Click for Burger Click for Mag Bay Click for Glendinning Click for Burger Click for Walker

Pump for Floating Dock

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by LuvBigBoats, Jan 23, 2022.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. LuvBigBoats

    LuvBigBoats Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2016
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Thought I’d try out a floating dock. Bought a $70 pump on Amazon but after 40 min it was only at 9.5 psi and then it stopped and gave me a “U/L” message which I assume means overload. (The dock is 8’x10’.) Pump was supposed to go to 20 psi and I set it to 10. Floating dock is supposed to be at 10-12 psi.

    I’d like something that’s good quality and doesn’t take forever, has a gauge or other readout and preferably auto shut-off but not necessary. The dock is the only higher pressure inflatable on the boat.

    Anything you know of that fits the bill?
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    The factory recommend air pump maybe??
    Some things are built to specs, some items don't make it.
  3. LuvBigBoats

    LuvBigBoats Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2016
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Didn’t see anything in the floating dock literature suggesting what electric pump to use. The dock came with a hand pump but it would take me all day using that.
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Now that I have near finished laughing, and re reading your post again.
    This is still funny;
    You purchased some brand of floating dock structure that only comes with a hand pump?

    I would next suggest a real air compressor regulated down to the spec'd air pressure.

    If I'm missing something here, somebody please come in and help me..
  5. LuvBigBoats

    LuvBigBoats Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2016
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Maybe we use the term floating dock differently. I’m talking about something you tie to the side or stern to get some sun. This:
    https://www.overtons.com/overtons-i...MQze6_MGb2kSGWczp3hoCPBgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
  6. DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2012
    Messages:
    1,396
    Location:
    Ketchikan, Alaska
  7. LuvBigBoats

    LuvBigBoats Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2016
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Los Angeles
  8. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2006
    Messages:
    1,721
    Location:
    Somewhere Sunny
    Inflate with a lower PSI pump, and then top up to desired PSI with hand pump or compressed air. After you're at 2-4psi it won't take much to get to 12.
  9. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Agree with Ken. You need a high volume low pressure pump and then a low volume high pressure

    we have a 26x4 floating pad from Mission. We used this pump.

    RAVE Sports 01083 High Speed... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NSVYO0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

    Our float doesn’t require higher pressure but for stuff that does, like the new Hobie iEclipses we finish with a hand pump. Compressed air from an onboard compressor would work as well but volume is too low to start with that
    LuvBigBoats likes this.
  10. rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2019
    Messages:
    1,579
    Location:
    Vero Beach
    I pretty much use a Dewalt hand held blower for everything, differing nozzles. Rafts, fenders, whatever...
  11. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    Another useful tool I have is a Ryobi compressor. It uses the same batteries as all other Ryobi power tools. Combine both high pressure for tires and any Schroeder valve thing with a low pressure high volume for tubes, rafts etc. very handy.
  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,649
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    A large float. Overtons does call it a floating dock. Not what came to my mind.
    In my mind I was figuring a large dock or hydra hoist.
    Seems the YF kids have you well covered on ideas.
    Have fun
  13. LuvBigBoats

    LuvBigBoats Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2016
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    The pump I bought was supposed to be both high volume and then high pressure after around 2 psi. Problem was it shut off after 40 minutes. I think these things are rated to go for a limited period of time, and for SUPs that would be fine. Maybe I'll just stick with it and let it rest every 20 min or so.
    Do you mean the hand held pump? When I hear blower I think of a leaf blower. Like this one?
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...uqIpFuU7EE4B-TH8yH8aAohjEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

    Been thinking about getting one of those. I have a Milwaukee drill/driver 12v but that One+ system looks really handy.
    Do you use this one?
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-O...-Ah-Battery-and-18V-Charger-P737DKN/311788879

    And thanks all.
  14. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    8x10 Shouldn’t take that long. It takes like 10’ to inflate our 4x26 Mission. It’s about 5” thick. We use the black pump in the picture for the float. For smaller things we use the ryobi. It s huger than your link, model P747

    Attached Files:

  15. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,120
    Location:
    Miami, FL
  16. LuvBigBoats

    LuvBigBoats Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2016
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Thanks. That one seems to only use the batteries. Maybe I’ll look at the comparable Dewalt that runs on 12 and 110 also.
  17. JadePanama

    JadePanama Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2018
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    Seattle
    We have one of these (as well as a couple friends with same thing). I use it to inflate 2 large inflatable docks regularly all summer as do our friends. It has worked real well and will work off battery, 12v, or 110v which is nice. just set the psi you want, and it will do high volume till it hits about 1psi and then moves to compressor mode. i inflate to 10psi regularly with this one. It may take 10 min total or so I would guess for our 10x10 docks. I am sure there are many others similar but the reviews seem to mimic my experiences as well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V9WCBN7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  18. LuvBigBoats

    LuvBigBoats Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2016
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    OK thanks. The one you linked to seems to run off of 12v. I just bought a 110->12v converter so I guess it’s not a huge issue.
  19. JadePanama

    JadePanama Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2018
    Messages:
    74
    Location:
    Seattle
    it has a battery built in that will charge off 110v, and can be operated off it it. or plugged into 12v. charged it seems to inflate and deflate ours 3-4 times per charge
  20. LuvBigBoats

    LuvBigBoats Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2016
    Messages:
    162
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Ah OK. Guess I have a couple good choices.