Self-assembly or upgrade of an inflatable vessel often requires a solid base. Floor to the PVC boat yourself This is a challenge that many owners face when they want to increase the rigidity of the structure or replace a worn-out standard element. Properly made slate not only improves driving performance, but also ensures safety when operating on water, allowing them to stand on their feet with confidence even in heavy chop.
Market offerings are full of ready-made solutions, but their cost and quality often leave much to be desired. cross-plate If you slate yourself, you have complete control over the weight and strength of the product, and in this article, we'll go through all the steps of the process, from choosing moisture-resistant plywood to the final sealing of the seams.
Selection of material for flooring
The foundation of quality slag is the right choice of raw materials. plywoodBut the make and thickness of the slab is critical, and shipbuilding is not a good fit for conventional slabs that swell after first contact with water, and you need a material that is highly moisture-resistant.
The best choice is aviation plywood BS (bakelite), but due to the high price it is often replaced with FC (carbamide glue) or PSF (phenol formaldehyde glue), the latter option is more resistant to aggressive environment, but requires careful processing of the edges. the thickness of the sheet usually varies from 9 to 12 mm, which provides a balance between rigidity and the total weight of the craft.
⚠️ Attention: The use of low grade plywood with knots and voids inside the layers will lead to rapid destruction of the floor under the load of the motor or the weight of passengers.
Alternative to wood can serve as composite materials or grooved aluminum, but their processing at home requires special tools. It is critically important that the specific weight of the finished floor does not exceed the standard values by more than 15-20%, so as not to overload the cylinders.
Necessary tools and components
You need to have a working arsenal to do it, and you don't have to rely on a random set of tools, because the precision of the cutting and the quality of the edges processing directly affect the durability of the product, and the main work will be done with wood and textiles.
The list of equipment required includes:
- 🪚 An electrojigsaw or circular saw with a guide for smooth cutting.
- 🔨 Grinding machine or a set of sandpaper of different grains.
- 🧪 Hands, rollers and containers for application of impregnation and glue.
- 📏 Roulette, coal and marker for marking.
Pay special attention to fasteners. Standard nails or screws will quickly rust. Use only stainless-steel For the interconnection of floor segments, special profiles are often used in PVC or aluminum, which can be purchased in water-motor stores.
When buying plywood, immediately check the sheets for the presence of stratifications - knock on the surface, the sound should be ringing and uniform.
Design and construction of drawings
Before you pick up the tool, you need to create an accurate design. The floor in the PVC boat is done yourself according to individual dimensions, since the geometry of the bottom of different models (see below).Kazanka, hunter, FlagshipAn error in the calculations may result in the slate simply not standing in place or pressing on the cylinders, causing them to deform.
The design process is as follows:
- 📏 Take measurements of the inner width and length of the cockpit at several points.
- ✏️ Draw a sketch by hand, taking into account the shape of the nose and transom.
- 📐 Transfer data to millimeter paper or use CAD programs.
- 🧩 Break the structure into segments if the boat is large and solid sheet does not enter the trunk.
It is important to provide gaps between segments of the order of 3-5 mm. This compensation distance is necessary to thermally expand the material and prevent floor bloating when heated in the sun. jar (seats) and a tanning board.
| Parameter | Recommended value | Permissible deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Plywood thickness | 9-12 mm | ± 1 mm |
| Segment gap | 3-5 mm | ± 1 mm |
| Number of layers of lacquer | 3-4 | No passes. |
| Drying time between layers | 24 hours. | Depends on the temperature. |
Why is the compensation gap important?
When heated in the sun, the plywood expands, and if you stack the segments closely, the floor will rise up with a house, which will create a dangerous tilt and can damage the boat's valves.
Technology of opening and processing of blanks
The cutting of the material requires carefulness and safety, it is better to apply the marking on the plywood with a bright marker, clearly following the prepared drawings, and cut slowly, without heavy pressure, to prevent chipping of the laminated layer, if it is present.
Once you cut all the pieces, you get the roughing phase, all the ends and corners need to be polished carefully, sharp edges can damage the inner surface of PVC tubes, which is unacceptable, and use grinding paper with grains from P80 to P120 to create a smooth rounded profile.
The next step is impregnation. Even moisture-resistant plywood requires additional protection. The ends absorb moisture the fastest, so they are soaked 5-6 times. The planes are treated 2-3 times. olipha Each layer must dry completely before the next one is applied.
⚠️ Warning: Don't use oil paint as the first layer, it creates a film that can detach from the damp wood. First, deep soak, then finish.
Construction and connection of segments
When all the parts are ready and dry, you can start assembling. There are several ways to connect the floor segments. The simplest is to use aluminum or PVC profiles that insert plywood edges into them. A more complex but reliable method is to connect "in the groove" or with textile tapes pasted at the ends.
You often use belts or locks to fix the segments between you, so you can quickly assemble and disassemble the structure, and if you're making a monolithic floor for a small boat, make sure that its weight allows one person to load it into the car.
☑️ Checklist of floor assembly
When you build, you have to keep a close eye on the geometry. The floor should be flat, without any skewing. graffiti As part of the floor, make sure the angle of the floor meets the requirements for your motor.
The use of removable connections allows you to store the boat in disassembled form, saving space in the garage and extending the service life of materials.
Finishing and waterproofing
The final step is to finish the finish line, which can be non-slip paint for decks or a special rubber compound, and the main goal is to create a rough surface so that the legs do not slide down the wet wood, and a smooth varnish is not suitable.
The application technology is simple:
- 🖌️ Degrease the surface after grinding.
- 🎨 Evenly apply the first layer of paint with a brush or roller.
- ⏳ Let it dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- 🔄 Repeat the procedure 2-3 times to create a strong layer.
Pay special attention to the places of attachment of the fittings, all holes under screws or bolts should be additionally sprayed with a sealant before installing the fastener, which will prevent water from entering the plywood structure through the channels from the drill.
Installation of the floor in the PVC boat
Installation of the finished product into cylinders requires caution. Do not drag heavy segments through the fabric of PVC - this can lead to micro scratches and scuffs. It is better to bring the elements in turn and collect them inside the cockpit, if the structure is segmented.
Spread the cylinders and make sure the bottom is flat. When pumping the boat, the air pressure will press the slate, straighten all the folds and fix the structure. Make sure that the edges of the floor are not too tightly clamped, but also not loosely dangled.
⚠️ Warning: After the first assembly and pumping, be sure to check the boat on the shore. After an hour or two, the pressure may drop due to stretching of the fabric, and the floor will require additional fitting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a regular floorboard instead of plywood?
Theoretically, it can, but it will significantly increase the weight of the structure. The board is less shaped in large areas and is prone to warping. Plywood has better kink strength at less weight.
How often should I update the floor covering?
It is recommended to perform a floor inspection once a season, and if you notice swelling or scratching to the wood, you need to clean the area and cover it with varnish or paint again.
How to better connect the segments of the floor to each other?
The best option is to use regular PVC profiles, which come with a boat, or aluminum H-shaped profiles, which provide a rigid connection and a flat surface.
Do I need to remove the floor for the winter?
Preferably, keeping the boat assembled in an unheated room can lead to condensation between the bottom and the sleigh, causing rotting. It is better to keep the floor separate in a dry place.