08-05-2016, 04:38 PM
[quote GCFD112]I just got 2 new to me creek company sport pontoons. Ive noticed how much they expand in the sun so i am wondering how i should inflate them. Should i inflate them at room temperature or out in the heat. Just dont want them to expand too much and bust.[/quote]
Where are you located? Air pressure is more of a consideration for those Northwest US area inflatables for 2 reasons- sun's heat (vs. cold ice melt water) and driving to high altitude waters can increase pressure to point of bursting. So the pressure may have to be adjusted frequently depending on being in the water or not. Texas is mostly flat by comparison and water is not as cold in Summer, so only extreme heat can be much of a factor, unless the craft is used in Winter.
The maximum inflation pressure must be known for inflatable craft. It is usually around 2 psi for fabric and around 3 psi for PVC reinforced shells (much higher 6+psi? for drop stitch SUPs). Reduce the MAXIMUM pressure by about 1/3 if your pontoon will be exposed to the sun especially out of water (ie. 1.3 ! and 2.0 psi). A volleyball pressure gauge can be adapted, but special low psi gauges from marine stores are better. Pressing in hard with your thumb in the TIGHTEST area of the pontoon also works with some practice- maybe goes in about 1/4" at maximum pressure for my tube. A normal person can produce about 2 psi breath inflation with maximum effort, for reference.
If the water is Winter cold where I launch, I will go to slightly over maximum pressure because of the shrinkage that occurs with cold water. It is not a good idea to have creases in either toon because that can affect the weight capacity, balance, control and might be dangerous if one toon starts to fold over. On my 2 PSI ODC tubes all my valves except the seat back are within reach, so I have rigged a mouth tube so that they can be adjusted while on the water.
Hope this helps.
PM
[signature]
Where are you located? Air pressure is more of a consideration for those Northwest US area inflatables for 2 reasons- sun's heat (vs. cold ice melt water) and driving to high altitude waters can increase pressure to point of bursting. So the pressure may have to be adjusted frequently depending on being in the water or not. Texas is mostly flat by comparison and water is not as cold in Summer, so only extreme heat can be much of a factor, unless the craft is used in Winter.
The maximum inflation pressure must be known for inflatable craft. It is usually around 2 psi for fabric and around 3 psi for PVC reinforced shells (much higher 6+psi? for drop stitch SUPs). Reduce the MAXIMUM pressure by about 1/3 if your pontoon will be exposed to the sun especially out of water (ie. 1.3 ! and 2.0 psi). A volleyball pressure gauge can be adapted, but special low psi gauges from marine stores are better. Pressing in hard with your thumb in the TIGHTEST area of the pontoon also works with some practice- maybe goes in about 1/4" at maximum pressure for my tube. A normal person can produce about 2 psi breath inflation with maximum effort, for reference.
If the water is Winter cold where I launch, I will go to slightly over maximum pressure because of the shrinkage that occurs with cold water. It is not a good idea to have creases in either toon because that can affect the weight capacity, balance, control and might be dangerous if one toon starts to fold over. On my 2 PSI ODC tubes all my valves except the seat back are within reach, so I have rigged a mouth tube so that they can be adjusted while on the water.
Hope this helps.
PM
[signature]