The electric Whales are less prone to blocking than the manual pumps (they have a better intake filter for starters).
What sensor did you use? Float sensors are used on boats, but they usually require a cm of water at least.

I'm familiar with the pump type and have refurbed them a few times (used to live on a sailing barge).

They are generally reliable but very vulnerable to getting something stuck in one of the flap valves. Even a bit of hair is enough to disrupt the suction and prevent them pulling up water.

lol I used to crew for some fast people in multi-day river races in Australia. They had electric pumps back then (over 30 years ago). Saved on stopping paddling when they needed to pee.

OK, thanks. That is useful input.

If I get the boat I might look at converting the place taken up by the pump into a day hatch.

I'm considering an older 80s boat that has a pump mounted on the aft deck, just behind the cockpit. Although a high-capacity pump would be useful if spraydeck leaks, or I swim and have to re-enter, I'm not sure the utility outweighs the inconvenience. The pump handle looks like a major snag hazzard ...

All a moot point; I didn't win the ebay auction.

The reviews are universal in saying that a rudder must be fitted or the boat will weathercock.

Tippiness . . . The boat I paddle on flat water now has a max waterline width of about 15"

It is the PE boat.

Fittings look in good condition, decklines a bit tatty.

Hatches and bulkheads watertight

I'm experienced at paddling racing K1 (currently own a CleaverX). Looking for a boat to paddle in Scottish sea lochs. The only sea kayak I've paddled was a P&H Scorpio. Felt ok, but a bit solid and lacked any oomph. There is a Prijon Barracuda for sale, probably will go for under £500. would that be...

I recently read Southern Exposure which is about a solo circumnavigation of the South Island of New Zealand. Despite paddling routinely outrageous seas, what really freaked the author out was being caught in an off-shore wind. Note also that the author of that book, Chris Duff, is a former US Navy ...

You have to wonder if he had lost his paddle, or he kept capsizing.

For club trips I guess it is down to the individual clubs to self police the competency of their leaders. Clubs carry some responsibility for any official club trip. For a club to be able to confidently state to insurers (absolutely vital in the event of an incident), they have to be able to prove ...

Ah - if you are crossing a channel, then you really have to give way to all vessels making passage along the channel. You should also cross at right angles.

Always aim to pass behind any vessel. The 'rights of way' have an overriding rule; give way to vessels constrained by their ability to maneuver. Yachts are constrained by draft and wind - a yacht going upwind can tack easily, if they are heading downwind, not so much (a slam gybe can take the riggin...

Best thing is the find a local club - you will be able to borrow gear, get advice, people to paddle with. Scarborough has a club https://webcollect.org.uk/sdcc

I don't think the actual incident was much fun. He said he was feeding at the zoo, pushed meat through bars but it fell too close to the bar. Although instructions were to never put part of body into enclosure, he was young, foolish and thought he could grab the meat before the tiger could reach him...

Thanks for all your generous advice. I feel very encouraged ! Hoping to give it a go later this month and try some of it out. Oh and just to add I have pretty much had to give up my favourite sport, cycling, due to the injury, so it is exciting to think I may be able to start something new. I used ...

FSK’s -Taran, really good all round. Training/exped/downwind/fast -Pace 18. Not really an exped boat, fast on flatter and calm conditions. Really good training boat -Pace 17. A friendly FSK, not the fastest but pretty accommodating -SKUK Quantum. Stable and fast with a beam of wind and good into wi...

It is very difficult to give you recommendations for using a kayak when we don't know you competency in other areas.

You say you've paddled twice. How good a swimmer are you?
I'd hope that you intend to wear a PFD (buoyancy aid)

You mentioned that your grip is weak. Firstly (I am not a physio, so take this with a pinch of salt), I recommend that you do your physio exercises. Lightly, gently, and multiple times a day. I've recovered from very nasty accidents (one where they told me I probably wouldn't regain full use of 3 fi...

I echo the suggestion to join a club, but for a different reason to the ones given.

Most clubs have a variety of boats that you can use and borrow.

That enables you to very cheaply try out different types, models of boat. Much cheaper than buying something finding it isnt what you want

Kirton had a model with the same name but considerably more expensive than the Nelo version.

Nelo's race boats are expensive, so I don't know how the C-Trek works out cheaper (it is more complex with more fittings).

does anyone have any experience of the Nelo C-Trek?
https://www.nelo.eu/product/c-trek/

Seems a bit of a bargain, I'm not sure what the catch is. Given Nelo's pedigree, I guess it is more of a fast-paddler's boat than a stable tourer.

I could give you lots of tips on what NOT to do! Main things to avoid: Falling out. Getting caught outside of other boats (either sprint ahead and get a clear spot or take a rest and recover and get a clear spot). 'turning round' to pick up your boat. When you step out of the boat, step out facing i...

So, yesterday I stepped up my time and distance by a big jump and went out for 2.5hours (previous paddles have been 1.5hours, max, and those have been training sessions with mixed pace). After 1.5hours in the boat my glutes were very, very painful. I was desperate to get back to the portage. On top ...

If you grip it tight and control the angle, that when you have the problem that you need to know what angle it's at! That's exactly my reflex; the vast bulk of my paddling a K1 in the past was in fast-flowing rivers or choppy water. So being able to control blade angle to water, quickly switch driv...

I'm only having trouble when 'having a wobble' and I want to use the paddle for support, mid-stroke. Since you paddled K1 before, I guess you must have developed the reflex for supporting off a (nearly vertical) paddle during the stroke. I would re-learn that before going further with wings - I wou...

Your point is taken - when making a driving stroke. I'm only having trouble when 'having a wobble' and I want to use the paddle for support, mid-stroke. I guess the answer is "don't wobble". For now, I've solved that problem by going back to the beginner boats, figuring it is better to have good pad...

I've tried an epsilon and a Tor. The Epsilon feels more stable than the Tor to me. That makes sense, since I'm close to 80kg in my clothes and the Tor has a weight limit of 80kg (according to the purple paddler stability guide), compared to the 100kg limit for the Epsilon. There was no secondary sta...

I used to paddle K1 in Australia 30 years ago, mostly in 10km races and down river races. Back then, boats were all trapezoidal decks (min width requirement, no concave surfaces) and wing paddles were not around. Joined a local club (Cambridge) and had a go with wing paddles in a couple of beginner ...