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

-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Martin <jcmartin43_at_radix.net>
To: PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net <PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net>; Sisler,
Clyde <Clyde.Sisler_at_wang.com>
Date: Tuesday, May 11, 1999 11:48 AM
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Current Info on Electric or Foot Pumps?

Big snip
>But I can't defend hand pumps, either.  I know that they can empty
a flooded kayak quicker than anything else, and have timed it to
make the point clear to myself.  But that's in benign conditions.
An unexpected knock-down is scary, especially when you're out on
your own --- the way you and I both paddle, Clyde --- and you need
to get back in your boat quickly, get the skirt back on to keep the
seas --- now a good deal closer to your cockpit rim than before ---
from adding more destabilizing water to the cockpit, and get the
cockpit emptied out so that you can continue to paddle or seek out
a safe harbor.  A non-manual pump is probably your best bet, and,
in bad conditions, may be your only bet.>

How did you say you got your spraydeck back on in these rough conditions
with a kayak full of this destabilizing water? Do you have a no hands method
of putting on the spraydeck? How about a one hand method? Yeah, if you can
do it with one hand you could skull from your other hand and your shoulder
in these rough conditions while you fasten the spraydeck. Personally, I have
so far been unable to put the sprayskirt on most kayaks with one hand even
in calm water (especially with those which are quite rounded in the front of
the cockpit. If you have a technique for doing this please share it with us,
I'm all ears, er is that eyes. If you can't do it without using both hands
what are you bracing with to keep yourself level while you get the skirt
back on.

>Why do we perpetuate this paddlefloat and hand pump idea?
Dunno. >

Maybe because if you fix the outrigger to the kayak you are stabilized and
can use both hands for all these tasks and as you said the hand pump is the
fastest method (short af a big battery and high capacity electrical pump
that has been well sealed against salt water---but personally I'd still take
a hand pump for that time when the battery goes dead or my legs cramp
working the foot pump. (This is a personal problem I have with foot pumps
but I don't know if others do. I hate Charlie-horses in a kayak more than
just about anything.)
 Discalmer: I sell (both retail and wholesale) hand pumps and was the first
that I know of to use that type of pump for bailing a kayak. Later I sold
them and soon modified the gray and red pumps for kayak use by having them
shortened from 24 to 18" and having the shaft reinforced to stand up to
panic pumping. Traded a new Escape kayak to the retiring company founder
(Frank Beckerer--who I'm sorry to say, died just recently) for the first 200
modified hand pumps back in about 1982 or 1983.

>To me, the minimal self-rescue technique anyone who
paddles open water --- especially solo --- should learn is a paddle-
float assisted re-entry and roll-up.  And my preference would be to
have that as a last ditch backup to a combat roll.  Without these ---
and they're easier to learn than everyone says --- solo open water
stuff isn't smart.>

What's that technique for one handed spraydeck attaching again or do you
reattach your spraydeck after you reenter but before you roll back up? I
like a sea sock to help minimize the free water effect but it can make
pumping a little slower and more difficult with a hand pump. Does anyone
know a way a solo paddler can use an electric or foot pump with a sea sock?

Matt Broze
www.marinerkayaks.com


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