Pontoon question.

[iwantabuggy]

I acquired a pontoon in a trade. I really liked it the first time I used it. (Filled it at home with a high pressure air compressor and took it to a local pond). Every time since, I have needed to let out some of the air for transport, but when I get to the lake I can't get enough air in with the low pressure pumps designed for filling air mattresses, etc.

The opening has a check valve in it, I can get plenty of air in if I lock the check valve open, but then I lose it before I can get the valve closed. If I try to fill it with the valve closed, the pump isn't strong enough to open the valve. What's the trick?

I don't really enjoy it all that much if the pontoons aren't fairly rigid.
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[idahoron]

First off you only want about 3 pounds of air. A high pressure pump is not a good idea. If you fill a pontoon when it is hot outside and then take it to water you are running a BIG risk that the bags will continue to heat up over pressure and bust. I have seen pictures of tubes and toons that exploded on top of cars and trucks.
I use a hand pump to fill my pontoons and tubes. I got the cheepo mattress hand pumps. Real good pumps are not too expensive. I am assuming that the toon you have has either a summit 1 or summit 2 valves. When I fill my pontoon I keep the valve open and yes it fills easly. Once it gets filled I close the valve and finish pumping it up. If I am filling it early in the morning I fill them tight. When the heat of the day rolls around the pontoon sometimes needs to be relieved a bit or it could get too tight and fail. When the temp outside starts to drop then the bags will start to sag. You will need to carry a pump to top it off.
When I first get to the lake or river in the afternoon I ALWAYS carry my pump when I am fishing. If I am planning on night fishing I know for a fact I will need to top it off as the weather cools and the water cools.
What kind of toon diid you get? What mods are you planning? Ron
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[iwantabuggy]

I have an arrow backpacker that I acquired in a trade. It will give me a good chance to try it out and decide if I like it before I get a good one.

I know that you could over fill them with a high pressure pump and that they could explode. That is the reason I don't haul it full and at least partly why I am asking the question. I also know that I don't really care for it very much when they get saggy. If that is something I'll just have to live with then I'll likely just go back to my float tube.

I am going to need to add some type of a "stripping basket" to catch the extra line when I am fly fishing. Also, may try to rig up some type of pole holder for when I am using more that one rod, but I am not sure that I need it at this point. I'd like to use it a bit more before I get too involved in mods so that any work I do will be well thought out.
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[iliketofish]

I have a backpacker too. I agree, it works well when full but I don't like it either if it's saggy.
I fill mine with the valve closed and it works just fine. I'm not sure what kind of pump you're using, but mine was like $10 at Cal Ranch and it fills my pontoons just fine in only a few minutes (unlike the piece of crap foot pump that came with it. It took me 30 minutes to fill one side!). So maybe try a different pump?
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[idahoron]

You don't have to live with a saggy set of bags. You should carry a pump even on the float tube. I have a couple of ODC's a sport and a classic. I liked them a lot but I picked up a Sportsmans 9 AKA outcast FC9. The Sportsmans 9 is by far a WAY better ride.
I like river floating the best. The pontoons are WAY better for that than the tubes. I like my S9 so much I am thinking about getting rid of my other pontoon. Ron
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[iliketofish]

I agree nobody should have to live with a saggy set of bags!
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[idahoron]

I was out on Oakley Res and didn't take my pump. The wind came up the waves got bad and the toon sagged. It was my fault. That was all I could say. I always carry my pump and I forgot it. I won't do that again. Ron
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[iliketofish]

ya I always definitely carry my pump for sure
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[cpierce]

The little electrics are fine for most of the fill, but they just can't finish a pontoon up to where its pressure should be. So get an inexpensive "two way" hand pump for topping off at the lake, and for carrying with you as others have mentioned.
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[drowning_flys]

these work good and can be used for many different applications they can be found at most sporting good stores and walmart for under 20 dollars. i also have one of the more expensive ones I found floating in the river below twin falls its made by nrs and there isn't much difrence in performance.


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[albinotrout]

You can get this pump at walmart for $9.88. Will work great! Sportsmans Warehouse has it for $12.99 compared with the brand at Cabelas for Heck of a lot more. Around $20.
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[flygoddess]

I have one of the LVM pumps. They are designed to fill them maybe 80%, then they will bog down. You top the tube/toon off with a hand pump.

Trust me, it is the only way to be sure of the air. Also, invest in a gauge.
A car rolls fine with one low tire, but it does make a difference, same thing with that toon.

And as far as apron, check out Venture Outdoors. It is by far one of the best I have ever used.
$20. But you will need to add snaps.
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[iwantabuggy]

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. This is the pump I've been using. Didn't pay this price for it though.

[url "http://www.amazon.com/Texsport-23120-Two-Way-Electric-Pump/dp/B000P9F0KG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1279077985&sr=8-7"]http://www.amazon.com/Texsport-23120-Two-Way-Electric-Pump/dp/B000P9F0KG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1279077985&sr=8-7[/url]
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[flygoddess]

I wouldn't think that pump would have the capability of pumping a toon up to 3 lbs, but I have no idea.

This is the pumps we have and they are made for this:

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?p...rm=fr_1707

But like I said, I have to top it off with a hand pump. I use the K-Pump for that.
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[packfish]

I picked up a pretty good one that you run off a battery also at Harbor Freight- I think $45. Works pretty well on everything. But I would never be with out my hand pump.
Someone earlier said something about a tube on a river-
I would say don't do it. For sure don't do it if there is a decent current- just asking for a tragedy. Been there- done that- won't be doing that again
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