Getting your chosen inflatable up to pressure is an often overlooked aspect to boating/water sports but is essential to get right. Having the know-how and right kit for the job can make your life a lot easier, saving you time, energy and keeping you afloat!
The aim of this blog is to give you an overview of the ways to inflate your boat including the valves and types of pumps used for inflatables, so that you can feel confident in your setup.
Inflatable Boat Valves:
Just purchased a new boat? The chances are it will have a Halkey Roberts valve on it. The Halkey-Roberts valve is a very popular one-way check valve. These are the most widely used valve types on high quality inflatable boats. We have them on all of our Boatworld inflatable boats. They are designed to ensure that the inflation and deflation process is as quick as can be, by not letting any air out while you are pumping the boat up. They can also be easily tightened or swapped out for replacements using a valve spanner.
The first time using this type of valve can be slightly confusing, so please feel free to follow along with this instructional video:
Digital Pressure Gauge:
A pressure gauge can be a seriously handy bit of kit for checking the pressure on your inflatable on the fly. They can also be useful if your pump does not come with a built-in pressure gauge.
The Boatworld Digital Pressure Gauge is suitable for use with Halkey-Roberts valves, measuring up to a maximum of 15 psi. This is very useful for both small inflatable boats and stand-up paddleboards. The gauge features a large digital display for easy viewing and provides accurate pressure readings to avoid over-inflation.
For more details, CLICK HERE.
Manual Pumps:
Manual pumps are great option when you do not have access to electricity or fancy some exercise. Don’t be deceived though these pumps are more than capable of inflating boats at a similar rate to an electric pump. It is necessary to match up a pump to your boat capable of the required psi, read on for more information.
Stirrup Pump:
Stirrup pumps are a great way to get your boat pumped up manually. They come with most air deck-style boats and stand-up paddleboards as they are perfect for getting them inflated to the high pressures needed.
The Boatworld double-action stirrup pump is a great all-round pump, perfect for inflating your boat, SUP, or any item with a Halkey Roberts valve. Using double-action technology, this pump gets high-capacity air into the chambers as you push or pull on the pump, cutting your pumping time in half.
You can then change the switch valve to make it single-action, which adds high pressure to get your item up to pressure, such as the floor on an Air V/Air deck boat. This pump is rated up to 30 psi, so it’s more than capable of handling this. For more details, CLICK HERE.
Foot Pump:
Foot pumps need little explanation—they do what they say on the tin. Small, compact, and ready to inflate.
The Boatworld bellows foot pump is ideal for inflating small to medium-sized boats. It comes with a Halkey Roberts adaptor, making it suitable not only for boats but also for inflating kayaks, life rafts, and inflatable toys. This pump features both inflate and deflate options, with deflation allowing any extra air in the tubes to be sucked out, which can help with storage.
It’s worth noting that there is no pressure gauge on this pump, so a separate digital pressure gauge might be a good idea.
This foot pump can inflate up to 7.2 psi, which is enough for most boat tubes. However, it cannot inflate a high-pressure air floor. For more details, CLICK HERE.
Electric Pumps:
High Volume Pump:
A high-volume pump is a fantastic addition to your inflatable setup where you have access to electricity and do not need high pressure for your boat. These pumps can be hooked up to a 12V battery from your car or other sources. They are extremely useful when you need to inflate your boat quickly and get out on the water—no waiting around and no physical exertion! Perfect for slatted or aluminium-floored boats.
NEW IN: The Boatworld 12 Volt High-Volume pump produces 3 times the pressure of other 12-volt air pumps. It’s great for getting towables, boats, and rafts nice and firm for peak performance. The pump comes with 4 adapters, including all the most popular valve adapters, such as Halkey Roberts. It has a maximum pressure of 2.5 psi and a volume of 410 litres/min.
For more details, CLICK HERE.
Super High Pressure Pump:
A high-pressure electric pump is essential if you have an inflatable that requires high pressure, such as a drop-stitch air deck on an inflatable boat. Conventional electric pumps would not be able to achieve the pressures required for this.
Similar to the 12V high-volume pump, you can hook this up to the battery in your car to power it. Simply connect it, attach your Halkey Roberts or Boston valve, dial in the desired pressure (1-20 psi), and walk away! This pump also comes with a 12-volt 20AMP socket connection, allowing you to plug it directly into a 12V socket for added convenience.
This pump uses 2-stage inflation. While inflating, it will automatically switch to high-pressure mode—don’t be alarmed if it gets louder. Note that you’ll need your car ignition on for this. For more details, CLICK HERE.
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