Inflatable Boat Care Part 1-Pump It Up

Achilles Inflatable boats reccomends 2.8 PSI for the working Pressure of their hypalon boats

There are a few things that go into caring for and inflatable and during the month of October we will showcase them.

This week we will discuss running the boat at the proper pressure.

It is important to know the working pressure of your inflatable boat and to make sure the boat is all ways at that pressure before putting it in the water for use.
Typically most hypalon boats will have a working pressure of about 2.8 PSI to 3.0 PSI and most PVC boats will have a working Pressure of about 3.0 PSI to 3.3 PSI (check the owner's manual for the exact working pressure of your boat make and model as it varies by manufacture).
Inflatable boats are mostly volume air so inflating them with the provided and recommended foot pump will not take as long as one may think. You could purchase a small 12 volt inflator but note you will still need to finish with the foot pump to achieve the proper working pressure...
NEVER USE A COMPRESSOR!
Inflatable boats have baffles inside them which divide the chambers and compressors can damage these baffles causing all kinds of problems for your boat and even make it unsafe to use.

There are pressure gauges available for use but if you don't have one you can simply pump with the foot pump until no more air will go into the boat ....You can't over inflate with the foot pump.
Most customers will tell me they did not know the boat should be up to pressure before every use, these are the same customers who are generally having performance issues or possible leak issues. Pumping the boat up hard is key to performance, leak prevention and even puncture resistance.
Even if you wake on a cool morning top the boat off, even f it is going to get hot in the afternoon even though the boat will expand some it will not cause the boat to pop. They are designed to expand and contract when needed.