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What are the differences between drop stitch air and plywood floors? Options · View
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Just me
#1 Posted : Sunday, September 26, 2010 12:49:44 PM Attach Edit Move Delete Quote
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What are the differences between these two. Which one is better? Confused
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Admin
#2 Posted : Sunday, September 26, 2010 12:58:04 PM Attach Edit Move Delete Quote
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There are two main types of fabric that most inflatable boats are made of. They are either PVC or Hypalon. Most Mercury, Sea Eagle and Zodiac inflatable boats are made of PVC. Caribe, AB and Achilles inflatable boats are made of Hypalon.

PVC
Pro - Significantly less expensive then Hypalon.
Con - Won't last as long in the direct sunlight as Hypalon before it starts to fade out (if left unprotected). Does not tolerate sunscreen and insect repellent as well as Hypalon.

Hypalon
Pro - Will last significantly longer than PVC when exposed to prolonged periods of direct sunlight. Will tolerate fuel spills, sunscreen, insect repellent, and exhaust fumes better than PVC.
Con - Significantly more expensive then PVC.

In general PVC fabric won’t last as long as Hypalon fabric if the boat will be subjected to prolonged periods of direct sunlight and no measures have been taken to protect the PVC fabric from the sun (i.e. boat cover or UV protectant). After a number of years in direct sunlight the PVC fabric will become sticky and fade out.

Exposure of PVC inflatable boat to direct sunlight is not a problem unless your boat is going to be outside and unprotected all year long. If you only use the boat occasionally such as on weekends or while on vacation then it isn't a factor at all. Even if you leave your boat outside all the time the issue can be solved simply by putting a boat cover or piece of tarp over your boat when it is not in use.
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#3 Posted : Sunday, September 26, 2010 12:58:41 PM Attach Edit Move Delete Quote
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PVC or Polyvinyl chloride as it's called by plumbers is one of the vert important of modern plastics. It is the material used to make PVC plumbing pipes, the tough, durable insulation around household electrical wire, and the shiny covering on a floor. In current modern society we can not get by a single day without mulitple encounters with PVC, and it's safe to say our society wouldn't be the same without it. Let get to the subject and talk about PVC as it applies to inflatable boats.

The PVC used to make inflatable boats is essentially the same stuff used to make plastic plumbing pipes. The major difference is that the material used to make inflatable boat PVC fabrics airtight has various component added to make it more flexible and softer than the average plumbing pipe. Dyes are also added to give the PVC fabric particular colors.

PVC-covered inflatable boats fabric is cheaper than Hypalon fabric, but the big advantage of PVC fabric over Hypalon fabric is that seams can be cold welded quickly and efficiently. Seams on a Hypalon or Hypalon boats, on the other hand, must be hand-glued by highly skilled workers using a glue pot and brush.

However, PVC dose has several issues as a inflatable boat material. It is photodegradabie. In direct sun light PVC fabric slowly breaks down. If you leave a PVC inflaable boat out in the sun for long period of time, it will begin to fade out or become sticky. Many quality manufacturers of PVC inflatable boats protect their products with ultraviolet coatings similar to the UVAs (ultraviolet absorbers) in marine varnishes and paints.
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berbatov
#4 Posted : Tuesday, February 15, 2011 4:54:13 AM Attach Edit Move Delete Quote
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Oh yes !!
How long you play. Holiday Palace on the phone and you are happy with. Holiday Palace on the phone or not?
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bdflorida
#5 Posted : Friday, April 08, 2011 7:26:14 PM Attach Edit Move Delete Quote
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Location: Sarasota, Florida
I have had inflatables with both air stitch floor and plywood some first hand observations.

Plywood floor
Pro
Doesnt flex like airfloor, so when you plane - you dont notice the change in hydrodyamics
Takes more abuse than an airfloor. Can handle sharp objects head on.
Less movement and motion - if you like to run your boat without the keel inflated.
Con
Make the boat heavier than with air floor, the bigger the boat - the heavier the plywood floor becomes.
Much harder to put together and take apart than airfloor. Has to be periodically repainted to keep looking great.
Must be inspected at least annually, if your boat is inflated to be sure the aluminum ribs dont corrode.

Air floor
Pro
Very light weight. Especially true if looking for boat over 10ft.
Just another part of the boat to deflate to make folding the boat for storage/shipment/packing easy.
Stays cool in the summer (in Florida, this can be important)
Con
If PVC (most of them are) - you need to clean up gas/solvent spills right away vs Plywood
Doesnt appear to be capable of taking the brute force impact that a plywood floor can.
Has to be inflated to a much higher pressure than the boat - so check your pump to make sure you can.
Either way you go - enjoy the water BigGrin
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moontigey
#6 Posted : Sunday, May 15, 2011 4:17:42 AM Attach Edit Move Delete Quote
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yess Ok Thank For You! Flapper Flapper
People to conquer victory. casino online in Singapore, most people will be born a tiger. Tiger will be suppressed because the lion in the casino online.
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johnmartin348
#7 Posted : Wednesday, June 15, 2011 4:22:53 AM Attach Edit Move Delete Quote
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Once inflated, a high pressure air floor becomes as rigid as a plywood floor. You can stand, walk or even jump on it, the same way you could on plywood floor.

If you are planning to inflate and deflate your boat often, then the air floor is your best solution, because the boat folds compactly. It's a breeze to assemble and inflatable boats with air floor. Just roll out-and inflate.

Assembling a plywood floor is a little bit of a hassle, and therefore I recommend plywood floors only if you keep the boat inflated most of the time. Another advantage of an air floor is that it is much lighter then a plywood floor. Due to it's lighter weight, the boat can achieve a higher speed much easier then with a plywood floor. Plus, an air floor is easy on your knees and absorbs vibrations better then a plywood floor.
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johnmartin348
#8 Posted : Tuesday, July 05, 2011 6:49:31 AM Attach Edit Move Delete Quote
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You have observed very well. Plywood floor is nice but not lighter than air floor.
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Guest
#9 Posted : Wednesday, August 03, 2011 1:39:41 PM Attach Edit Move Delete Quote
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Shoot, so that's that one spuposes.
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