NRS FAQs

Pumps

• How do I pump up my boat?
  The quickest way is to first use a 12-volt electric pump (that hooks to your car battery), then top off your boat with a hand pump. Electric pumps will not fill up your boat to the proper psi. DO NOT use a tire pump or electric generator!
   
• What is the best 12-volt pump you carry?
  We recommend (and use ourselves) the NRS Blast Inflator because of its compact size, speed and durability.
   
• What pump do you recommend to top off my boat?
  For IK's or rafts 13' or smaller the Bravo 6 is a good compact dual action pump. To top off a larger raft or cataraft we recommend the Bravo Wonder Pump 6.
   
• What psi do you recommend I pump my boat up to?
  We recommend filling a self bailing floor to 2.5 psi (you will know it is full when the floor pressure release valve releases air).  For the tubes we recommend filling to 2.5 - 3 psi.  You will know when you reach the correct psi when the tubes feel firm but you will still be able to make an indentation with the palm of your hand. At 3 psi the tubes will feel very firm but you will still be able to make a slight indentation in the tube with firm pressure from your thumb.  If you wan't a more accurate method of measuring the PSI, we offer the K-Pump Kwik Check Pressure Gauge. Don't forget that tubes will expand in the sun, so when you pull out for lunch or transport your craft on a trailer, deflate the tubes a bit to avoid seam damage.