Bilge pump set-up for a Kayak - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

alanw · 06-10-2016, 02:43 PM

Auto bilge is a good idea, just function check it before each trip and still bring a manual pump incase the auto fails. The problem is if it does fail when needed, by time you realize there's a problem it may be too late.

A simple high water alarm at the bottom of your hull would alert you to a situation long before it becomes an emergency and give you time to correct the problem. I think I'd prefer that instead of the auto bilge and associated wiring and tubing in my hull.

Starsky · 06-10-2016, 02:47 PM

I think I read in that story that the electric bilge pump failed to work when he needed it most. Nothing wrong with a manual pump and making sure all hatches are properly closed.

Baja_Traveler · 06-10-2016, 03:00 PM

In a PA 12 or 14 it's totally simple - put in a Whale manual pump. You can literally pump out the entire volume of the hull in nothing flat with one of these. Mine doubles as my bait tank pump - I just give it a few pumps every few minutes and the bait stays happy.

06-10-2016, 02:43 PM	#1
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	Auto bilge is a good idea, just function check it before each trip and still bring a manual pump incase the auto fails. The problem is if it does fail when needed, by time you realize there's a problem it may be too late. A simple high water alarm at the bottom of your hull would alert you to a situation long before it becomes an emergency and give you time to correct the problem. I think I'd prefer that instead of the auto bilge and associated wiring and tubing in my hull. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

06-10-2016, 02:47 PM	#2
Starsky Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Lancaster Posts: 187	I think I read in that story that the electric bilge pump failed to work when he needed it most. Nothing wrong with a manual pump and making sure all hatches are properly closed. __________________ Sal

06-10-2016, 03:00 PM	#3
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	In a PA 12 or 14 it's totally simple - put in a Whale manual pump. You can literally pump out the entire volume of the hull in nothing flat with one of these. Mine doubles as my bait tank pump - I just give it a few pumps every few minutes and the bait stays happy.