Anyone who's ever been in an inflatable swimmer's life has noticed that the bottom is not always flat and solid. In basic models, you literally sit on the bottom, feeling bulkheads and cylinders under you, which creates some discomfort, especially when you're fishing or cruising for a long time. And to solve this problem, engineers have come up with a special flooring, which in the environment of water engines has been called the "Director". slateIt's not just a piece of plywood, it's a complex engineering structure that makes the bottom hard and the whole boat stable on the water.
For a beginner it may be a surprise that not only the comfort of sitting depends on the type of decking, but also the driving qualities of the vessel, as well as the possibility of installing additional accessories. Slate. It turns a soft inflatable boat into a full-fledged vehicle that can carry loads and keep shape, and without this element, you can't imagine comfortable movement around a body of water, because it's the rigid base that allows you to confidently stand up, move and install fishing equipment.
In this article, we will take a closer look at what modern decking is made of, what types of joints exist, and why choosing the right material is critical to the durability of your boat. Understanding the sleigh device will help you avoid common mistakes in building and operating a boat by extending its life.
The main functions of slug in an inflatable boat
The main task of the sleigh is to create a rigid horizontal base, so when you pump the cylinders of the boat, they take a rounded shape, and without the inner framework, the bottom will bend under the weight of a person. Hard flooring. It distributes the load evenly throughout the area, preventing cylinder deformation and ensuring the stability of the passengers' position, which is especially important in windy weather or when driving on a wave when the boat begins to prowl.
In addition, slate protects the bottom of the boat from mechanical damage. Sharp objects, stones in shallow water or just heavy equipment will not damage the thin PVC material of the floor, if there is a strong slab between them and the cylinders. flat-bar and additional reinforcements in the areas of contact with sludge, which makes the structure monolithic.
It is important to note that the presence of a hard bottom allows you to install door-wheelAnd so, at the soft bottom, these structures would just fail or shift at the wrong time, so slate is the foundation for any additional equipment.
⚠️ Note: Using a boat without properly installed sleigh can cause uneven seam tension and under-load rupture, especially into cold water when the material becomes less elastic.
Materials of manufacture: plywood or aluminum?
Traditionally, sleigh is made from moisture-resistant plywood, a classic version that has been used for decades. phanera It's very hard, it's very warm (which is important for the feet in cold weather), and it's relatively inexpensive, but it has a significant disadvantage, which is that it's weight and it's susceptible to moisture when it's damaged, and if the coating cracks, it will absorb water, swell and rot.
The alternative to the tree is aluminum-alloyAluminum sleighs are lighter than wooden sleighs, are not afraid of water at all and are not susceptible to corrosion when handled properly, and are ideal for those who often carry boats long distances or use single-seat models where every kilogram of weight is important.
There are also combinations and novelties made of composite materials, but they are less common and usually cost more. budget And the desire to reduce the overall weight of the equipment, and for stationary storage or short casts of plywood, it's acceptable, whereas for hiking, aluminum is preferable.
If you have chosen plywood slate, be sure to check the integrity of the lacquer coating once a season and, if necessary, update it with yacht varnish to prevent stratification.
Types of constructions: from book to NDND
Structurally, sleighs are divided into several main types, each with its own specifications of assembly and operation. book-slingIt consists of several broad sheets (usually 3 or 5) connected together by a strong cloth tape, which folds out like a book when assembled, which takes longer, but provides a very hard and flat bottom without cracks.
The second popular type is slug It consists of individual narrow slats or boards that are stacked across the boat and fixed in special pockets or guides, which is easier to assemble alone, since you do not need to lift a heavy folded sandwich, but between the slats there may be small gaps where water and debris enter.
It is worth highlighting the technology separately. NDMA (Low Pressure inflatable floor) Although technically not a classic hard material slate, it does the same function: The bottom is made of two layers of PVC with a thousand internal strands that, when pumped, create a rigid plane, which is the modern standard for fast boats and sea boats, providing excellent hydro dynamics.
What is the secret of NDND technology?
The secret lies in the thousands of vertical strands that connect the top and bottom membranes of the bottom, and when you pump 0.2 to 0.3 atmospheric pressure, these strands are pulled, turning a soft bag into a rigid stove that can withstand the weight of an adult and a motor, while remaining light and compact.
Comparative specifications of flooring types
To make a final decision, you need to compare the key parameters of different designs. Below is a table that will help you organize the information and choose the best option for your operating conditions.
| Parameter | Book slate (Phanera) | Sledding slate (Reiki) | NDND (Inflatable) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom hardness | Tall, monolithic | Medium, depending on the step of the rods | High (when fully pumped) |
| Weight. | Heavy. | Medium. | Easy. |
| Assembly speed | Long, it takes a little skill. | Fast, but many elements | Very fast (stripped and pumped) |
| Compactness | Takes up a lot of space in the case | It's packed compactly. | Maximum compactness. |
As you can see from the table, each type has its advantages. Book construction It gives a feeling of solid soil under your feet, which will be appreciated by anglers who spend a lot of time standing on the water. Dialing options Good for its repairability: if one rack is broken, it is easy to replace it without changing the entire floor.
Option C NDMA You don't have to mess with heavy sheets of plywood stained in mud or sand, but you have to remember that the inflatable floor requires more careful handling and protection from puncture with sharp objects.
For fishing with an overnight stay and plenty of equipment, hard plywood slate is best suited, whereas for high-speed walks and tourism, NDNDND is ideal.
Rules for the operation and maintenance of flooring
Whatever the material, the slate needs the right care. drying-out If you put the wet plywood in a case, in a couple of months, you get a layered material with mold and a bad smell, even aluminum sheets need to be wiped so that the sand and salt do not scratch the surface and destroy the protective layer.
When assembling a boat, make sure that foreign objects do not get stuck between the sleigh sheets and the sides. A pebble or branch that falls under the flooring can be a point source of pressure that, when pumping the boat, will wipe the hole in the cylinder. Always check the purity of the cockpit before installing the bottom.
To extend the life of the sleigh, it is recommended to use special mats on top of the sleigh, which not only add comfort, but also protect the surface of the deck from abrasion with shoes, and in winter it is better to store the sleigh in an extended form or vertically to avoid deformation under its own weight.
☑️ Preparing the boat for winter storage
Frequent errors in the installation of slurry
Many boat owners make mistakes that can cost them the integrity of the boat, and one of the most common is to try to stuff slate into a fully pumped boat. categoricallyThe slate has to be stowed in a partially pumped boat, straightened, and only after that the cylinders and keel (if any) are pumped to working pressure, which allows the material to stretch evenly.
Another mistake is ignoring the guides. Modern boats often have pockets or slings to fix the sheets, and if you just throw the sheets to the bottom, they can slide to the side, disrupting the boat's balance, and always use the regular mounting systems.
⚠️ Warning: Never use slate with visible cracks or severe damage. Under load, it can burst, leading to a sharp shift in the center of gravity and possible tipping of the boat.
Proper installation of the slat floor (English name for slat) ensures that your boat will last for many years. High-quality flooring It's an investment in safety and comfort that pays off the first time you fish, so don't skimp on that element and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Can you make slate yourself from ordinary plywood?
Theoretically, it can, but it's not recommended, because special moisture-resistant plywood for boats is specially processed and has a certain glue structure, and ordinary building plywood will quickly dissipate from the water, become heavy and can collapse at the most inappropriate moment, which is life-threatening.
How to clean slate from rust if it is metal?
Use soft abrasive sponges and special aluminium products. After cleaning, be sure to treat the surface with a protective compound or wax to prevent re-oxidation. Do not use aggressive acid chemistry.
Why does the slate walk when the boat is moving?
This happens when the boat is underweight or the slate is not fixed in your pockets, and when you're driving on the wave, the sheets can shift, check the pressure in the cylinders, and make sure that all the latching belts are tightened.
Does the color of the sleigh affect the heating of the boat in the sun?
Dark colors (gray, black) absorb more heat, and the bottom of the boat will be hotter. Light colors (beige, light gray) reflect the sun's rays, keeping the temperature inside the cockpit pleasant even on a hot day.