Follow-up on inflatable pool buoyancy empirical research, and a bit sad.
July 9, 2017 12:06 PM Subscribe
Previously I asked this question about how much water I need in my little inflatable pool to float on a raft.
Follow-up:
my pool is now filled up around 12" (it's 18" deep but the directions say just fill it up to around 12"). I float on a standard inflatable raft just fine, but being completely above the surface of the water doesn't give me a very watery, relaxing feel.
It was recommended in my prior question that I buy a raft like this, so I could get a little water on me, but, sadly, on this raft I sink to the bottom of the pool! It's just not inflated enough to float on this water depth.
also, I can't use a pool noodle around my waist. Again, I totally sink. It's sad.
Any ideas about how to calculate just how much inflatability I need in order to float just under the water?
Should I get a deeper pool? (very hard to get an e.g. 3-ft. deep pool that will fit in my 60 x 90-inch space in big city backyard.
thank you!!!
my pool is now filled up around 12" (it's 18" deep but the directions say just fill it up to around 12"). I float on a standard inflatable raft just fine, but being completely above the surface of the water doesn't give me a very watery, relaxing feel.
It was recommended in my prior question that I buy a raft like this, so I could get a little water on me, but, sadly, on this raft I sink to the bottom of the pool! It's just not inflated enough to float on this water depth.
also, I can't use a pool noodle around my waist. Again, I totally sink. It's sad.
Any ideas about how to calculate just how much inflatability I need in order to float just under the water?
Should I get a deeper pool? (very hard to get an e.g. 3-ft. deep pool that will fit in my 60 x 90-inch space in big city backyard.
thank you!!!
Can you add a pool noodle or two to the raft you got? They're usually only a couple of dollars and that's give you enough lift.
posted by raccoon409 at 12:27 PM on July 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by raccoon409 at 12:27 PM on July 9, 2017 [2 favorites]
Can you get a chaise that will have bended aluminum legs, plastic webbing, and sit in the pool? Think of the 1970s collapsible furniture, with the woven webbing.
posted by kellyblah at 12:41 PM on July 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by kellyblah at 12:41 PM on July 9, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Open the air valve on the inflatable raft, with you on it, until you're where you want to be.
posted by Huffy Puffy at 12:42 PM on July 9, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by Huffy Puffy at 12:42 PM on July 9, 2017 [4 favorites]
Yeah, DIY this raft with increments of 1/4 pool noodles until you get where you want. Use duct tape for proof of concept, then make the final version with nylon twine and zip ties. Or simply start tacking stuff on however seems best!
You get to customize the lift, and the shape, and the aesthetic. Could also use some old foam kickboards or inner tubes or water wings or whatever turns up at the thrift store.
Salt will make you more buoyant but it takes a ton. This will get expensive if you change the water often, and the you have a salt water disposal problem. And it will most likely get nasty if you don't change it very often. Maybe if you get enough salt and keep it covered it will have an antimicrobial effect, but then you'll sort be swimming g in your own brine. Ymmv, I suppose you could make human-flavored pickles ;)
posted by SaltySalticid at 12:47 PM on July 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
You get to customize the lift, and the shape, and the aesthetic. Could also use some old foam kickboards or inner tubes or water wings or whatever turns up at the thrift store.
Salt will make you more buoyant but it takes a ton. This will get expensive if you change the water often, and the you have a salt water disposal problem. And it will most likely get nasty if you don't change it very often. Maybe if you get enough salt and keep it covered it will have an antimicrobial effect, but then you'll sort be swimming g in your own brine. Ymmv, I suppose you could make human-flavored pickles ;)
posted by SaltySalticid at 12:47 PM on July 9, 2017 [3 favorites]
Are you going for that relaxing feeling of drifting around, pushed by the breeze and the whims of the currents or do you want to be wet? I ask because have you considered a hammock? I have one on a stand and an outdoor pillow and a big quilt and love to lay in the hammock and just let it get pushed around a bit by the breeze. Sometimes when I take a nap in it, I even get the feeling of drifting in a boat.
posted by amanda at 8:53 PM on July 10, 2017
posted by amanda at 8:53 PM on July 10, 2017
Response by poster: That's nice, amanda! I lie on a chaise longue for that, but it doesn't move, but I see what you mean. I do want to be in water though.
posted by DMelanogaster at 7:09 PM on July 12, 2017
posted by DMelanogaster at 7:09 PM on July 12, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by notquitemaryann at 12:26 PM on July 9, 2017