07-18-2003, 04:02 PM
[cool]What kind of valve do you have? For those that have inner tube air chambers, you need to use the same thing you would use to inflate a tire. And, as has been suggested, a lightweight foot pump is a good bet both for price and wieght. I always carry a portable compressor, that operates on my 12 volt system in my vehicle, when it is plugged into the lighter socket. You can hook it up and let it run while you are getting your other gear ready. Just be sure to keep an eye on it or you will pop the tube or rip a seam.
If you have that kind of tube, it is also a good idea to carry a lightweight bicycle pump in a pocket somewhere on your craft. If you spring a slow leak, or lose pressure in cold water, a few strokes from the bicycle pump will have your cover tight again.
If you have vinyl or urethane air chambers, there are several different kinds of valves. My Outcast Super Fat Cat has a "Halkey Roberts" valve, that comes with a special locking adaptor for airing it up with a pump. My Kennebec, and several other vinyl air bladder craft, use a "Boston" valve. These are typically half inch stem valves than can be inflated with lung power, but will take more pressure when aired up with a pump.
There are several models of high-volume, two way pumps available wherever air-filled goodies are sold. Wally World (WalMart) has a lightweight functional model for about $6. It is red plastic and serves both as the primary air pump for TubeBabe's Fat Cat, and a spare we take out for "topping off our tank" when we have a pressure loss in cold water.
Most high volume pumps come with several adaptors, to fit the various valve sizes and models. However, you may have to purchase a short length of 1/2" clear vinyl flexible tubing to complete the system. Outcast includes a 2" piece along with their Halkey Roberts valve connection, just to insure being able to make the pumps work without additional purchases. Most other manufacturers kinda leave that up to chance.
Give me a description of your craft and the type of valves you have and I can provide a better suggestion on getting properly pumped. Also, if you would like, I can shoot some digital pics of the pumps, adaptors and vinyl tubing arrangements I have for my craft. That's one element of this kinky sport I have not addressed in previous threads, so I probably should do that. Once we progressed beyond the old inner tube donut, things got a bit more complicated.
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If you have that kind of tube, it is also a good idea to carry a lightweight bicycle pump in a pocket somewhere on your craft. If you spring a slow leak, or lose pressure in cold water, a few strokes from the bicycle pump will have your cover tight again.
If you have vinyl or urethane air chambers, there are several different kinds of valves. My Outcast Super Fat Cat has a "Halkey Roberts" valve, that comes with a special locking adaptor for airing it up with a pump. My Kennebec, and several other vinyl air bladder craft, use a "Boston" valve. These are typically half inch stem valves than can be inflated with lung power, but will take more pressure when aired up with a pump.
There are several models of high-volume, two way pumps available wherever air-filled goodies are sold. Wally World (WalMart) has a lightweight functional model for about $6. It is red plastic and serves both as the primary air pump for TubeBabe's Fat Cat, and a spare we take out for "topping off our tank" when we have a pressure loss in cold water.
Most high volume pumps come with several adaptors, to fit the various valve sizes and models. However, you may have to purchase a short length of 1/2" clear vinyl flexible tubing to complete the system. Outcast includes a 2" piece along with their Halkey Roberts valve connection, just to insure being able to make the pumps work without additional purchases. Most other manufacturers kinda leave that up to chance.
Give me a description of your craft and the type of valves you have and I can provide a better suggestion on getting properly pumped. Also, if you would like, I can shoot some digital pics of the pumps, adaptors and vinyl tubing arrangements I have for my craft. That's one element of this kinky sport I have not addressed in previous threads, so I probably should do that. Once we progressed beyond the old inner tube donut, things got a bit more complicated.
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