dithering over a solid versus aero floor

[general123]

I was on the verge of ordering a SIB with an aero deck, and then stalled, thinking, maybe I should go for a solid deck! At this stage I don't want to trailer, so want to be able to put together at the destination then pack for the home trip.. and the ONLY thing preventing me from going solid floor is worry that they are just too much hassle, even after getting used to doing it, and there will be times when I'm setting up on my own.
I would be very grateful for comments and advice so I can finally order my SIB!
many thanks
Mark

[squiddy]

Many of us have been through the same head scratching.

here's 1 vote for a well made and robust AERO deck!!!!!!! Just make sure you inflate to the correct psi.

Vote for aero deck as I carry boat (in its bag) on roof of car and set up on my own.

[captnjack]

I have had a solid floor in a Bombard and assembly gets old REALLLY fast. I got a trailer after ~6 times.

So I would vote Aero as more suited for your needs/desires even though I have never had one.

[thornbackflound]

If fishing off it i would go solid floor myself.

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by general123

I don't want to trailer, so want to be able to put together at the destination then pack for the home trip

Having had various of both types it's Airdeck for me, no hesitation.

The inflatable V floor (eg Bombard Aerotec, Honwave) outperform the flat air deck with an inflatable keel (eg Quicksilver). What are you planning to use it for, and where?

[general123]

My short-list for aero-deck is Quicksilver 310 Air Deck deluxe, and the Zodiac Cadet Fastroller 325 Acti-V. The Zodiac is more expensive but probably worth the extra??
I intend the SIB for inshore and estuaries and inland rivers, basically a funboat for me and my wife, not as a tender to a big yacht because I can't afford one of those
I plan to fish from it and am working on getting my wife doing a bit of fishing too. I'm a complete novice but have booked a RYA Level 2 course.

[Dino89]

airdeck everytime and i fish from mine !

[Hightower]

solid floor, but only if it's alloy. Otherwise airdeck

[LWman]

Go Aero 100% if not trailering. I got bored of putting the ali floor up after 3 times. It really does get old fast. Though im glad i got a trailer as now i dont have to do a damn thing and my car can carry 5 of the pals again as i dont need to fold the seats down and cram to the roof with boat stuff

[frankc]

We have used a wooden floor for years, and it is no real bother on the 10 foot Avon. The new boat has an airfloor and really impresses me.

The weight of the air deck boat uninflated is the same as inflated, so it really takes two people to handle it readilly. Once inflated, it is lighter than the wood floor boat and a joy for two people to manhandle.

The wooden floor is handled separate from the boat fabric and is more compact in storage. The package with the floor is basically flat, so packing it away is simple. The fabric less floor boards is not as bulky as the boat with the air deck, so may be easier to store.

We are fishermen, so we have a pad to protect the air deck. People talk about hooks in the floor, but it is the tubes we watch, and it is the same concern with either floor material.

I understand where you are coming from, as we are campers and the inflatables fit nicely in our plans. Throw it in the trailer and forget about it until it is needed. No trailer required and less fuss than a larger boat.