Float tube pump?

S

Skeena88

Steelhead
I just picked up a new Outcast Cruzer Max and have small electric pump that pumps it up reasonably quickly. I want to get a mechanical backup pump and was wondering if you guys have any recommendations.
(Will probably get an inflatable seat as @iveofione recommended. That standard foam seat is pretty hard!!). Thanks in anticipation.
Steve
 
K- Pumps are great.
Those cheap foot or hand pumps will work as well to topping it off after you use the electric pump.
SF
 
For that, k pump mini. I also have the larger 200 for topping off after running the electric on my stealth pro, but the mini is more than enough for a float tube....imo
 
I also use a small 12v electric pump to bring my Cruiser Max or Predator to about 90% full. The small K-pump is then perfect for topping it off. I never miss a chance to recommend a pressure gauge also. They are cheap insurance and a good hedge against over or under inflation.
 
iveofione said:
I also use a small 12v electric pump to bring my Cruiser Max or Predator to about 90% full. The small K-pump is then perfect for topping it off. I never miss a chance to recommend a pressure gauge also. They are cheap insurance and a good hedge against over or under inflation.
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What psi are you inflating your Cruzer Max to? My little instruction manual just says inflate until you can deflect about 3/4-inch when pressing on the tube.
 
Skeena88 said:
What psi are you inflating your Cruzer Max to? My little instruction manual just says inflate until you can deflect about 3/4-inch when pressing on the tube.
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I don't know the actual pressure, my gage has colored bars and I just inflate to the green section. It does have actual psi I believe but it is in storage for the winter right now.

Deflecting about 3/4 of an inch seems like a poor way to judge pressure. Given the way guys have a tendency to exaggerate that method could be fraught with danger!:)
 
iveofione said:
I don't know the actual pressure, my gage has colored bars and I just inflate to the green section. It does have actual psi I believe but it is in storage for the winter right now.

Deflecting about 3/4 of an inch seems like a poor way to judge pressure. Given the way guys have a tendency to exaggerate that method could be fraught with danger!:)
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Going to buy a pressure gage, thanks!
 
IMHO a float tube can be inflated most easily with a manual pump. It only takes a few minutes, especially if it is not fully deflated. Any powered pump seems to be an overkill and unnecessarily complicated. All I know, is that I can pump up my float tube within minutes, make a judgement call as to the pressure and go fishing. Simple as that. I will stress the importance of not storing it fully inflated due to the fluctuations of temperature that can easily overinflated a float tube on a hot day. I let some air out after fishing,,, I pump some air in before fishing...quite simple. Pressure gauge, electric pump etc.. ain't nobody got time for that.
 
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Take into account that warmer temps later in the day affect psi. A bit under pressure in the morning may be just right in the afternoon.
 
Also make sure you let some air out if your tube is fully inflated if you intend to drive over the pass.
SF
 
Jim in Anacortes said:
IMHO a float tube can be inflated most easily with a manual pump. It only takes a few minutes, especially if it is not fully deflated. Any powered pump seems to be an overkill and unnecessarily complicated. All I know, is that I can pump up my float tube within minutes, make a judgement call as to the pressure and go fishing. Simple as that. I will stress the importance of not storing it fully inflated due to the fluctuations of temperature that can easily overinflated a float tube on a hot day. I let some air out after fishing,,, I pump some air in before fishing...quite simple. Pressure gauge, electric pump etc.. ain't nobody got time for that.
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"Pressure gauge, electric pump etc..ain't nobody got time for that." Bullshit. Take the time to do it right and it could save you a lot of embarrassment at some point. I rescued a guy this summer that "nobody got time for that." He had underinflated his boat and realizing it had headed back to shore but couldn't control the direction of his boat and ended up in thick weeds and couldn't move. Not enough flotation and too exhausted to move he was helpless. I just happened to be coming to shore a few minutes later (in a properly inflated boat) and was able to throw an anchor rope to him and drag him out. A simple easy to use gauge would have let him know that he had enough air to be on the water instead of in it.
 
Jim in Anacortes said:
IMHO a float tube can be inflated most easily with a manual pump. It only takes a few minutes, especially if it is not fully deflated. Any powered pump seems to be an overkill and unnecessarily complicated. All I know, is that I can pump up my float tube within minutes, make a judgement call as to the pressure and go fishing. Simple as that. I will stress the importance of not storing it fully inflated due to the fluctuations of temperature that can easily overinflated a float tube on a hot day. I let some air out after fishing,,, I pump some air in before fishing...quite simple. Pressure gauge, electric pump etc.. ain't nobody got time for that.
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Always done same and never a problem in many many outings. I'll add, also easy enough to add or take out air during an outing if the pressure changes too much on the water. I have the simple 2 way outcast pump for shore and mini K on the tube. You can easily tell if the boat is over or under. However, if any of that is problematic, by all means take more measures. This one is just not a big deal.
 
Peyton00 said:
I too prefer to turn every molehill into a mountain.
Electric pumps, gauges, and manual pumps, then testing every hour on the hour while on the water.
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I prefer the extra Outcast digital pressure sensor that alerts me to my phone. I just set the range parameters and then fish without a care in the world. Sure, you have to download the Outcast app and make sure your phone is fully charged, but the overkill is so worth it!
 
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