[Paddlewise] Electric pumps and a Klepper

Remarkably,  12,000 miles away in the South Pacific, I decided on similar
technology to Dana in sorting out an electric pump.  I run to a 1000gph
Rule pump, and like Dana, a 7 amp/hour sealed lead acid rechargeable
battery.  I am still in the 'sea trials' stage with the thing installed in
my Klepper Aerius 1.  With a high volume boat like the Klepper I took the
view that massive over capacity in the pump department was the way to go. 
I too have used switchgear with a manufacturer's  'waterproof' hood over
the toggle and can report no problems so far with corrosion, shorting etc.
after several months of use. All electricals are sealed in marine
Sealastic.  The carpentry involved in the fitting will probably only
interest Klepper owners, but basically the battery, pump, fuse and
switchgear have been fitted as a portable unit and are all velcro strapped
and screwed on and through a base plate fitted to the boat just forward of
the seat.  The pump's exhaust hose is stored around the unit and deployed [
if I am not sailing] through the mast step in the coaming. I am usually  in
open ocean conditions so I normally use Klepper's cockpit cover.  The whole
pump bag'o'tricks is easily removed from the boat. 
 It all sounds rather sloppy but like everything else, familiarity with the
gear under all sorts of conditions is the key. And of course, 'failsafe'
back up systems are vital;  in this case, a hand pump [ the red-handled
kind familiar to most Americans] and a good old collapsible bucket.  Maybe
other Klepper owners have comments? Regards, peter rattenbury

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