05-05-2009, 01:27 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Blown seams on your bladder are extremely rare and almost 100% due to owner error and not to manufacturing defects. And, if you overinflate, it does not matter whether you have urethane or vinyl. Only a very slight difference. Both will blow under too much pressure.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here are a few things to remember:[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]1. Do not transport a fully inflated tube inside your vehicle...or outside on a hot sunny day. Always bleed off some air before loading up for the trip to or from the water...or inbetween spots. Only takes a minute to top off your craft but an explosion pretty much ends your day...and raises your laundry bill.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]2. On a cold morning, air your craft up at waters edge when you first get there. After it has "stabilized" in the cold air, check it again for firmness and add air if needed to bring the cover to a good firm-to-the-touch level. NOT ROCK HARD.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]3. After tubing for awhile on cool mornings, and the sun has come out and warmed things up, recheck the firmness on your tube. If it is ROCK HARD, let out a little air...not enough to make the cover soft.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]4. When you beach your craft after fishing in the hot sun, bleed off some air if the tube will be sitting there for any time at all. Once the tube is pulled up out of the cooling water and rests in the direct hot sun, it will expand quickly. I have seen tubes explode while the owners were away from them "downloading" the morning coffee.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]5. Do not air up a tube outside or in a cold garage and then bring it into a warm house. Same thing. Could expand enough to split a cover if not blow the bladder. Been there, done that.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you have a good double action pump, there is no excuse for leaving your tube fully inflated when not in use. A partially deflated tube is still rigid enough to move easily and is quickly topped off with only a few strokes on the pump.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In short, a firmly inflated tube is necessary for proper floatation and navigation on the water. But, a serious tuber will monitor the firmness of their craft throughout the day. If you carry a small pump with you, you can add air if the cold water or a cool breeze causes it to sag a little...or if you develop a slow leak. If the cover gets too tight, drop the pressure a bit to prevent unnecessary strain on the cover and the bladder. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Here are a few things to remember:[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]1. Do not transport a fully inflated tube inside your vehicle...or outside on a hot sunny day. Always bleed off some air before loading up for the trip to or from the water...or inbetween spots. Only takes a minute to top off your craft but an explosion pretty much ends your day...and raises your laundry bill.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]2. On a cold morning, air your craft up at waters edge when you first get there. After it has "stabilized" in the cold air, check it again for firmness and add air if needed to bring the cover to a good firm-to-the-touch level. NOT ROCK HARD.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]3. After tubing for awhile on cool mornings, and the sun has come out and warmed things up, recheck the firmness on your tube. If it is ROCK HARD, let out a little air...not enough to make the cover soft.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]4. When you beach your craft after fishing in the hot sun, bleed off some air if the tube will be sitting there for any time at all. Once the tube is pulled up out of the cooling water and rests in the direct hot sun, it will expand quickly. I have seen tubes explode while the owners were away from them "downloading" the morning coffee.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]5. Do not air up a tube outside or in a cold garage and then bring it into a warm house. Same thing. Could expand enough to split a cover if not blow the bladder. Been there, done that.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]If you have a good double action pump, there is no excuse for leaving your tube fully inflated when not in use. A partially deflated tube is still rigid enough to move easily and is quickly topped off with only a few strokes on the pump.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In short, a firmly inflated tube is necessary for proper floatation and navigation on the water. But, a serious tuber will monitor the firmness of their craft throughout the day. If you carry a small pump with you, you can add air if the cold water or a cool breeze causes it to sag a little...or if you develop a slow leak. If the cover gets too tight, drop the pressure a bit to prevent unnecessary strain on the cover and the bladder. [/#0000ff]
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