Inflatable stand-up paddle boards (SUPs) are a great way to enjoy the water. These inflatable boats provide a lightweight and easily transportable way to explore rivers and lakes – but is it OK to leave your SUP inflated? The answer is – it depends.
There’s no definitive yes or no answer when it comes to leaving an inflatable SUP inflated. It ultimately depends on the specific board, its construction, the temperature and weather conditions, and how often it’s used.
The most important factor in determining whether or not you should leave your inflatable SUP inflated is the quality of the materials used in its construction. If you have a high-quality SUP that has strong seams and drop-stitch technology for increased rigidity, then you can consider leaving it inflated for an extended period of time if necessary. However, if you’re unsure about the quality of your board, then we recommend inflating when needed and deflating after each use. This will help preserve the integrity of its material over time, as well as reduce the risk of any eventual blowouts.
The environment in which your board will be stored also plays an important role in deciding whether to leave it inflated or deflated for extended periods of time. Typically, temperatures above 78 degrees Fahrenheit can start to put stress on some inflatables due to air pressure expanding inside them – so if you live somewhere with warm weather year-round then leaving your board permanently inflated isn’t advised unless covered by a protective covering like a car garage or similar space. On the other hand, colder weather may actually cause more damage by freezing up interior components than leaving your board inflated would. So if temperatures regularly dip below freezing where you live then make sure to take special care with how you store your inflatable SUP during winter months.
Finally, how often you plan on using your board should also be taken into account when making this decision. You don’t want to keep inflating and deflating unnecessarily just because that’s what everyone else does – instead think about how frequently you’ll be hitting water with your paddleboard and weigh that against convenience before choosing either option. For boards that are used sporadically throughout long periods of time (i.e., summer months) then consider keeping yours partially inflated or at lower pressures for easier deflation/inflation processes between uses; however for boards that see regular use throughout shorter timespans (i.e., days or weeks) then full inflation may work better due to its convenience factor when needed without risking too much wear-and-tear over longer periods of time without use.
In conclusion, there is no one size fits all answer when it comes to leaving an inflatable paddleboard inflated – it really comes down to personal preference, quality of materials used in construction, environmental factors such as temperature and weather conditions, as well as how often you plan on using the SUP itself before making a decision either way.