Buying an inflatable vessel is always about finding a compromise between weight, comfort and price, especially when it comes to choosing the hardness of the bottom. Many beginners mistakenly believe that the density of cylinders is the main thing, forgetting that it is the density of cylinders that is the main thing. sex-type It determines the performance and usability, and the design of the bottom depends on whether you can stand in the boat during active fishing, how quickly it will get on plane, and how easy it will be to assemble after water procedures.
Modern manufacturing uses several core technologies, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages: an inflatable floor, plywood or aluminum plywood system, and modern AirDeck inflatable decks – all of which are designed for different use cases. Wrong choice. It can turn the pleasure of cruising into hard physical labor or make fishing uncomfortable due to the shaky platform.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the existing types of bottoms so that you can make an informed decision. We will not use template phrases, but provide dry facts and real-world experience in different conditions.
inflatable floor: lightness versus sustainability
The simplest and most budgetary solution is traditionally considered an inflatable floor made of the same fabric as cylinders. The design is one or more inflatable compartments that are laid inside the boat and inflated to working pressure. The main advantage of this solution is the minimum weight and compactness in the assembled form.This makes it ideal for single boats or situations where you have to carry equipment on foot for long distances.
But there's a downside to the coin: the inflatable floor, even at high pressure, is always soft and springy, it's uncomfortable to walk on, legs fall through, and the center of gravity shifts. It's not a good fit for standing fishing, because stability is poor, and the inflated bottom has less bending rigidity, which can lead to deformation of the hull at high speeds.
⚠️ Attention: Never use the inflatable floor as a platform to install a heavy stationary sonar or battery without additional hard pads. The soft surface will bend under the weight of the load, which will lead to the roll of the boat and the possible entry of water through the transom.
However, for cruising with children or for rafting on rivers, where maximum safety and gentleness of landing are important, this option is quite justified.
Pillage system: classics for fishermen
If you plan to fish actively and you need a hard surface under your feet, the pitting bottom is the only option, consisting of individual rigid plates (floorboards) that connect to each other and form a single plane, most often using moisture-resistant plywood 9 or 12 mm thick, or lightweight and durable aluminum, the rigidity of which allows you to stand confidently, move around the cockpit and install any attachment.
There are several types of floorboard joints, the most common being lock-in or profile tape. Aluminum profiles are very rigid, but they add weight structures. Plywood plates are lighter, but they require careful handling, because they can swell if not treated with special impregnations. Hard floor. It also serves as a power element, cutting through the cylinders and giving the boat the optimal geometry for planing.
Building a solder boat is a time-consuming process. You need time to properly stack the stoves, connect them and fix them with stringers, which can be a challenge in cold weather or windy weather, but the result is worth it: you get a full mini boat with a flat, dry and warm floor.
☑️ Checking the bottom of the pit before buying
For storage of plywood floorboards, it is recommended to use special covers or cofrays to protect their ends from moisture and mechanical damage. Aluminum variants are more unpretentious in this regard, but they are much more expensive and heavier to transport.
AirDeck Technology: The Golden Mean
A modern alternative to classical paiolas has become technology AirDeck This solution is an inflatable mat, inside which thousands of vertical threads connect the upper and lower walls, pumped to high pressure (usually 0.6-0.8 bar), the bottom becomes hard as wood, but retains little weight and flexibility.
The advantage of AirDeck is a combination of comfort and practicality. It's nice to walk barefoot, it's warm and it doesn't slide. Unlike plywood, it doesn't absorb water, it doesn't rot, it doesn't require drying after every trip. It's rolled up, it takes up minimal space in the trunk of a car. It's faster than AirDeck is built, because you don't have to mess with stoves and stringers.
But there are nuances: the inflatable deck still bends under a load more than hard plywood. If you plan to keep the boat on a plywood for a long time or use a very powerful engine, the deflection of the bottom can adversely affect hydrodynamics. In addition, it is easier to penetrate such a bottom with a sharp object (hook, knife) than plywood, although modern materials have high tensile strength.
The Myth of AirDeck Freeze
It's said that the inflatable floor freezes in the winter and becomes slippery, and in practice, thanks to the air layer, it retains foot heat better than cold aluminum, and the corrugated surface prevents it from slipping even in the cold.
For most outdoor enthusiasts, AirDeck is the best choice to combine the mobility of an inflatable boat with the comfort of a hard bottom.
specifications comparison table
To organize the information and make it easier to choose, let's turn to the numbers and facts. Below is a table comparing the main parameters of different types of bottoms.
| Parameter | inflatable floor | Plywood plywood | AirDeck | aluminum pyeol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure weight | Minimum | Highly | Medium. | Very tall. |
| Surface rigidity | Low. | Maximum | High. | Maximum |
| Assembly time | 5-10 minutes | 20-40 minutes. | 10-15 minutes | 20-30 minutes |
| Compactness | Great. | Low. | Good. | Low. |
| Price. | Low. | Medium | High. | Very high. |
As you can see from the table, each type has its own strengths. Plywood plywood They win in hardness, but lose in weight. AirDeck It offers a great balance, but it costs more, and it depends on what you prioritize.
Effect of bottom type on driving performance
Keep in mind that the boat is a single organism, where the bottom plays the role of the keel and power frame. Hard bottom (plywood, aluminum) allows the boat to keep its course better and more efficiently go to the plane. Flat hard surface creates the right hydraulic lifting force, which is especially important when using medium and high power engines.
Inflatable bottoms, by contrast, can play on the wave, creating additional resistance, which leads to increased fuel consumption and lower top speed. However, for quiet lakes and slow-flowing rivers, this difference is almost imperceptible. If you plan to walk on large water where the wave meets, structural rigidity becomes critical for safety and comfort.
To improve the running qualities of the boat with an inflatable floor, you can use a removable overhead keel, which adds course stability, without weighting the design excessively.
It is also important to consider the weight distribution: on a solder boat, the weight of passengers and cargo is distributed evenly over the entire hard floor area, and local loading occurs on the inflatable floor, which can lead to uneven dipping of cylinders in water.
Practical advice on operation and care
Regardless of the type of bottom you choose, proper operation will prolong the life of your vessel. Plywood paioles require periodic drying and treatment of the ends with moisture-repellent compounds. Don't leave the plywood wet in a closed bag - this is a sure way to mold and deformation.
Inflatable floors and AirDeck must be protected from puncture. Before pumping, always clean the cockpit of boats from fine debris, sand and branches. The grains of sand caught between the cylinders and the bottom work as an abrasive, gradually rubbing the fabric as you move and load.
⚠️ Attention: Do not keep a boat with an inflated bottom (especially AirDeck) in direct sunlight in hot weather. The air pressure inside can exceed acceptable norms, which will lead to rupture of the seams or deformation of the structure.
Regularly check the pressure in the compartments with a pressure gauge. Insufficient pressure reduces the rigidity of the floor, and excessive pressure is dangerous to the integrity of the seams. Optimal pressure is usually indicated in the instructions for a particular model of the boat.
The durability of a PVC boat is 80% dependent on proper bottom care: drying, protection from abrasives and pressure control.
The final choice: what to prefer?
So to sum up, there's no universal answer to the question, "which bottom is better," and it depends on your personal priorities. If you're a professional angler who spends 8-10 hours in a boat, you're in a desperate need. hard-floorNo comfort of an inflatable mattress can replace the confidence of the hard ground under your feet when you catch a trophy.
For family holidays, swimming and short walks is ideal AirDeck And even a quality inflatable floor, which will provide softness, safety and ease of transportation, and aluminum floors are for those who are willing to sacrifice weight for absolute indestructibility and rigidity, for example, for work or extreme conditions.
Determine your use case, weigh the pros and cons, and then the purchase will bring only positive emotions. Remember that a well-chosen boat is the key to a great experience on the water.
Can you replace the inflatable floor with paioles in an already purchased boat?
Most of the time, no. Boats are designed for a specific type of bottom, the shape of the cylinders, the location of the stringer pockets and the general geometry are designed for a certain amount of interior space, and installing the floorboards in a boat designed for the inflatable floor can lead to overvoltage of the cylinder seams and deformation of the hull.
How often should I pump the inflatable floor of AirDeck?
The frequency of pumping depends on temperature changes. When heated in the sun, the pressure increases, when cooled (for example, in the evening or when you go out into the water from a warm garage) - drops. It is recommended to check the pressure before each step on the water and when there is a significant change in the ambient temperature.
How much heavier is a plywood boat compared to an inflatable one?
The difference in weight can range from 5 to 15 kg depending on the size of the boat and the thickness of the plywood. For a single boat, this may not be significant, but for three-to-four-seater models, the weight of the floorboards becomes a significant factor when carrying and loading into the car.
Is the plywood floor afraid of water?
Modern moisture-resistant plywood (PSP grades) tolerates short-term contact with water well, but being in water or storing in a wet state will lead to stratification and rotting. After each trip, it is advisable to wipe dry.