My boat came with 3 ways to inflate the dingy, a foot pump, an electric pump, and a large diameter double acting bicycle type pump. I tried all three in the garage. The manual pumps worked but took a lot of effort. The electric did not work, but I later learned that I needed to lock the oneway valve open for it. But I realized that the bicycle type pump would be easy if mounted horzontally. I attached the pump to shelving so I could just rock forward and back to pump air into the dingy. It was very easy! I have since done the same thing by tying the pump to the mast at chest level. It takes very little effort to rock towards and away from the pump and the dingy inflates quickly. Try it. I also use the main halyard to lift the dingy and swing it onto the foredeck without a lot of muscle (which I no longer have).
Inflating a dingy
- Thread starter Niord 355
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Exactly - The electric did not generate enough pressure to open the self-opening valves, they have to be manually locked open first. But I find using only the bicycle style pump faster and easier.
Check your manual pump to see if it has two output ports. Mine has two and one is a low and the other is a high pressure. One is good for pushing mass volume of air. Good for getting that initial bulk quantity of air in the tubes. Once the tubes are 3/4 full I have to switch to the other port to finish filling and ensuring enough pressure in the tubes.
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