer), and creaking can also emit an under-inflated bottom balloon.
If you find plywood bloating, it's a signal that moisture is entering the material, in which case the section needs to be removed, dried, cleaned and coated with a new layer of protective material, and ignoring this process will lead to the complete destruction of the section within one or two seasons.
Quality training and regular maintenance of the floor in the boat NDND double the life of the vessel and ensure safety on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I replace the plywood floor with aluminum in my boat?
Most of the time, yes, but it will require accurate measurements. Aluminum sections should perfectly replicate the geometry of your model's cylinders and stringers. It's best to order a kit from the boat manufacturer or customize it, because purchased universal sets may not fit the curvature of the sides.
What is the optimal pressure in the BND cylinder before the floor is installed?
Generally, manufacturers recommend pumping the bottom to 0.2-0.25 atmospheres (about 3-4 psi). The exact values are always specified in the instructions for a particular model. Insufficient pressure will make installation of a hard floor impossible, and excess can lead to rupture of seams during thermal expansion of air.
Do I need to lubricate the stringers before assembly?
Using silicone grease for stringers makes it easier to assemble and disassemble a boat, especially in the cold season when plastic becomes tough. However, it is important not to overdo it so that the grease does not soil clothes and tackle. Some craftsmen recommend using talc as a cleaner alternative.
What to do if the floor section is bending under weight?
A deflection indicates either insufficient thickness of the material or damage to the internal structure (plywood dissection or aluminum deformation). If the deflection appears suddenly, the section is better replaced. Operation of the damaged floor is dangerous: at any time it can burst, which will lead to water entering and disrupting the centering of the boat.