7 Best Bilge Pump Reviews & Buying Guide (updated 2022)

Having the best bilge pump is essential as it makes up one of the most important safety devices for every boat owner or operator. 

Today, boating experts highly recommend that every boat must have at least 3 of the best bilge pumps at once.

Boats that are over 40 feet must have at least 4 40-feet rule pumps.

It is important to know that these safety devices can serve more than life jackets, saving you on a bad day or so.

 Hence, a boat pump is protection against possible overflowing of bilge with clean water spillage or dirty oil water from the sea onto the boat that causes it to capsize.

Therefore, this device is a sensible investment for any cruising boat fanatic, yachtsman, and the commercial fisherman.

With that said, this article enumerates some of the bilge pumps for small boats and the medium ones, allowing you to choose one or more of the reliable safety devices the market has to offer.

 This article also includes a quick, yet comprehensive set of guidelines for potential buyers.

Best Bilge Pump Reviews

Seaflo Automatic Submersible Boat Bilge Water Pump Review

Also on the list of top-rated pumps is the  Seaflo Automatic Submersible Boat Bilge Water Pump, which is a fully-submersible and compact device.

Automatic bilge pump and features a built-in float switch. Therefore, there is no need for a separate float switch this gear.

The Seaflo is equipped with a built-in, electronic-controlled sensor system that allows a convenient and automatic operation.

There is no power use unless the pump is activated by an internal float switch once the water level elevates.

It is considered as the best automatic bilge pump as it boasts an efficient design with a long motor life expectancy. It is also corrosion resistant and rustproof, unlike the standard pumps on the market.

Hence, this gear is constructed from stainless steel shaft, along with a high-impact plastic housing, ensuring durability all at once.

For easier maintenance, this pump features a quick-release strainer. Thus, it is extremely effective and with the very low current. It also provides a high capacity output, compared to its rivals.

This boat sump pump offers water-cooled motors with long life, moisture-tight seals, and anti-airlock protection.

Its ignition protection design is highly capable of protecting the device against the high current, and will never burn out once run dry.

The  Seaflo Automatic Submersible Boat Bilge Water Pump can be used with a switch panel for a manual override.

The Seaflo has a user manual for installation instructions, including a wiring diagram.

Seattle Sports Paddlers Bilge Pump Review

The Seattle Sports Paddlers Bilge Pump is one of the kayak bilge pumps, garnering an average rating of 4.5-Stars on Amazon.

This device offers a comfortable and easy-grip rubber handle. It features a highly visible neon yellow color for optimal safety.

This is a small bilge pump, which measures 21 inches in length and 1.75 inches in
diameter while weighing at 12 ounces.

The Seattle Sports Paddlers Bilge Pump can keep a kayak’s bilge dry.

This is more so when adding a one-inch diameter internal hose to the output valve, routing the water away from the kayak or boat.

This bilge pump has created a lot of happy customers as it is highly capable of pumping out water in just two minutes or less.

The good thing about this device is that it can be very efficient even without the hose attached to the nozzle.

The floatation built onto the pump is also among its selling points, making it the most-loved safety device by kayakers.

Its bright yellow body and its floatation collar keep the bilge from sinking in case it falls off the boat.

All in all, the Seattle Sports Paddlers Bilge Pump is a reliable bilge pump that offers excellent quality and is highly recommended for kayak use.

Shoreline Marine 800 GPH Bilge Pump Review

With a 4.5-Star rating is the Shoreline Marine 800 GPH Bilge Pump that features superior tinned wire ends, plus a rugged plastic housing.

This boat bilge pump is very easy to install as well.

This Marine bilge pump is constructed from high-quality components that are entirely built to last.

The tinned wire ends make this device ideal for different conditions as it can be wired to a certain switch at the float switch or console.

It is among the bilge pumps for boats that are very easy to install, requiring only a 5 amp inline fuse. It can pump water fairly quickly, empty two gallons of water in just five seconds.

At a very low price, the pump lives up to its purpose and design.

Also, it will arrive exactly as it appears in photos, promising a well-built construction and efficiency at the same time.

The Shoreline Marine bilge pump is much-loved by many owners because it is very easy to mount and can move nearly the same water amount as a garden hose can pump in.

Overall, it is among the most reliable bilge pumps that the market has to offer nowadays.

Rule 24 Marine Rule 360 Marine Bilge Pump Review

Based on bilge pump reviews, the Rule 24 Marine Rule 360 Marine Bilge Pump garners an average rating of 4.5-Stars.

This Rule 360 bilge pump offers outstanding quality, plus good value. Hence, its economical price comes with an excellent design for small boats.

This Rule bilge pump measures at 7-inch by 5.5-inch by 2-inch, while weighing at 11.2 ounces. It is widely used for beach trips.

Thus, many owners love it as it never fails in emergencies. You can turn it on once you launch the boat and it will stay ready anytime the barge is on the lake or river.

For a few seconds, it cycles periodically to remind you that it’s just there, and will save the engine once a water pump bolt comes out.

A bilge pump review also reveals that the Rule 360 bilge pump is incomparable as one owner tries to purchase another one after his unit was accidentally smashed up.

The efficiency of Rule 360 was never replaced.

On that note, he purchased the same unit to finish his vacation, and it worked just as the same Rule he had.

Over and above, the Rule 24 Marine Rule 360 Marine Bilge Pump is ideal for many fishing trips and other water activities because it can eliminate troubles, while on the boat.

Rule 10 Marine Rule 2000 Marine Bilge Pump Review

On the other hand, the Rule bilge pump 2000 garners an average rating of 4.5-Stars. Similar to the Rule 360 Marine, this device is engineered to the commercial standards.

In fact, it is one of the top-rated submersible bilge pumps on the market today.

It measures at 6.3-inch by 4.5-inch by 5.4-inch and weighs 3.1 pounds.

According to bilge pump reviews, the Rule 2000 is a major upgrade for boats going to the ocean. If the Rule 1500 bilge pump is good enough, then the Rule 2000 is far much better.

This device never fails in moving the water when necessary. It can also last for several years as long as it is properly used, maintained, and stored.

This is surely an upgrade from other Rule Marine pumps out there, achieving longer life expectancy, compared to the standard counterparts.

The brand name also ensures premium quality and durability that create satisfied customers around the world.

From now on, there will be no more problems going to the waters with the Rule 2000 at your side. This device will be your best friend in moving water, safe and fast at the same time.

You’ll never go wrong with this reliable pump bilge.

Attwood Tsunami Manual Bilge Pump

Delivers with high-capacity and high-efficiency output

Boaters, boat-builders, and dealers all want one thing from their bilge pumps — more power! And that’s what the Tsunami Series delivers…

with high-capacity, high-efficiency output Tsunami Cartridge pumps have replaceable / interchangeable motor cores. Makes servicing simple and quick.

Attwood Tsunami Manual Bilge Pump is Backed by Attwood’s 3-Year Warranty!

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Johnson Pumps of America Review

Also with an average rating of 4.5-Stars is the Johnson bilge pump float switch.

This is a fully submersible bilge pump and protected by ignition. It also features 12-volt anti-airlock protection and is a 100% factory tested and proven device.

The Johnson Pumps of America is a bilge pump 500 gph that exceeds the NMMA, ABYC, ISO 8846. It measures at 12.5-inch by 22.5-inch by 15-inch and weighs 13.6 ounces.

Pro, line boat reviews, reveal that this device is powerful enough in lifting nearly four feet while running about six hours per day. It can last for several years too, as long as maintained and stored correctly.

Certainly, Johnson lives up to its commitment to creating and providing cutting-edge and automatic bilge pumps as seen with this Johnson automatic bilge pump. It continually develops pumps w
ith similar dimensions, thus, meeting the same requirements of users.

The mounting has been consistent, resulting in optimum convenience, compared to others that seem to be difficult, if not impossible.

The quality and durability of this device are unmatched as customer reviews reveal that this safety gear can last for up to 24 years, in spite the same designs from the same manufacturer.

All in all, this Johnson bilge pump is very easy to install and works very well.

Rule-Mate Automatic Bilge Pump

Rule 500A GPH Bilge Pump . Automatic and non – automatic models! A powerful Pump for smaller boats! 3/4″ discharge unit. 12V. Rule-Mate Automatic 12V: Pump is activated when water level pushes float up; Amp draw: 1.9 amp; Fuse size: 2.5 amp; 4 x 5″.  Rule Bilge Pump 500 GPH 12V  Product Dimensions: 3 x 7 x 8 inches ; 1 pounds• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds

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Bilge Pump Buying Guide

Basic Types

Basically, there are two types of water boat pumps, including the centrifugal pump and the submersible pump. The centrifugal pump is said to win the greater confidence among the users because its counterpart is harder to repair. However, centrifugal pumps are also believed to be unreliable than the submersible type. The Rule submersible pump, however, is an exemption to this rule.

Manual Versus Electric Power

High-powered centrifugal pumps are inexpensive, and these types are very easy to install. However, such devices could be ineffective if the boat’s electrical system fails. With this regard, the experts highly recommend having an additional high-powered manual diaphragm pump.

Manual pumps are capable of moving a substantial amount of water, usually up to 30 gallons. Thus, this could be a very tiring task for both the user and the pump, especially when the location of the pump requires the user to be in an awkward position. On that note, an effective pump and the proper installation location are very crucial. So, when choosing a manual water pump for boats, it is most essential to take note of the gallons per stroke, including the ergonomics of the entire pump.

Meanwhile, an automatic bilge pump requires a separate water-sensing switch or an automatic pump. Experts say that the main disadvantage of this device is that the user might be unaware of the pump’s operation once a steadily increasing leak develops. This could become catastrophic and could go beyond the real capacity of the pump.

Bilge Pump Selection

Before even placing your order for the best bilge pump, there are more key pointers to take note of. Whether this device is for your fishing boat, personal watercrafts, or similar purposes, please try to keep in mind the following tips.

Should the bilge on a boat a regular pump or a heavy-duty one? The answer depends if you can afford the heavy-duty bilge pumps as these devices are relatively expensive, compared to the standard versions. If you can, it is always best to buy and have both types. Remember that you should have at least 3 pumps on a small boat.A heavy-duty bilge pump is highly recommended for commercial boats, and fishing boats as oil spillage into the bilge is a frequent occurrence.

The heavy-duty pump is likewise ideal for boat plumbing that involves debris and dirty water.For the unsure consumers, going for the heavy-duty, such as the Rule submersible bilge pump 500 gph is always a sensible decision.But, for pleasure watercrafts, going for the regular or standard range of pumps is common.A small electrical pump is typically automated to begin pumping water once the water level reaches a specific point. This comes in very handy once your boat starts to get filled with water as you’re asleep or away from the boat.A manual or hand bilge pump can pump up to 30 gallons of water in every minute, a tremendous capacity indeed.

Pump Capacity

Moreover, the pump capacity is equally an important factor to consider. In minutes, the water can take over your boat, but, having a pump with the right capacity can surely solve this problem. However, not all boats, especially the small ones can carry the largest possible pump.

Well, for small boats, you can settle with the Rule 2000 or any of the above-mentioned pumps. As mentioned above, all the brands can be very useful for different routine pumping tasks and emergency purposes at the same time. Once you have decided to get one out of the bilge pump reviews above, it is always sensible to have a backup – a pump with greater pumping capacity as pumps could also fail anytime. For boats that measure 40 feet and above, having at least 8000-gallon/hour pump is the ideal starting point.

Problem Solver

In a nutshell, a bilge pump should at least minimize the problem, if not solve it permanently. The very first step to achieving the bilge pump nirvana is ensuring that your boat’s bilge is free of debris, trash, and other unwanted objects. More so with older boats, a routine bilge cleaning is critical, but also with new boats. Oily bilge residue must be cleaned up as well, disposing of such residue properly. By doing this, the boat bilge pumps will work more efficiently and faster.

Conclusion

Certainly, there are various manufacturers and brands of the best automatic bilge pump such as Shoreline, Rule, and Johnson bilge pumps for boats. Choosing a reliable dealer of such devices is equally essential, ensuring the quality, durability, and warranty all at the same time.

To maximize the efficiency of this safety device, it is always sensible to keep discharge hoses as little as possible because long hoses tend to have more resistance, reducing the performance of any bilge pump. Using a smooth boar hose is also essential throughout the task because ribbed bore decreases flow capacity, including the pump performance.

Experts also recommend users to follow the recommendations and instructions from the manual or the manufacturer, especially when it comes to wire sizes. This is to prevent voltage drop. Finally, maximizing the capacity of the best bilge pumps can be attributed to using waterproof butt connectors for all the wiring areas in the bilge.

Nonetheless, reading the bilge pump reviews, customer ratings, and recommendations are equally essential for a potential buyer and user of bilge pumps. These materials will help in narrowing down the choices, in spite the overwhelming options on the market while helping the buyer to arrive at the most reliable, most efficient, most durable, and no less than the best bilge pump possible.