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 first reason for an inflatable paddle board sinking in the middle could be overloading. If you have too much weight in the center of the board, it will naturally sink. This can be caused by carrying heavy equipment, having too many people on the board, or simply not distributing your weight evenly.Overinflation is the most direct path to a paddle board bursting. Boards are designed to operate safely within a specific range of air pressures, measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). Exceeding this limit can strain the board’s materials and seams, potentially leading to a burst.For all-around and river specific uses, inflatable boards have significant performance advantages over hard boards that benefit most paddlers. For big wave surfing and competition class SUP racing, hard stand up paddle boards have an edge in performance.
Why is my paddle board not inflating?
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. This can become jammed with particles. Check suction pipework is air tight. Cheaper hand pumps rely on PTFE tape between joints which should be avoided as it can enter the pump. Ensure hydraulic seal on container, counter flanges, suction tube, hose, nozzle and flowmeters is airtight.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.Before you start inflating, be sure that the valve’s yellow pin is in the upright position. This means the valve is closed and will prevent all of the air from rushing out when you are finished pumping.
What happens if you under inflate a paddle board?
An under-inflated sup is likely to flex in the middle and will struggle to hold your weight and this could lead to balance and stability issues. Ultimately, this will make it harder for you to refine your paddling technique and will require you to expel excess energy to cut through the water. 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.
How do paddles work?
The goal of the paddle is to push against the water so that the boat goes forward. This rather simple principle is not as simple as it seems because the water is a fluid that doesn’t want to be pushed against. The act of trying to push against water tends to make the water move away from the force. The paddle blade is angled to help make your paddle strokes more efficient. The angle helps to push the water down and push your board up while also propelling you through the water.
How much air should I put in my 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. 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.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.Theoretically it’s even possible to burst one, if you use the wrong air pump and/or exceed the paddle board manufacturer’s psi recommendations. However, catastrophic over inflation is unlikely to be an issue unless you use an air compressor, rather than a manual or electric sup pump.
Should I deflate my paddle board after every use?
Do I need to deflate my paddle board after each use? Deflating your SUP board isn’t absolutely required, especially if you’ll be using it again in the near future. However, deflation does offer advantages such as saving storage space and minimizing the risk of long-term inflation damage. You can leave your paddle board inflated indefinitely, but for extended periods, consider these precautions: Avoid Heavy Objects: Don’t treat your inflated board as a shelf to prevent damage. Clean Regularly: Wash off mud or sand to avoid stains and abrasion.How Long Can You Leave a SUP Inflated? You can leave your inflatable paddle board inflated indefinitely, as long as you store your board correctly. If you release air, keep your board out of sunlight, and in a cool, dry place, your inflatable board can remain inflated, and little to no damage will come to it.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.How Long Can You Leave a SUP Inflated? You can leave your inflatable paddle board inflated indefinitely, as long as you store your board correctly. If you release air, keep your board out of sunlight, and in a cool, dry place, your inflatable board can remain inflated, and little to no damage will come to it.
What happens if you overload a paddleboard?
If you overload a paddle board and exceed the weight limit, not only will the board perform poorly, but you and your passenger are also likely to end up in the water, probably more than once. Check the PSI of your inflatable paddle boards If the air pressure in the board is too low, it will be unable to support the weight of the rider and will sink. To avoid this issue, make sure to properly inflate your board before each use, and check the pressure regularly.If you’re feeling wobbly on a paddle board, it might be because you’re using the wrong standing and paddling techniques, the water might be choppy, or you might have the wrong size of board.