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From: Robert Woodard <woodardr_at_tidalwave.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Foot pumps
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1999 15:26:04 -0500
Hi all,

Looking for someone who has put a foot pump in a fiberglass boat with
plastic bulkheads. I'm interested in putting a foot pump in my Gulfstream,
but worried the bulkheads won't be able to take the strain. Ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Woody


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From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_home.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Foot pumps
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1999 18:13:02 -0500
Robert Woodard wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Looking for someone who has put a foot pump in a fiberglass boat with
> plastic bulkheads. I'm interested in putting a foot pump in my Gulfstream,
> but worried the bulkheads won't be able to take the strain. Ideas?

Try mounting a brace across the bulkhead inside the cockpit and
attach the pump to it.  Two lengths of hardwood about one inch square
in section would probably do it (a tad larger if you're worried - being
Canadian, I'd recycle a hockey stick).  Epoxy or spar varnish the wood
to seal the surface, then mount it with some kind of bracket, bolted
through the hull on either side above the water line.  (ya get to drill
through the hull !  ha ha haaa!!)  I'm not sure where the foot peg rails are
in the Gulfstream, or whether your legs are short enough to allow, but you
might be able to attach the cross pieces to the ends of the rails, saving
you the drilling.

If the bulkhead is the same material as in the Solstice kayaks (ABS),
it's probably strong enough, but it'll be quite flexible.  If you don't think
their strong - try to remove one!  If you pump a lot though, the sealant
holding the bulkhead in position might eventually start to leak.

Mike

PS - I've never done this, but thought about installing a foot pump and
this is how I'd do it if I did.

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From: Chuck Holst <CHUCK_at_multitech.com>
subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Foot pumps
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1999 09:14:09 -0600
>>
> Hi all,
>
> Looking for someone who has put a foot pump in a fiberglass boat with
> plastic bulkheads. I'm interested in putting a foot pump in my Gulfstream,
> but worried the bulkheads won't be able to take the strain. Ideas?

Try mounting a brace across the bulkhead inside the cockpit and
attach the pump to it.  Two lengths of hardwood about one inch square
in section would probably do it (a tad larger if you're worried - being
Canadian, I'd recycle a hockey stick).  
>>

The foot pump on my wife's kayak is mounted on a one-inch diameter wooden
rod fastened to the hull by a large screw in each end. (The foot pump sold
by Great River Outfitters comes with curved brackets for mounting the pump
on such a rod.) If you don't want to put a couple of screws through the
hull, you could try fiberglassing the rod in place.

Chuck Holst
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