The ARK FishDucX (FDX350) is one of those inflatable boats that can fulfil several very different roles. It can be a compact fishing boat, a river explorer, a small offshore craft, a tender, a family runabout or simply an easy-to-transport boat for getting out on the water.
One of the most important decisions when choosing your FishDucX is the floor.
The FDX350 is available with either an AirFloor or a wooden marine-ply floor (Covered in PVC). Both use the same basic FishDucX concept, but the floor you choose can make quite a difference to how you transport, assemble and ultimately use the boat.
So which is better?
The answer depends largely on what you intend doing with your FishDuc.
The ARK FishDucX FDX350
At 3.5 metres long, the FishDucX offers a useful balance between portability and usable deck space.
Some of its key features include:
- 3.5 m overall length
- Integrated rowing system with oar
- Two covered marine ply bench seats
- Double-skin underside
- Large 75 mm bailer and plug
- Grab lines
- Six heavy-duty stainless-steel D-rings
- Aluminium transom plates
- Carry handles
- Outboard-capable transom
- Choice of AirFloor or wooden floor
The AirFloor is a single-piece 70 mm inflatable floor, while the wooden version uses a three-section hinged 12 mm marine-ply floor laminated with PVC.
This choice gives the FishDucX considerable versatility.
AirFloor Version
The AirFloor is particularly attractive to anyone buying an inflatable boat because they actually want it to remain truly portable.
Instead of carrying and installing separate rigid floorboards, the AirFloor is inflated to create a surprisingly firm deck.
Advantages of the AirFloor
1. Easier to transport
This is probably - its biggest advantage.
Without separate heavier floorboards, the complete package is easier to move, load into a vehicle and carry down to the water.
For someone who doesn't own a trailer, this can be a major consideration.
2. Faster and simpler setup
Roll the boat out, inflate the chambers and inflate the AirFloor.
There are fewer separate components to assemble and carry.
If you intend packing the FishDucX away after virtually every outing, this convenience becomes increasingly important.
3. Lighter
Reducing weight makes the boat easier to handle both on land and on the water.
This can be particularly useful when launching from riverbanks, beaches or places where there isn't a conventional slipway.
4. Comfortable underfoot
An AirFloor has a small amount of cushioning compared with a rigid wooden deck.
For recreational boating, exploring and general family use, it makes for a very comfortable boat.
5. Excellent for travelling
If your FishDuc is going into the back of a bakkie, SUV or trailer and being taken on holidays and adventures, the AirFloor makes a lot of sense.
It is one of the reasons inflatable boats are so useful in the first place.
Disadvantages of the AirFloor
The biggest consideration is that it remains an inflatable component.
Although tough and designed for marine use, care needs to be taken with:
- Fishing hooks
- Knives
- Gaffs
- Sharp tackle
- Crayfish and diving equipment
- Anchors
- Other sharp or heavy equipment
For normal recreational boating this isn't much of a concern, but an angler carrying multiple rods, hooks, sinkers and other equipment needs to be more conscious of protecting the floor.
A suitable protective mat can be a very worthwhile addition if you intend fishing regularly from an AirFloor FishDucX.
Wooden Floor Version
The wooden-floor FishDucX has a very different appeal.
Its three-section hinged marine-ply floor creates a solid working platform inside the boat.
For the serious fisherman or someone who intends using the FishDucX regularly as a working boat, there are some important advantages.
Advantages of the Wooden Floor
1. Solid platform for fishing
This is probably the strongest argument for choosing the wooden floor.
When you're handling rods, tackle, bait, fish, anchors and other equipment, a solid floor is reassuring.
It also gives you a firm surface when moving around the boat.
2. Better suited to sharp fishing equipment
Hooks are one of the realities of fishing.
A hook dropped onto a wooden floor isn't something you're going to worry about in the same way as a hook lying on an inflatable deck.
The same applies when handling knives, sinkers, fish spines and other equipment.
3. Better working platform
For someone who wants to customise their FishDucX into a dedicated little fishing boat, the wooden floor is particularly attractive.
Tackle boxes, cooler boxes, batteries, fuel tanks and other equipment all sit nicely on a firm deck.
4. Good choice if the boat stays assembled
If you're keeping the FishDucX inflated in your garage, transporting it on a trailer or only occasionally dismantling it, the additional effort involved with the floorboards becomes much less important.
In that situation, I would lean strongly towards the wooden floor for a dedicated fishing setup.
5. More efficient on the water
The wooden floor allows for an more efficient performance element on the water, in particular in both rough and calm conditions due to its rigidity.
Disadvantages of the Wooden Floor
There is a trade-off.
The floorboards add weight and additional components that have to be transported.
Assembly and disassembly also require more effort than simply inflating an AirFloor.
If your entire reason for choosing an inflatable boat is being able to quickly pack it into your vehicle, carry it to the water and inflate it, the wooden floor reduces some of that convenience.
Which Floor Is Better for Fishing?
For dedicated fishing, my preference would generally be:
Wooden Floor → Fishing
The solid deck simply makes sense when dealing with fishing equipment.
It is particularly attractive if you intend fitting the FishDucX out with a fuel tank, tackle boxes, fish finder battery, cooler box, anchor and multiple rods.
However, that doesn't mean you can't fish very effectively from the AirFloor version.
For the angler who values portability above everything else, an AirFloor FishDuc with a suitable protective deck mat can make an excellent compact fishing platform.
So I would break it down like this:
Occasional fishing + maximum portability → AirFloor
Regular or dedicated fishing → Wooden Floor
River and Estuary Use
This is where the AirFloor version really shines.
For exploring rivers, estuaries, dams and sheltered waterways, its lighter weight and simple setup are major advantages.
You may want to launch somewhere without a slipway, carry the boat down an embankment or pack it into a vehicle to reach remote water.
For recreational river exploration I'd therefore lean towards:
AirFloor
However, if you're specifically river or estuary fishing and intend carrying plenty of fishing equipment, the decision starts moving back towards the wooden floor.
What About Ocean Use?
The FishDucX can also be used for close-in offshore applications, provided conditions, equipment, operator experience and local legal requirements are appropriate.
Here the floor decision again depends on the activity.
For general coastal exploring and recreational use, the lighter AirFloor remains very appealing.
For dedicated offshore fishing, however, I prefer the solid working platform provided by the wooden floor.
Offshore anglers tend to carry significantly more equipment – rods, tackle, bait, fish boxes, electronics, safety equipment, anchor systems and fuel.
A rigid deck makes organising and working around that equipment easier.
Importantly, the decision to operate offshore should never be based on floor type alone. Weather, sea conditions, launching location, skipper experience, safety equipment and vessel compliance are considerably more important considerations.
AirFloor vs Wooden Floor – Quick Comparison
| Use | AirFloor | Wooden Floor |
|---|---|---|
| Easy transport | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Quick setup | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Lightweight | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Recreational boating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| River exploring | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Family use | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Occasional fishing | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Dedicated fishing | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Handling hooks & sharp tackle | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Solid working platform | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Frequent packing/unpacking | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Keeping boat assembled | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
So, Which FishDucX Would I Buy?
It comes down to your intended use.
Choose the AirFloor if:
You want the FishDucX primarily because it is portable, lightweight and easy to deploy. Fishing not being the main reason for using.
It's an excellent option for holidays, rivers, estuaries, recreational boating and anglers who need to transport and pack their boat away regularly.
Choose the Wooden Floor if:
Your FishDucX is going to be primarily a fishing boat, especially if you're going to keep it assembled or transport it on a trailer.
The solid floor gives you an excellent working platform and greater peace of mind when dealing with hooks and fishing equipment.
Final Thoughts
There isn't really a wrong choice.
The beauty of the ARK FishDucX (FDX350) is that the two floor options allow you to choose a boat that suits the way you intend using it.
For maximum portability and convenience, I'd choose the AirFloor.
For a dedicated fishing setup where a solid working deck takes priority, I'd choose the wooden floor.
Before purchasing, think about something customers often overlook:
How are you actually going to transport, launch, use and store the boat most of the time?
Answer that question first, and the decision between the AirFloor and wooden floor usually becomes much easier.
For more information on the above ARK FishducX check out our product page HERE.
For a video on our ARK FishducX setup, check HERE.
