KAYAK PUMP: CHOOSE THE MOST SUITABLE ONE
The kayak pump is a very important accessory for any inflatable kayak. I’m going to talk in depth about the inflation pump, the possibilities available, and the most popular models. For
paddle surf
boards, the pump issue is similar to kayaks, although it has its differences, which I’ll also tell you about.
WHAT IS A PUMP FOR?
The kayak pump often comes with the kayak itself. So, if you’re reading this, it’s very possible that the pump you have is broken, lost, or you just don’t like it.
AVOID FATIGUE AND INJURIES
It may not seem like it, but inflating a kayak can be physically demanding, especially if the pump is small. You have to use your arms and lower back, and if the pump is small, you’ll bend over too much. The possibility of injury exists.
I should add that it’s better to make the movement slowly, but through the entire stroke of the pump, both up and down. And keep your back as straight as possible, letting your legs do the work. As is often the case, we get injured not from making an effort, but from doing it the wrong way.
A GOOD PUMP WILL SAVE YOU TIME
Also, everything is amplified because the inflation effort isn’t done where you choose. It’s normal to do it in an uncomfortable and hot place, so you naturally want the inflation to be quick. That’s why an electric pump can save us that effort, or make it faster.
HELPS TO DEFLATE THE KAYAK
Another function of a kayak pump is to deflate the floats. It’s true that if you open the valves, the air comes out, but with the pump, you empty the air quickly and efficiently. This avoids effort and time in
fold and store
.
Another job of the pump is to refill any air that may be lost on a trip. Inflating a kayak to the right pressure is vital, so it’s highly recommended that the pump include a pressure gauge. And if we stop for a long time and don’t have the possibility to put the kayak in the shade, it’s best to release air. This way, we’ll prevent the sun from dilating the air and damaging the
float
.
TYPES OF PUMPS
MANUAL PUMP
These are the most popular and cheapest. But they are the most tiring. I should say that there are foot models, but almost no one sells them for kayaks anymore. They are usually double-action, and the larger they are, the more air they pump. That is, with the same effort, we will fill our canoe sooner.
ELECTRIC PUMP
They have been around for a while, but in recent years the quantity and quality of brands and models offered has increased. The thing is that they have characteristics that limit their use. Something very interesting is that many let you set a pressure and when it reaches it, it stops. That way you can do things while it works.
Other pumps are not recommended for use, especially tire compressors, which can cause the kayak to burst, or electric turbine-shaped pumps. To be rigorous, they can be used to fill a base amount of air, and then adjust the proper pressure with a kayak pump.
ELECTRIC OR MANUAL PUMP?
MANUAL PUMP | ELECTRIC PUMP | |
SOUND | silent | noisy |
WEIGHT | Lightweight | Heavy |
SIZE | big | compact |
STRENGHT | high | low |
RUNTIME | high | low |
PRICE | low | high |
As you can see, each one has its advantages and disadvantages. The main limitation that you needed a power outlet for your electric kayak pump is solved with models that run on rechargeable batteries. In any case, I don’t recommend carrying it behind you because it is somewhat heavy and doesn’t handle dirt and moisture well. Even if you carry it in a dry bag, you can have problems.
For price and usability, I think an electric and a manual pump are complementary. You use an electric one to start and finish, and you carry a small manual one in case you have to refill air.
WHAT YOUR KAYAK PUMP SHOULD HAVE
Whether electric or manual, all of this will make your life easier.
PRESSURE GAUGE
It will tell us the pressure (usually in PSI) of our kayak’s floats. I have already mentioned how important it is to maintain the proper pressure so that the inflatable kayak performs at its best. And how critical it is to reduce the pressure if we leave it in the sun without mercy. Along these lines, you should always check in the pump’s specifications that it reaches the PSI that your model needs.
DEFLATION FUNCTION
Normally it has a valve to change modes. I have checked the time you save if the pump effectively empties the air from the inside, compared to doing it yourself by pressing and rolling.
DIFFERENT NOZZLES
Normally we will use only one. But it is normal for the same kayak to use different types of valves. That is why we must carry the nozzles or adapters that we need, and well attached with a clamp so we don’t lose them. We can leave the rest at home in case we want to give the pump another use.
As always, if you have any questions, send an email. And share on social media. Thank you.