Get Rid of Excess Water With the Best Bilge Pump
Just like a car owner, each person who owns a boat treats it like a child. Therefore, taking care of it becomes their top responsibility. Whether you're a sailor, fisherman, or just a regular boater there's no way to prevent water from seeping into your boat. No matter how much you try to sidestep it, be it rainwater or ocean spray, water will find one way or another.
This is where a good bilge pump comes in! Designed to remove excess water from the bilge, modern bilge pumps can be manual, automatic, electric, or even centrifugal. Designed to be mounted to the lowest part of the bilge to be fully functional, even though they are not compulsory they are a necessity.
To help you out, we’ve curated a list of the leading bilge pumps of 2024!
Our Top Picks
Compare the Premium Bilge Pumps of 2024
Top Pick
While MAXZONE’s Bilge Pump is tremendously cheap in comparison to its competitors, this in no way means that the brand compromises on its features. Featuring a flow rate of 1100 GPH at 12V, it’s suitable for all kinds of water vessels, including fishing boats, cruises, and yachts. Compatible with hydraulic systems which utilize cold water, it has a moisture-tight seal that enables the motor to work very efficiently. Other admirable features include ignition protection and ABS-exclusive construction.
The pump has a lockable strainer base that acts like an automatic bilge pump. Additionally, it has a head of up to 13 feet, resulting in distant water expulsion.
Pros
- Great for those on a budget
- Can withstand various environments
Cons
- Produces loud sounds
Most Affordable
This device by MAXZONE is an all-in-one pump. Fully automatic and capable of operating as a controlled reed sensor system with a maximum flow rate of 11000 GPH at 12V, it has a built-in float switch. This means that this pump uses energy only after its activation and stops usage after it has shut down. Featuring a nylon hose barb that allows multiple connection options, the device has a prolonged life motor with an anti-fouling impeller and ABS exclusive moisture seal. The strainer base is also detachable, which makes cleaning and maintenance easy.
It also works very well for small and larger boats!
Pros
- Material is durable
- Occupies little space
- Excellent option as a backup pump
Cons
- The float switch is not highly sensitive
Easy To Install
Shoreline’s Marine Bilge Pump is without a doubt one of the best in the industry. Capable of being submerged and operating on a pumping capacity of 600 GPH, it is small, compact, and exemplary if you’re looking for something modest. Featuring a very low current of 3A, all of its hardware uses stainless steel with marine-grade lead wiring.
Even though the pump itself is pretty inexpensive, if you’re looking for it to be automatic you’ll have to add a few additional parts to the total cost, such as a float and switch. While it isn’t as fast as other pumps, it comes with a mounting bracket and a guide which makes it user-friendly.
Pros
- The removable design allows for easy cleaning
- The secure clip offers easy installation
- The mounting system is universal
- Operation is silent
Cons
- It may have a weak pressure
Comes With Warranty
This bilge pump by Dontmiss is making its mark in the market at the moment. Extremely powerful and supporting both automatic and non-automatic connections, the installment features different colored wires for your desired operation mode. With the built-in electronic sensor system being responsible for promoting a more complete automatic function, Dontmiss ensures zero energy consumption.
Outing a capacity of 750 GPH and a flow rate of 12.5 gallons per minute at 12V, an integral float switch eliminates the need for an additional one. Adding to its functionality, it is inaudible and vibrationless, and the added quick-release strainer makes its maintenance a little easier.
Even though it’s not a well-known brand, you can rest assured that Dontmiss will last for years to come.
Pros
- The motor is sealed and doesn’t burn out
- Comes with a one-year warranty
- Resistant to rust and corrosion
Cons
- The float switch malfunctions
Best Performance
This manual bilge pump is fully submersible and extremely easy to use. Ideal for small boats and fishing boats, it has a rated voltage of 12V and a capacity of 1100 GPH. Being one of the reasons for the commendable efficiency of this pump, the stainless steel shafts and ABS plastic pumps of this bilge pump are resistant to different impacts.
The discharge port has a nylon pump that accommodates all kinds of joints. And when it comes to cleaning, Creatorele offers an instruction manual to make the job easier, resulting in maximum productivity and extended usage.
Pros
- It’s very affordable
- It’s extremely versatile
Cons
- The parts deter corrosion
Buyer’s Guide: Finding Your Next Bilge Pump
Commonly referred to as nuisance water, not having a quality bilge pump can destabilize your boat and damage your machinery. More importantly, it may sink your boat within minutes.
Features To Look For in a Bilge Pump
A bilge pump is a handy, essential tool that quickly pumps out gallons of water. Taking into account different boat sizes and environments of the boats, here are a few things to look for when purchasing a bilge pump:
Size
The size of the bilge pump is dependent on the gallons of water it is capable of throwing out. You’ll most likely use these pumps in tricky situations, so it’s better to choose a larger pump with a high flow rate as it will be effective in case of emergencies. There is no standard size of a bilge pump, but one with a discharge capacity of 1000 gallons per hour or more should be good enough for both small and large boats.
Automatic
With a built-in float switch, it works through an integrated sensor system. Fast and thorough, a bilge pump saves the user from the trouble of finding a separate switch. All in all, it’s also the best and most effective option.
Model
The model of your bilge pump will depend on your needs as both models have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, while manual pumps are more suitable for small boats they are easy to manage and do not require any technical skills to operate them. Nevertheless, as a downside they may not be quick enough in certain situations—so it is preferable to have an electric bilge pump with a backup manual pump in bigger boats.
An automatic electric pump is quicker and proved to be more effective. The float switch, upon activation, removes all unwanted water before it can cross normal levels. Dying your boat in a few minutes, having a manual pump as a backup is great to have as a precaution in case of short circuits or a low battery.
Installation
The bilge is the narrowest space in a boat, which is why it is not easy to install a bilge pump or any other gear in it. Therefore, it is also necessary to make sure the pump fits into the bilge safely. Even though the expulsion volume should be a primary factor in choosing the size of a bilge pump, it may be useless if it cannot be easily installed and worked to its full potential. The strainers of the pump should be easily accessible for cleaning as well. This is why experts recommend getting pumps with removable strainers.
Output
A diaphragm pump uses a rubber or plastic diaphragm for water intake and output. Efficient yet but susceptible to clogging, the centrifugal pump works through a spinning impelling. It sucks water and discharges it with pressure, making it an extremely reliable and fuss-free option.
People Also Asked
Which type of bilge pump is suitable for large boats?
Centrifugal pumps are the preferred choice for bigger boats as they need pumps with a higher capacity that quickly do the job.
Why do small boats need high-capacity pumps?
Small boats can overflow with water and sink faster due to small hull volume and bilge. Therefore, they need the fastest water discharge.
Is one pump enough for my boat?
While having one pump on hand will work for a small boat, as a boat's size increases you will need to mount more pumps for efficient water removal. To ensure your bilge pump is compatible with your boat, consider taking a quick look at the product description prior to purchasing.
Which type of switches are best?
Automatic, built-in switches with controlled sensors are most effective and rightfully popular. Known for their ease, they’re a great option for professionals and beginners alike.
Do I really need a bilge pump?
Not having a bilge pump makes you susceptible to sinking at sea, which can be a dangerous and potentially fatal scenario.