Choosing the right flooring for an inflatable vessel is not just a matter of comfort, but a critical aspect of safety and performance. Many beginners underestimate the impact of floor type on performance, believing that the main thing is cylinders and engine. However, it is the rigidity and weight of the paioles that determine how the boat will behave on the wave and how much fuel it will consume.
The modern market offers many solutions, from light slate to heavy sea aluminum. Each material has its own unique properties that can be both an advantage and a disadvantage depending on your goals. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances in detail so that you can make an informed choice.
A mismatched bottom can turn a walk into an endurance test or even cause the transom to break, and understanding the physics of the processes will help avoid mistakes when you complete your boat.
Types of floors for inflatable boats and their specifications
The main classification of floors for PVC boats is based on the material of manufacture and design. Slate floor It's a set of individual slats that fit into pockets, and it's a classic solution that balances weight and stiffness, and slag is usually made from moisture-resistant plywood that's covered with non-slip coatings.
Unlike the slate version, aluminum-floor (often called an aluminum boat) is made up of welded or riveted profiles, which provide monolithic and exceptional rigidity, allowing for higher speeds, but the weight of this solution is much higher, requiring a powerful motor to enter the planing.
There is also a compromise. plywood It's a thick sheet, or it's a large section, and it's heavier than slate, but it's lighter than aluminum, and it's very stable on the water, and it depends on whether you want to be mobile or speedy.
- 🛶 The slate floor is easy to assemble and transport, ideal for fishing in stagnant water.
- ⚓ Aluminum floor is the maximum stiffness for planing and wave passage.
- 🪵 Plywood sheet - high strength and durability at moderate weight.
⚠️ Attention: Using substandard plywood without special impregnation can lead to floor dissection after the first season of active use.
Each floor type dictates its own maintenance and storage requirements, and if you plan to keep the boat assembled for a long time, aluminum profiles can create pressure points on the cylinders, whereas slate is more gentle in this regard.
Slate floor: advantages and disadvantages of the design
Slate remains the most popular choice for medium-sized boats, consisting of separate slats connected by slings or put together. The main advantage is modularity: you can remove part of the floor to make room, or replace one damaged slat without changing the entire set.
The weight of this design is minimal, making it easy to carry the boat alone, and for anglers who often change bodies of water and get to the water on their own, this is a crucial factor. Waterproof plywoodThe slurry used in quality slush can withstand constant contact with water without deformation.
But slate floors have their limitations, and at high speeds or high waves, you can have an accordion effect, where the slats start to shift relative to each other, which creates discomfort and reduces the overall rigidity of the structure.
To improve the performance of many manufacturers reinforced profiles And there's additional connectors, which minimizes the backlashes and makes the flooring more monolithic, and when you choose, you need to consider the thickness of the slats and the quality of the coating.
- ✅ Quick assembly and disassembly even in the field.
- ✅ Low overall weight of the boat, which is important for low-power engines.
- ✅ Possibility of partial replacement of elements in case of breakdown.
It's worth noting that the geometry of the bottom when using slate floors is often less than that of aluminum counterparts, and this may have a slight effect on hydrodynamics, but for quiet fishing or recreation, the difference is almost imperceptible.
Aluminum floor: stiffness and speed
Aluminum paioles are the choice of those who prioritize speed and cross-country performance. Aluminum profile design creates a hard, virtually indestructible bottom, and a boat with a floor that holds a great hit on the wave and allows you to glid confidently even when fully loaded.
aluminum It doesn't absorb water, it doesn't rot, it doesn't require complex maintenance, it's enough to rinse it with fresh water after it's released into salt water to avoid corrosion, and it's a lifespan that's virtually unlimited, unless you can get mechanically damaged by careless transportation.
The main disadvantage is weight. Aluminum floors can be one and a half to two times heavier than slate floors. This requires a more powerful motor, which in turn increases fuel consumption. This can be critical for smaller boats.
Secrets of installing aluminum floor
When installing an aluminum floor, it is important to strictly follow the sequence of the profiles. If you confuse the order, the lock may not snap or, worse, damage the inside of the cylinder. Always start laying on the nose or stern, following the marking.
It takes more time and effort to build aluminum floors, you have to put profiles in the slots, you have to snap the locks, which can be tedious in cold weather or in the wind, but the result is worth it: you get a boat that is almost as rigid as metal.
- 🚀 Perfect stiffness for planing and high speeds.
- 🛡️ High wear resistance and resistance to external influences.
- ⚖️ A large weight, requiring a powerful motor and physical strength during assembly.
⚠️ Attention: When assembling aluminum floors, be careful with sharp profile edges, which can damage the inside of the cylinder or your clothes, use gloves and control the stacking process.
Manufacture materials: plywood, aluminum and composites
The choice of material directly affects the durability and cost of the boat. Sea plywood (usually birch) is the standard for budget and medium-sized models, and is handled with special moisture-protective compounds, but it still requires attention and drying over time.
Aviation aluminum (duraluminium) is a premium choice. It's lightweight but very durable. It's often used in combination with a powder coating that protects the metal from oxidation and scratching. Modern composite materialsFiberglass or carbon fiber products appear in top-end models, offering a unique combination of lightness and stiffness, but their cost is high.
The table below will help to compare the main specifications of materials:
| Materials | Weight. | Toughness | Durability | Price. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood (Slane) | Low. | Medium | Medium | Low. |
| aluminum | Highly | High. | Very high. | High. |
| Composite | Medium. | Very high. | High. | Very high. |
| inflatable floor (NDB) | Low. | Low. | High. | Medium |
When choosing a material, you should also consider storage conditions. If you do not have a dry garage or a warm balcony, plywood can suffer from temperature and humidity changes faster than metal or composite.
Low-pressure inflatable floor (LDPB) as an alternative
Special attention should be paid to low-pressure inflatable floor boats, where a cylinder with a special design of internal bulkheads plays the role of a hard floor, which allows you to achieve incredible lightness and compactness when assembled.
These boats don't require floor assembly, you just pump up the cylinders and get on the water, and it's ideal for those who value time and mobility. NDMA inferior in rigidity and speed qualities to boats with hard floors, especially on excitement.
Use an electric pump with a pressure gauge to pump the bottom of the NDNDM. This will provide the exact pressure needed for stiffness and save you energy.
Comfort on such boats is often higher due to the softness of the floor, but the ability to pass through shallow water or thickets can be lower due to the risk of puncture. The choice depends on the priorities: maximum speed and rigidity or ease of transportation and assembly.
Instructions for installation and care of floorboards
The proper installation of the floor is the key to the long service of the boat, the process begins with the layout of the cylinders on a level surface, and it is important that there are no sharp stones or branches under the boat that could damage the material.
When you install a slate floor, you first put the extreme bars, then the central one. It's important to make sure that the slings or the connecting elements are not twisted. For aluminum floors, you need to consistently insert profiles into the guides, locking the locks until the characteristic click.
☑️ Pre-launch checks
The floor care consists of cleaning the sand and dirt regularly. Sand, when it gets between the slats, works like an abrasive, erasing the protective coating and fabric of the boat. After each step on the water, it is recommended to wash the floor with fresh water and dry thoroughly before packaging.
⚠️ Attention: Never keep the boat assembled with a wet floor, which will cause mold, unpleasant smell and destruction of the plywood or fabric structure.
Periodically check the condition of the fasteners and locks. Weakened elements can cause the floor to shift during movement, which is dangerous. If you find defects on the plywood (blown, chipped), immediately treat them with moisture varnish.
Cost comparison and final recommendations
The price of flooring for PVC boats varies widely: sleigh options are the most affordable, making them popular among beginners. Aluminum and composite flooring is an investment in durability and performance, justified for active users.
When choosing, be guided not only by price, but also by use scenarios. For fishing in reeds on a calm lake, it makes no sense to overpay for aluminum. For sea walks or trolling at high speeds, a hard floor is a necessity.
The best choice for a versatile boat is a high-quality slate floor made of moisture-resistant plywood at least 9 mm thick. It balances between price, weight and comfort.
Don't skimp on floor quality as it can cost more to replace or repair than initially buying a good set. A good floor is the foundation of your water safety.
Can I use regular linoleum instead of covering the floor?
It's not recommended to use conventional linoleum. It can slide, it doesn't have enough strength, it becomes brittle at low temperatures. It's better to use specialized anti-slip coatings for decks.
How often should I change the floor in a PVC boat?
With proper care and storage, a quality floor lasts 5-10 years or more, and replacement is only required if the material is mechanically damaged or severely dissected due to storage conditions.
Does the color of the floor affect the heating of the boat in the sun?
Yes, dark floors (gray, black) heat up more than light floors (beige, light gray) and this can cause discomfort when cruising barefoot in hot weather, but does not affect the performance.
Do I need to lubricate the aluminum floor locks?
You don't need to lubricate the locks with regular oil, because the sand will stick to it. You can use silicone spray to make it easier to assemble, but in minimal amounts and only on metal parts, avoiding getting onto the fabric.