Don't buy this bilge pump

I just use mine to pump water in then back out at the end of the day to flush the fish slime and blood out.

-Brian G

In some circumstances you're better off swimming your yak in

I am trying to picture the scenario where it would be necessary to pump water (by hand) from the inside of your SOT kayak hull.

My perception is it's generally for those just-in-case, yet very real possibilities on a SOT. If for whatever reason you do take on a lot of water (let's say, a wave hits you & a hatch wasn't sealed) and you're not right near shore, it would be easier to pump that water out than bailing it another way or paddling with it full of water. Pumps get more active use on sit-insides.

Oh, btw, I have one of these flawed pumps - I guess I oughta test it...

Oh, I know SOTs can take on water. It's happened to 2 people we know. What I was trying to say is that I couldn't envision how I would effectively bail water from inside the hull, if there was only a bow hatch.  I guess I'd just try to climb out the bow and angle the pump back towards the mid-center and start pumping....but that seems akward on open water, with waves spraying into the hatch etc.  Maybe just point it towards shore and bust ass before taking on more water.

I am trying to picture the scenario where it would be necessary to pump water (by hand) from the inside of your SOT kayak hull.

OK, remember this hull?  This was the outback that i used for Elk (in 2005?).  I didn't end up patching the cutout at the seat area, instead, used it as a free opening, just flapped the seat over it.  Good thing it was open too.  During Elk that year, my boat was taking on water like crazy, through the rudder lines and over the bow and stern hatches.  Also turns out I had a fissure in the seam near the mirage drivewell (prolly where most of the h20 came in.)  i could hear more and more water slosh around in the hull.  Every so often I would stick the bilge pump between my legs, through the center cut, and apply an urging force to the plunger - up and down, up and down, vigorously pumping that salt water up and over the gunwales.  i'm sure it looked, um, pretty stupid to say the least.

when I finally landed, there was so much water in my boat.  Greg 6MHZ helped me drain it and we poured out well over a gallon of water, it was just ridiculous.  anyway, glad i had a bilge, but wish it was a better one.

so yeah, they do come in handy when your boat unexpectedly takes on water and you've got a big ass hole right under your crotch.

See the small hatch in front of the cup holder?  More yaks should have these.

See the small hatch in front of the cup holder?  More yaks should have these.

FYI All Hobie MD versions have hatches there.

Z