Good morning, I am considering the installation of a foot pump in my Capella. Any pros or cons on the Henderson foot pump or foot pumps in general? Regards, Jim Fitzgerald *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> From: Jim[SMTP:jfitz_at_rlc.net] > > I am considering the installation of a foot pump in my Capella. > > Any pros or cons on the Henderson foot pump or foot pumps in general? > Hi Jim - Initially I was going to install a foot pump until I heard too many people talk about how long it took to empty the cockpit, about how their calves cramped or got tired, about how much leg effort it required . . . then I was able to sit in a boat that had one so I could try it. Definately not for me. Instead I installed electric pumps in my boats (two different pumps in two kayaks). Each has been in the boats for over a year and I have NO complaints. Actually I love them and can't recommend them enough. Check the Paddlewise archives for past discussions on this topic. Just about every make/model has been installed in someone's boat, and most gave details about how they installed it. Go Electric! Debbie Reeves Sandy Hook, NJ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"I am considering the installation of a foot pump in my Capella. Any pros or cons on the Henderson foot pump or foot pumps in general? Regards, Jim Fitzgerald" Jim: I have installed a modified Chimp hand pump as a foot pump. The red plastic handle was removed, a stainless spring fitted internally, and the pump mounted. So far, 15 months of one paddle per week, more or less, and no problems. However, some here like to install the cheaper, ($40 against $100), Taiwanese hand bilge pumps as foot pumps. The handle is cut down, but retained, and a bungy cord fitted to it and the underside of the front deck. Said to be reliable, parts readily available, and no problem of the internal spring dislodging and/or puncturing the diaphragm. I did go to the trouble of finding a spring specialist who was prepared to make a suitable spring if necessary, but he had a suitable one without that trouble. Regards, Peter Treby. Melbourne, Australia. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'll second Debbie's statements, although, if you do check the PaddleWise archives, you'll probably see that I've been a past proponent of foot pumps over handheld pumps which, in conditions where they're really needed, are essentially useless. And I'm in the slow process of going electric, myself, for the reasons Debbie notes. They're not fast, even in the foam-filled cockpits of my low volume boats, and they can cause a lot of cramping, fatigue and discomfort. (The Aussies make the best argument for battery operated pumps on the list.) That said, I still have Henderson footpumps in the Pintail and the North Bay, and they're basically foolproof. Will make fine backups to electrics --- and I'd never paddle without a good backup for an electrical device in a kayak. Downside, Henderson foot pumps are hard to find and are very expensive, especially if purchased in North America and from kayak retailers; the markup to get them here is horrendous. (A good boat supply store can afford to sell them for betweeen $80 and $110, but a kayak-oriented catalog house will charge well over double that.) An option --- Bosworth Guzzlers. Good pumps, very tight springs (according to users), made in the US and relatively easy to source and obtain parts, and lots cheaper. (From memory, about $50.) They're larger than Hendersons and probably a little heavier, but, if you've got the real estate in the cockpit, they'd be a good option. But check the writeups, and discount my posts a little --- or a lot. I'm going from carbon to gel cell. Jack Martin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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