The modern market of small boats offers many options for water recreation, however, PVC boat with NDNDM It's a strong leader in fishing and outdoor activities, and it's a low-pressure inflatable floor that's been used to create a trade-off between the comfort of hard-keel models and the ease of collapsible structures. Unlike traditional solder floors, it uses a special balloon system that becomes hard when pumped, but retains some flexibility.
Many newcomers mistakenly believe that the lack of a hard floor makes the boat less reliable, but practice shows otherwise. Low pressure inflatable floor It's made of the same durable materials as the side, often with reinforcements that guarantee durability, and it's perfect for those who value assembly time and the absence of heavy metal or plywood elements in the trunk of a car. Let's explore why this type of design is the number one choice for thousands of water-powered vehicles.
The key advantage is weight and compactness when assembled, so you don't have to carry heavy floor slabs or worry about the plywood getting wet and layering after the season. NMND construction This allows you to pack a boat in one or two bags that can easily fit even in the trunk of a small passenger car, opening up new possibilities for spontaneous trips to a body of water without the need for a trailer or a freight taxi.
Design features and structure of the bottom of the NDND
The basis of comfort in such models is a unique system. partition-blockUnlike a simple inflatable balloon, each section has its own structure, often with internal stretches that prevent the bottom from overblown into height, keeping the running surface flat. When air is pumped to a pressure of 0.2-0.25 atmosphere (which is slightly higher than in the sides, but much lower than in high-pressure inflatable kilsons), the bottom becomes elastic, like a gymnastic mat.
It is important to understand the difference between BHD and BHD (high pressure), if the latter require an electric pump and cooling time after the pump, then the NDN It's faster and often allows for simple foot pumps or hand pumps. But it has its own nuances: the bottom is not as rigid as a sheet of plywood or aluminum, it bends under the weight of a standing person, creating a trampoline effect that some users like for being soft, while others see as a disadvantage when fishing actively.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a fully pumped boat with NDND in direct sunlight for long periods of time unattended. The air inside the cylinders expands when heated, which can cause seams to rupture or deform the structure if the pressure exceeds the permissible limits.
The technology for producing these floors is constantly being improved. Ribs Or similar solutions where the interior partitions are Y-shaped or rectangular, which allows you to distribute the load more evenly. If you plan to use a boat for trolling or running fishing with frequent movements on the cockpit, pay attention to the thickness of the bottom material - it must be at least 900-1,100 g / m2 to ensure proper wear resistance.
Drop-Stitch Technology at the bottom of NDND
Some premium models use Drop-Stitch technology (thousands of threads connecting the top and bottom walls), which allows you to pump the bottom to much higher pressures, making it hard as a tree, but retaining lightness. However, the classic NDNDM works on the principle of a multi-chamber cylinder with internal bars.
Comparison of BND with plyol and inflatable keelsons
Choosing between different types of bottoms is often a stumbling block for the buyer. To make an informed decision, you need to clearly understand the differences in operation. Pied-on boats (with a rigid prefabricated floor made of aluminum or plywood sheets) provide perfect rigidity, but lose in assembly speed and weight. Inflatable keelson (HDVD) gives excellent seaworthiness, but requires a powerful pump and time.
Boat with NDMA It's going faster than the pay-off, because you don't have to spread out heavy sheets of floor and put stringers in, you just need to spread the cylinders, pump them up and put in an inflatable quilson (if it's designed) and it's going to be especially valuable if you often go fishing alone or the weather doesn't allow you to spend a long time on the shore.
Let’s look at the main differences in the table to systematize the information:
| Characterization | floorboard (Aluminum/Phanera) | NDND (Low pressure inflatable) | NDVD (high pressure inflatable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight of kit | Tall (heavy floor) | Low/Mediocre | Medium. |
| Assembly time | 20-40 minutes. | 10-15 minutes. | 15-25 minutes. |
| Floor rigidity | Absolute. | Elastic (tampoline effect) | Tall (almost solid) |
| Transportation | Oversize packaging | Compact | Compact |
It is worth noting that seaworthiness The soft bottom is better at quenching the shocks against the wave, making the swing less noticeable to passengers, but for going to the big water with a powerful motor, it is still preferable to the model with a high-pressure inflatable keelson or a hard transom integrated into the design.
Motor choice and speed specifications
One of the common questions is compatibility. PVC boats with NDNDM Because the bottom has some flexibility, the hydrodynamics of such a vessel may be different from the classics, and the sleeve boat is slightly heavier than the hard bottom model, since some of the engine's energy is spent overcoming the soft bottom resistance, which can form a kind of "wave" under load.
However, the boat was properly selected with float-bottom If the model only provides a floor of NDND without a separate keel, the maximum speed will be limited to 25-30 km / h. If the design involves the installation of a separate inflatable keelson (often high pressure), the boat becomes a full-fledged planing vessel capable of holding 40 km / h or more with the appropriate engine.
When choosing a motor, consider the following recommendations:
- 🚤 For boats up to 3 meters long and bottom of the NDND optimal motors with a capacity of 2-5 hp, which will allow you to confidently enter the mode, but will not overload the transom.
- 🚤 Models length of 3.2-3.6 meters with NDND and inflatable keel work perfectly with engines 9.9-15 hp, providing comfortable planing for two people.
- 🚤 It is not recommended to put powerful engines (18+ hp) on boats with clean NDND without rigid elements of bottom reinforcement, as this can lead to deformation of cylinders at high speeds.
It is also important to set up correctly. engineBecause of the softness of the bottom, the angle of the trim can change under load. It is recommended that you be able to adjust the slope of the lower unit engine to find the optimal position for planing. Often you need a slightly larger entrenchment or, conversely, an elevated motor to "pull" the boat to the plane.
When installing the motor on a boat with NDND, use additional gaskets under the transom plates if you feel that the transom walks or bends inward under the weight of the engine, this will prolong the life of the structure.
Comfort and ergonomics: sensations on the water
Being in a boat with NDMA It gives you a unique tactile sensation. The floor springs under your feet, which reduces the stress on your spine and knees when you park for a long time. For spinning anglers, who often change positions in the cockpit, this can be a plus, but there is also a downside. When you walk actively, the bottom can bend slightly, creating a sense of instability that you need to get used to.
Temperature also plays a role, and an air-filled bottom is a great thermal insulator, unlike cold aluminum or frozen plywood. PVC floor It's much more comfortable to sit or lie on a bottom in cool weather without the need for additional mats, but in heat, the air inside the cylinders heats up, and the bottom can become hot, although the PVC material itself heats up less than the metal.
The ergonomics of space in these boats often benefit from the absence of joints between the floor sheets. The surface is completely smooth, with no cracks to which a tackle or small fish could fall. Cleaning the boat after fishing takes seconds: just scoop the water out and wipe it with a cloth. The absence of metal parts on the floor eliminates the risk of damage to the fabric by sharp objects from the inside.
However, for those who are used to rigidity, there is a trade-off: Many manufacturers offer the option of installing removable hard inserts or using special platform mats that distribute weight, which allows you to combine the softness of the inflatable floor with the stability of the hard surface for the installation of chairs or drawers.
☑️ Checking the boat's readiness for the season
Operational rules and maintenance of the bottom of the NDND
And NDN It's been around for years, and you have to follow certain rules of operation, and the main enemy of inflatable structures is mechanical damage and temperature changes. Although modern materials (reinforced PVC) are very durable, they're not permanent. You can get a puncture not only on water, but also in careless transportation or storage.
The pumping process requires attention. As mentioned earlier, the bottom pressure should be between 0.2 and 0.25 atm. A pumped bottom in the sun is guaranteed repair. An underpumped bottom will cause the material to wear out quickly due to friction and loss of shape of the vessel. Use a pressure gauge on the pump for control. It is convenient to use pumping electric pumps with pump function to pump large volumes of air, but the final pressure is better done manually or with a pump with precise control, so as not to exceed the norm.
⚠️ Warning: After using salt water, be sure to wash the boat with fresh water, paying special attention to the valves and seams of the bottom. The salt crystallizes and can damage the fabric or make it difficult for the valve system to function at the next assembly.
Keep the boat in a dry, cool place, protected from rodents. Rodents often choose soft PVC materials for nest construction. Before packing the boat should be completely dry. Wet cloth in the rolled-up state is the perfect medium for mold that destroys the reinforcing layer and glue seams. Dry the boat in the straightened form, in the shade, until the moisture completely disappears.
Repairing minor NDNDM damage is usually not a problem. Manufacturers often put a strap in the kit. To seal the puncture, it is enough to degrease the surface, apply glue (specialized for PVC) and put a patch. Because the bottom does not carry the same tear load as the sides (the pressure inside is low), these patches are held very reliably.
Observance of proper pressure and dry storage are two main factors that increase the life of a boat with NDND by 2-3 times.
Summary: Who will fit such a boat
PVC boat with NDNDM - It's not a universe.