Why won’t my paddle board inflate?
The lack of pressure buildup is caused by a lack of lubricant in the pump or unevenly distributed lubricant. If the pump won’t build pressure all you need to do is add some sort of lubricant, like Vaseline. Unscrew the top of the pump and add a glob of lubricant to the cylindrical piece on the inside. Look at the factory specifications for your pump and ensure that it is receiving the correct electrical power supply in order to work properly. Ensure that all electrical wiring is in good condition, that there are no loose connections and that the electrical current is reaching your pump in the first place.The board or kayak will look and feel solid before this time so it is easy to assume that it is at the recommended pressure and that the pump is faulty. Keep pumping and the gauge will register and then keep pumping a bit more until you get to the desired PSI (10-12 for kayaks & 18-20 for SUPs).The lack of pressure buildup is caused by a lack of lubricant in the pump or unevenly distributed lubricant. If the pump won’t build pressure all you need to do is add some sort of lubricant, like Vaseline. Unscrew the top of the pump and add a glob of lubricant to the cylindrical piece on the inside.
How do I know if my paddle board is fully inflated?
Your paddle board is fully inflated when it feels firm to the touch and does not flex under pressure. Most boards have a recommended PSI, typically around 12-15 PSI, which you can check using the gauge on your pump. The manual hand pump that comes with your iSUP package takes quite a bit of energy to inflate. It is going to take at least a few hundred pumps to get it to the desired psi for your inflatable paddle board to be fully inflated.How inflated should paddle boards be? The recommended inflation level for most inflatable paddle boards is between 12 to 15 PSI, but always consult your board’s manual for specific guidelines. Using a reliable pump with a gauge will help you achieve the correct pressure.For all-round boards , or boards that you use for multiple purposes, an air pressure of 10-17 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) is recommended. For race boards , the air pressure is slightly higher, about 15-20 PSI.For all Tower paddle boards, a PSI of at least 10 should be reached: You should find the last 30-40 pumps to be fairly difficult, but it’s worthwhile to get it to full inflation. Note that the gauge that comes with our pump will not register the air pressure until the board is at at least 7 PSI.Generally speaking, we’d suggest aiming for 15-22 PSI. This should ensure that your board reaches the levels of stiffness required for optimum stability, without you having to exert too much effort inflating your board or battle resistance from the valve when deflating it.
Do you pump up or down on a paddle board?
Press and turn counterclockwise to the UP position. This activates the non-return valve and prevents air from escaping when you remove the pump hose. Press and turn clockwise to the down position. This deactivates the non-return valve and allows air from escaping from the inflatable stand up paddleboard. Turn the SUP board valve stem to the CLOSED (UP) position. This may seem counterintuitive, but it works because a closed SUP valve has a rubber stopper on a spring that allows pressurized air to push through the valve while preventing air from coming back out.The PSI gauge will not read until you reach at least 7 PSI. After you reach 9-10 PSI, remove the red cap on the hand pump to make it easier to inflate the remaining 2-5 PSI. Removing the cap on the pump converts the pump from dual action to single action. Keep on pumping until your board reaches 12-15 PSI.Attach the free end of the pump hose to the H3 valve on the board and twist clockwise until it locks into place. Pump up the board until it reaches 10-15 PSI. It will be easy to pump at first and nothing will register on the inflation valve until the board is pretty stiff. Do not get discouraged, keep pumping.To Inflate – Valve pin UP Press and turn counterclockwise to the UP position. This activates the non-return valve and prevents air from escaping when you remove the pump hose.
How long to manually pump a paddle board?
How long does it take to inflate a paddle board? If you are using a hand pump and have some experience, it takes about 15 minutes to get a board tight and hard to the touch at 15 PSI. If it is your first time, it may take you 20-30 minutes. Electric pumps can inflate a board easier and faster at about 10 minutes. Bottom Line: If you’re a beginner, an inflatable board is not harder to stand on. In fact, it might be more forgiving and comfortable, especially in real-world paddling conditions like lakes, bays, and rivers.Generally speaking, lighter paddlers (under 180 lbs) can inflate the board to 15-18 PSI, while heavier paddlers (over 180 lbs) should inflate to 15-22 PSI.Though solid paddle boards are all ready to go, without the need to inflate so it depends which aspect is more important to you (and where you’re likely to be using it). Performance: When it comes to performance, rigid paddle boards tend to be better than inflatables.One of the most challenging elements of stand-up paddle surfing is just getting through the whitewater and crashing waves. Before you can even think about how you’re going to catch a wave, you actually have to get out into position beyond the breaking waves. Having a huge SUP board makes this all the more difficult.DURABILITY. The durability of your blow up paddle board is important, especially when it’s inflatable. Once a cheap paddle board starts to break down, it tends to be more than just a simple issue and more than likely isn’t worth the effort of fixing so you’ll end up going and buying a new one.
What is the correct psi for a paddle board?
The best inflatable stand-up paddle board PSI level is anywhere from 10 to 15. Most people inflate their board to about 10 to 12 PSI. A higher PSI will help if you are riding in cold or choppy water. If you need a bit more stability, try increasing the PSI of your board as well. The key is to find the right ratio of air pressure to rigidity for your weight, the conditions and your board. Not too much, not too little. You won’t damage your paddle board if it’s under inflated, but it certainly won’t work as well it’s designed to do.Inflatable paddleboards have been proven over time to be more durable than epoxy SUPs. Quality inflatables are made from military grade materials that are not subject to the vulnerabilities of hard boards – dings and holes that require expensive repairs.With proper care and maintenance, a well-built inflatable paddle board can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or more. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the lifespan of your iSUP may vary depending on how often you use it, the conditions in which it’s used and stored, and the quality of construction.Inflatable SUPs, while very durable and rigid when properly inflated, can still have a slight flex under pressure. This flex can absorb some of the paddling energy, making them marginally less efficient and slightly slower.If you keep your inflatable SUP inflated for months at a time it will start to slowly release air. This happens extremely slowly however. If for example you leave your SUP inflated for 10 months it may lose 1-2 PSI’s worth of air so nothing that can totally change the integrity of your inflatable paddle boards.
Are paddle boards hard to inflate?
They’re Hard To Inflate” The average iSUP only takes five minutes to inflate and deflates even quicker. To inflate your board, just connect the pump to the valve, pump until you reach the recommended PSI, and then disconnect the pump and close the valve. It’s that easy! Deflating your board is easy, too. Make sure you pump directly up and down to avoid damaging the pump. Air will be pumped into the board on up and down strokes. If you are finding it hard on upward strokes, undo the cap found in the middle of the pump to allow air to only be pumped into the board on downward strokes, making it easier to pump.Attach the free end of the pump hose to the H3 valve on the board and twist clockwise until it locks into place. Pump up the board until it reaches 10-15 PSI. It will be easy to pump at first and nothing will register on the inflation valve until the board is pretty stiff. Do not get discouraged, keep pumping.