hello steve,

here's the stuff that's on my mind:

1. many of us don't like the electric idea because of the size,weight,batteries etc', but not all of us.

2. foot operated trick is so important to us because we need to empty our boats while paddling & bracing ourselves & the boat in rough sees.

3. I have a guzzler 500. I didn't installed it yet. a disadvantage of footpumps I learned about after I purchased one is the space they occupy. they need to be operated right in the middle of the front bulkhead & they can't be too far or too near. when we operate them everything is fine, but when we don't the pump is in the way. I think a big problem is that the operating mechanism of any pump is too close to the pump itself, or is the pump. assuming the operating mechanism can be much smaller than the pump, then it could be positioned right in the middle of the front bulkhead, & the pump would be located somewhere else.
I have no idea how to do it, but I don't design this kind of stuff. you wanted brain storming so that's what you got.

4. the guzzler can be located thru the bulkhead, & in this way it occupies very little space, it's the perfect thing. my kayak is a take-a-part so I couldn't install the pump in that perfect way because in front of the bulkhead there is another bulkhead, so I had to position the joint further to the front so I will have enough space for the pump when I install it. If you can design something that will solve this problem you will earn some extra dough.

5. an operating arm that can be folded & extended by the operating foot would be a good thing. it needs to be strong & reliable.

6. I don't see a "one size fit all". I think it would have to be few pumps for few different uses, or perhaps some basic pump with lots of accessories like bosworth do.

7. about the compasses, I use the "Orca", it's the yellow rubber one that is attached to the deck fittings with bungie cord. it's ugly & I love it.
many of us like to remove the compass to prevent it from being stolen.

good luck

Erez