> Thanks to all who discussed foot pumps below. As a result I bought a
> Guzzler 400S which arrived today along with 1" hose and stainless
> steel hose clamps.

> I can figure out how I want to mount the pump and where the inlet should
> go. My problem is what to do with the outlet

I installed a Guzzler 400 in a my Pygmy coho. I used a 5" piece of 3/4" Sch 80 PVC pipe for the outlet, at a downward angle parallel to the deck and exiting at the midline of the narrow deck chine panel, i.e., about 1" above the sheer. The outlet is elliptical in shape, and I just sanded it down nearly flush with the outer surface.

>How do I secure it to the plywood?

Once in position, I used a few dabs of very thick epoxy to 'freeze' it in place, removed everything else to improve access, then filleted in quite a bit of very thick epoxy to bond the pipe nipple to the deck chine as well as the deck, leaving enough gap to slip the hose or tubing over the inner end of the nipple.

>Do I need a check valve at the hull surface? What kind?

You probably have a flapper type valve in the outlet of the pump, as I do. For now, I'll see how it works, as it may be enough for the kind of paddling I do. The downward angle of the pipe may be enough to prevent backflow. If not, then check out the 'duckbill' type outlet valves available, as they should reduce backflow at a small cost of increased effort to operate. I'm considering a flapper valve on the very end, at the deck, to keep out waves and such, but so far I don't seem to need one. (I am not rolling the boat yet.)

>Will a 1" hole look strange in the overall appearance of the hull?

Not too bad. Mine is flush and gray, so it doesn't stand out. Certainly not an eye magnet.

>Can I really cut that hole in a beautiful piece of plywood? Should I buy an expensive hole saw or can I do it with a cheap spade bit?

Since I exited the deck at an angle, a spade bit wouldn't work, as it would be too "fat" in the center area. First I cut the pipe nipple as close to the angle as I was needing, then traced its outer line onto the deck chine. Drilled a 1/4" hole in there, then used a handheld coping saw blade to cut out the 'rough' 1" x 2" oval hole. Then used a small round file to finish off, especially the acute angle on the inside top. I practiced this twice on a small scrap of plywood, but that takes maybe 10 minutes each.

> Will I ever run out of questions? :-)

No.

> I know a lot of you have foot pumps and solved all these problems. Thanks
> to all who respond.

But wait, that's not all!

You may have more room to work with, but my Coho is only 11" high at the front bulkhead, and the pump is 8" tall. I shortened the inlet fitting, and got a 1/2" more room there. I also installed a PVC 90 right at the top outlet as my tubing would not make the bend without crimping.

Finally, I have a question for you: I maintain that the spring Guzzler includes is about 10 times stronger than needed, as the pump is designed to be able to lift 11' or so on the suction side, and we need only 1' or less. A lot of effort put into compressing a too strong spring will be wasted as far as pumping the cockpit out goes. I'm using an adjustable bungee line attached to the toe of my foot pedal, out of the way so it's not an entrapment hazard. Since my unit came with no spring, I'd like to know if your spring is pretty stiff, then, or relatively weak? (I'll be getting another pump for my #2 boat, so if I can save a couple of bucks by forgoing the spring, why not?)

Good luck, and may you only need it for practice.

Pedro