[Paddlewise] Current Info on Electric or Foot Pumps?

Clyde's recent test of the hand pump carried by myself and 90% of paddlers I 
see:
> Well, I could pump water.  However, my right (pump) hand was hitting the
>  bottom of the PFD and would have been pretty raw in short order.  Secondly,
>  in that awkward position I couldn't keep control or put any weight on the
>  paddle float so I would have been swimming again in any kind of lumpy 
water.

Sea conditions severe enough to capsize an experienced paddler will require 
full use of the paddle to stay upright after the paddler re-enters.  
Companions can help brace while the capsizee pumps by hand, but this can be 
hazardous to body parts and gear as the boats crash together and pull apart 
in the swell, and if wind or current is pushing toward a hazard, the whole 
group could get into worse trouble.  Of course, solo paddlers don't even have 
this option.  So, what's the latest word on electric or foot-operated pumps?  

I use a small boat for multi-day trips, often pack dry bags into the cockpit, 
and I'm hesitant to give over any cockpit space.  But it seems like the best 
location for the pump would be between or beyond the feet, with the outlet 
port on the front deck, within easy reach to open/close the outlet cover.  
Short outlet and inlet hoses would probably be good, to speed pump action by 
reducing friction between water and hose.  Is there any reason to run the 
outlet hose to a port  behind the cockpit rim? 

Does anyone have a set-up which they've used awhile and:
1) Easily available for purchase
2) Can be installed by a non-engineer
3) Won't take up a large amount of space
4) Reasonable price (under $50)

And what about the deck port, with a cover?  Is there a kit which has all the 
needed components, designed to work together?  

Does anyone have experience with both electric and foot-operated pumps?  I 
have the impression that electric would be the way to go:  less expensive, 
lighter, more compact, does not require a complicated, beefy attachment to 
the hull.  Allows full use of the feet, for bracing or operating rudder 
pedals.  Probably slower to empty the cockpit, but since even a fully-swamped 
kayak can be braced upright and paddled forward, this seems acceptable.  I 
think I'd rather keep my feet on the pegs and get my boat moving toward 
safety, even if it took, say, 20 minutes to empty the cockpit vs. 5 minutes 
with a foot pump.  

(Hand pumps are so light, compact and inexpensive (plus we all own them!) 
that it would be sensible to carry one as a back-up).

Thanks in advance for information on your experiences.


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