05-07-2009, 01:35 AM
[quote pontoonman]Hey, those are some good pointers on inflation. Do you ever use a pressure guage? With pontoons that have points, I find the "feel" for "firmnes" method a little more difficult. The tubes will be softer toward the points and harder in the main body area. Once you know your tubes well, you know which area to test. But that is harder on something new or somebody else's pontoons. Also, in pontoons, doesn't the outer cover material or lack of bladder affect the recommended firmness? Some pontoon frame designs depend on high pressure to clamp and hold the frame in place. What do you think of bladderless tubes, like the versavessel type? This may not apply to float tubes, since almost all have bladders.
Looking forward to your book. Really appreciate your tips.
Pon
My new boat is Bladderless. I DO NOT trust gauges. I have seen two people blow up there boat with so called gauged compressors.
I use an LVM in which I can inflate a 10'6" pontoon (and have a video to prove it) in 1 minute 15 seconds. I then attach frame and top off by hand. You should be able to push a dimple in the toon.
You are right though, MOST pontoons do require full air to attach frame, ........but not my new one[
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Looking forward to your book. Really appreciate your tips.
Pon
My new boat is Bladderless. I DO NOT trust gauges. I have seen two people blow up there boat with so called gauged compressors.
I use an LVM in which I can inflate a 10'6" pontoon (and have a video to prove it) in 1 minute 15 seconds. I then attach frame and top off by hand. You should be able to push a dimple in the toon.
You are right though, MOST pontoons do require full air to attach frame, ........but not my new one[
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