: A stick pump is inserted between the spray skirt elastic and your
: body, so you don't have to open the spray skirt. Most of us
: store the stick-pump under the coaming, so one has to open the
: skirt to gain access. Usually if you've just done a reentry, the
: skirt is off anyway. One can also reach down inside the skirt
: elastic to get the pump. If you picture this, you likely to also
: picture flipping over with your hand down your skirt. (Does
: wearing skirts make us kayak guys all transvestites? That's one
: taunt surfers haven't thought of yet.)

: A T-rescue does indeed dump out almost all the water. Enough
: remains, an inch or so that, sloshing around decreases
: stability, and if chilly, uncomfortable. My experience is based
: on my Great Auk-with a modified deck, recessed coaming --so I
: might have more of a problem than most kayaks.

: The rechargeable battery idea is interesting. Most electric pump
: solutions use re-chargables that are rectangular and waterproof.
: My experience with cordless drills (and based on my power tool
: repair guys larger experience) even the lithium batteries go bad
: after a year or so.
: I've got an old Makita 9 volt, a newer 12 v, and an even newer 18v.
: The only one that is still useful is the 9 volt. The others not
: used for months at a time seem to kill the batteries.

: My tool guy said if you were to test them as most people use them,
: the 9 volt will turn out to be most useful. The higher voltages
: allow for a lot of torque, but exhaust their charge quickly.
: If one is just drilling a bunch of 1/4" holes, the 9 v will
: prove to be more useful. I think he said it was like using an
: huge truck to move a few 2x4s.

: For kayak use I'd say start with the cheapest, lowest voltage
: lithium battery and design the system around that. (for me I'd
: use the Makita 9 volt, use them in my drill, buy a new one every
: year or two). It'd be difficult to seal the connection. I know
: my rechargeable battery on my waterproof radio is corroded in
: place.

I use a 12v gel battery about 8x6x3 inch
It holds its charge for ever (slight exaggeration only) and when I tested the number of times it will pump the cockpit out, I got tired of doing so after 5 times and it was still not showing signs of giving up. Since I've never been dumped that often, I thought that would do fine.
The pumps come as 12v (or 24v) so a 12v battery would seem to be best.
Bill Hamm's suggestion of an all in one affair above seems to me a good innovation for a permanent pump as well.
At present I have the battery fixed to the back of the back bulkhead in a sealed electrical box. Wires go through the bulkhead to the pump mounted to the bulkhead on the other side.
The switch is under the coaming at the back. The switch is always the weak spot as it is prone to getting knocked. A good waterproof switch is also hard to find and expensive so I made my own and it is still functioning. Wires need to be checked etc. So if it could all be done in one assembly, fixed to the back bulkhead in the cockpit, with the switch on the box and all embedded in silicon it might be more functional for charging and maintenance. Thanks Bill. I'll give it some thought.
JohnK