Re: [Paddlewise] Current Info on Electric or Foot Pumps?

G'day -

If you can sit tight for a few days I will have fairly complete information posted
on our web site regarding electric pumps and fit kits for them.

As we are in Australia - home of the electric kayak bilge pump, I think this could
be of value (more specifically those Tasmanians set up the first pumps - we just
made it better up here in NSW)     :)

I would have the pics on the site now but my three year old daughter decided to
take a self study course in unloading my film from my camera - and then doing arts
and crafts with the exposed film -  hmmmmmm.

Regards -

Wayne Langmaid
Central Coast Kayak Tours - only a step away from Sydney, Australia
http://www.kayaktours.com

VajraT_at_aol.com wrote:

> 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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