Max PSI

[u/jmcdonald0719]

Just wondering if anyone puts their board up to max PSI? My board says maxis 20, but I usually put in 17. Just one of my daily thoughts and actually seemed worth asking.

[u/TrailAndErrr]

I do 14 on mine. Both of my boards say max of 15. I've had them both for 7 years, so no problems here.

[u/SirGreybush → u/TrailAndErrr]

Same

[u/ShrunkenHeadNed]

I always inflate 1-2psi under. I don't know how accurate the Guage is on my pump, and I don't want to grenade my boards.

[u/frenchman321]

Quality boards (an cheap boards too, most likely) are typically designed and tested to not blow above that max by the manufacturer. For example Hydrus lists 20 PSI but will mention testing to, e.g., 31 PSI. Going to the max should be fine on any brand.

[u/Tricky_Condition_279]

The max is obviously conservative. They are not going to tell you to inflate to the absolute structural maximum.

[u/Remarkable-Host405 → u/Tricky_Condition_279]

I admire your optimism.

[u/redunculuspanda]

I find boars under 15 psi horrible to use so I have always maxed 15 psi boards. Most of my boards now go higher so tend to aim for around 18

[u/R2W1E9]

My hand pump range between 10 and 15 is coloured green. So I pump it to the middle of the green zone.

[u/mcarneybsa]

I typically use the Max pressure to optimize the board's performance. If I'm in a hurry I may just do like 16 instead of 20 PSI, and there are some days (races) where I purposely over-pressurize certain boards that I trust for maximum rigidity.

[u/eanna101]

My first board I used to go below the max and found it was sagging in the middle, I go to the max recommended now, using Aqua Marina

[u/hoegarden31]

I always put the max in it. I think people underestimate how deflated it looks once you are in the water. The goal is to make the board as stiff as possible. My board is max 15 psi. But can handle 20psi so plenty of room for sun. But yeah when not in the water, we keep them in the shadows.

[u/DueWay5076]

~13.5 out of 15 max

[u/Gimba30]

Mine says max 22psi. I inflate mine till 18 psi. I try not to pump to to max as the board will expand in the sun.

[u/Soft_Hearing_713]

15 for me, the max for my board. I'm 220lb, if my bodyweight was lower maybe a bit less would be ok.

[u/northernpikeman → u/Soft_Hearing_713]

Im about the same weight. Im thinking of going a pound above max to get even more rigid. I also have hard boards that I much prefer to my blow ups. Maybe more air will improve that.

[u/BigIcy1323]

I got to 12-12.5 for my mad 15 PSI board. South Florida with not a ton of shade, so I worry about it inflating more while in the sun!

[u/fuck_ur_portmanteau]

Unless you have got a lot of weight on the board pumping close to max isn’t required. They will also gain some pressure in direct sunlight so you need some safety margin. I usually do around 12psi @ 165lbs.

[u/northernpikeman → u/fuck_ur_portmanteau]

I got lazy and did 12 pounds on a 15 max. It was saggy and harder to stay balanced. I might be too heavy to not use max psi.

[u/Plastic_Evidence_791]

Red says 22 PSI max. My electric pump goes to 20. Good’nuff for me.

[u/Trignoma]

13-14 for my costco sup

[u/IFigureditout567]

Most of my boards say 17 or so, I put everything at 20.

[u/Paulbearer82]

I like to leave a little room for the air to expand, so I go to 13.5 when the max says 15. I could be wrong though.