F-Ribs And Sibs - Inflatable Boat Community

Two related questions which I still haven't quite clarified:
How firm should the tubing be? On a SIB, all the stiffness comes from the inflation pressure but with a Frib, the pressure needn't be so high?
Even so, when inflating my Frib with the included foot pump, it only fills so far then stops getting any firmer. I get the impression that it can't generate enough pressure to overcome the valves when they are placed in the closed position. Or am I doing it wrong? Do I need a Bravo pump to get the required pressure?

I don't over analyse tube inflation, if they're firm they're fine.

But they're not firm, that's my query.

If I'm away from home I use a 12v airbed pump to put the volume into the tubes and a foot pump to get them to a decent pressure. The foot pump should be able to get the tubes firm, if it doesn't, then air must be escaping elsewhere or you haven't been pumping it up long enough. Check the hose and pump for splits and that the inlet valve is sealing when you push your foot down.

A foot pump should easily get the tubes firm, so something isn't right.

I would take a guess that your foot pump is not working to spec. Do you have access to another pump to try but to be honest your best solution is to buy a 12v electric pump and the best ones are made by Bravo, available from ebay and most dealers.

The 12v pump will pump your Frib up to full pressure in a few minutes and to an old tart like me........................no brainer.
Phil

Yep, bravo for me. The foot pump that came with my f-rib was faulty, air was blowing out where the bellows meet the foot plate once the tube pressure was almost right but too soft. Pennine Marine sent me a replacement with no hesitation.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

What foot pump do you have drhair? Some have 2 ports for low and high pressure.

I am same as Stray..use a 12v lilo air pump (cost £15) to do the donkey work of shaping the tubes..then a few pushes to finish off with the foot pump. Its not a rocket science for the F Rib tube pressure ..not like an Air floor that needs high pressure. as long as they feel firm..its good enough for me

Hi Warder54 - that's a perfect description: nearly firm but not quite and I can hear air escaping from somewhere as it gets to that point. Sounds like a Bravo pump to me, foot pump as back up.
Is the Bravo multi fit to the same tubing or valve fittings? Or buy a specific attachment at the same time?
Thanks