Comfort on the water is not a luxury, but a prerequisite for long and successful fishing. Owners of low-pressure inflatable floor (LDPB) boats often face the dilemma of how to combine the softness of the floor with the need to rigidly fix the fishing seat. Unlike boats with hard plywood peyol, it requires a special approach to organizing space.
Incorrect installation can lead to damage to cylinders or unstable position of the fisherman, which is especially dangerous when actively fishing on spinning or catching a trophy. seat It allows you to stay alert throughout the day, minimizing the load on the spine, and let's look at all the details of this process, so that your boat becomes a standard of convenience.
The modern market offers many solutions, from simple rotary platforms to complex rail systems, depending on the model of the boat, the type of bottom and personal preferences. NDMA requires consideration of deformation of the floor under load, which is not the classic pile models.
⚠️ Warning: Never install heavy metal structures directly on an inflated bottom without additional protection or a distribution platform, as point pressure can damage the cylinder material when rolling.
Selection of type of seat for inflatable floor
The first step is to determine the type of design that will be installed. The market is full of offers, but not all of them are suitable for soft-bottom boats. The key factor here is the weight of the structure and the footing area. Lightweight aluminum alloys and composite materials are preferable to heavy steel.
There are several main categories of seats, each of which has its own features of installation. NDMA Weight distribution is critical, so we often use intermediate elements, such as plywood or composite pyats, which increase the area of contact with the bottom, and this prevents the center of gravity from pushing and shifting.
When choosing, pay attention to the mechanism for adjusting the height and back angle. ergonomics It's also a turning mechanism that allows you to quickly turn around to throw in different directions without getting up.
- 🪑 Fixed platforms: rigidly attached to the transom or sides, providing maximum stability, but limit movement on the cockpit.
- 🔄 Turning bases: They are installed on removable bases, allow you to rotate 360 degrees, are convenient for trolling or catching in a throw.
- 🎒 Inflatable cushion seats: The simplest option, which does not require installation, but does not provide proper back support for long fishing.
There's no need to skimp on the quality of the fittings. Cheap plastics can burst in the cold or under load. Aluminum profiles with powder coloring or anodizing last for years and are not afraid of contact with water.
Required tools and materials
You need a minimum set of tools to be installed, but you need to have them. PVC and metal require care. Prepare all the components in advance so you don't interrupt the process by finding the right part.
The main material that is often overlooked is PVC glue or special sealants if you plan to insert into the side. NDMA All you need is a set of wrenches, screwdrivers and possibly a drill to drill a transom or install mortgages.
☑️ Assembly of the installation kit
It is important to use stainless steel fasteners AISI 316 Or galvanized with a high protection class, the normal ferrous metal rusts quickly in an aggressive aquatic environment, and rust can spoil the appearance of the boat and the strength of the joints.
Use grover washers or a thread fixer (anaerobic sealant) when assembling metal structures so that the vibration of the motor and water does not unwind the connections during movement.
Preparation of the installation site and markings
Before drilling or sticking, you need to determine the optimal position of the seat. NDMA It's lower than the payload, but sideways shifting can have a critical impact on stability. Get in the boat to your intended position and sway, evaluating the balance.
Marking with a marker that is easily washed away with alcohol, and not only the position of the legs, but also the ability to rotate freely. chairIt should not touch cylinders, cans, or rest on oars in the keys.
If you're planning to install a slingboard, check its thickness and integrity. Soft bottoms often use a "second bottom" system or special sites that lie on top of NDNDT cylinders, creating a flat surface for installation.
⚠️ Attention: When marking holes under bolts on the transom, be sure to retreat from the edge at least 2-3 cm, so as not to disturb the structural integrity of the board and avoid chipping when loaded.
Check whether the seat model is compatible with the dimensions of your boat. A too bulky seat can make the boat unstable or make it difficult to get to the nose. Ideally, the structure should be dismantled for ease of storage and transportation.
Step-by-step installation instructions on the platform
The most common and safe way for boats with NDMA This can be a piece of moisture-resistant plywood (12-18 mm) or a composite material carved into the shape of the bottom.
First, you build the platform itself, if it's plywood, it needs to be treated with oliphide, varnish, or glass to protect against moisture, and then the base of the chair (a swivel mechanism or sled) is attached to the platform, and it's done with bolts with a wide hat or washers.
The finished platform with the seat installed is placed on the inflated floor of the boat. For fixation, regular rings or special belts are used, which are passed under cylinders or attached to the loose bolts on the sides, the main thing is to exclude the slide of the platform on slippery PVC.
| Type of attachment | Complexity | Mobility | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belts/knitting | Low. | High. | Medium |
| Mortgage mortgages | High. | Low. | Maximum |
| transom bar | Medium | Medium | High. |
| Inflatable cushion | Minimum | Maximum | Low. |
Nuances of plywood
If you use a plywood platform, round all the corners and hide the edges so that they don't rub the canisters of the boat when rolling, you can paste the edges with a strip of PVC fabric.
Make sure the platform doesn't have sharp ledges from the bottom. Any roughness can cause scuffling on the floor. NDMA For greater safety, you can put a rug under the platform made of cellular rubber or a special material.
Installation with embedded elements
For those who are comfortable and ready for more complex tuning, the option with mortgage mortgages is suitable. This method requires accuracy and skills in working with PVC glue. The essence of the method is to create hard attachment points directly in the floor structure or on the reinforcement tape.
The process begins with degreasing the installation site, where a reinforced PVC patch is glued onto the selected point (usually the center of the cockpit or the area of the cans), and then a hole is made in the center, which is inserted into a threaded sleeve (trap), which is then sealed or sewn.
And this system allows you to use standard marine bases for the seats that are bolt-locked. monolithic However, when placed on a soft bottom NDMA It is still recommended to use a large diameter distribution washer from the bottom, so as not to push the balloon when tightening.
- 🔧 Preparation: Careful cleaning and degreasing of the surface with acetone or special means.
- 🧪 Glue: Applying a two-component polyurethane glue to the fabric and base, drying and activation.
- 🔩 Editing: Installation of the sleeve and sealing of joints to prevent water from entering the cylinder.
This method makes the boat more versatile, allowing you to quickly change the configuration of equipment (echo sounder, spinning, seat).
Safety and sustainability testing
Once the installation work is complete, you need to do a thorough check, water safety is paramount, first, on land: sit in a chair, sway, try to stand up abruptly, the structure should not creak, stagger or shift relative to the floor.
Pay special attention to the condition of the bottom under load. If you use the platform, check if dangerous folds are formed on the cylinders. NDMAIf necessary, add additional belt fixing points.
⚠️ Warning: Before you first go out, be sure to check the tightening of all bolt joints after a short run, as new details can shrink.
If you're alone, sit closer to the diametric plane (symmetry axis). If you're with a passenger, make sure your seats are symmetrically positioned or weight-compensated to preserve the trim and roll.
The main criterion for correct installation is the absence of seat displacement relative to the floor of the boat with sharp rolls and the ability to quickly leave the place in an emergency situation.
Maintenance and maintenance of the structure
The equipment needs regular maintenance. Metal elements, even stainless steel, need fresh water rinsing after every fishing trip, especially if you've been fishing in salt water. Salt accelerates corrosion and can damage the PVC coating of the boat.
Periodically check the condition of fasteners. Vibration and temperature changes can weaken threaded joints. Lubricate the moving parts of the rotating mechanisms with silicone lubricant that is not aggressive to plastic and rubber.
When storing a boat in a deflated state, it is recommended to dismantle heavy seats so as not to put unnecessary strain on the seams and material at the folding sites, this will prolong the life of both the seat and your boat.
Following these guidelines, you will turn your boat into a comfortable fishing projectile, and a properly installed chair is the key to productive fishing and a healthy back.
Can I install a chair without drilling a boat?
Yes, it's possible. There are belt mounting systems that are fixed by liner rings or span cylinders. There are also platforms that are just lying on the floor and fixed by the fisherman's weight and additional straps, but they are less stable when rolling hard.
How much weight can the floor of the NDNDM under the chair withstand?
High Pressure Low floors are designed for high pressure (up to 1 PSI and above) and are highly rigid, can easily withstand the weight of a person in a chair if a distribution platform is used, and problems can only arise with point load from thin legs without platforms.
Do I need to remove the chair when transporting the boat?
A platform-sized chair can damage the fabric of the boat when blown and folded, creating crinkles. It is better to store and transport the comfort elements separately, especially if they have sharp corners or heavy metal parts.
What is better to fasten the platform: with belts or glue?
The belts are preferred for mobility and keeping the boat intact. The glue (insert) gives a rigid fixation, but makes it impossible to quickly change the interior of the boat and requires professional execution so as not to break the tightness.