Bilge Pumps Review

Summary

Often neglected to the detriment of boats and their owners, bilge pumps are highly recommended safety equipment for boaters. Installing the right types of bilge pumps, as well as the right number of bilge pumps, and correctly maintaining a boat’s bilge pumps should be just as important as filling up the gas tank. Considering the value of your boat should also prompt you to investigate the condition of your bilge pumps. Properly operating bilge pumps can keep your boat from filling up with water and sinking. Inspecting your boat bilge pump parts should be part of your routine maintenance. Most pump failures are due to the failure of the electrical system due to lack of maintenance. Bilge pump switches are particularly prone to failure if they are not carefully maintained.

Whether or not you like to think about disasters, many things can go seriously wrong when you’re out in open water, such as an exhaust hose failing or a hull fitting letting in water. Sometimes a significant amount of water may pour in unnoticed and will require a boat bilge pump with enough power to remove it quickly. Too small a pump or not enough pumps will leave your boat in jeopardy. Smaller boats may require larger bilge pumps because they fill up faster. The use of manual bilge pumps is not recommended. Manual pumps can do very little to avert a major problem with water because their use is limited by your physical strength and stamina.

Electric bilge pumps are much preferred over manual bilge pumps because their capacity to remove water is much greater. Check to see how many compartments in your boat will need pumps and make sure they are correctly installed. Your boat might also need an additional emergency pump, especially boats with outboards or stern drives. Don’t forget regular check-ups and replacements of batteries for battery-powered pumps.

Pros

• Bilge pumps can quickly pump out water that could sink your boat.
• Bilge pumps are an important safety feature for the passengers in your boat.
• Boating experts recommend bilge pumps.

Cons

• Incorrectly maintained bilge pumps could give a false sense of security.
• Electrical and battery failures can lead to non-functioning pumps.
• Pumps that are too small won’t be able to remove enough water fast enough to keep the boat from sinking.

Featured Manufacturers

Rule and Attwood

Conclusion

Bilge pumps offer significant safety features for boat owners. Electric pumps are much preferred over manual bilge pumps because of their much greater capacity and power for removing large amounts of water quickly. Boat owners must pay attention to maintenance of bilge pump parts, particularly bilge pump switches, because corrosion and dirt build-up can cause unsuspected failure of the electrical system at a critical time. Pumps powered by batteries are also susceptible to failure if the batteries are not routinely checked and replaced.