Re: [Paddlewise] footpumps - my longwinded undecided view

I've thought long and hard about installing a foot pump in my kayak. 
Despite a friend giving me a very nice Henderson foot pump, I'm still
undecided on whether I want to install it, here are my thoughts:

I <should> require a pump only after a worst case scenario occurs and
I'm forced to evacuate the cockpit or if a spray deck failure occurs and
a wave or a hard brace condition causes the cockpit to flood.  Outside
of practice conditions, this has never happened, but is something that
could occur, I've seen it happen to others on numerous occasions.  My
roll is good and I practice often, but I don't think anyone's roll
(including mine) is bomb proof -- stuff happens.  

Okay, so here I am, in the water, hopefully hanging on to my kayak and
paddle, most likely under difficult conditions.  What next?  If the
water is cold and I start to feel the cold sink in, I'd likely want to
get back in my boat ASAP!  I'd do a reentry and roll, most likely after
attaching a foam paddle float (no need to inflate thus saving time) to
use for support once up to allow for attachment of spray deck and
subsequent pumping.  I think the only time I'd not attach the paddle
float would be if I needed to quickly paddle away from a hazard (yes,
with a flooded cockpit).  

At some point, I'd need to reattach the spray deck and begin to clear
the water out of the cockpit. Simply reattaching the spray deck can be a
difficult prospect in my boat in rough water, I've tried it.  I think
I'd want to use my paddle with paddle float attached as an outrigger for
support while I put the skirt back on to improve my chances of success. 
This would also put me in a pretty good position to make use of the high
volume plastic hand pump that I carry.

If I had a foot pump installed, I think I'd still need to use the paddle
float to get the skirt back on.  At this point, given the choice of a
low-to-mid volume foot pump or a high volume hand pump, I'd likely
choose the hand pump to get the job done faster.  Having the option to
use one of the two might be nice.

In reality, I rarely go paddling solo when the water temps or sea
conditions are dangerous.  When I do go paddling in cold conditions
solo, I stick to sheltered areas on calm days and stay close to shore. 
I attempt to use good judgment prior to deciding to go to avoid being
put in difficult situations.  Should I wet exit, I could easily paddle
with a flooded cockpit to the nearest shore. When I'm paddling with
others under more challenging conditions, I have the choice of
attempting a self rescue or requesting assistance from others.  I prefer
to be self-reliant, but if others are present, they could provide
considerable assistance and speed the process of rescue and water
removal.

Clearly, all sorts of unexpected events can occur.  I like having backup
systems and multiple ways for dealing with problems, if one approach
fails another approach can be used. I think I like the thought of having
two different pump systems, but I'm not sure I want to carry so much
extra weight for the off chance that a backup system might be needed. 
Thus my dilemma.

I've seen a few good ideas that others have used that help improve the
water in the cockpit problem.  One is filling unnecessary cockpit spaces
with closed cell foam (sprayed in), as the foam increases, the space
available for excess water decreases leaving less to pump out.  This, of
course, can be taken to extremes which could cause a potentially
dangerous exit situation.  Sea socks can help reduce the amount of water
in the cockpit area - though I've never seen anyone in a hard shell use
one -- I think that I'd have one if I paddled a hard shell that didn't
have bulkheads.  Sponsons, never mind... let's not go there.  Other
ideas???


Foot pump pros:

	1) A hands free method to get water out of the 
	   cockpit - use of a hand pump without assistance from other
	   paddlers will be a difficult prospect - a paddle float 
	   outrigger might help with solo hand pumping under some
	   conditions.  Other conditions might require maneuvering
	   while pumping.

	2) Provides an alternative system to clearing water out of 
	   cockpit (given that one carries a hand pump too)

	3) Allows easy removal of occasional water taken on during 
	   a trip or during practice sessions

Foot pump cons:

	1) The pump adds extra weight (to my already heavy NordKapp)
 
	2) Foot pumps are typically low volume and are not very 
	   efficient when pumping out a full
	   cockpit - it takes a lot longer than a hand pump

	3) Lots of extra parts to fail (pump, hoses, strum box, etc.)
	   I've checked out several boats with foot pumps,
	   nearly every one had a broken component, perhaps this is 
	   due to improper maintenance...? 

	4) Extra hole in the deck - let's face it, we all think twice
	   before drilling any new holes. A hole big enough for a 
	   pump outlet provides an opportunity for water to enter

	5) Questionable usefulness under severe conditions - can one
	   effectively pump while handling difficult seas - I've asked
	   a few with foot pumps to demonstrate pumping out a full 
	   cockpit.  In calm seas, it takes quite an effort and in  
	   one case caused foot cramps for the person. In difficult 
	   conditions, it's nice to have your feet locked in to 
	   allow for maneuvering.

	6) Still need to carry a hand pump for backup?

	7) Can't be shared with other boats unless the the pump
	   has some sort of extension hose that can be placed in
	   the other cockpit.


This is my collective knowledge and opinions to date on this topic, feel
free to criticize, flame, counter, clarify, etc. - I wouldn't mind
hearing opposing thoughts from those of you who have greater experience
in dealing with problems getting recovered after a wet exit under
challenging circumstances.

Thanks,
        Greg

-
Greg Hollingsworth 

EMAIL: gregh_at_abs.net   PHONE: 240-228-6065 WWW: abs.net/~gregh/kayaking
LIVES: Sykesville, Maryland   WORKS:  Johns Hopkins/Applied Physics Lab
PADDLES: Red Nordkapp usually on Chesapeake tributaries
-
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