Kayak Bilge Pump - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Pinhead · 01-04-2022, 10:07 AM

Happy New Year!

Curious to know how many have a battery operated auto bilge pump installed on their kayaks ???

I'm looking into this as an additional safety measure and am looking for recommendations on brand and features. I currently have a Hobie PA14 and a manual hand bilge pump. I know that it's effective, but is limited by my strength and physical ability.

Appreciate any advice and feedback.

Kenny

JohnMckroidJr · 01-04-2022, 03:19 PM

Happy New Year Kenny, I once flipped in the PA14 without the front liner in the bow hatch. Due to the extensive gear on the yak, By the time I had the kayak upright, the water had flooded up to the middle hatch. With the bow submerged, the kayak was too unstable to get upon, and pumping from the middle hatch was futile as waves kept washing more water in faster than I could pump it out. If I had an electric pump, it would have saved my azz. After the incident for a couple of years, I installed a Tsunami bilge pump rigged in the bow and used one of the openings designed for the electrical wires as the discharge exit. Had I kept the front liner in the bow, the excessive flooding never would have happened. When I upgraded to a newer PA, I did not bother to put in the electronic bilge, but since then would never consider removing the bow liner or internal floatation to increase interior storage.

Pinhead · 01-04-2022, 04:28 PM

Note-to-Self - Never use PA without front liner....Got it! Yikes, that sounded like a really close call. Everytime I hear a story, it makes me more determined to install one, just-in-case. I'm definitely going to install the bilge pump, hooked-up with an auto float and a manual back-up switch. I have both of those wiring ports used for my fishfinder, so I'll need to drill a discharge exit elsewhere. Thanks for the info for sure and glad you are still with us thru that ordeal. Thanks!

grey zone · 01-05-2022, 07:28 PM

What happened to John is unforeseeable and an electric pump might have saved the day unless battery contacts were under water. A handheld pump or even a large sponge can be a lifesaver. Every kayaker should always open their hatches at regular intervals to see what is happening below. If you think your craft is invincible you are an accident waiting to happen.

LEEZO · 01-05-2022, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grey zone

What happened to John is unforeseeable and an electric pump might have saved the day unless battery contacts were under water. A handheld pump or even a large sponge can be a lifesaver. Every kayaker should always open their hatches at regular intervals to see what is happening below. If you think your craft is invincible you are an accident waiting to happen.

What he is saying

JohnMckroidJr · 01-05-2022, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grey zone

What happened to John is unforeseeable and an electric pump might have saved the day unless battery contacts were under water. A handheld pump or even a large sponge can be a lifesaver. Every kayaker should always open their hatches at regular intervals to see what is happening below. If you think your craft is invincible you are an accident waiting to happen.

Thankfully, my battery was in a water-tight container that did not leak, because of that, my fishfinder kept working and showed that the wind and drift were setting me back towards shore and not out to sea. An electronic bilge pump would have saved the day.

Definitely, worthwhile to check inside your kayak periodically to make sure everything remains dry. Especially right after a big surf launch, if the kayak feels sluggish, or anytime one experiences multiple waves over the kayak -- the front or back hatch may have leaks. I use a big sponge for small amounts of water, but a hand pump is best for larger volumes -- also handy for priming live wells.

grey zone · 01-06-2022, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEEZO

What he is saying

Thanks LEEZO for bring my bad reply back to my review, I should have paid more attention to Pinhead's question.

Back to the question about using an automatic bilge pump. If you roll your kayak and flood it, having an automatic pump might be great for removing the water inside if you can roll it upright. As John mentioned his bow flooded so if the pump is in the wrong place, it might not help at all. All my bilge pumps have been made by "rule" but if you read the 500 gph product overview it takes 2" of water to activate the sensor. Thats a lot of water to have inside a kayak before the pump turns on. Many things to consider but a great question to bring out safety ideas from others in the community.

Gflann · 01-09-2022, 11:29 AM

I carry this in my drybag every trip with the battery installed. The night prior I test run it for a few seconds to ensure it still works.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/trac-...6?recordNum=37

dorado123 · 01-15-2022, 08:31 AM

I carry extra pump and battery in my outback hatch liner sometime i had to deal with dead battery on my live well and incase water inside of my kayak

01-04-2022, 10:07 AM	#1
Pinhead We all Stink Sometimes! Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 171	Kayak Bilge Pump Happy New Year! Curious to know how many have a battery operated auto bilge pump installed on their kayaks ??? I'm looking into this as an additional safety measure and am looking for recommendations on brand and features. I currently have a Hobie PA14 and a manual hand bilge pump. I know that it's effective, but is limited by my strength and physical ability. Appreciate any advice and feedback. Kenny

01-09-2022, 11:29 AM	#8
Gflann Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: San Diego Posts: 59	I carry this in my drybag every trip with the battery installed. The night prior I test run it for a few seconds to ensure it still works. https://www.westmarine.com/buy/trac-...6?recordNum=37 __________________ Vibe Shearwater 125 (Tsunami Red)

01-04-2022, 03:19 PM	#2
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,932	Happy New Year Kenny, I once flipped in the PA14 without the front liner in the bow hatch. Due to the extensive gear on the yak, By the time I had the kayak upright, the water had flooded up to the middle hatch. With the bow submerged, the kayak was too unstable to get upon, and pumping from the middle hatch was futile as waves kept washing more water in faster than I could pump it out. If I had an electric pump, it would have saved my azz. After the incident for a couple of years, I installed a Tsunami bilge pump rigged in the bow and used one of the openings designed for the electrical wires as the discharge exit. Had I kept the front liner in the bow, the excessive flooding never would have happened. When I upgraded to a newer PA, I did not bother to put in the electronic bilge, but since then would never consider removing the bow liner or internal floatation to increase interior storage.

01-04-2022, 04:28 PM	#3
Pinhead We all Stink Sometimes! Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 171	Note-to-Self - Never use PA without front liner....Got it! Yikes, that sounded like a really close call. Everytime I hear a story, it makes me more determined to install one, just-in-case. I'm definitely going to install the bilge pump, hooked-up with an auto float and a manual back-up switch. I have both of those wiring ports used for my fishfinder, so I'll need to drill a discharge exit elsewhere. Thanks for the info for sure and glad you are still with us thru that ordeal. Thanks!

01-05-2022, 07:28 PM	#4
grey zone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: san diego Posts: 158	What happened to John is unforeseeable and an electric pump might have saved the day unless battery contacts were under water. A handheld pump or even a large sponge can be a lifesaver. Every kayaker should always open their hatches at regular intervals to see what is happening below. If you think your craft is invincible you are an accident waiting to happen.