: very interesting, sam - thanks

: do you have a low compression or typical spring? did it feel like you were
: pumping at a high rate regardless?

: and a general question - as most footpumps are at one end of the cockpit or
: the other( and are mostly used in some kind of wavy conditions..) is a
: strum box really necessary as water is washing back and forth anyway? like
: i would guess a strum box is mainly necessary if the yak is perfectly
: level or if the intake is placed somewhere midway betw the front and back
: cockpit bulkheads(or if no bulkheads at all in the yak).

Mike,

It was the low-force spring. I should have put that in the description. We intentionally tried to pump at the optimum rate, but I was chewing gum at the same time...

Our thoughts are similar regarding strum boxes - I'm not sure I'll add one to the installation. The first priority is to pump out enough water to make the boat safe, so a simple strainer might be a better choice. When practicing rescues and goofing around, Joanie normally uses a hand pump. I think it would be pretty easy to install a Guzzler rebuild kit ($16) and low-force spring ($8), into a Schade style brace modified to also be the pump body – lighter weight too.

Sam