Where do you like to store you bilge pump on your kayak?

Well this sure to be a point of varying opinions. Pros and Con's of where you store your bilge pump. Do you carry it inside your hatch so that in order to access it you have to open a hatch that may create more of a dangerous situation by allowing more water to enter your kayak, especially if you have to shimmy towards the bow and the yak has already taken on water? Do you prefer to mount it outside somewhere on the deck or mounted to a crate or rail?

For kayaks with a center hatch (Trident, Cuda, Kraken etc) I like lashing the handle of the pump with a length of bungee to one of the scupper columns, and then tucking it into the space between the columns and the side of the hull.

This location keeps it out of your way, but always within reach.

Even if it slides forward/back you can pull it back with the bungee.

You need to open that center hatch to pump water out so to me it is the best place for it, and I leave it in there all the time so no risk of forgetting to bring it...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

In my milk crate behind my seat.

   Tied with bungie cord and slip knots sideways across near the top of the rod holders attached to my Flambeau tackle box, also covered with some heavy nylon cloth to protect it from the sun. I've actually had to use it when a small leak over hours quarter-filled the yak.  Your survey reminds me to test the pump this week. It weighs almost nothing, by the way.
   But I can see the logic of storing it inside a center hatch on a leash - going to have to open that hatch to see if I'm taking on water and to bail anyway. But my center hatch is only 6-8" dia, so I don't think I could get it in there, or quickly get it out. 
  Definitely not inside the forward hatch, sliding forward to open it, which is fairly easy when no water inside and reasonable weather/wave conditions , would be tricky.

My Tarpon has a little round hatch between the tankwell and the seatback, so I have my pump in there, secured similarly to BigJim's method. The hatch is at the highest point of the hull, so that's nice.

I put a little clip (operable with one hand) on a short leash that leads to the pump. I can reach behind me into the hatch, and find the pump by following the leash.

I've only had to use it twice but it was no trouble either time.

Wherever a kayaker stores their bilgepump, practice to access can reveal any issues with storage choice.

i store the bilge pump with bungie inside the hull near the center hatch like big jim mentioned. it stays in there all the time.  i wouldnt open the hatch on hairy conditions, paddle to a more comfortable area, then open up grab the pump and do what its made for.

seen some guys just throw it on deck or in the tank well, and ive also seen some floating around maybe it fell off.  it isnt any good if you can easily lose it otw. and especially if the boat flips, that a situation where a pump may be needed after self rescue.

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I used to store mine inside my center hatch in my Trident much like Jim describes, but now that I have my Revo I've gone to storing outside between my crate and back of the seat. I have seen them mounted inside the bow hatch and like that, just not sure how it would be to access if I was in the water-guess I should try

Inside the front hatch. It's higher than the center hatch on my Revo and the pump is not only easier to access and remove it's easier to use there too.

I keep it in the hatch in front of my seat. I’ll have to open that hatch to be able to pump out the water anyways.

In my milk crate behind my seat.

+1

I've got mine secured to the underside of my bow hatch. Just have to pop the hatch and its right there.

I've got mine secured to the underside of my bow hatch. Just have to pop the hatch and its right there.

Great idea! How do you secure it?

Also keep my pump behind me in the milk crate. Easy to reach.

I've got mine secured to the underside of my bow hatch. Just have to pop the hatch and its right there.

Great idea! How do you secure it?

I have 4 pad eyes gooped to the underside of the hatch with bungee strung between them. Been going strong for many years on that boat. I need to devise a similar plan on my latest kayak.
Thanks for bringing this topic to light again Mike. Very important piece of equipment when it's needed.

I've got mine secured to the underside of my bow hatch. Just have to pop the hatch and its right there.

Great idea! How do you secure it?

I have 4 pad eyes gooped to the underside of the hatch with bungee strung between them. Been going strong for many years on that boat. I need to devise a similar plan on my latest kayak.
Thanks for bringing this topic to light again Mike. Very important piece of equipment when it's needed.
Thanks Chad, I'll have to be sure and check out your rigging next time we cross paths.