What are inflatable boats?

The method of movement of inflatable boats

In turn, rubber inflatable products are distinguished by the following design features that determine their mode of movement:

Rowing. The name itself suggests that movement through the reservoir is carried out with the help of oars, which are installed in plastic or aluminium rowlocks. The largest rowing models in length do not exceed 3 metres, and in terms of load capacity up to 380 kg (less than 4 people, including gear).

A rowing boat for fishing has a flat bottom with one or two slates (wooden planks) serving as seats for fishermen. Additionally, it can be equipped with an eye, on which an anchor with a rope is attached, and a transom (flat aft part), which serves to secure the motor. Those rowing models that are equipped with a transom, usually, can carry a motor with a capacity of less than 3.5 hp. More powerful engine models are much heavier and will strongly lift the nose of the boat when moving.

The main advantage of this type of watercraft is low weight and compactness. If the user plans to swim short distances, catch carp and crucian carp in ponds, then a rowing boat will be the best option. The boat fits comfortably in the boot of a passenger car and is transported over any distance. In addition, rowing boats have a relatively low price, which makes them affordable. However, they are not designed for long-distance fishing and in the open sea.

Motor. The working organ of movement in such boats is the motor. Initially, an inflatable boat with a motor is equipped with a rigid transom. Some models can also combine a motor with paddles, which expands their ability to move around the pond (for example, in areas with dense algae, the motor is removed from the water and the swimmer switches to paddles).

The main advantage of motor boats over rowing boats is the ability to quickly move across the reservoir over long distances. Also, products with a motor have a wide range of capacity: from 1 to 16 people, so you can fish with the whole company. Some motor models, such as Brig Eagle E340 , additionally equipped with a front steering wheel, which greatly simplifies control. However, they are very expensive and can reach a price of 10K dollars or more. Usually such expensive models are used by rescuers, coast guards or professional fishermen at official tournaments.

Motorboats with several slates are perfect for trolling fishing, as well as for catching large fish on "tracks" and "screens".

Type of bottom

Without flooring. The bottom is made of ordinary PVC, which is fixed on the sides of the boat. Due to the soft design of the bottom, it is impossible to catch standing in a boat — only sitting on the slates. In addition, you need to constantly monitor the gear so that sharp objects do not fall to the bottom and do not puncture it. However, there is one advantage in this type of bottom – without flooring, the boat is much lighter and easier to carry.

Inflatable floor. The bottom is made using Air Deck technology with several dependent or independent cylinders inflated with air. Compared with boats with a hard bottom, models with an inflatable floor go more "smoothly" through the water, thereby increasing their speed. It is also more convenient to catch standing on it. However, the risk of damaging such a bottom increases by stepping on a hook or other tackle.

Rack and pinion flooring. This type of bottom consists of several sheets of plywood interconnected by a fabric made of polymer material. The flooring is used only in 1-2 local boats, the length of which does not exceed 2 metres. It is easy to fold and you can not take it out of the boat at all — it is enough to lower the cylinders and twist the flooring together with the boat. But due to the lack of sufficient rigidity, rack and pinion flooring is not recommended for use on long boats.

Hard payol. Payol is a rigid type of flooring made of plywood or aluminium (fiberglass is used in some expensive boats), which fits the entire length of the bottom and is fixed at the base of the keel. It is used in boats over 3 metres long, does not slip and does not corrode. It is convenient to stand on it and conduct spinning fishing on a jig, long-distance casting, casting nets and tracks. However, it cannot be folded, which complicates transportation.

Type of keel

There are two types of keels on boats:

Inflatable. The keel of this type can have one independent chamber and, accordingly, an inflating hole, or be combined with the cylinders of the body. It is made of the same material as the entire body. Inflatable keels usually have a "blunt-nosed" shape and act as a "guide", thanks to which the vessel goes smoothly forward without skidding to the side. Such a structural part of the boat provides free access to the planing mode (sliding on the water surface with the slightest resistance). At the same time, the inflatable keel allows you to roll the boat completely and carry it in a backpack. However, it is impossible to make an inflatable keel perfectly "sharp", which is why the acceleration of the boat is possible only within up to 30 km/h. Please also note that boats without decking with a soft bottom are not equipped with a keel.

Hard. The rigid keel is made of wood or aluminium, and gives the boat a V-shape. It easily dissects the waves, allowing the swimming vehicle to reach maximum speeds with minimal resistance. Thanks to this, powerful motorboats can reach speeds of 50 km/h or more. It is worth noting that rowing models without the possibility of using a motor are practically not made with a rigid keel. If you plan a long—distance swim for large fish, then boats with a rigid keel are an perfect option.

Material of manufacture

Inflatable swimming equipment for fishing is made of two types of materials:

PVC. The vast majority of inflatable boats are made of PVC, a thermoplastic polymer of vinyl chloride, resistant to temperature changes and the influence of ultraviolet light. It can withstand temperatures ranging from -15 to 66 degrees. Polyvinyl chloride is perfectly amenable to vulcanization, so if the boat is punctured, you can always repair it right on fishing. By the way, all PVC models in the basic configuration have repair kits.

Hipalon (Hypalon). It is a high-strength elastomer resistant to abrasion, temperature changes (from -50 to 80 degrees), aggressive chemical environments and ultraviolet. Unlike PVC, hipalon is not afraid of engine oil and gasoline, and is also much stronger than vinyl chloride and will be able to withstand a collision with branches in narrow clearings of rivers and rivers. However, this material is quite expensive and more difficult to repair than PVC.