The 5 Best Kayak Bilge Pumps in 2022 [Buying Guide]
Nobody wants to find themselves with water inside their kayak. Feeling your toes get wet, then your feet, up to your ankles while you frantically try to get all your non-waterproof items out of the way of the water.
Although a bilge pump may not seem a necessary purchase and indeed not as important as safety essential like a life vest, this handy dandy tool is worth thinking about buying. The thing is they can save lots of time and effort if you kayak or canoe should take on any water whether it be from rough waves crashing against the boat or returning to your boat after capsizing.
But lucky for you, we have created this buying guide to recommend to you some of the best kayak bilge pumps out there and we are ready to find the best kayak bilge pump for you!
What is a Bilge Pump, How Do They Work and Do I Need a Bilge Pump for my Kayak?
So what the bloody hell is a bilge pump eh? Well, a bilge pump is a small water removing pump typically pretty compact and straightforward to use.
A kayak bilge pump can be used to evacuate water from the cockpit of the kayak as well as the storage hatches making it easy to get rid of excess water without the additional headache of having to tip your kayak over to pour it all out. This way you can continue your trip without taking your kayak to shore.
Types of Kayak Bilge Pump
There are different types of kayak bilge pump each with its own features and advantages. The different types include manual bilge pump and automatic bilge pump.
Manual Bilge Pump
A manual bilge pump is a perfect option for any kayak or canoe as they tend to be small, compact, and therefore easy to store and transport in your kayak. They work much like a bike tire pump except instead of blowing air in the tire, it is sucking in water and evacuating it through a connected hose or tube.
To use a manual bilge pump, you would need to use both hands to pump (as if you were pumping up a tire) and positioning the tube outside of the kayak to let the water escape the boat.
The only downside to this type of kayak pump is that you can't expel the water and paddle simultaneously. So to expel out the water, you'll need to stop to do so.
Automatic or Electric Bilge Pump
A battery-operated kayak bilge pump usually operates using a sealed 12v acid battery or an alkaline D size battery. It's in the name that the automatic pump works, well, automatically.
The main benefit of the electric bilge is that you can let it run, expelling water while you are free to do other things like cast a fishing line or continue paddling.
A popular feature amongst electric bilge pumps is that they will automatically switch off once the water drops below a certain level which will conserve the battery.
The automatic kayak bilge pump is convenient because it does all the work for you and will pump larger amounts of water per minute than a manual and you don't need to take the kayak to the edge of the water or even stop mid paddle to pump water from the boat.
How to Choose the Right Kayak Bilge Pump?
To choose the right kayak bilge pump, you have to consider what features are important to you. For example, are you looking for the convenience of an electrical kayak bilge pump kit or are you just happy with an easy-to-use manual one? Are you looking for compactness, battery power, or floating ability? If the answer is "I don't know" then read on as we will walk you through the features step by step so you can easily decide exactly what you're after.
Size and Compactness
When considering the size of your new kayak bilge pump you need to consider how much water it will be pumping. Is it a single or a tandem kayak? A single kayak will be shorter and therefore you should consider a smaller bilge pump around 17.5-20". However, if you have a tandem, a longer pump would be more sufficient at 20" plus. You also want to store your pump efficiently and conveniently within your boat and when store your equipment at home.
Floating Ability
Arguably a very important feature of the best kayak bilge pumps is their ability to float. These safety features mean that should your pump disconnect from the kayak or be dropped in the salty depths of the sea you won't watch it sadly fall in slow motion. Instead, they are usually fitted with a bright colorful float which will save your pump from getting lost and ensure you can spot it easily on the water.
Power
When it comes to power as stated above you have a choice between a manually operated pump and an electric pump. What you don't want to do is spend a fortune on an all singing all dancing electric pump if you intend on kayaking in a small boat on flat water, because in this case, a manual pump will more than suffice. However, if you are more of a whitewater kayaker and tend to get water in the boat all the time then an electric pump will make all the difference.
Capacity or GPM
Bilge pumps come with different flow rates or water pumping capacities measured in GPM (Gallons Per Minute). When considering a bilge pump it's best to see 8 GPM as the minimum capacity. Higher flow rates mean better pump performance so although the minimum GPM will be cheaper, it is something to consider to get the best from your pump and go with a higher GPM, so you can get out of a difficult situation fast.
Color
The color of the pump is entirely up to you whether it matters or not. Whether you are hoping it might match your kayak color scheme or go with your new wetsuit the most important thing to remember is that it must be bright in colors. This is because it's best to be able to see your pump quickly and easily if you require using it fast or if you were to drop it in the water.
Material
You find that all the best bilge pumps have a body made from composed plastic and it is the insides that differ from each other. Manual pumps tend to be made out of mostly plastic with some including a metal rod to aid the pumping action. They are generally covered with a buoyant foam sleeve to stop you from losing them in the water.
Battery operated pumps use motors made from metal inside the plastic body which keeps out any water from the internal motor.
Handle or Grip
Some bilge pumps will include a padded handle for ease of pumping or an ergonomic molded handle for the best comfort.
Installation
When it comes to installing of the kayak pump you need to consider whether the pump is attached to the boat or mounted and whether the boat you intend on using is a single or double. A manual pump should be attached to the side of your kayak so you can reach your pump with ease without it being in the way.
An electrical pump needs to be installed with some technical know-how, but don't worry because bilge pumps usually come with instructions to install your pump with any wiring that has to be done. A battery-operated pump will most likely need to be mounted to the kayak. The best place for a bilge pump to be mounted is away from the feet. Nobody wants to be wrestling with wires after pulling them out with your feet so it's best to install your pump behind the cockpit.
Luckily most pumps come with extensive instruction manuals to ensure you get the best out of your pump.
Durability
It's a concern that comes with most things you buy; is this going to last? When searching for the best bilge pumps you want them to be made using high quality, high-grade plastic and corrosion and shock resistant stainless steel parts inside.
The 5 Best Kayak Bulge Pumps
Now we've pumped you full of information and explained all the features and guidelines related to buying bilge pumps lets find the best kayak bilge pump for you!
1. Seattle Sports Paddlers Bilge Pump
This standard manual bilge pump is exactly what you need if you're looking for an easy-to-use, compact and basic bilge pump.
It includes an easy-grip rubber over-molded ergonomic handle which makes pumping water easy and comfortable even when wet.
It also has a foam collar which aids in its buoyancy to ensure you don't lose it should it fall out of the kayak. The pump is also bright colors to aid its visibility and to further ensure you won't lose it!
Although this pump doesn't come with a hose it is capable of being compatible with a hose to make bailing easier.
This pump is really affordable and as a bonus could be used as a weapon in a spontaneous water fight!
This has the potential for being one of the best manual bilge pumps on the list as it comes with a detachable hose which makes it useful for getting water out from the bottom of your boat or hard-to-reach places and the hose can also be removed for easy storage.
It has an anti-leak design which makes it durable and resistant to punctures or holes as well as corrosion resistance which means the metal parts of the pump will not rust and corrode when faced with salty seawater.
It may be a little more expensive than other regular manual bilge pumps but we think it might be worth it!
This bilge pump comes in two battery size options 12 volts or 24 volts. The Rule 25S Marine water pump is designed to be convenient for small boats or kayaks.
This bilge pump automatically detects water in your boat using its built-in water sensors. When it detects water in the kayak above a certain level it will automatically start to pump water from your boat at 6 gallons per minute.
This bilge pump is a great option if you need to remove water from your boat a lot but you tend to not be in a position to do so or can't afford to stop and use a manual pump. It has the convenience feature of running without manual attention.
The NRS Basic Touring Safety Kit is a perfect choice for all types of kayakers whether you are a beginner or more experienced. It not only is a useful manual bilge pump but the kit comes with a whistle, paddle float, and a sponge.
This pack enables you to both attempt a self-rescue with the paddle float and whistle and expel any water from your boat with the bilge pump and the dregs with the sponge.
This bilge pump will float as it is equipped with a foam cover and it can expel up to 8 gallons per minute.
This automatic bilge pump reliably provides water bailing for a variety of sizes of boats. It's built using high-quality materials which comes with a higher price point. However, with an 8 GPM flow rate, easy installation, and high-quality corrosion-free, leak-free design this bilge pump may be worth it.
This bilge pump also has an integrated flood switch which will automatically activate when the water rises to a set point.
It weighs only o.8 lbs which makes it lightweight and transportable. Although it doesn't come with a hose already it has a 3/4 inch hose connection which is a common size making it easy to attach a hose if required.
Our Top Pick!
We've searched internet-wide for the best kayak bilge pumps on the market so that you can find the best bilge pumps to suit you and your kayak to enable you to pump water until your heart's content!
So, without further ado the best water pump for kayaks on the market today is, the NRS Basic Touring Safety Kit!
This Safety kit is so convenient and more than enough to aid in pumping water from your boat when the water level is getting more than a small puddle at the bottom!
So get out on the water and keep the water out of your boat!