Bob posted: >...Laurie Ford ..."As for electric pumps - in the last 20 years there is only one type that I would recommend, and I have tried out several >others. The RULE 500 (used to be 400) is the only one that never gives any trouble. Others have had he impeller >disintegrate, or the housing develop leaks...." Thanks, I knew that the legendary Tasmanian had said this somewhere, it may also be on the Maatsuyker Canoe Club's website http://www.tassie.net.au/~lford/. This is worth a look. Plenty to say about pumps, sails, rudders and a good rave about paddling philosophy. >I wonder if twoRule 500 pumps connected to two separate batteries and switches would be a solid system, despite the weight? >They would probably be a solid system, but the weight of the batteries in an otherwise empty or near-empty kayak might begin to affect the trim of the boat, with resulting differences in weathercocking and such. In any case, I'm not sure that the 2-minute gain would amount to much advantage. After all, the hands-free activity of the pump allows the paddler to manage the boat defensively while it is emptying, and that's the main thing.> Quite right, one is enough, but if 4 AH batteries are used the weight might be bearable. At the moment I have a heavy 7 AH battery, too heavy in fact, overkill. As I usually carry too much even on a day trip, bivvy bag, excess water, etc., the mass of another Rule 500 and battery would hardly be noticed on one of my bad boat-stuffing days. My paddling partner was amazed yesterday when he suggested a stop and coffee on a sand bar, and I was unable to offer the stove and coffee making equipment! That won't happen again! The thought in having a second electric system was backup against failure, as well as double quick pumping. >When using the electric pump, as the water is pumped out a vacuum is created in the cockpit space causing the spray deck to suck down. I open a gap in the body tube of the spray skirt to relieve this and keep the pump going at full capacity. This wouldn't be possible if both hands are on the paddle working hard. Has anyone tried a small hole in the deck to get over this? The hole would be small enough to only let in a few drips, perhaps like the bulkhead holes described in other posts which relieve pressure variation in bulkhead compartments and stop rubber VCP hatches bulging.> | Has this been a serious problem for you? I'd imagine that a quick "burp", accomplished by partial lifting of an edge of the spray skirt for a second or so, would be sufficient to relieve the vacuum. In most instances, one wouldn't have a full cockpit and still have the spray skirt on. I guess the most likely scenarios for this would be after a re-entry and roll or any other kind of re-entry (assisted or otherwise) in surf, when the paddler would need to replace the spray skirt before pumping out.| Bob V Right again, it's not a serious problem, a burp of the spray skirt does fix it. The pump goes chugging on even with a vacuum to fight, as some air enters somewhere. But it would be good if that wasn't necessary. Last winter here, I had exactly the situation you refer to, a capsize, re-entry and roll in surf which had wiped me out into cold water, leaving me in an unstable flooded cockpit facing another pummelling and capsize. I've thought about the many lessons of that day ever since. They include: 1. A reliable roll is a necessity. 2. A good spray deck is also a necessity, and must be able to be fitted quickly, before the next breaker. 3. A pump system must be hands-free and quick. I haven't yet seen a system which will empty a cockpit to low stable levels in the time it takes for the next breaker to arrive, which would be ideal. Of course, the cockpit volume has to be minimised to help the pump along. Regards, PT. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sun Jan 30 2000 - 22:25:37 PST
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