Float Tube and Valves

Get one of these at walmart, they work Great and only $10.

My float tube has two boston and two halkey roberst valves. All of the pumps will fit the valves (some with adapters...that should be included). I have foot pumps, K pumps, floor pumps and electric pumps. Each has its benefit. If you are only filling it next to your rig and not carrying the pump along for hike ins or topping off while on the water then any of them will do. If you are hiking in and/or topping off while on the water then I think the best is the K Pump. My electric pump can fully inflate all four chambers of my float tube in under two minutes with most of that time being lost as I move it from valve 1-4. The K Pump is the next most efficient, IMHO. Since I'm not always at my rig when I want to put air into the float tube, the K Pump is the one for me. I carry mine in a pack when I hike in or strapped to my float tube when on the water. Hunching over a floor pump is not really up to my liking, I have better ways to ruin my posture like slouching in my chair in front of the laptop. The footpump seems to be pretty easy to pack as it compresses, but also seems to be the slowest. You can, with practice, put your rods together, string them up, tie on your files and step on the footpump all at the same time since it does not require much thought or use of the hands. How good are you at multi-tasking? Fit your budget, find your fishing outing and have a blast.

Have to agree with what Mumbles said.
But I'm more, or less lazier than he is, (in fact I know I'm much more lazier, but that is another subject), I bought/purchased an electric Coleman pump to get the majority of the air quickly loaded into the tubes on my pontoon, & also have used a 12v electric emergency light/airpump, to inflate my float tube, with a clear plastic flexible tubing that you can buy at almost any self help/handyman's hardware store. They sell different size diameters, wall thickness, & lengths. What I need is to buy one of those pvc ammo boxes that are waterproof/watertight to put all of my odds & ends into when they are in storage, like straps pumps, etcetera.

Having an electric pump takes the drudgery out of filling your tube, but having a reliable hand pump can be an absolute necessity out on the water.
With that said, there are a number of "other" items I consider necessary to my survival, should Mother Nature decide for my "plans" not to work out as speculated.



Consider your safety 1st, foremost, & last.
Because out on the water is no place to be having issues with your equipment.
Like a good scout be prepared for the worst, & hope for the best.
You'll enjoy your time in the outdoors a lot better knowing that you're ready for whatever Ol' Mother Nature decides to throw your way.
I always keep/take a little ditty bag that has
two disposable rain poncho(s), one 6" piece of a fireplace log i cut into 6 smaller 1 " pieces, three disposable lighters, waterproof matches (15pcs.),
3 sealable freezer baggies, in which I've placed; an extensive 1st aid kit containing, forceps, suture kit w/scalpel, bandages in different sizes, including 4x4's Tylenol, Benadryl, (including my prescription meds for 3 days, with my prescription pain killers,Tramadol, Vicodin), Bee sting, & Snakebite kit, hydrogen peroxide, mercurochrome, Q-tips, toothache meds like, Anbesol, mosquito repellant (w/100%Deet), extra mosquito repellant, small tubes of hydrocortisone, triple antibiotic ointment, neosporin, extra AA, & AAA batteries, with a small flexible dashboard solar charger, and, finally, 3 pkgs of instant coffee, (with powdered creamers & sugar packets). I will be prepared for almost any emergency that arises.
If push comes to shove, I'll blow up one of the baggies into a pillow & cover up with a poncho to stave off hypothermia, while getting some form of rest.
I've been out there without, so I've learned a lot about how to do with just a little.

And yes, it seems like a lot, but in actuality it doesn't take up much space & is under 3lbs.

Hoosier friend,

Most my boats have had Halkey Roberts (My X5 still does). The newer NFO have the Bravo valves which is a one push open, one push close. Dave went with the Bravo as they are easier to fill in the closed position. I have a LVM pump and usually use one of those small rechargeable batteries to power it.
I have found it takes a little longer to fill the Halkey in the closed position, but it is possible. So, I open mine (push and turn) and inflate, then quickly push turn close, then fill rest by hand with a K-pump, that I do pack (small enough). K-Pump doesn't need the hose either, just the little blue cone shape adaptor that comes with it. Just press it up to the valve and pump...very easy.

Now on warm days, I put the boat IN the water then get dressed (Hip waders) string up rods, etc. THEN, I again check the pressure (with a gauge) now that the boat has been sitting in the cooler water, and top of again IF needed. Which I have found through several boats, that Urethane or bladderless models do not require as big of an adjustment. Do this and no need to adjust in the water...;-)

troutpocket said:

Using my foot pump it takes me about 7-8 minutes to inflate my Watermaster. A float tube would be much faster. The K-pumps look nice but I haven't been able to justify the expense givin the minimal effort involved.

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I picked up a K-40 on fleabay for $50 including shipping. REAL Nice pump for $50. ~230 strokes on the low pressure/high volume stage and ~60 strokes on the high pressure/low volume stage fills my WM Kodiak to 3 lbs. Pumps a Halkey-Roberts with the valve in the closed position, 6 minutes tops vs about 12 minutes with the standard WM foot pump. It's compact too, but a chunk to carry any distance.

Mumbles said:

My float tube has two boston and two halkey roberst valves. All of the pumps will fit the valves (some with adapters...that should be included). I have foot pumps, K pumps, floor pumps and electric pumps. Each has its benefit. If you are only filling it next to your rig and not carrying the pump along for hike ins or topping off while on the water then any of them will do. If you are hiking in and/or topping off while on the water then I think the best is the K Pump. My electric pump can fully inflate all four chambers of my float tube in under two minutes with most of that time being lost as I move it from valve 1-4. The K Pump is the next most efficient, IMHO. Since I'm not always at my rig when I want to put air into the float tube, the K Pump is the one for me. I carry mine in a pack when I hike in or strapped to my float tube when on the water. Hunching over a floor pump is not really up to my liking, I have better ways to ruin my posture like slouching in my chair in front of the laptop. The footpump seems to be pretty easy to pack as it compresses, but also seems to be the slowest. You can, with practice, put your rods together, string them up, tie on your files and step on the footpump all at the same time since it does not require much thought or use of the hands. How good are you at multi-tasking? Fit your budget, find your fishing outing and have a blast.

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Ed nailed every point I would make except that a foot pump slides around a bit on rocky shores making getting the last bit of pressure between 2 lbs and 3 lbs rather awkward. Not sure if a float tube needs 3 lbs though. That said, if I were packing any distance I'd take my foot pump.

Chef said:

I have a Halkey- Roberts valve and still having a hard time filling it. I must not have the right adoption piece for the pump because when I put air in it with the electric pump and then try to close the valve, I still loose a lot of air trying to close the valve. I need to play with it more and possible get that piece to help me out.

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I think I've mentioned this before... my fairly new LVM electric pump came with a valve stem depressor adapter that *(semi-)permanently attaches to the end of the *(semi-)permanently attached Halkey-Roberts adapter so you can fill the chamber with the valve in the up-closed position. When you pull the *pump off, the valve springs up to close and no air escapes; that is unless occasionally like me you forget to close the valve before you start pumping. If you have a LVM check to see if you have it, or buy the adapter(s). *Or the depressor could be a simple thing to make; just a piece of plastic inside and across the end of the HR adapter, looks kinda like ---> (-) .