Kayak bilge pump

[Rockchaser]

I have spent the last several years thinking I didn't have any use for a bilge pump on my sit on top, until last weekend. I mamaged to get a good size hole in my Outback and took on a lot of water in a very short time. When I got home that day I fixed the hole and then sat down and odred a bilge pump on amazon.com. $20.00 and a few days later I have a new pump. I wanted test it out to see how much water it would move so I filled a 5 gallon bucket and was able to empy it in 30 seconds with out any real effort. I think it is well worth it.

I fits right inside my center hatch and takes up no room at all.

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[J.A. Veil]

I planned to fish last spring with a guide in Ft Myers, FL who uses Native Ultimates (open kayaks, something like a canoe) as his customer boats. He installed a battery powered bilge pump on each one. Our trip was cancelled due to high winds and I never got to see how he set up his kayak. That is always an option, but your handheld device seems more practical. An even simpler device is a plastic cup (which can double as a pee container) or a cut off milk jug or juice bottle that serves as a bailer.

[M_Duong60]

Going to add this to the list...

[chex]

Hopefully you'll never have to use it, other than for water fights.

[archeryrob]

Hopefully you'll never have to use it, other than for water fights.

I know, If I had one it would not take 10 minutes before I was next to someone hosing them down.

[Memory Maker]

That's nice .......... should keep you afloat ......... really moves a volume of water.

I bought a used livewell system (bilge pump and hose) for $5 at Tom's fishing flea market as well as a hand pump I already had. I figure the electric pump would be the primary because it will allow me to paddle/pedal/motor to safety in case of a hull breach as long as I have battry powe. I can't imagine how I could pump and paddle at the same time with the wind and tide taking me out to sea.

[Jaspratt]

Wouldn't be a bad idea to add foam to the front and rear of the boat. Not alot to effect the weight but enough to keep it a float.

[ComeOnFish]

Even before I read the thread, the first thing I did was checking the hulls of two kayaks When I came home today because of your last incident.

I will check before I put the kayaks on my truck every time I plan to go fishing.

The first one on the check list is "Check the hull"
joe

[Paddle4fish]

i also carry a big sponge like the ones that you use for washing cars....

[Rockchaser]

Wouldn't be a bad idea to add foam to the front and rear of the boat. Not alot to effect the weight but enough to keep it a float.

Pool noodles are great for this. I have quite a bit of foam in my yak now. With the hull filled to within a few inches of the center hatch cover and all the weight of me a battery an anchor and tackle + rods I was still floating.

Hobies come with a big peice of foam in the hull from the factory, I am not sure if this is for water displacement or not but it helps.

[Grilled]