Should I inflate the bottom keel when drifting on shallow rivers?

[saaber1]

I have an Achilles LS-5 11' inflatable that has the soft floor with inflatable keel and plywood floor. I am trying to figure out the best way to deal with the bottom when floating shallow rivers. It's very likely that the bottom will rub over gravel bottoms every now and then and possibly slide over a few submerged boulders.

Should I put in the wood floor and inflate the keel just like normal? Put in the wood floor but not inflate the keel to keep it flat?

Or should I not put in the wood floor (and not inflate the keel). I was thinking I could buy some cheapo air mattress to lay on the bottom or something.

Thanks for any thoughts or ideas. This is my first SIB boat.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Should I inflate the bottom keel when drifting on shallow rivers?

Use sib with wooden floor and deflated keel when drifting, just cruise flat, non planning if intending to use an outboard engine.

Happy Boating