Hi there, my name is Tom Fontana, welcome to my site.
PumpupBoats.com is a site I created to help people navigate the world of inflatable boats. You’ll find loads of useful how-to articles, reviews on various products, and lengthy guides on everything that involves inflatable watercraft.
What are my credentials for creating such a site?
Well, I’m NOT a boat salesman, that’s for sure :-) Ever since I was 3 years old, water has been a part of my life. I was diagnosed with scoliosis and was forced to swim every day while my body was in growth.
During this time, I fell in love with “water”, which has lasted till this day. I have tried and experienced everything that involves the water:
Boating is one of the most enjoyable water activities I have experienced. It gives you the freedom to reach exhilarating speeds, go to places only a few get to visit, snorkel in remote locations, and have fun with my family and friends.
Traditional boating is an expensive hobby that only the privileged get to enjoy.
Modern inflatable boats offer everybody the chance to get out onto the water. They are accessible, inexpensive compared to traditional boats, compact and easy to move from A to B.
Over the years, I have accumulated a lot of experience with inflatable boats. This is the knowledge that I will share with you on PumpedBoats.com.
Please do leave a comment on the articles or get in touch with me if you like, or read my articles below.
Whether you want to create shade when boating on a hot summer day or you just want to make sure your boat is well protected from the blazing heat of the sun, a bimini top (aka canopy) works wonders. With all the comfort and convenience it offers, a bimini can, without a doubt, give you a better boating experience. In […]
How to install an inflatable boat bimini top/canopy [3 methods] Read More »
Most hard-shell and inflatable kayaks have the option for a skeg or a rudder. But what are they and what do they do? What is a Kayak Skeg and How Does It Work? A skeg is a fin (also called a tracking fin) that is either built-into your kayak’s hull or can be attached to it. It is used to
Do Kayaks Need a Skeg or Rudder? Let’s see! Read More »
Are you looking for a versatile, high-quality inflatable raft? If yes, you need to check out Sea Eagle SE9. I used to think that Sea Eagle boats were just overpriced SIBs, but boy has my opinion has changed after trying the SE9 for a day. You really get what you pay for here. In my Sea Eagle SE9 review, I
Sea Eagle SE9 Review – Good or Not? Read More »
In today’s inflatable boat market, there are numerous models and types of SIBs. New ones are introduced regularly as well. They may have the same construction material or composition, but manufacturers continue to claim features and upgrades that make their boats appealing. In this sea of marketing ploys, it is hard to make a choice. This is the reason why
15 Best Inflatable Boats for Every Need Read More »
Let’s face it. Getting into an inflatable boat in deep water is hard. If you’ve had trouble getting back to your boat after you went for a swim or after accidentally falling into the water, you should consider making/getting a boarding ladder, aka swim ladder If you have a boarding ladder, you can hop into the water with confidence that
DIY swim ladder for an inflatable boat Read More »
Proper care, cleaning and maintenance of an inflatable boat will not only keep your boat in tip-top shape, it will also extend its lifespan. If your boat is cleaned regularly, it will look like new almost all of the time. But if you don’t clean maintain your boat, the fabric will start turning dark, which will take more effort to
How to clean inflatable boats (to look like new) Read More »
If you’re having trouble getting your trolling motor wired correctly, I’ve been in your shoes. Installing a new trolling motor is relatively easy, but it is not intuitive the first time around. In this article on wiring trolling motors, I will show you everything you need to get the job done and walk you through the process step-by-step. Things you’ll
Wiring Trolling Motors Correctly & Safely Read More »
Inflatable boats are durable, but like any other equipment, proper maintenance is a must to keep your dinghy in good condition. However, accidents do happen. Punctures and leaks are rare, but can be problematic. A slow air leak can be especially annoying, especially when you can’t find the source of the problem. If your boat is losing air pressure –
How to find & fix inflatable boat air leak Read More »
The Sea Eagle 370 Pro is a lightweight and portable three-person inflatable kayak. The SE330 and SE370 are part of the series of affordable, lightweight Inflatable Sport Kayaks by Sea Eagle. This is a very popular line of inflatable kayaks, if not the most popular. You see them everywhere. I rented a SE 370 for a test weekend to find
Sea Eagle 330/370 Inflatable Kayak Real-life Review Read More »
The Sea Eagle’s Razorlite represents the latest evolution of inflatable kayaks. It is the first-ever full dropstitch kayak, meaning every air chamber is built with dropstitch technology. After trying the shorter version of the kayak (393rl), I got to see why this matters. It performs way better than traditional inflatable kayaks, but I’ll talk about this in detail below. My
Sea Eagle Razorlite Review – The 1st Full Dropstitch Kayak Read More »
