Bilge Pump location

That is a great idea.  That's better than what I was imagining.

I always carry a pump with me in the rear well. Fortunately I have never had to use it on the water. But if I need to use it, I would have to open the large front hatch of my Prowler 13, not something I want to do in all but the calmest conditions.

Since many of us already have a 12V battery on board to power our fish finder, why not hook up an electric bilge pump? Here are a few videos showing them in action.

Since many of us already have a 12V battery on board to power our fish finder, why not hook up an electric bilge pump?

Because batteries die.  Connections fail.

The small hatch with Latex gaskets that Mooch posted looks just the ticket.

Since many of us already have a 12V battery on board to power our fish finder, why not hook up an electric bilge pump?

Because batteries die.  Connections fail.

So all the power boats and sailboat owners are just throwing their money away on electric bilge pumps because their batteries may die or connections may fail? It is a proven technology that has been around for decades.

Anything electrical is unreliable by nature

there are no guarantees

You can probably rig some kind of electric system on a kayak that seems foolproof but more likely will only be "pretty" reliable

...and it was back to good old reliable compasses

I agree, and I'm very glad you're here offering your wisdom, bk. 

Krusty - if I had a "big boat" with a motor on it, or living quarters even, I'd surely have everything electric and only have manual stuff for backup.  But we're IN the water, not just on it.  Anything other than focusing on paddling a platform with basic immersion and safety gear is just fluff, IMO. 

I subscribe to the bluekayak way.

the million dollar question is will it work when you need it

Exactly.  May work perfectly for years, but I wouldn't bet my life on anything electrical when my hull is filled with saltwater.

WE've all read reports where fishfinders have failed.

A 500 GPH electric bilge pump will pump more water faster than you can by hand. It buys you time to paddle your leaking/sinking kayak to shore, something you cannot do while paddling.

I'm with EricB on that one    Anything electrical is unreliable by nature

Anything mechanical is prone to failure. Even a manual bilge pump. From the original post of this thread:

First of all I am not happy with the design of what I have made by Seattle Sports.  The bottom spout seems to be prone to jamming and getting plugged up. The bottom inflow piece is screwed on and cannot be taken apart easily.

This does not stop me from bringing along my manual bilge pump. So if an electrical bilge pump is unreliable, and opening your front hatch to pump out the inside of your kayak with bilge pump is not a a good idea:

Thinking in terms of rough water scenario, a pump isn't any good if you have to open up hatches to use it

Then what options are left?

Krusty - if I had a "big boat" with a motor on it, or living quarters even, I'd surely have everything electric and only have manual stuff for backup.  But we're IN the water, not just on it.  Anything other than focusing on paddling a platform with basic immersion and safety gear is just fluff, IMO. 

So in your opinion, a bilge pump is not considered a safety gear?

the million dollar question is will it work when you need it

Exactly.  May work perfectly for years, but I wouldn't bet my life on anything electrical when my hull is filled with saltwater.

WE've all read reports where fishfinders have failed.

So what has a greater chance of working when you need it: A) a manual bilge pump, or B) an electric bilge pump with a manual bilge pump for backup?

So in your opinion, a bilge pump is not considered a safety gear?

Nope, I've included a manual bilge pump in my basic safety gear for some years now.

I would have to say that I would feel more secure with a manual pump then an electric set up. It may work great and dump lots of water out, but likely when i need it There will be a failure. less moving parts= more reliable. IMO.....

less moving parts= more reliable. IMO.....

Amen 

I think you guys are misconstruing my point. I am not advocating having an electric bilge pump in leau of a manual bilge pump. I am suggesting adding an electric bilge pump in addition to having a manual bilge pump, so that you can drain the water out of your kayak while paddling to shore to save your leaking/sinking kayak.

I always carry a pump and a sponge, both of which are the only things I have from my last touring boat.  I always just stick the pump in the first bungees up front and have never had a problem with hooking it on a shrimp fly or anything.   Luckily I've only used it  in self rescue practice.  The sponge is in the bungee behind my seat and i've used it a million times, just to get small amounts of water and fish crap.   

For what it's worth I have had PBs for a lotta years and never had a Bilge pump fail. I've had 3 of the Seattle sport pumps 1 cracked 1 froze 3rd one works great but I am thing of buying a Scotty as it has a SS Shaft.

Whatever you have just check it everytime before you go out.