Pumping Station

A couple of weeks ago I was talking to Kayaking Bob about the ability to pump out a kayak underway. Despite continued leak tests they occur and sometimes in precarious circumstances such as the trip to Maui in high seas etc.

Bob and I talked about a fitting that you could insert the pump into.

A while back I purchased a cheap ($2-3) ABS sewer fitting and screw plate, but never got around to installing it.
Here are the pics, I hope to have a minor test on the water soon. A 2.25" hole saw is the perfect fit, and the fitting hole is sealed by the foam piece (red) around the pump shaft











I will have to scootup to pump, and I'm unsure if I can still pedal at the same time. The drink holders, particularly the fwd one might be better I think. Particularly if you can make an removable drink extension to ride on top of the fitting.

Hobie could also put a screw in disk in the twist and seal hatch lid or some place you could still pump and sail/pedal at the same time.

Please comments only on a manual method.

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Nice post Dan. Now I await your testing.

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Hobie Island Sailing since 2006

Great idea Dan. I would look for a higher location though (well above the water line) for my point of entry, clear of the pedals and within reach of the normal seating position. The drink holder sounds good if you don't need it for other uses, or what about one of the mesh stowage pockets (either location would give the pump some vertical stability as well).

I looked at the net pockets. Too narrow IMHO.

The foam sleeve creates a WT seal so the low location doesn't disturb me.

Hate to give up the drink holder. If the device's screw plate was molded in by Hobie it woul be OK there as it would then be flush with cup holder bottom. You then have both emergency and normal use.

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You could use a flush mount SS or chromed brass flange, like what you find in sinks and tubs.

If you can find the correct size to fit pump and location.

Here's an update.

One. Do not use the lcoation I tried.

Why when it has the advantage of reaching the lowest part of the interior hull (the cup holders are diretly over sponson- meaning without a flex hose attachement they cannot reach the inch-to inch and a half on the center section).

Two reasons. Dang dificult to work there especially from inside. And two the surface is curved making it extremely difficult to seal. I could not do it (using 4200).

The fwd cup holder is flat. Plus the fixture has a rim there that lies over the hole by 1/8- 1/16 " making it easy to seal. I used G Flex after roughing up the surfaces. Worked well.

I was able to patch the old hole by first affixing a cross piece on the inside (difficult, but doable). It looks ugly, but was sucessful. I used a pool noddle wraped in plastic to press up against the brace and hole to prevent excess epoxy flowing through original cut. (Not possible with the plumber fitting)

B the way Ace doesn't seem to be carrying the flat top. Maybe you can find it elsewhere rather than the column top.

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Y'know... I'm a 'yak and Hobie newbie, but I thought this was supposed to be simple and a lot of fun... Every time I read a new post, I find more and more that it could present problems I never even thought of! Now I have to worry about taking on so much water that I have to be concerned about de-watering while underway! Ripped fins aren't enough! I thought that problem could be solved with a simple bottom (curb) finder; now I need a sealed hull penetration to permit pumping out...! Aren't the hatches secure? Can the boat really take on so much water? I may never get away from the shore, at this rate! Tell me it ain't so, Joe!

(censored)

No problem 98-99 percent of the time.

Only for pupule's lke me who go in harms way. Aside from the 20+ knot winds you can encounter here and rollingswells. Most problems seem to come from a following sea.

Post edit. Wow. Language tester didn't like your moniker!

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