The process of bringing into operation an inflatable vessel with a hard floor is significantly different from the assembly of boats with an inflatable floor or plywood sleigh, where the key factor is the correct sequence of actions, because the right sequence of actions becomes the key factor. aluminum-floorboard They require precise positioning and rigid fixation to ensure safety on the water, and errors in the installation phase can lead to deformation of cylinders or impaired sealing of seams under load.
Unlike lightweight inflatable floors, rigid construction creates a frame that takes on the bulk of the dynamic loads when moving along the wave. boat-assembly This is not just a formality, but a critical skill for each owner, and in this article we will take a closer look at the mechanics of the process so that you can do it quickly and effortlessly, while maintaining the life of your equipment.
Many beginners underestimate the importance of preparing a place to assemble. A smooth, debris-cleaned and sharp surface is a base. If you plan to assemble a boat ashore, make sure there are no rocks or branches under your feet that can damage your body. PVC And you also need to consider the direction of the wind, so that it helps, not interferes with the spreading of cylinders.
Preparation for assembly and types of hard floor
Before any manipulations, you need to visually inspect the components. Aluminum sheets should not have cracks, and profiles should have curvatures. There are two main types of hard flooring: floorboard (Separate sheets collected in a single plane) and book Piolas are most commonly used in medium-sized and large boats because they provide maximum rigidity and load capacity.
The structure of the paillon floor is based on a system of profiles that are inserted into special pockets or fixed between cylinders, which creates a "stretched string" effect, giving the bottom the necessary elasticity. aluminum-alloy, used in floorboards, has high strength, but with careless handling, the sharp edges of the profiles can damage the inner surface of the cylinders.
⚠️ Warning: Never start assembly on hot asphalt or concrete on a hot day. High surface temperatures can cause glue in PVC seams to overheat and deform the material, significantly reducing the life of the boat.
You'll need a minimum set of tools to work, although most often the assembly is done manually. pump The use of an electric pump for primary pumping is permissible, but the final pressure is always adjusted mechanically so as not to pump the cylinders.
Step-by-step algorithm for assembling the body
We start by laying out the cylinders, and then the boat is put upside down if the structure allows, or right in the position of operation if it's easier to straighten the bulkheads, and the main task is to completely straighten the internal partitions so that they stand perpendicular to the bottom, and that will ensure the right geometry. fly-boat.
Then there's the step of putting profiles in, and they're inserted into slots on the inside of the cylinders, or they're placed in prepared pockets, and it's important to keep the sequence going, and the profiles are usually inserted from nose to stern, or from center to side, depending on the model. Boat design It should be assembled symmetrically to avoid distortion.
Once the longitudinal profiles are installed, the solder sheets themselves are laid down. The first sheet is fixed in the nose, often under the transom bulkhead. The subsequent sheets are laid overhead or overburdened (depending on the attachment system) and connected by locks or profiles, each sheet should fit tightly to the previous one, forming a monolithic surface.
☑️ Assembly checklist
The final step in the frame assembly is to install a transom board, which is inserted into special pockets at the stern and fixed by profiles or belts, and the trunk must be strictly vertical and rigidly fixed, because it will be the thrust of the motor, and any backlashes at this stage are unacceptable.
Sequence of cylinder injection
Proper pumping order is a guarantee that the boat will take the desired shape without distortion, usually manufacturers recommend starting with cylinders located on the sides, leaving the keel or center part for last, which allows you to form a base volume and lift the structure above the ground.
Pump the cylinders in stages. First, bring the pressure to 50-60% of the nominal pressure, so that the boat spreads. Then, after checking all the joints and eliminating the folds, bring the pressure to the operating value. 0.2 atmospheres (around 200 mBar or 0.2 kgf/cm2).
The use of a pressure gauge is critical. You can't tell the exact pressure on the eye, and a pumped balloon in the sun can burst at the seam. An under-pumped balloon will cause the paioles to stay out of their grooves and the floor to walk under their feet. Pressure in cylinders It should be uniform throughout the perimeter.
After the main pump, be sure to check the valves. Sometimes the valve petal may be contaminated with sand, which will lead to etching air. If you hear a hiss, check if the cap is tightly closed and if dirt has not entered the mechanism. return-valve.
Installation of seats and fittings
When the hull is assembled and pumped, it is time to install the internal equipment. Seats (banks) in floorboard boats are usually mounted on special supports or mounted in cylinders anchorages, it is important to set them symmetrically relative to the diametric plane to ensure the balance of the vessel on the water.
The seat fixation should be reliable. If you use buckle belts, make sure they are stretched and do not hang. Some models use aluminum profiles that run under the seats, which increases the overall rigidity of the structure. Seat installation It affects not only the comfort, but also the stability of the boat.
| Type of element | Materials | Function | Feature of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paiola | Aluminum alloy | Hard bottom formation | Requires precise docking |
| transom board | Plywood/Aluminum | Motor attachment | Strictly vertical installation |
| Sidenja (Banks) | Plywood/Plastic | Accommodation of the crew | Symmetrical installation |
| Profiles | aluminum | Sex-related linkage | Insert before full pumping |
And remember to install the extra equipment, rod holders, sonar holders, anchor anchors, all of which are attached to the already-completed, pumped-up housing, and use the regular mounting locations to keep the cylinders tight and intact. PVC.
Typical errors in the installation of floorboard
One of the most common mistakes is to try to stuff paioles into a fully pumped boat, which creates tremendous stress in the seams and can cause them to rupture, and the piolas have to be placed in half-deflated cylinders, which are then straightened and pumped, squeezing the floor.
Another mistake is ignoring the guide profiles, where some users try to stack the sheets just to the bottom, hoping that air pressure will press them down, which causes the floor to shift when moving, crevices to form, and rapid wear of the fabric from friction. Floor construction It must be assembled in full according to the instructions.
⚠️ Warning: Do not step on paioles in shoes with a rigid sole or spikes until the protective mat is fully laid. A sharp stone or heel can easily push aluminum and damage the balloon from below.
There is also a lot of misdirection of the transomb board, and if you flip a boat with a transmutant already installed, it's very difficult to straighten it without the boat being fully descented, and always check the transmutant position before the final pumping.
What if the floorboards don't fit in?
If the floor sheets don't fit, don't use force. Lower the pressure in the adjacent cylinders (up to 0.1 atm), straighten the folds of fabric inside the boat and try again. Often the problem is that the bulkheads are crooked and interfere with the installation.
Maintenance and care of the hard sex
After each operation, the boat needs to be dried. Aluminum, when in a moist environment, can oxidize, and dirt caught between the floorboards works like an abrasive. Wash the floor with fresh water and wipe dry before packaging. presentation and functionality.
When stored, it is recommended to periodically (once a season) assemble the boat and check the condition of profiles and locks. Lubricating aluminum profiles with silicone grease will facilitate future assemblies and protect the metal from corrosion, especially for boats operating in salt water.
Use talc or baby powder to treat the inside of the cylinders before laying the floorboard, which will reduce friction, facilitate assembly and prevent PVC tissue from sticking together.
Keeping the rules of operation prolongs the life of the boat, avoid sharp blows by the paioles against each other during assembly, the deformed sheet will not stand up straight, which will violate the geometry of the bottom. aluminum-cell - the guarantee of comfortable fishing.
Advantages and disadvantages of the pail structure
Hard floorboard boats have excellent seaworthiness, hard bottoms are better at dissecting waves than inflatable ones, allowing higher speeds, and you can stand on the bottom with confidence, which is important for active fishing or hunting. Hard floor. It gives a sense of stability comparable to a boat.
But there are downsides: a solder boat is much heavier than an inflatable boat, transport and carry more effort, assembly and disassembly times are also much more time-consuming, and if you care about mobility and speed of deployment, this is a factor to consider when choosing.
Hard floorboard boats are a choice for comfort and performance at the expense of weight and speed, ideal for stationary use or long-distance trips to the water.
In the end, the choice of a solder boat is justified if you plan serious water trips, use a powerful engine and value stability, and the correct assembly and maintenance will turn this machine into a reliable assistant for many seasons.
Can I build a boat with paioles alone?
Yes, this is possible, especially for boats up to 3.2-3.4 meters long, but for larger models (3.6 m and above), you will need an assistant to spread the cylinders and smoothly stack heavy aluminum sheets of the floor without skewing.
Do I have to completely lower the boat after every fishing trip?
If the boat is stored in the garage in assembled form, a full descent is not necessary, it is enough to put a little pressure on the temperature change, but for long-term transportation in the trunk, it is recommended to lower the cylinders completely to avoid rupture of the seams from overheating or vibration.
How to replace the lost profile for paiole?
It is dangerous to use homemade replacements (wooden slats, pipes) and the profile has a specific cross-section and strength, it is better to order the original part from the manufacturer or use a profile from a similar aluminum alloy with identical cross-sectional geometry.
Why do paioles creak when cruising?
The screeching occurs because the aluminum sheets rub against each other or on the profiles, and this is treated by applying silicone lubricant or talc to the floorboard joints, and the creaking can disappear after the floor is rubbed during operation.