Guide Archives | Page 2 Of 3

How to Choose Inflatable Kayak Paddles for Perfect Paddling

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 a kayak paddle in a bit more detail.

There are a few things to consider when choosing a paddle for a kayak, be it inflatable or hard-shell.

How to choose kayak Paddle Length?

An inflatable kayak’s paddle length usually falls in the 220 to 240 cm range. There are multiple factors to consider when choosing the correct length:

your height
your kayak’s width
your paddling style and angle

January 23, 2020/0 Comments/by Tom @ pumpupboats.com

guide

How to Properly Charge a Deep Cycle Trolling Motor Battery for Longevity

Learning the ins and outs of deep cycle battery charging is the secret to extending the life of your batteries. There are many things you need to do and even more you don’t do, as I’ve learned from experience and readings.

This instructional post will teach you the best way to charge a deep cycle marine battery used on boats to power a trolling motor and other electric gadgets.

Let’s begin!

Use a smart battery charger

It seems like all devices nowadays are “smart”. This is true for deep cycle battery chargers as well in 2020.

One of the best things you can do to prolong the life of your battery is to get a smart charger.

No joke!

This is because smart chargers have:

January 21, 2020/1 Comment/by Tom @ pumpupboats.com

guide

Can dogs go in an inflatable boat or kayak?

If you love kayaking and you have a dog that you cannot simply leave behind during your kayaking trips, you have no option but to carry your dog along.

But is that a safe thing to do or are kayaks built to carry non-humans too. Let’s find out.

Can you take a dog inflatable kayaking/boating?

Yes, you can take your dog with you on an inflatable boat or kayak. Unlike early-gen inflatable kayaks, modern inflatables are made from much sturdier materials.

In fact, most of these modern inflatable boats and kayaks are capable of withstanding contact with sharp rocks. Letting your dog accompany you on a kayaking expedition should not be an issue.

January 17, 2020/0 Comments/by Tom @ pumpupboats.com

guide

Inflatable vs hard kayak – Real-life comparison & opinion

Are you unsure whether you should get an inflatable kayak or a hardshell one?

This article lays out the differences between inflatable & rigid kayaks, so you can decide which is right for you.

Let’s start!

Pros and cons of inflatable vs hard kayaks

If you’re in a hurry, here is a quick table to compare and present the differences between inflatable kayaks and hard kayaks.

	Inflatable kayak	Hardshell kayak
Weight and size	Much lighter, a single person can carry it to the water	About 2x as heavy as an inflatable of the same size. You may need 2 people to carry the kayak
Transport & storage	When deflated, takes up as much space as a duffle bag. Smaller models are even easier to travel with, great for hiking and camping.	Transported on roof racks or trailers. Ample storage space required at home in the yard, or garage.
Setting up	Takes about 5 minutes to inflate, and 10 to break down.	No setup or break down required, other than the time it takes to strap the kayak onto the roof or trailer.
Stability, ease of use	Wider base than hardshells, which provides more stability on the water. Less balance required to paddle, easier to use for beginners.	Requires more balance, especially on rougher waters.
Control	Quality inflatable kayaks offer almost as good tracking and control as hardshell models.	Firmer, sits deeper in the water and provides better tracking, important for whitewater and ocean use.
Durability	Quality inflatables are extremely durable.	Extremely durable, but much more expensive.
Safety	Good quality inflatable kayaks are just as safe as hardshell ones.	Safe.
Costs	Cheaper than comparable hardshell models.	Can be much more expensive, depending on the model.

The above is meant to be a practical comparison between hard shell and inflatable kayaks. Read on to learn about the details.

January 15, 2020/0 Comments/by Tom @ pumpupboats.com

guide

Where to sit in a tandem kayak? It matters a lot!

If you just bought or are thinking about buying a tandem kayak, you will probably be wondering about seating arrangements.

Who sits where? And what if you’re paddling solo?

Here is everything you need to know about the proper sitting positions in a tandem kayak. The same seating principles apply to both inflatable kayaks, and hard shell ones as well.

January 10, 2020/0 Comments/by Tom @ pumpupboats.com

guide

Are inflatable kayaks safe or dangerous?

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 be surprised at how stable and rigid an inflatable kayak feels out on the water.

Is inflatable kayaking safe?

If you take proper precautions to stay safe on the water (just like you would in any other boat), inflatable kayaking is perfectly safe.

January 9, 2020/0 Comments/by Tom @ pumpupboats.com

guide

The science behind Minn Kota’s Digital Maximizer. Are they better?

Minn Kota Digital Maximizer Worth It Review

You’ve read the marketing material about Minn Kota’s Digital Maximizer technology. It sounds great!

Up to Five Times Longer Run Time on a Single Charge.
https://minnkota.com.au/technology-items/digital-maximizer-fresh/

5x longer run time? Yes please! But does it work and is it worth the extra $$$?

Let’s find out.

How does the Digital Maximizer work?

To find out what makes Digital Maximizer motors work more efficiently, let’s first have a look at how traditional trolling motors work. (The Fisherman’s Electrical Manual is a good read if you want to know the details.)

November 28, 2019/0 Comments/by Tom @ pumpupboats.com

guide

Inflatable boat trailers – Complete guide

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 as many as you would need for a traditional boat).

October 31, 2019/0 Comments/by Tom @ pumpupboats.com

guide

What is a Halkey-Roberts valve?

So you’ve bought your new inflatable boat, only to realize the valve looks way different than the one on the inflatable raft you had when you were a kid.

Reading the instructions, you realize it is a Halkey-Roberts valve. But how do you use it?

What on Earth is a Halkey-Roberts valve?

The Halkey-Roberts valve (also called HR valve) is a one-way check valve. It makes the inflation and deflation of inflatable items as quick as possible, because it does not let air out while you are pumping into it.

HR valves are the most popular valve types you’ll find on high-end inflatable boats.

As you can see on the image below, it has 3 core elements:

The base, which is built into the rubber tube (far left)
The middle part, which is screwed into the base (mid)
The cap, which is screwed onto the middle part (far right)

July 23, 2019/0 Comments/by Tom @ pumpupboats.com

guide

Marine battery group size guide

If you run a trolling motor on your boat or any other accessories that need to be powered (stereo, fish finder, etc), you will need a marine battery. While searching for batteries, you will come across the term battery group size. But what are battery group sizes exactly?

What is the meaning of Battery Group Size?

The term “battery group size” simply refers to the battery’s physical case size. It is a specification that you’ll find on all boat batteries.

It is basically the physical measurements of the battery casing as set by the Battery Council International (BCI). The height, width, and length of a battery specify its group size.