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.
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 …
The paddle used for inflatable kayaks is not necessarily identical to the ones that go with traditional hard-shell kayaks. Mostly, inflatable kayaks are wider than standard kayaks. This increased width needs to be accounted for when shopping for a paddle, along with your height and the kind of paddling you would be typically resorting to. Let’s discuss how to choose …
How to Choose Inflatable Kayak Paddles for Perfect Paddling Read More »
Despite what a lot of people think, inflatable kayaks are incredibly durable and safe. They are built to withstand tough conditions these days, thanks to modern materials and manufacturing processes. You can take them on rivers, lakes or even out to sea without fear of them popping and sinking. If you’ve never sat in one before, I think you will …
The Sea Eagle 12.6 Sports Runabout is a medium-sized, premium inflatable dinghy. Sea Eagle products have always been known for their rugged, confidence-inspiring builds. Whether you use the boat extensively or pull it out once a week or month, the 12.6SR should keep chugging regardless. I had the opportunity to test the air floor version of the boat for the …
Sea Eagle 12’6″ Sport Runabout Review – Pros and Cons Read More »
Inflatable kayaks are a great way to get out on the water. They offer many advantages over their hard-shell counterparts and could be the only choice for paddlers that require easy portability. There are loads of inflatable yaks on the market, all with various features, designs, materials, etc. With so many choices, picking one is hard! No worries, after years …
8 Best Inflatable Kayaks in 2024 (Modern & Safe) Read More »
The bowline knot is a knot to turn the end of your line into a fixed size loop, or tie around a fixed object. It is a very useful nautical knot and has been termed “the most useful knot in the world”, with sailor references dating back over 500 years. You can use it not just during boating, but also …
Owning a SUP is great for a myriad of reasons. SUPing is fun, good exercise, a great chance to be outdoors, and it’s portable. Except for the inflation bit… Using a manual pump is hard work, which is why I think getting a good electric pump for your SUP is a very good idea if you plan on using your …
Outdoormaster Whale Pump Test & Review | 4 – 5 SUPs in a row on a charge! Read More »
River tubing is an insane amount of fun. If you have ever done it, you can’t help but rave about it. It is the perfect activity for friends and family, or even just for a date night. If you want to go river tubing, you need to make sure that you go to the right river. The United States provides …
Kayaking is up there with baseball and family game night as one of America’s great pastime activities. Every summer, millions of kayakers head out to enjoy a quiet afternoon of undisturbed tranquility and soak in the wonders of America’s countryside majesty. But being so much fun, is kayaking good exercise as well? Let’s find out.
If you like fishing, you may have faced the handling, transportation, and storage problems involved with a traditional rigid fishing boat. It’s perhaps one of the biggest reasons for avid anglers to give up their hobby. Inflatable fishing boats have made the life of fishing enthusiasts much easier though. In fact, I’ve been using SIBs for fishing for years, and …
