Inflatable Boat Pumps & Pressure Indicators

Of all the tools and accessories needed for kayaking, inflatable boat pumps and pressure gauges are among the most important. Most inflatables are sold with a just pump it up and go approach, but the reality is a little more involved.

Why Pressure Gauges are a Necessity

Inflatable boat pumps should come with a good pressure indicator. A pressure indicator is a gauge that will work for any type of spring pin air valve, which is the most popular type of valve used on inflatable kayaks and canoes. The exception would be any boat brand (such as Zodiac) that uses a special air valve, in which case you must use the manufacturer’s recommended gauge indicator.

Attention to Proper Inflation

As the temperature rises and falls, it can greatly affect the air pressure in the tubes and air floor of your inflatable boat. Tubes heat up and expand in hot weather, and lose air pressure in cold water and cold weather. It is just as your middle school science teacher taught you: hot air expands and cold air contracts.

Electric, Foot & Hand Pumps at Amazon

That means that you may need to bleed some air out of the hull if you are storing an inflatable boat on the deck of a larger vessel where it will be exposed to direct sunlight, or when you are transitioning your RIB or inflatable boat from cold water and setting it up to dry in a hot sun.

Studies show that internal tube pressure can increase as much as .06psi for every 1.8 degrees F increase in ambient temperature. One inflatable boat manual cites an example that an inflatable boat left in direct sunlight on a hot day can see its 3.4psi air tubes double in internal pressure, reaching as high as 6.8psi. This kind of situation can potentially damage your boat and shorten its lifespan.

Why Two Pumps are a Necessity

You can buy a good 12v inflatable boat electric pump or a rechargeable pump for about $15 to $30. The electric pump is ideal for doing 90% of the work in a matter of minutes. If you have ever spent 20 minutes or more pounding away with an inflatable foot pump ($15) or hand pump trying to inflate an 12-foot tandem kayak, you’ll know how bad you wished you had an electric one to do it in about one-third of the time.

After the boat is nearly fully inflated, top off the tubes using an inflatable hand pump (around $25) to achieve proper air pressure. Then you can save space and weight by taking the manual pump with you on your weekend river trip and leaving the other one back at your car or RV.

Pumps for Sea Eagle Inflatable Boats

As you can see, having two inflatable boat pumps isn’t so much a luxury as it is a necessity. Even if you are on a modest budget, it is a good idea to have a manual back-up pump when you are in the wilderness and miles away from your vehicle. As for a pressure gauge, while your inflatable kayak or boat doesn’t need constant attention, it should become second nature to you to check the tube pressure regularly for optimum performance and to ensure your boat’s lifespan.

Inflatable Boat Accessories & Replacement Parts

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