I’ve searched the archive and can’t find a recent post on this topic …
I’ve never used my bilge pump except during rescue practices but it’s the same pump I bought when I first started kayaking (blue and yellow Seattle Sports). It does the job reasonably well but it’s not the easiest to pump, it doesn’t pump a large volume of water with each stroke, and it wears me out pretty quickly (sitting in a boat is not the most effective position for pumping anyway).
I’m wishing for the best bilge pump - easy to pump with large volumes of water per stroke - but realize I will probably have to compromise.
Any suggestions or recommendations?
Beckson Thirsty mate
Scroll down to Kayak pump
http://www.beckson.com/tmpumps.html
this was the standard of the sport but now kayak shops sell Chinese low volume ones with small openings. You can buy direct from Beckson or do a search etc.
for me;
Aquabound Bilge Master, something with a stainless shaft. I haven’t had much luck with composite/plastic style shafts. Sand causes them to seize, then the t-handle gives.
new seattle sports model
– Last Updated: May-22-09 11:36 AM EST –
The 2009 model Seattle Sports Super Deluxe model improves on the one Jay had.
It has an 8 gallon per minute vs 6 gpm. Strong wide aluminum shaft and strong handle.
http://www.seattlesportsco.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=143&idcategory=18
I find that in Ocean situations for me, these hand held units are not great, as require about 10 minutes if using a wet reentry solo recovery and in view of repeated capsizes during emergency situations I have gone to a Whale one hand operated pump on one boat and a Rapidrunner Electric Bilge on the other.
I am in the minority here on this, most east and west coasters don't feel the advantages of these systems are worth it, although in New Zealand there a majority of folks with these systems. So, no accounting for individual taste I expect.
Guzzler
The one operated by my foot. A bit of trouble to install and worth every second!
I wouldn’t trade mine for anything.
it is a Harmony by Perception (not sure if they still even make them), but it has the large discharge, (looks to be about a inch and a half dia.), and discharges on the push pull
It is rated at 6.5 strokes per gallon discharge.
I once posted on here that I could empty my QCC during self rescue practice in just a few minutes and was taken to task for it by a few doubting thomases, but that is all it takes, and hardly no work at all.
I can only assume that you have one of the pumps with just a samll (about 3/4") discharge.
Cheers,
JackL
I’m with endomorphic spawn.
– Last Updated: May-22-09 6:16 PM EST –
for me;
Posted by: fatkid on May-22-09 10:41 AM (EST)
Aquabound Bilge Master, something with a stainless shaft.
http://www.lettmann.de/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/21/products_id/532?osCsid=73a22f
my big feet
great. I wish I didn’t have such big feet. I could not get that one to work without massive calf cramps.
Jack you are right on
Jack, yes, right on. A friend has one, the 2009 Harmony model has 30% more volume.
I don’t recommend a hand held bilge
pump. If you really need one chances are that you will need to keep your hands on the paddle.
Further reading at http://gnarlydognews.blogspot.com/2009/04/shop-electric-bilge-pump-in-kayak.html
beckson
if you get a handheld the best hands down is the beckson. I have owned several and none compare.
Matt
nice instructions, gnarlyd.
unless they’ve gone to a metal shaft
they are still second rate. Aqua-Bounds or Feathercrafts stainless shaft puts 'em to shame, saw a few Becksons returned in the years I sold 'em with broken/dismembered fiber shafts. Thought that was kinda cheap manufacturing if you ask me.
maybe in the world of fiber shafted
pumps… but I’ll take a stainless shafted Aqua-bound or Feathercraft any day over a fiber shafted Beckson. My Feathercraft pump out pumps the Beckson on top of having a superior metal shaft. Beckson looks cheaply made in comparison to the Aquabound or Feathercraft.