Getting your chosen inflatable up to pressure is an often-overlooked aspect of boating/water sports, but it is essential to get it right. Having the right know-how and equipment for the job can make your life a lot easier, saving you time, energy, and keeping you afloat.
This blog provides an overview of the methods for inflating 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 a great option when you don't have access to electricity or want to get 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 essential to match a pump to your boat that is capable of the required pressure; 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:
The Shark2S Portable Pump is your ultimate solution for inflating multiple SUPs and other inflatables with ease. Equipped with a powerful 8800mAh rechargeable battery, it can effortlessly pump up to 4 SUPs consecutively, making it perfect for group outings. It's three smart modes (SUP/KITE/MAT) and memory function simplify operation, allowing you to save your preferred settings for a seamless experience.
Designed for convenience, the Shark2S supports versatile charging via 12V DC, Type-C, or portable power banks, and even doubles as a USB power source to keep your devices charged on the go. The dual-stage technology ensures fast inflation, reaching 20 PSI in just 6-8 minutes, with real-time pressure monitoring and an automatic shut-off for precision and safety.
For more details, CLICK HERE
COMING SOON Shark 3 Rechargeable Electric SUP Pump
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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