Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge - View Single Post

Aaron · 04-27-2010, 07:19 PM

Hello,

my first post on this site. I've been lurking for years, just signed up a few weeks back and decided to post on this subject as this is a project that I have in the works right now...

A few things to note about emergencies...First, they are often unexpected and incredibly fast. This is pretty obvious but seems to be forgotten with a few things that I've read. I think a bilge pump on a kayak is a great idea. I think that it is a MANDATORY accessory for anyone that is using a drop-in bait tank, a kayatank, or any thru-hull type pump. The real and obvious risk that you run with using these things is that they can be leaking and you wouldn't even know it. I've been out with 2 separate people now that came dangerously close to sinking their kayak due to a leaking bladder that they had no idea was leaking. That being said, switches, plugs in the outlet, etc. etc. are all means of crippling your safety device.

The automatic bilge pumps that they have now are GOOD. These are not your old "connect your bilge to a separate float so that your system is the size of a small army" style pumps. They are compact. They turn on only when there are a few inches of water in the boat. They have an internal check valve. And they even come apart for easy cleaning. Water starts to fill the boat and you don't know about it, the pump turns on, you'll hear it, water gets pumped out AND you can investigate. I don't know why you would go any other route.

By adding a manual switch into that system, you are adding a significant weak point. Switches have consistently been the weak point in the electronics of my system. You could go through a wave on your way out, short your switch and you wouldn't even know it until trouble showed up. A manual switch also requires you to catch the leak "before its too late". The kayaks that I've seen nearly sink had water in them almost to the deck before the operators realized there was a problem. If the base of your switch or even just the leads to your switch are under water, you'll be lucky if they work.

And plugging the water outlet is a bad idea. As previously stated, be certain to run a generous amount of hose above your outlet prior to running it down to the bilge and the amount of water coming into the hull from the outlet will be minimal. Plugging the outlet requires you to remember to UNplug the outlet with things "hit the fan". And when things hit the fan, its amazing what you will forget.

I just recently redid my x-factor and my setup is like this...I run a thru-hull (tsunami) pump to the standard x-factor drop-in bait tank that sits behind the seat. The bait tank pump, as well as my fishfinder are run to a pelican waterproof battery case that houses a12v 18amh battery. Both are connected to the battery box via a 4 pin connector and each are connected to their own separate switches and separate fuses. I run my automatic bilge on a separate set of wires to a separate sealed 2 pin connector that sits far above the waterline where the automatic bilge pump kicks in. Since the bilge is automatic, no switch is required. The only break in the direct connection to the battery is the fuse, which, like the other fuses, is sealed in an inline waterproof container AND is in the waterproof pelican battery box. And just in case, I carry a hand bilge strapped to the inside of the lid of my front hatch. And if all of that fails, Neptune wanted my kayak...BAD...but I still have my life jacket, a whistle, a waterproof vhf, a waterproof gps, and a prayer.

I was planning on posting up a few pics of my yak this weekend and perhaps they'd give someone some ideas to improve on what I have. I won't pretend that my setup is the only answer. But, everyone thinks their set-up is the "right" one, and I'm no exception. Its part of why we rig our kayaks. Its fun to think this stuff thru.

I've seen some great things on this site and you guys have been so much more helpful than my lurking would suggest. This site has been my guilty "go-to click" while I've been in grad school and your posts and reports have helped me through many a dreary day of little pay and little time which translates to limited opportunities to take the yak out. So a blanket thanks for all the help and for the opportunities to do a bit of vicarious living through all of you. I'll do my best to participate more and "give a bit back"! Thanks one last time.

04-27-2010, 07:19 PM	#6
Aaron Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 175	Hello, my first post on this site. I've been lurking for years, just signed up a few weeks back and decided to post on this subject as this is a project that I have in the works right now... A few things to note about emergencies...First, they are often unexpected and incredibly fast. This is pretty obvious but seems to be forgotten with a few things that I've read. I think a bilge pump on a kayak is a great idea. I think that it is a MANDATORY accessory for anyone that is using a drop-in bait tank, a kayatank, or any thru-hull type pump. The real and obvious risk that you run with using these things is that they can be leaking and you wouldn't even know it. I've been out with 2 separate people now that came dangerously close to sinking their kayak due to a leaking bladder that they had no idea was leaking. That being said, switches, plugs in the outlet, etc. etc. are all means of crippling your safety device. The automatic bilge pumps that they have now are GOOD. These are not your old "connect your bilge to a separate float so that your system is the size of a small army" style pumps. They are compact. They turn on only when there are a few inches of water in the boat. They have an internal check valve. And they even come apart for easy cleaning. Water starts to fill the boat and you don't know about it, the pump turns on, you'll hear it, water gets pumped out AND you can investigate. I don't know why you would go any other route. By adding a manual switch into that system, you are adding a significant weak point. Switches have consistently been the weak point in the electronics of my system. You could go through a wave on your way out, short your switch and you wouldn't even know it until trouble showed up. A manual switch also requires you to catch the leak "before its too late". The kayaks that I've seen nearly sink had water in them almost to the deck before the operators realized there was a problem. If the base of your switch or even just the leads to your switch are under water, you'll be lucky if they work. And plugging the water outlet is a bad idea. As previously stated, be certain to run a generous amount of hose above your outlet prior to running it down to the bilge and the amount of water coming into the hull from the outlet will be minimal. Plugging the outlet requires you to remember to UNplug the outlet with things "hit the fan". And when things hit the fan, its amazing what you will forget. I just recently redid my x-factor and my setup is like this...I run a thru-hull (tsunami) pump to the standard x-factor drop-in bait tank that sits behind the seat. The bait tank pump, as well as my fishfinder are run to a pelican waterproof battery case that houses a12v 18amh battery. Both are connected to the battery box via a 4 pin connector and each are connected to their own separate switches and separate fuses. I run my automatic bilge on a separate set of wires to a separate sealed 2 pin connector that sits far above the waterline where the automatic bilge pump kicks in. Since the bilge is automatic, no switch is required. The only break in the direct connection to the battery is the fuse, which, like the other fuses, is sealed in an inline waterproof container AND is in the waterproof pelican battery box. And just in case, I carry a hand bilge strapped to the inside of the lid of my front hatch. And if all of that fails, Neptune wanted my kayak...BAD...but I still have my life jacket, a whistle, a waterproof vhf, a waterproof gps, and a prayer. I was planning on posting up a few pics of my yak this weekend and perhaps they'd give someone some ideas to improve on what I have. I won't pretend that my setup is the only answer. But, everyone thinks their set-up is the "right" one, and I'm no exception. Its part of why we rig our kayaks. Its fun to think this stuff thru. I've seen some great things on this site and you guys have been so much more helpful than my lurking would suggest. This site has been my guilty "go-to click" while I've been in grad school and your posts and reports have helped me through many a dreary day of little pay and little time which translates to limited opportunities to take the yak out. So a blanket thanks for all the help and for the opportunities to do a bit of vicarious living through all of you. I'll do my best to participate more and "give a bit back"! Thanks one last time.