"Trick" to inflating Taylor fenders?

[Kim Whitmyre]

I just got 2 12" diameter Taylor buoys for fenders. . .How the hell do you get the *%## things inflated? "Just insert the needle valve," and then what? The pump hits an "uninflatable object." It's like I'm trying to inflate a solid piece of plastic!

If I unscrew the valve and blow the fender up with my blower fitting on my compressor hose, all the air comes out as soon as I take my finger off to put the valve back in :o:o

The needle won't fit on my compressor hose, which is likely a good thing. . .I'd probably blow it up! :mad::mad:

Edit: Found a file on Taylor's website that helped: why they don't include it. . .No smart remarks!

You leave the valve in, and then press your rubber-tipped air gun into the valve's center: they're inflated now. They didn't say anything about that and after my previous attempts, I thought that would be futile. Who knew?

[Bob Cleek]

I suppose it's because it doesn't much matter how inflated a Taylor fender is, anyway. All you need is enough ambient air in them, with the valve closed, that they provide a cushion between the boat and whatever it's against. BTW, WestMarine will exchange any Taylor fender that splits or pops with a brand new one... no questions asked. For that reason, I never pass up a torn up Taylor fender in the harbor dumpster!

[Pernicious Atavist]

I tried when I worked at WM with no success.....

[Wild Wassa]

Taylor-Made fenders up to 24 inch are only inflated to 2 PSI. 24-32 inch are only inflated to 1 PSI.

Fenders are not inflated to being bulbous in the middle, they should remain parallel.

Normally with a Taylor-Made fender, have you got the black top ones called Tuff End fenders? Or what model do you have? There is normally a 3 way valve. Remove the valve and fill with a compressor and replace the valve. Some air will escape after filling but you should be able to get it right.

Warren.

[Kim Whitmyre]

Tuff-End Buoys:

http://www.taylormadeproducts.com/catalog/images/items/tuffend-buoys.jpg

I can push them in a 1/2" or so with a finger, which is how Taylor suggests testing them if you don't have a pressure gauge on your air source.

[Gary Bergman]

We call them 'Norwiegans', just unscrew the valve, put the blowgun in, and then quickly put the hootis back in, and screw tight..I just did all of mine in place as we have a hellova blow in progress......I do prefer 'other' brands, tho'