Guides Archives | PumpupBoats.com

11 Fantastic Benefits of Kayaking

Guides / 6 minutes of reading

Regardless of whether you’re clenching your paddles while white water rafting or cruising along the glassy, calm surface of a lake, kayaking is an excellent way to maintain your physical & mental fitness. Kayaking is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise, since it: improves strength, increases fitness, helps maintain flexibility, has a multitude of mental health benefits. Here is a list of the main mental health benefits of kayaking, followed by the physical benefits:

River Tubing Guide for Fun & Safe Summer Adventures

Guides / 8 minutes of reading

When Mr. Sunshine is up and smiling during the warm months, most rivers in America are open to river tubing enthusiasts to kick back in the cold waters and let currents push them downriver. Floating on a lazy tube down a scenic river is a relaxing and fun way to spend an afternoon. But tubing isn’t just about picking up your equipment and heading for the river nearest your home. You need to have a game plan. In this guide, we look at what river tubing is, why it’s popular and how to prepare for a tubing trip, so you are …

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Essential Kayaking Gear Checklist – 20 Key Items You’ll Need

Guides / 8 minutes of reading

When you’re just lazy paddling on the beach, you don’t need much gear (other than your PFD, of course). But when you go day touring or out on open water, you need to be prepared. Here is a complete list of kayaking gear your should take on day touring trips. You can download a printable version of the essential kayaking gear checklist here.

10 Best Places To Kayak In Ohio

Guides / 9 minutes of reading

Many Ohio natives will attest that kayaking is one of their favorite outdoor activities. You’ll find calm lakes to float along, as well as raging rapids for an adrenalin rush in Ohio. Here are the best places to go kayaking in Ohio.

Circuit Breakers for Trolling Motors – Proper Use & Tips

Guides / 5 minutes of reading

Circuit breakers play a critical role in all electrical systems. You have them in your home, in your car, and you need circuit breakers for trolling motors as well. If you’re new to electric trolling motors, you may not even know what a circuit breaker is and why you need one. I sure didn’t at first! This guide will teach you everything you need to know on the topic, so let’s begin.

Inflatable boat trailers – Complete guide

Guides / 13 minutes of reading

What is the easiest way to haul your inflatable boat? Put the whole thing on a trailer, of course. If you have the space to store it and the time to drive a bit slower (due to towing), inflatable boat trailers are great. In this detailed guide, you will learn all about how to choose a trailer, what modifications you may need, and how to tow it as well. Let’s get started! How to choose a trailer for an inflatable boat There are several things you need to pay attention to when buying a trailer for your SIB (but not …

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Why you should cover your inflatable boat

Guides / 9 minutes of reading

Buying an inflatable dinghy is your first step to having loads of fun on the water. However, the purchase represents an investment, and as such, protecting it with an inflatable boat cover when you’re not using it is a good idea. How can an inflatable boat be damaged when not in use? Rocks and branches in the water are generally not the biggest enemies of inflatable watercraft. Nature is. Inflatables are vulnerable to the wear and tear that nature and our environment can cause: UV rays when left out in the sun. Bad weather conditions like rain and snow. Pollutants …

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The Only 9 Boating Knots You’ll Ever Need

Guides / 6 minutes of reading

An important skill you’ll need to learn for boating is how to tie sailors’ knots. Why? For any given situation at a marina or out on open water, you will need to choose a knot to effectively and safely accomplish a task. Nautical Knot Dictionary First, know that you may use the terms nautical knots, sailors’ knots, and boating knots interchangeably. They all mean the same thing. There are a few sailors’ terms you need to know before learning how to tie nautical knots. Here is the most important terminology you’ll run into when learning to tie knots.

Parts of a Kayak (with Pictures) – ‘Yak Anatomy 101

Guides / 8 minutes of reading

Becoming a proficient paddler involves getting familiar with the anatomy of a kayak. Don’t worry. It’s not that complicated, but very useful nonetheless. The anatomy of both inflatable and hard-shell kayaks is similar, so I won’t list them separately in this regard. I’ll list their differences instead.

5 Safe Ways to Get In and Out of a Kayak

Guides / 6 minutes of reading

The first step in becoming a good paddler is learning how to get in and out of a kayak. Even though it seems straight forward, believe me, it is not as graceful as you think the first few times you try. You will fall into the water, but it gets better with experience. There are a few tricks of the trade, though, which I will share with you now. They will increase your confidence while entering and exiting your yak and allow you to help others. These methods work for getting in and out of inflatable kayaks, as well as …

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