What Kind Of Air Pump

What kind of air pump are you using for your float tube? Are you carrying an emergency pump on the water with you?

I have the Cumberland and just blow it up with lung power.
I had a 3/4 hose for emergencies, but my kid borrowed it for something and I never replaced it.

I have bladderless boats so I use LVM pump and top off with a K-Pump which I haul with me.

I use a Coleman dual action pump. I have had it for many years, at least 7, and still going strong.

However, it is too big, at least for me, to tote around in the tube. The pump doesn't weigh a lot, just seems awkward to use on the water.

A 3' length of hose for blow-up inflation seems to be best emergency tool, as long as the end will fit the valve opening.

Manuel

My back can act up at times so, hunching over with one of those dual action foot pumps doesn't work well for me.  I use a K-Pump K200. My buddy got one and I knew I had to get one (I can't say enough good things about them.) Long enough that I'm not hunched over and  faster than the foot pumps.  Also, just as important, quiet enough to use in the harbor neighborhoods at 5:00 in the morning. I was thinking of getting a K-Pump Mini to stow away with me on board but I figure if I get a puncture out on the water, I couldn't pump fast enough to keep her afloat and make it back in.  Side note: really would like to see a dual bladder pontoon for safety's sake.


p.s. It takes me roughly 6 minutes to inflate both pontoons from dead flat.  They're normally stored 2/3 full in the shop, so topping off waterside only takes a couple of minute or so.

If you have more than one bladder such as a pontoon on each side of you, I recommend an air gauge to equal them out.  I know many of the Outcast U shaped pontoons are single bladder (not counting seat area) and that will not work for me.
I have several pontoons that range anywhere from 2lb's air to 15lbs air, so I broke down and bought this pump.  Totally adjustable.  Set it then I go string up rods and get dressed.  It shuts off when done.  Awesome.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Coleman water resistant rechargable air pump
It has a loud and obnoxious "whrrrrrrEEEEEEE" when you're trying to stay quiet, but it gets the job done. I inflate my bladders  until you hear a change in pitch of the motor running. so far, no issues over inflating. When I used my dual action hand pump, it was so easy to over inflate and I didn't realize it until I hear the seams straining. I no longer use my dual action hand pump...

Because I don't know where I put it at home -_-

I use a dual action hand pump that only takes about 20 pumps to inflate each bladder of the Cumberland. Can push easily without strain on back or arms- I pump it up one-handed, in fact.

Edit: Jerdon you are the man with the lung power!

Squirrelbane wrote:I use a dual action hand pump that only takes about 20 pumps to inflate each bladder of the Cumberland. Can push easily without strain on back or arms- I pump it up one-handed, in fact.

Edit: Jerdon you are the man with the lung power!

I never deflate it all the way, just about 3/4 to half full for hot days transportation. It never takes more than 10 breaths, typically 4 puffs and I'm good to go.