Tricked out kayaks Hitting the water - Wavelength Paddling Magazine

Our Tricked-Out Kayaks
Electric bilge pump
Blue Water Kayak Works
A specialty item, this system utilizes a
highly efficient mini pump, battery and a
magnetic switch to empty a kayak in about
50 seconds, with an hour’s battery life. That
can be doubled by adding a second battery.
Advantages: This allows the safety of
emptying the cockpit with hands-free
effort, allowing the paddler to concentrate
on kayaking rather than bailing – a huge
safety benefit. It also enables effort-free
emptying of the cockpit during training so
you can build skills instead of draining your
energy by manually emptying the kayak.
Disadvantages: The installation takes
several hours, requires drilling a hole in the
kayak and permanently placing the tubing,
electrical and battery and pump, which can
be nitpicky. Elements can’t be removed
(including the battery) when not in use
without dismantling the system. The system
adds three to four pounds to the weight of
the kayak.
Versatility: Blue Water is adding options
for a solar panel and an adaptor for other
uses such as a USB connection, adding
the potential for a great electrical power
source during remote long-distance trips,
with additional benefit of the safety of an
automatic pump.
Cargo half-skirt
Beluga Outdoor Works
The half-skirt covers the front portion
of the cockpit, providing some protection
from sun and water. A layer of mesh
underneath the half-skirt offers unsecured
cargo space. A staff favorite for the design.
Advantages: Get the freedom from the
confinement of a sprayskirt while covering
the area most prone to paddle drips.
Protects from sun-burned upper legs. Extra
cargo space is a bonus.
Disadvantages: A fair-weather product,
it won’t provide the safety features of a full
sprayskirt. Cockpit could get waterlogged.
Bilge sponge
Skwoosh
It’s not so much a sponge as it is a highly
absorbent, soft material. Smaller than
regular sponges, the small size is either a
benefit or a drawback. A loop can be used
to secure it to your kayak.
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WINTER 2010 WAVELENGTH MAGAZINE 27