Lake Pedder Tasmania. Very pleasant 10 k Island hop with a nice downwind back to base After the wind got up.

We have used inflatables for three years now and still have the same respect for the boards that we did when they held us up for the first time on the water.
Being easy to store and transport only the inflating was a pain.
So with some research and much trial and effort we have a system that works for us.
We use a high flow twelve volt pump to pump to around 5psi then a portable compressed air system to complete to 18 psi in a few seconds.
When traveling overseas we use a twelve volt high flow pump that inflates to 18 psi in around 12 minutes and only weighs 6kg so can be packed in our luggage .

Being able to grab a paddle board out of the trunk when you find that special waterway on your travels and go exploring is something that I hope you will all experience ,that special tourist location is something else when you see it from a board on the water.

The boards we use are 12'6" ULI. Race /Tour . We bought these boards after trying a couple of others and have found them to be of the highest quality We do look after our gear but the ULI's have taken a beating (unintentionally) by us and god only knows what the airlines do with them when we travel and still they just keep on working .

So from my experience buy an inflatable from a company that knows what they are doing , I have seen some inflatables from BIG brand names that have not kept their shape and don't look to me that they will give a very long service life, not very good for high dollar boards.
Our ULI's have have given three years faultless service .
I have NO association with ULI other than a very good consumer experience so I can recommend anyone wanting a versatile quality inflatable with customer backup that can I can only call exceptional the give Tanzer at ULI OZ a call

Cheers
John

Good review. Out of interest what 12v pump do you use?
I have wondered whether the new Ryobi battery pump would work.

Love to go exploring on a inflatable especially Tassies waterways.

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Goochi said..

Good review. Out of interest what 12v pump do you use?
I have wondered whether the new Ryobi battery pump would work.

Thanks Goochi
bought the pump on ebay $99 delivered has worked a treat for three years,pump will go to 100psi so no problems with any pressure you want
cheers
john

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oldsup said..

Goochi said..

Good review. Out of interest what 12v pump do you use?
I have wondered whether the new Ryobi battery pump would work.

Thanks Goochi
bought the pump on ebay $99 delivered has worked a treat for three years,pump will go to 100psi so no problems with any pressure you want
cheers
john

Is this faster than the Bravo pump which takes about 15 min to inflate a C4 XXL and is apparently very noisy ?

Sorry if this might have been spoken of before but this talk of the electric pump taking 12 - 15 minutes to inflate makes me wonder how long the hand pumps take? I have been looking at getting one for the boat but if it takes to long to inflate I can't see it getting used.

Jethrow

Hi Andie
just pumped my 12'6" ULI up from flat to 18 PSI in eight minutes. The pump has rubber feet so really isn't that noisy to use.
Sorry I have not seen or used the Bravo so can't comment there. We have had a very good run with our pump so far and the price is right.
it should pump a 10' board up pretty quick I would think
Cheers
john

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Jethrow said..

Sorry if this might have been spoken of before but this talk of the electric pump taking 12 - 15 minutes to inflate makes me wonder how long the hand pumps take? I have been looking at getting one for the boat but if it takes to long to inflate I can't see it getting used.

Jethrow

Hi Jethrow
If you are young and fit you might be able to pump up an inflatable in the same time as a 12 vlt pump .but I can assure you will have had a workout before you go paddling :)
I timed my pump this morning after a question from Andie 12'6" board in 8 mins
cheers
John

Jethrow
If you are a real hurry this setup will solve your problem.
A 2.2 kg portable air system with high flow regulator will pump up our ULI in under ONE minute.
the only down side is cost a refill is $20 and that will only pump up TWO boards. Very quick though :)
cheers