PVC boat with an inflatable bottom under the motor

Nowadays, PVC boats or boats made of reinforced PVC material firmly occupy a leading position among similar types of watercraft. Unlike rubber boats, PVC boats are much more reliable and durable, as they are more resistant to natural factors.

Compared to wooden boats, PVC boats are much more practical: they are easy to transport or move even for one person. And if we take into account that a PVC boat is an inflatable boat that occupies a minimum of usable space during storage, then the advantages of such a boat are obvious.

Pros and cons of PVC boats with an inflatable bottom under the motor

• As a result of numerous tests that have taken place in various operating conditions, it has been proven that such a material is able to withstand aggressive environments and extreme conditions. In addition, the material is so elastic that it has no competitors in conditions corresponding to fishing conditions.
• Reinforced PVC material has a unique strength, which facilitates the installation of a motor of the appropriate power.
• In the transport position, without the presence of air in the boat, the product takes up little space: the boat is easy to transport in the trunk of a car, regardless of the distance.
• The design of the boat allows it to move without problems even in shallow water.
• Even one person can move the boat on land, thanks to its light weight.

The only drawback of such products is the instability of the material to UV radiation. But this negative can really be minimized if the product is operated correctly and properly looked after.

Boat bottom design

When choosing a PVC boat, special attention should be paid to the design of the bottom. It is on this that the overall stability of the boat and its running characteristics depend. The design of the bottom can be inflatable, slatted or payol type. Payol is a rigid bottom that contributes to the maximum stability of the boat. All three variants of the device are characterized by their pluses and minuses.

High pressure inflatable bottom

This is a variant of the design of the bottom when it is inflated with high pressure and represents a rigid removable structure in the form of a floorboard. This is a kind of air board (“AIR DESK”). The design of the fibers is such that it can withstand pressure up to 1000 grams per square centimeter.

Low pressure inflatable bottom

It is also a removable structure, which is more like an air mattress. Here the pressure is the same as that of an inflatable boat, as it is inflated with the same pump. The floor is designed to soften the vibrations of the boat during movement. After completion of the operation process, such a bottom is simply washed.

Since soft material is used, it has no effect on the material of the boat. In other words, the floor of the boat practically does not rub against the surface of the cylinders.

This vehicle is practically unsinkable due to the extra space filled with air. The bottom of the boat is warm enough due to air circulation. This is especially important during periods when the weather is cool outside.

Inflatable boat design

Almost all models of inflatable PVC boats have one design, which can differ only in minor nuances. The hull of the boat is designed in the form of a curved “U” cylinder, which is filled with air. The cylinder can be divided into several sealed compartments, which have separate valves for filling them. This approach allows you to evenly distribute air throughout the structure, as well as increase the buoyancy of the boat. The stern of the boat consists of a transom and two transom pads.

Each design has a bottom (and what about without it?), Which has a soft design and is designed for a specific model. If the structure is too soft, then a rigid base can be installed on top. A special kilson is fixed on the bottom, which is inflated by means of a separate valve.

Oarlocks for oars, a safety rail, side handles for moving the boat manually, as well as a bow handle, which is also called a towing ring, are also attached to the cylinder.

Each design has a profile for installing seats. On the sides there are water breakers and a fender.

Here you can also find clamps for oars, and at the bottom of the transom there is a valve for draining water. In each set, without fail there are oars for rowing.

Classic boat with an inflatable bottom

Most manufacturers prefer the presence of an inflatable bottom, although quite recently they were considered not at all practical. This is due to the fact that the quality of modern materials is much higher. As a rule, when constructing a bottom, designers try to use new materials that are quite suitable for solving these problems in terms of strength.

The main advantage of such solutions is observed during transportation, when the bottom is blown away together with the hull of the boat itself.

In addition, the bottom does not create unnecessary noise during the fishing process, and does not scare away the fish. Despite this, this type of bottom requires careful processing after fishing, which is time-consuming and not always convenient. In addition, the inflatable bottom is characterized by a large weight compared to other types of bottoms.

Slatted boat

The slatted bottom is a kind of flooring made of specially treated plywood with a fabric glued on the bottom. This element of the boat does not create any inconvenience during operation, since its assembly does not take much time and effort. The design is quite light, which allows it to be transported over long distances. This design makes the bottom of the boat rigid and allows you to fish both sitting and standing.

If there are several passengers in the boat, you do not have to worry about their safety, especially when boarding or disembarking, especially since the flooring is covered with a special anti-slip coating. Thanks to this design, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the structure and, as a result, also the speed of movement through the water.

Hard bottom constructions

This boat design is more suitable for amateur anglers. The design of the boat is somewhat better than the design of a boat with an inflatable bottom. A boat with a hard bottom has a special fastener for the motor.

This design is considered more versatile and all-weather: it is not afraid of the cold and you can fish with it until ice appears. In addition, in a boat you can even move while standing – the watercraft is so stable. The only drawback is the assembly process, which is time consuming. The whole problem is not only to inflate the boat, but also to correctly position the bottom in front of this.

The best companies for the production of PVC boats with an inflatable bottom

ZODIAC

This is a French manufacturer that practices the production of products with additional layers of strength. At the same time, additional layers are not glued, but welded, which increases the service life of products made of PVC material.

AERO

Under this brand, you can find domestic boats. This manufacturer has been on the market since the 90s of the last century. Many people choose this boat, as it is designed for operation in special conditions and is not afraid of wind, sun or moisture.

ALTAIR

The boats of this manufacturer are characterized by high cross-country ability, and are also able to go to the open sea. These are designs for those who prefer long-distance transitions.

HUNTERBOARD

These are developments that have excellent technical characteristics for fishing conditions. In addition, their design can please with modern aggressive lines.

INTEX

These are designs aimed at a wide range of consumers. Such boats are distinguished by affordable prices, which makes them affordable for most anglers. At the same time, the characteristics of the product are quite acceptable to use it in fishing conditions.

How much does an inflatable boat cost?

Outlets have a variety of models that differ in some design features that affect their price. Here you can find both simple PVC structures, costing from 5 thousand rubles, and durable and reliable structures, costing between 30-50 thousand rubles. In other words, the boat can be chosen depending on the specific fishing conditions. In conditions of intensive use, it is unlikely that cheap budget designs that can last no more than one season are suitable.

Recommendations for selection

First, you should decide whether you need a boat at all or you can do without it. Although, on the other hand, no angler will refuse a boat, because fishing with a boat is something completely different than fishing without it. The question is what kind of boat is needed. After all, you can buy a cheap structure, and it can last, under certain conditions, for many years, or you can buy a serious structure, on which you can fish not for one or two fishermen, but for the whole company, having gone far from the place of residence. In this case, the boat must be reliable, equipped with a powerful outboard motor.

Before you buy a boat, it is better to familiarize yourself with some models for their manufacturer and technical characteristics. After analyzing the information, you can choose exactly the design that is more suitable according to your data for specific fishing conditions.

A PVC boat is the best choice for any angler, no matter where fishing is carried out – on a regular pond or on a large river.