Bilge Pump location

After reading SinCoast post about the importance of a bilge pump I am sharing how I store mine. 
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.

I have seen West Marine's pump and think its a better design and only costs $20.  I've have thinking of changing for years but its one of those things I've been putting off. 

I made sure my pump is secured in place so I can get to it when I need it and not bouncing around inside the hull during an emergency.  I just use a piece of cord and $1 carabener from Home Depot to hold it place.  I can unclip and be ready in a few seconds.
I also bought a set of plastic clips from West Marine that I've been thinking of gooping in place somewhere inside. But never got around doing.
First picture if on my Revo and next is on my T13.  Both set ups have worked for me for years and but never had to really use them. 
I am really curious you other guys store your pumps.

Great idea Mel. i haven't got a bilge pump yet  I was wondering how to set mine up after reading Pats post Thanks for the Idea man.

I think on the OUTSIDE of the kayak is the best placement. If you have to open a hatch to get it you risk swamping the goat even more.

Those clips look like they would hold your pump outside nicely. Maybe put a bungee over the clip to keep it secure in case of rollover or getting caught on something else.

I think on the OUTSIDE of the kayak is the best placement. If you have to open a hatch to get it you risk swamping the goat even more.

Do you not have to open the hatch to pump the water out anyway? I have thought of trying to find a way to place mine so you can pump it from the outside but it be on the outside. I figured out a way but not sure if it would be practical.

I think on the OUTSIDE of the kayak is the best placement. If you have to open a hatch to get it you risk swamping the goat even more.

Do you not have to open the hatch to pump the water out anyway?

Yeah, at least on my T15 I would have to open the rod pod hatch to pump and that is right where my pump is lashed....

 

Sincerely,

Jim

West Marine pump tucked under bungee on front hatch with caribiner clipped onto handle and bungee.  Slid forward and unclip = 5 to 10 seconds.  I also put a short piece of pool noddle onto pump (6") just in case .

  If you store it inside, just make sure you place it so you don't have to scoot further forward to retrieve the pump than you'd be in to use it pumping the water out of of the opening.  At the point you need it, your kayak will be pretty unstable because of the water inside. 
   Mine stores nicely on the back of my seat back, but to use it I either have to open the 6" hatch between my legs which would be below water level with the extra weight of the water inside, OR scoot forward to open the front hatch to pump, which risks capsizing the yak that doesn't have it's normal stability, or taking a wave over the bow and into the hole.   But by having a pump, you at least have something, risky perhaps, that you can do to possibly save yourself while you're sinking. 

After my recent swamping at HMB, I went out and bought a pump, and a 2 foot section of bungee.  I located mine on the outside starboard rear section.  I also went so far as to take a Sharpie and write on the bottom of the hull as to where the pump, and handles are, a reminder to use my whistle and air horn. Dumb I know, but some times a simple reminder can put stuff in perspective.

I think on the OUTSIDE of the kayak is the best placement. If you have to open a hatch to get it you risk swamping the goat even more.

Do you not have to open the hatch to pump the water out anyway?

Yeah, at least on my T15 I would have to open the rod pod hatch to pump and that is right where my pump is lashed....

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I agree Jim. On your kayak that makes sense. On some you need to scoot to a forward hatch witch will lead to possibly taking on more water by shifting weight forward. I have a hatch between my legs and one that sits higher behind my seat. My preferred hatch for pumping is the higher one. I can't get my pump in my rear hatch for storage, but for pumping it will work. I guess very kayak is different and needs to be addressed accordingly. I partially retract my outside statement.

I think on the OUTSIDE of the kayak is the best placement. If you have to open a hatch to get it you risk swamping the goat even more.

Heaven knows we don't want to swamp the goat!  - Sorry Rob, couldn't resist . . . I keep mine bungeed to the seat back under the GWKC bag or to the front hatch strap on the XF.

Mine is stored in the hull, on a short leash. I get to it by reaching into the small, behind-the-seat hatch on my tarpon. I used to bungie it to my plano box so the pump would be above deck, but it just kept getting in the way so now it lives with the throw bag and spare paddle.

I have a hatch between my legs and one that sits higher behind my seat. My preferred hatch for pumping is the higher one. I can't get my pump in my rear hatch for storage, but for pumping it will work.

Oh Rob, this just sounds wrong on so many levels.       

Somebody outta design one that can be mounted permanently onto a hatch, or even the hull itself= just pull the handle like pumping water from a well.

I agree that opening a hatch on the open ocean, while swamped and floundering...  There's gotta be a better way for us.

There's gotta be a better way for us.

here's an idea..

Buy a drain plug kit (pic below) and install it on the center deck close to you seat or in between your thigh area when sitting down. Then modify the bilge pump to where you can get a smaller tube that will fit into the drain plug to pump the water out.

....this what sit-inside-kayakers have built into their skirt. This way, when they can self rescue / wet exit, they can put the skirt back on and then be able to pump the water out and not worry about water going over their deck and swamping them again.


http://www.gearbuyer.com/products/seals-bilge_pump.html