Slugs for the boat: what it is, why you need and how to choose

When purchasing an inflatable watercraft, many newcomers to boating sports or fishing are faced with the incomprehensible term “sleigh”, not fully realizing their critical importance for the operation of the vessel. Slanty It's a hard deck that fits into the bottom of the cylinders, turning a soft bubble into a full-fledged boat with a hard bottom, capable of supporting the weight of the engine, passengers and cargo. Without this element, the operation of PVC boats is almost impossible, since the inflated bottom does not have enough rigidity to install the engine and move comfortably along the cockpit.

In the design of modern inflatable boats, it is slate It's a load-distributing, longitudinal and transom rigidity structure, and depending on the type of structure, it can only occupy part of the bottom or form it completely, reaching the stern and nose. what is slush And what they are made of will help you choose the right boat for specific tasks, whether it is a calm fishing on the lake or high-speed plane on large water.

Ignoring the quality of the flooring or trying to save money on this site can lead to serious problems, including deformation of the body and even breaking the seams when loaded. Current technology allows you to use a variety of materials, from moisture-resistant plywood to aviation aluminum, each of which has its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will analyze the design of the bottom, compare materials and help determine the choice that will ensure the safety and durability of your boat.

⚠️ Note: The use of homemade sleighs made of unsuitable wood (for example, pine or chipboard) is strictly prohibited, since when wet they swell, become heavier and can collapse under load, which will lead to loss of stability of the boat.

Design features and purpose of the flooring

The main task of slugs is to create a rigid platform that allows a person to stand, sit on chairs and install attachments without the risk of falling between cylinders. floor It takes on the weight of the motor, which, when suspended, puts considerable pressure on the transom and the front of the bottom. If the bottom remained soft, the engine screw would create a digging effect when operating, lifting the bow of the boat and sharply reducing the efficiency of the engine, preventing the vessel from entering the plane.

Structurally, sleighs can be a set of individual boards that are assembled inside the boat, or a single slab that is embedded in a case. Most modern models use a system. Air Deck Hard sleighs are fixed in special pockets or slots, preventing them from moving during movement, and this is especially important when waves pass, when inertial forces can move loose elements.

And sleighs also protect the bottom of the cylinders from mechanical damage, and when you moor to the shore, pull the boat onto a pebble, or just move inside a heavy-duty cockpit, that's what you do. bottom Without it, the thin layer of PVC tissue at the bottom would quickly wear out or be punctured by a sharp object, and so the flooring also has a protective function, extending the life of the balloon itself.

Manufacture materials: plywood, aluminum and composites

Slat material selection is always a trade-off between weight, strength and cost, and the most common material has been around for decades. plywoodIt's a multi-layered material where the veneer sheets are glued with water-resistant glue, which doesn't delaminate when it comes in contact with water, but it still absorbs moisture, which requires regular drying after each operation, and the weight of plywood slates can be significant, especially for boats over 3.5 meters long.

A more modern and expensive solution is aluminum-alloy Aluminum sleighs do not absorb water, rot, deform, and last for decades; they are lighter than plywood of comparable thickness, but they are much more rigid. However, the cost of such kits can be 2-3 times higher, and when hitting a stone at high speed, aluminum can get a dent that is difficult to fix in the field.

There are also composite materials and plastic, but they are less common in the mass segment: Plastic sleighs are lightweight and completely inert to water, but can be slippery and less rigid on large spans. Plywood Often used as a middle ground: the coating protects against moisture better than the grinded surface, and makes it easier to clean the cockpit of dirt and scales. The choice of material is often dictated by the way you transport: if you carry a boat in a backpack behind you, every gram counts, and here aluminum wins over plywood.

Types of constructions: floorboards, books and inflatable bottoms

When we talk about rigid sleighs, it's important to distinguish between the ways they're assembled. floorboardThese are separate boards that fit one after another inside an inflated boat, a type that is typical of older models or budget options, it takes time to assemble, the boards can shift, forming gaps into which small objects (keys, cartridges, phones) fall, and the surface is not perfectly flat.

The better option is a book sleigh or a morphable structure, in which case the boards are connected by fabric slings or hinges. harmonica It folds into a single flat plate in seconds, which eliminates loss of elements and ensures the bottom is monolithic. The sleigh book often has reinforced ribs of stiffness, which allows it to withstand heavy loads without bending down the middle of the boat.

It is worth mentioning the inflatable bottoms separately (Air Deck). Technically, it is not a rigid sleigh, but a high-strength PVC layer with internal ligaments. When pumped to high pressure (usually 0.25-0.4 Bar), the bottom becomes hard as stone. The advantages are obvious: minimal weight, compact folded, excellent thermal insulation. However, for powerful motors and glides, hard flooring is still preferred because of better hydrodynamics and lack of bottom sailing.

Parameter	Plywood slugs	Aluminum slugs	The inflatable floor (Air Deck)
Weight.	Heavy.	Medium/Lung	Very light.
Toughness	High.	Very high.	Depends on the pressure.
Moisture resistance	Requires drying.	100% water resistance	100% water resistance
Price.	Low/Medium	High.	Medium

Effect of the bottom type on seaworthiness

The type of slag installed directly affects the behavior of the boat on the water. A hard flat bottom formed by quality slats works like a hydrofoil when entering the planing. It cuts off the wave, provides stable running and predictable controllability. If you use a soft inflatable floor on a boat not designed for this, or poorly stretched floorboards, the boat will “sniff”, worse to keep its course and consume more fuel.

Longitudinal rigidityThe sleigh is critical to safety, and when you're in the middle of a wave, the hull is under dynamic bending loads. If the flooring is weak, the cylinders can start to play, which will cause the fabric to overvoltage at the jointing points. At worst, it ends in seam divergence and rapid water flow. So for boats with a 5 hp engine, having a hard deck is a must.

Comfort is also important. You can stand on hard, flat slants, which is necessary for spinning fishing or hunting. On an inflated bottom, your feet constantly fall off, which is quickly tiring. In addition, it is easier to fasten fishing boxes, sonars and other equipment on hard flooring without fear of them leaving or flipping over. Riffled surface Aluminum or special plastic slates further prevent slipping even in wet shoes.

The secret to fast assembly

The order of stacking of slate books is important. Always start spreading them from nose to transom or strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions to avoid distortions that you then have to level with pumping cylinders.

Installation and maintenance of rigid flooring

The process of sled installation requires a certain skill, especially in cold weather, when the PVC material becomes less elastic. First, the boat needs to be partially pumped so that the cylinders take shape but remain soft. Then the folded sled design is laid inside. pockets Or the grooves that are designed, and then the boat is pumped in completely, straightening and fixing the bottom.

When using plywood sleigh, the key is drying, and after every fishing trip, even if it's dry outside, there can be condensation between the plywood layers and inside the boat. Leaving wet plywood in a rolled-up boat for storage is a sure way to get mold and rot in one season. It is recommended to completely disassemble the boat, wipe the sludge dry and let them “breathe” in the straightened state for at least a few hours.

The care of aluminum sleighs is minimal: it is enough to rinse them with fresh water after use in a salty environment and wipe them. However, it is worth (check) the joints and hinges for backlashes or sharp edges that may appear over time. The sharp edges of aluminum can wipe the fabric of the balloon from the inside, so sometimes it makes sense to paste the ends of the sleigh with protective tape or tape.

⚠️ Warning: Never use abrasive cleaning products or a metal brush to clean slates, especially if they have a lacquer or polymer coating – this will damage the protective layer.

Comparative analysis: what to choose for different tasks

The choice between plywood, aluminum and inflatable floor depends on the use case, for a lone tourist who throws the boat into hard-to-reach places and carries all the gear on himself. slug Or a good inflatable floor would be the best choice because it's lightweight, and every kilogram counts, and dragging heavy plywood through the forest is a thankless exercise.

For an avid fisherman who goes by car to the reservoir and puts the boat on the water in comfortable conditions, plywood So, book-like designs are going to be the best budget option, they're going to be great resilience, they're cheap to replace if they break down, and they're tested for decades, and if you have a budget, aluminum flooring will be an investment in comfort for years to come, eliminating the swelling and weight problems.

In conclusion, sleighs are not just floors in a boat, but complex engineering elements that determine safety, speed and comfort, and don't skimp on them by buying cheap substitutes or using improvised materials. Quality flooring turns a set of inflatable cameras into a reliable vessel that can withstand the elements and delight the owner in a stable course.

Can you use a boat without sleighs just by pumping the bottom?

You can technically swim, but it's very uncomfortable and it's not safe, you can't get the motor up (the tranchet will bend), you can't get up full or you can use spinning, and you can also wear out the soft bottom faster and you can't keep your course.

How often should I change the plywood sleigh?

With proper operation and regular drying, high-quality plywood slugs last 5-7 years or more. Signs of replacement: veneer dissection, the appearance of fungus, loss of stiffness (deflection under human weight).

Why are aluminum sludges so expensive?

The high price is due to the cost of raw materials (aviation aluminum), the complexity of processing (cutting, flexible, grinding edges) and anti-corrosion treatment. It is a durable product that pays off in its lifetime.

Can I paint the plywood sleigh in a different color?

Yes, you can use special yacht varnishes or wood paints designed to come into contact with water, the main thing is to carefully hide the surface and degrease before painting for better adhesion.