If your boat has a hull, there’s a good chance there’s a bilge. The bilge is the lowest part of the boat, so it’s the first place water will seep in if your boat springs a leak. And regardless of the size of your boat, there’s a pretty good chance your bilge has a few inches of water in it, even when your boat is upright on dry land.
Since you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve already discovered this for yourself. If you’ve ever turned on a light in your boat and been greeted by a cloud of water vapor, you know what we’re talking about. And if you’ve ever gone to start up your boat and found that it wouldn’t start, chances are at least part of the reason was water in the bilge.
Bilge pumps are installed to help prevent water from collecting in the bilge, but they can’t do their job if they’re not working properly, or if they’re not installed correctly. To help you find the best boat bilge pumps we’ve rounded up our top picks and
Our Editor’s Best Boat Bilge Pumps Reviews
- Flow Rate (GPH): 1100GPH; Volt: 12V; Current(A): 3.8A; Head(M): 3.0M, Connect 1-1/8" Hose.
- Wire Lead(M): 1m; Outlet Diameter: 29mm/ 1.14 Inch (1-1/8"); Width: Approx. 81mm
- Built-in float switch! (No separate float switch is needed)
- No power use until pump is activated by internal float switch (when water level rises)
- Equipped with built in electronic controlled reed sensor system for easy fully automatic operation
- Package included: includes 12v 1100gph bilge pumps for boats, 1 pack of 6 ft/1.8 meters bilge pump hose, 2 sturdyclamps,thru-hull connector and instruction.
- Durable material. Made of hioh quality materials, solid moisture proof sealed housing. And it is resistant to oil. solventsand chemicals.
- Ease of use: The bilge pump kit is easy to instal, the snap-lock filter base is removable, easy to clean and install, andhas low vibration. thus providing you with a convenient using experience.
- Safe and reliable. The safe multi-line design ensures that the pump runs freely without vibration, Short-term waterlessoperation will not burn the pump, the motor has a long life and can be used with confidence.
- Wide range of applications.lt can be used in various working environments, such as yachts, speedboats, fishing boatssmall swimming pools, pumping. etc.
- Compact & Reliable Performance: Designed for efficiency, this 2000 GPH bilge pump's long-life motor ensures consistent water flow, while marine-grade wiring resists wear. Confidently tackle challenges on the water with a pump tailored for reliability.
- Silent & Efficient Operation: Enjoy a serene boating experience with this 12V submersible pump. The innovative design ensures silent, vibration-free water removal, preventing disruptions and enhancing onboard comfort, perfect for relaxing on the water.
- Long-Lasting Durability: Constructed with corrosion-resistant materials, this portable bilge pump withstands harsh marine environments, ensuring a dependable and uninterrupted operation over time for peace of mind during all your sea adventures.
- Ease of Maintenance: Rule's boat bilge pump is equipped with a snap-lock strainer that makes cleaning hassle-free. Spend less time on maintenance and more on enjoying adventures at sea, knowing your pump is in optimal condition.
- Complete Safety Assurance: This bilge pump 12V offers anti-airlock protection and ignition safety, preventing burnout when dry. Feel secure knowing your vessel is equipped against common hazards, supporting smooth, trouble-free voyages.
- [ SPECIFICATIONS ]: Model: SFBP1-G2000-01 | Voltage: 12V DC | Flow Rate: 2000 GPH | Outlet Diameter: 1-1/8 inch (29 mm) | Current: 8.5A | Max Draw: 14.0A | Max Head: 16.4 ft (5 m) | Wire Lead: 14 AWG, 3 feet (1 meter) | Warranty: 4-Year Limited
- [ 4-YEAR WARRANTY ]: Enjoy worry-free operation with SEAFLO’s industry-leading 4-Year Limited Warranty, guaranteeing reliable performance and protection against defects, ensuring peace of mind on every marine adventure.
- [ HIGH-PERFORMANCE 2000 GPH WATER FLOW ]: Delivers rapid and reliable water evacuation at 2000 gallons per hour, quickly removing water from your boat’s bilge area to ensure safety and peace of mind, even in adverse marine conditions.
- [ FULLY SUBMERSIBLE & SAFE OPERATION ]: Designed for complete submersion, the pump meets strict marine industry standards (CE, RoHS, ISO 8846, ISO 8849), ensuring reliable, safe operation in saltwater and freshwater marine environments.
- [ BUILT-IN ANTI-AIRLOCK TECHNOLOGY ]: Integrated Anti-Airlock technology ensures uninterrupted water flow, effectively preventing airlocks and guaranteeing dependable bilge drainage during critical situations or rough waters.
- Flow Rate: 1100 GPH; Voltage: 12 VDC
- Flow: 1100 gallons per hour or 5000 L / hour, Head: 13 Ft (4mts), Outlet Dia. 1-1/8" (29mm) Typical Uses: Suitable for hydraulic systems fed with cold water—used in line to be fed by gravity or pressure Ideal For Fishing Boats, Cruisers, Runabouts, Yachts, Etc Built for the harsh marine environment, are suitable to withstand the most adverse condition. The water-cooled engine ensures a long service life
- Ideal for fishing boats, cruise ship, yachts, etc.
- Impact resistant ABS housing, stainless steel shafts, rust proof and corrosion resistant Easy-to-clean snap lock strainers
- Built for the harsh marine environment, are suitable to withstand the most adverse condition. The water-cooled engine ensures a long service life
- Fully submersible 800 Gallons per hour bilge pump with a self-contained automatic switch to maintain a safe water level
- Features a durable plastic housing that can withstand the harshest marine environment
- Comes with a universal mounting base for effortless installation and cleaning
- With a tough stainless-steel impeller shaft and tinned marine grade wiring for a steady and reliable performance
- The outlet hose barb measures ¾’ that can fit a common ¾ bilge hose and thru-hull fittings
- Perfect Design: This product is made with bodies crafted from ABS exclusive moisture tight seal. The pure copper motor boasts excellent electrical conductivity, minimal resistance, low energy consumption, high performance, solid stability, reduced noise, and an extended service life.
- Small yet Powerful: 1/12HP sump pump moves up to 1100 gallons per hour tackles any draining job at a fraction of the time. Small size, high efficiency to achieve a small size perfect combination of high flow.
- Easy to Connect: The pump outlet Diameter is 29mm, 1pcs of stainless steel clamp is included, which makes easier to connect discharge hose.
- Application Occasions: Ideal for fishing boats, cruisers, runabouts, yachts, skiff, dingy, fish tank, RV, as a portable shower, etc.
- Customer First: One-year warranty. For any question, please don't hesitate to write to us through our storefront and click "ask a question", or support email to us, we will respond within 24 hours.
- Kit Includes:1-1/8 Bilge Pump Hose Bilge Pump Installation Kit includes 1 pack of 1100 gph bilge pumps for boats,1PC 6 FT 1-1/8-inch kink-free flexible PVC hose,1PC 1-1/8 Inch ABS thru-hull fitting and 2 PCS stainless steel hose clamps;Flow:1100 gallons per hour or 5000 L/hour,Outlet Dia. 1-1/8" (29mm)
- Excellent Material:The 6FT hose is made of excellent PVC material,it contains iron wire,not easy to deform;The hose clamp is made of 304 stainless steel,rust-proof and waterproof;The ABS plastic connector is not easy to break and good sealing performance
- Stable Connection: The PVC hose is Cuff-less and the inner hole is smooth, effectively prevent the leakage of the connection end;PVC hose has corrugated spiral, anti-kink structure and large bending radius, which can maintain stable flow
- Application: The bilge pumps installation kit is only used for pump outlet with external diameter of 1-1/8 ". Suitable for a variety of application scenarios, such as ships, sails, RVs, yachts, trucks and so on. Note: Not for use with below waterline thru-hull connections! Please check the outlet size of your bilge pump before buying!
- Easy to Use: The PVC hose is easy to cut into any length you need;The rotating torque of the connector running through the hull is adjustable, so you can start and run quickly and easily by installing it from the inner beam without complicated tools;Using the hose clamp in the kit can better fix the hose and thru-hull fitting
- WIDE APPLICATION: The bilge pump is used in a wide range of Marine environments, including fishing boats, cruisers, speedboats, yachts, kayaks and more, built for harsh Marine environments to withstand the most adverse conditions
- AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP: Our 12V pumps do not require a separate float switch and have a built-in electronically controlled reed sensor system for fully automatic operation. With a capacity of 1100 gallons per hour, ensure fast and efficient water removal to keep your boat dry and safe
- PACKAGE INCLUDED: Bilge pump plumbing kit includes auto bilge pump, 6 FT of 1-1/8 inch diameter hose, 2 sturdy clamps, thru-hull connector and instruction. Everything you need for a quick and hassle-free installation
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Made with high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials, this bilge pump is designed to withstand harsh marine environments, ensuring long-lasting performance and reliability
- PERFECT FIT: With straightforward instructions and all necessary components included, the bilge pump kit is easy to install. Any questions please feel free to reach out to us, and we will reply to you in time
- Kit Includes: 1100gph electric bilge pump 12V, 6 FT of 1-1/8'' PVC hose, 2 stainless steel worm gear hose clamps, and 1 thru-hull connector.
- Efficient Engine & Cleanable Strainer: The portable 1100gph 12v bilge pump with water-cooled engine is made from impact resistant ABS housing, stainless steel shafts and corrosion material protection to improve work efficiency. The pump base is used by high quality easy clean snap lock strainers.
- Flexible Hose: The bilge pump hose is made of high-quality PVC material with a smooth inner bore to prevent leaks at connection ends. Easy to cut to any desired length and perfect for marine or freshwater boating.
- Kink-proof & Split-proof: Corrugated helix, kink-proof & split-proof construction with an excellently tight bend radius ensures maximum durability and maintains a steady flow.
- Wide Application: Bilge pumping kit can be used for fishing boats, cruisers, runabouts, yachts, etc. Built for the harsh marine environment.
Best Boat Bilge Pumps Buying Guide
Before choosing the best boat bilge pumps you should consider following options:
1. What the Boat Bilge Pump Is Intended to Do: Every boat owner should have a good idea of what the bilge pump is intended to do.
The basic function of a bilge pump is to remove water from the bottom of the boat by sucking it out with a discharge hose and then transporting it to a place where it can be safely discharged.
The discharge may be connected to a discharge opening on the top of the boat, or the discharge may be connected to a discharge pipe that is lowered into the water away from the boat.
Some pumps are self-priming, which means that the pump will draw in water when the discharge is not active. This is a great feature because it prevents the pump from being out of commission if the discharge pipe is accidentally plugged.
Other pumps are designed to operate continuously with a float switch that turns on the pump when water is detected.
2. Size of the Boat Bilge Pump: The size of the boat bilge pump is extremely important. You don’t want a pump that is too small for your application or one that is overpowered for your application.
While it’s possible to have a pump that is too large, it’s much less likely. If the pump is too small, it won’t be able to remove all of the water from the bottom of the boat in a timely manner.
If the pump is oversized, it won’t have the velocity needed to move the water efficiently. It’s important to have a pump that is powerful enough to move the water, but not too powerful because the discharge pipe can become plugged if the pump is too powerful.
The GPM (gallons per minute) flow rate is the way to determine the size of the pump needed. Start by figuring out the area of the bottom of the boat that will be drained.
For example, if the bottom of the boat is 12 square feet, then the area is 12 square feet. Multiply the area by the GPM flow rate to get the gallons per minute that is needed.
For example, if you need a pump that moves 20 GPM, then you need 240 gallons of water removed every minute.
3. Discharge Location: You need to plan for the pump discharge in advance. The discharge can be from the top of the boat or from a pipe that is lowered into the water.
If the discharge is from the top of the boat, then the pump will be exposed to the weather which may cause damage to the pump. If the pump is exposed to the weather, then it’s a good idea to purchase a self-priming pump.
If the discharge is lowered into the water, then the pump will be protected from the weather and it’s not necessary for the pump to be self-priming.
4. Power Source: You may be surprised to learn that there are pumps that can be powered in different ways. There are some pumps that are completely self contained and will run off of the battery on board.
Other pumps are designed to be powered by a water intake from the boat’s engine. There are also some pumps that are powered by an electric motor that is plugged into a standard outlet.
5. Mounting Location: You also need to have a good idea of where the pump will be mounted. If the boat is anchored in open water then the pump will be exposed to the weather so it’s a good idea to purchase a self
What else you should know about boat bilge pumps
1. What is a boat bilge pump and what does it do?
A boat bilge pump is a device that is used to remove water that has accumulated in the bilge of a boat.
2. Why is it important to have a bilge pump on your boat?
A bilge pump is a very important safety feature on a boat. It is designed to remove water from the bilge, which is the lowest part of the boat where water can accumulate. This water can come from rain, waves, or leaks, and it can quickly build up to a dangerous level. If the bilge is not pumped out, the boat can become unstable and even sink.
3. How does a bilge pump work?
Bilge pumps are used to remove water from the bilge of a boat. The bilge is the lowest part of the boat, where water can collect. Bilge pumps are used to pump the water out of the bilge and overboard.
4. What are some of the different types of bilge pumps available?
Some of the different types of bilge pumps available are centrifugal pumps, diaphragm pumps, and submersible pumps.
5. How do you choose the right bilge pump for your boat?
The rule of thumb for choosing the right bilge pump for your boat is to choose a pump that can move at least one and a half times the amount of water your boat holds.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best boat bilge pumps. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best boat bilge pumps will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.