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Brass-shafted Bilge Pump |
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Equipment:| With its sleek, solid black profile and sturdy brass shaft, the new bilge pump distributed by Wildwasser looks like a gear collector's dream.  According
to Wildwasser, the brass shaft is intended to provide "extra security
and durability, allowing the best possible expedition service." The
pump also has a large "ergonomic" handle designed to give "quick service"
with "little effort." It even bears an attractive suggested retail
price, $29.95, running just a few bucks more than the standard red-and-gray
plastic-shafted pumps commonly found in kayak stores.
We did not have the luxury of using the pump for an expedition, but we did take it onto the water for some field testing. Due to the large handle, the brass-shafted pump's overall length is similar to plastic-shafted models, but the distance between the intake port and the out port is only 13 inches-three-and-one-half inches shorter than the typical plastic pump. On high-decked boats we found that the out port barely cleared the edge of the cockpit, so that some of the pumped water dribbled back into the kayak. The shorter tube also slightly reduces the pump's overall volume, translating to more time and strokes needed to drain our kayaks. Depending on the amount of water, the Wildwasser pump averaged over two minutes to remove the amount of water that the larger volume plastic pump handled in about a minute and a half. However, we did note a subtle advantage during the trials: The smaller opening on the Wildwasser pump supplies a longer trajectory for water fights. If you have trouble with the durability of the plastic shafts on your bilge pumps (or want the peace of mind that your pump shaft won't fail you on your next expedition), check out Wildwasser's new brass-shafted bilge pump. Its handsome appearance and its ability to shoot water farther will impress your paddling buddies. Just make sure the outgoing water will clear the rim of your expedition-sized cockpit before you launch into the wilderness. Price: $29.95 |
