Many watersports enthusiasts don't give a second thought to inflating their water toys. Big mistake. Proper inflation will increase both your fun on the water and the longevity of your inflatable. Here's how to do it right.

Learn the Facts: It's essential for towable tubes to be properly inflated to achieve long product life and ultimate performance. Under-inflated tubes will sit low in the water. This causes additional stress to be applied to the water toy as it's towed, because it's being dragged through the water instead of pulled across it. The result is tearing and stretching that can lead to reduced product life and rupturing. Worse still, the added strain on the boat can lead to increased gas consumption. So, how full is full? A good measuring stick is to have an adult stand in the tube. If the water toy is properly inflated, they should only sink a few inches. If they sink to the bottom, it's back to inflating. When you're done, the tube should be very firm, and covered tubes should be wrinkle-free.

Get Equipped: Needless to say, attempting to blow up a large-diameter tube with your mouth ain't gonna cut it. You want the tube's PVC material to stretch, so you want plenty of volume. Your best bet is a good electric pump or a combination of 12-volt and hand pumps. For extra muscle, you might also opt for a Power Inverter. It's a good way to power 110-volt appliances on or near the water. Other large volume, 110-volt options include leaf blowers as well as shop vacuums with a blower option. Depending on the inflatable model and manufacturer, a compressor adapter may be available to further expand your pumping options. Finally, avoid attempting to inflate your water toy with a hair dryer. This can cause damage to the inflatable's valve.

Pump It Up: Most towables use a Speed Valve for inflation and deflation. The Speed Valve, which has an opening about the size of a nickel, uses a one-way valve to keep air from escaping. Just insert the nozzle of the inflator into the valve's opening, and begin inflating. If you've got some large water toys and are filling them up at the lake, it'll help to have a good hand/foot pump in addition to a 12-volt inflator that plugs into your boat's cigarette lighter. The inflator will do most of the work, and you can then use the hand/foot pump to top off the tube as needed. Again, remember that the inflatable should be wrinkle-free and firm to the touch when you're finished.

Maintain Your Gains: After taking the time to inflate your towable, you don't want to waste your efforts by being careless. Leaving a full tube baking in the sun on the beach, dock or boat when not in use is a bad idea. The air will expand and wreak havoc on your tube, so instead store it in the shade. If you're using your inflatable repeatedly throughout the day, it's a good idea to periodically check the level of inflation and add air as needed. Several companies also manufacture specialized products that can be applied to your inflatable to further increase longevity, so you may want to check them out. Remember, bad inflation reduces performance and increases defects, so pump it up properly to maximize your fun on the water!

July 2004