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5 Best Manual Bilge Pumps for Boats & Kayaks in 2022
From budget to heavy duty units perfect for larger boats, here are the best manual bilge pumps to get today
I love the water — as long as it stays outside my boat. When it doesn’t cooperate, I need to be prepared to take action. This is where bilge pumps come in.
In this article, I’ll share with you which I think are the best manual bilge pumps available today. They come in all shapes and sizes but they all do one thing: keep you safe. When choosing one, we evaluate them based on their capacity, portability, and quality. We want something we can trust with our lives so it should a good balance of the three.
| Better Boat | Whale Gusher | Amarine Kayak |
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Best overall |
Best for high volume |
Best for kayaks |
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Editor Rating: 4.7 ★ |
Editor Rating: 4.7 ★ |
Editor Rating: 4.6 ★ |
The best manual bilge pumps for boats and kayaks
The best overall
- Equipped with a filter
- 1" intake nozzle and 1.25" hose
- 39" long water hose for added flexibility
- Light and portable, perfect for small boats
Boating and kayaking is all fun and adventure but when things go bad, you need to make sure you’re prepared. Better Boat’s manual bilge pump is a great way to ensure you’re safe all the way through. Equipped with a 39″ long hose, you’re sure to reach the bottom of your boat easier. Giving you more flexibility to position the pump properly.
Best for jobsites
- Available in 24, 36, 72 inch
- Fast self prime capability makes pumping easy
- Robust construction makes it fit to use even in job sites
If you need a hand pump that’s made with the best durability, get a Siphon King. This pump is made with a strong steel shaft but still maintains its lightweight form. It’s a great choice not just for boats but also in work sites and residential settings. To top it all off, pumping is easy and priming is quick. You can remove a gallon of water in just a few strokes.
The best for versatility
- Fits to 1.5" size hose
- Can pump fast up to 12 GPM
- Plastic handle variant for fixed position
- Aluminum handle variant for more flexibility
- 4 years of warranty
Seaflo’s manual diaphragm hand bilge pump is the perfect companion for your next boating adventure. It’s a compact 12 GPM pump that comes in two handle versions: plastic and aluminum. The former is designed for lightness while the latter for flexibility of use (can be used in two positions).
The best in durability
- Sturdy and portable
- Large handle is perfect for a great grip
- Has cool anti-leak and other sustainability features
Originally designed for agriculture, SeaSense’s hand bilge pump is transformed to fit the needs at sea. Bearing a portable design but with the same robust construction as always, the pump is now a go-to choice for land and sea folk alike.
The best for high volume pumping
- 3-way valve can fit to 1" or 1-½" hose
- Rugged but lightweight construction for long-lasting operation
- High flow capacities perfect for larger boats (14.5, 17.5, & 28 GPM)
- Available in two designs that can be installed on-deck or through-bulkhead
For larger boats up to 40′ and even longer, you need a pump that has what it takes. Whale manual bilge pumps are high capacity pumps that comes in three sizes. It’s a heavy duty pump with innovative features sprinkled in. A great choice for a pump you rely on for your safety.
The best hoseless option
- Can clear up to 8 GPM of water
- Comes in 18" and 24"
- Corrosion resistant and lightweight
If you’re tired of easily damaged hoses when you go kayaking, why not get rid of it? Attwood’s 18″ hand bilge pump lets you keep yourself safe without even using a hose. This pump is perfect if you want all the needed performance without the added hassle.
The best for kayaks
- Ergonomic handle
- Lightweight and portable
- Just the right size for kayaks and canoes
Nothing beats feeling the weight of the water on the oar as you propel yourself. But when something wrong happens and that water gets inside the boat, you better be prepared to take it back where it belongs. This is where the Amarine kayak bilge pump comes in. It features an ergonomic design for easy gripping as you pump the water back out. Keeping you safe and preventing swamping.
Best features
- Superb build quality
- Nice pumping capacity
- The 18" x 2.5" pump only weighs 1 lb.
- 2" hose can be attached at either ends
One common problem with bilge pumps is how fragile the hoses are, especially near the end where it’s attached to the barb. So BEST made a quick fix by making both ends of the hose attachable. Giving your hose nearly twice the longevity. This is a great hand pump you’d love to take whether you’re going kayaking, canoeing, or even boating.