10
P O N D E R A Y P O N T O O N B O A T O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L
1
. Confirm that all the parts are present
(See the parts list on page 9).
2
. How to inflate your pontoon boat bladders
Pontoon boat bladders are designed to be inflated by foot
or hand pump only.
Your Ponderay pontoon boat has Boston type valves for
easy inflation and deflation. The valve is constructed in
three parts [Fig.1]:
A. Bladder valve part
B. Middle valve part
C. Upper cap
To inflate:
The middle part [B] must be screwed in tightly to the bladder valve part [A]. The upper cap
[C] must be removed from the middle valve in order to inflate.
Use a pump to inflate the pontoon boat just enough to hold their shape.
To Deflate:
DO NOT REMOVE CAP – Unscrew the middle valve (B) from the bladder valve part [A].
It is not necessary to unscrew the middle valve/bottom valve completely to deflate the
pontoon boat.
3. Inflating and assembling your pontoon boat
A. Place your pontoon boat flat on the floor with the pockets facing up.
B. Inflate all four pontoon bladders about 30%—just enough to hold their shape.
C. Check the bladders by unzipping the pontoons. The bladders should lie flat, untwisted
and centered underneath the pontoon pockets. A twisted bladder will distort the skin
when you inflate it.
D. Inflate the flotation bladders until most of the wrinkles are out of the cover. If any twists
develop stop, deflate the bladder, straighten it within its pocket and re-inflate. Close the
valve caps tightly.
You may need to add or release some air if you travel between low and high elevations or
if the temperature changes. Always take out some air before leaving your pontoon boat
in a car—the heat can expand the air in the bladders quite a bit.
Inflate the pontoons completely.
Inflate to approximately 2.5 psi (0.17 BAR).
Inflate until firm but not hard. DO NOT over inflate.
A S S E M B LY A N D U S E
A
C
B
Fig. 1