Do you frequently go out for kayaking trips? Do you love paddling in the water and spend you day on your boat? If you have answered yes to the questions asked above, then you definitely must consider purchasing a bilge pump for your kayak!
Why Is A Bilge Pump Important?
A bilge pump is an important piece of equipment that you must have on your kayak if you regularly take your kayak out. A bilge pump efficiently removes any water or oil that gets accumulated on the insides of the boat. This is extremely important if you are going to places with a lot of waves. In such cases, the binge pump is effectively able to drain out any excess water that may have entered the boat in situations like this.
The bilge pump will also be able to pump out the water from the storage hatches as well as the cockpit of the kayak. This means that with the bilge pump, you will be able to drain out the excess water out from your boats easily, without going through the harassment of turning your kayak sideways or upside down. With bilge pumps, this problem can be solved easily only within a matter of few minutes.
Best 9 Bilge Pumps For Kayaking
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1. NRS Kayak Bilge Pump
NRS Kayak Bilge Pump looks deceptively simple, but you should not judge it by its look alone. With it, you will easily be able to suck the water out of the kayak in a matter of a few minutes. Now, you might be thinking that you might have to purchase a hose separately in order to drain the water out, but you could not be more wrong. NRS Kayak Bilge Pump does not require a hose to spray the water out. It floats on the water as it is stuffed with foam. It can pump 8 gallons per minute and that means, draining the water would not take long.
I always keep one tucked away in my kayak, because you never know when it might come in handy. It’s crazy thin and lightweight so it doesn’t take up much space, but it pumps large quantities of water like a champion. I don’t even bother hooking up a hose; this thing has enough oomph that the liquid just blasts right over the side without any extra equipment.
2. Perception Bilge Pump for Kayaks
Perception Bilge Pump for Kayaks is much bigger than what it appears in the above picture. This powerful bilge pump can help you get rid of the extra water from your boat. It removes water on both strokes (upward and downward) and thus allowing you to save precious energy while paddling in the middle of nowhere. You can attach a hose to it; all you have to do is to attach the hose to its ribbed output nozzle.
Use bungee rigging to get it attached to the deck. Perception Bilge Pump for Kayaks is resistant to both saltwater and corrosion. In just 13 pumps, it can remove 1 Gallon water. The handgrip is padded with foam.
3. Attwood Hand Bilge Pump
Attwood Hand Bilge Pump is a decent quality bilge pump that allows you to remove excess water from your kayak. You don’t have to purchase a hose to get the water removed from the bottom of your boat because Attwood Hand Bilge Pump is powerful enough to drain the excess water out. Attwood Hand Bilge Pump has got a plastic body and it is highly resistant to impacts and abrasion. It has got an impressive 8 gallons per minute of water removal capacity.
Featuring a sturdy, impact-resistant plastic construction, it’s built tough to get the job done right. Plus, there’s an ergonomic hand grip that comes to the rescue in case of an “oops” moment – like if the pump is dropped into the water – it won’t go down easily as it floated back up to the surface. Keep calm and stay afloat with the Attwood Hand-Operated Bilge Pump.
4. SeaSense Kayak Hand Pump
I recently picked up the SeaSense Kayak Hand Pump and it’s a game-changer for dealing with any excess water that makes its way onto my Ascend 10T. It really goes above and beyond to drain away even the last few inches on the deck. While the included 12-inch discharge hose is super helpful, a longer one would probably be even handier for me when I’m pumping out water from an awkward spot. Still, it’s really convenient as far as storage is concerned and tucks away neatly into my storage crate.
SeaSense’s kayak hand pump has your back when it comes to removing water and keeping you from sinking. This handy pump will draw up that extra water in no time whether it’s 1 inch deep or hard-to-reach areas. And if it accidentally falls overboard, the floating collar will make sure the pump sticks around too! With this hand pump at your side, you won’t have to worry about getting soaked on your next adventure – just let the pump do its thing and enjoy your trip!
Its ergonomic grip makes pumping out water a cinch and its removable hose ensures easy transport and storage. This efficient one-way pump comes with a mesh bag for those who want to take care of drainage quick-smart and ensure the best kayaking experience possible.
5. Docooler Hand Bilge Pump
Made from EVA and Polypropylene, Docooler Hand Bilge Pump is a heavy-duty bilge pump that is designed to help paddlers get rid of excess water in a matter of few minutes. Weighs just around 380g, Docooler Hand Bilge Pump flaunts a compact design and it is very easy to carry around. Antiskid wrappage helps to increase the floating ability of the bilge pump. The handle has got a nice ergonomic design and offers a great grip. It pumps well and does not make you feel exhausted in the process.
5. Pelican Boats Paddlers Bilge Floating Hand Pump
Pelican Boats Paddlers Bilge Floating Hand Pump lets you drain the water out of your boat without making you feel tired in the process. Foam sleeve increases its floatability and also allows you to a better grip on it. Pelican Boats Paddlers Bilge Floating Hand Pump is highly resistant to shock and corrosion. Pelican Boats Paddlers Bilge Floating Hand Pump is made from strong and durable materials and that means, it will last long. It does great for the price, to be honest with you all. You don’t have to worry in case you drop it in the water because it floats on water.
7. Harmony Gear High Volume Bilge Pump
Harmony Gear High Volume Bilge Pump shoots the water high and that means, you don’t have to spend extra bucks on a new hose. With it, you will be able to drain out volumes of water very fast and effectively. It works like a charm and is known for removing a large volume of water in a matter of few seconds. Harmony Gear High Volume Bilge Pump has got a low-key design which is impressive and it can empty 1 gallon of water per 14 strokes.
Harmony Gear High Volume Bilge Pump has got a synthetic body and that means, it is highly resistant to corrosion and abrasion. The handle has got nice contours too.
8. Seattle Sports Paddler’s Bilge Hand Pump
Seattle Sports Paddler’s Bilge Hand Pump is very easy to use. Even when it is soaked with water, the handle allows you to make pumps comfortably. The handle is over-molded with rubber and this is what offers a solid grip. Its neon yellow body color makes it easier for the paddler to spot in the midst of mayhem. Seattle Sports Paddler’s Bilge Hand Pump is known for its buoyancy and it has an impressive 8 gallon-per-minute capacity. Strong aluminum shaft adds to its durability. It is a decent quality bilge pump that can empty a large volume of water without making you pay a premium price for it.
9. Seattle Sports Breakaway Bilge Pump
Seattle Sports Breakaway Bilge Pump is easy to use and clean. It has got an aluminum shaft and over-molded handle that makes pumping a less strenuous job. Seattle Sports Breakaway Bilge Pump has got a nice ergonomic design and the handle offers a nice and comfortable grip even when it is wet. The mechanism is very simple. It just sucks the water when you pull the pump and then when you push it, the water gets dispersed. When not in use, you can break it down in 3 parts and then clean with cotton cloth inside out.
A modular bilge pump you can take apart for easy cleaning and plunger replacement. The breakaway bilge pump has an extra-strong aluminum shaft and 8 gallon-per-minute capacity, combined with an ergonomically contoured, over-molded handle for improved grip and comfort, and Lime foam grip for better visibility.
Things To Look Out For In Bilge Pumps
Now that you have understood what bilge pumps are and why they are so useful, you must be thinking of purchasing one for your very own kayak. However, buying a bilge pump is a decision that you must not make in haste.
Thus, here are some considerations that you must factor in when buying a bilge pump for your kayak:
Floatation
One of the most important considerations for a bilge pump is its ability to float in water. In case during kayaking your bilge pump flows out into the water, you would not want it to sink. Thus, it is important that your bilge pump must be able to float on water. For this, we recommend that you go for manual binge pumps. Manual pumps are coated with foam material that helps the pump to float in the water, in case you drop the pump by accident. Another thing to keep in mind is that your pump must have a leash so that in case it lands in water, it is not taken away by the water. However, if you opt for automatic bilge pumps, they will already be secured in your kayak and you will not have to face such issues.
Size
The pump size depends on the size of your boat and the amount of water that you will require to drain. The bigger the pump, the more water it will able to spill out. However, you also need to make sure that your pump is not crammed into your kayak and there is sufficient space for everything else as well. The best place to put your bilge pump is the front deck since it can be easily accessed from the cockpit and does not come in the way of the paddle strokes as well.
Power
Bilge pumps either get powered by the human muscles or by batteries. If you are one of those who don’t mind toiling hard, manual bilge pump is their best buddy. Battery operated bilge pumps are on the other hand quite convenient. Manual bilge pumps sport a cylindrical shape. Some people tend to confuse Manual bilge pumps with bicycle tire air pumps as they look almost the same. The biggest benefits of using Manual bilge pumps is that they are easy to operate, they have lower running cost and they get the job done really fast and that too without creating much fuss.
Battery operated bilge pumps usually get powered by either 12v acid batteries or alkaline “D” batteries. Battery operated bilge pumps tend to work really well as long as the water level remains to a certain limit; it gets shut down automatically once the water level drops below a certain limit. The biggest benefit of Battery-operated bilge pumps is that they do the heavy lifting for you. They are powerful enough to pump out large volume of water fast and more efficiently and thus allowing you to spend more time exploring the water world.
So, now that you know all about bilge pumps, do make an informed decision when purchasing a bilge pump for your kayak, and remember to keep these considerations in mind when buying one!
