A boat sump pump system – aka a bilge pump or marine pump – is a good choice for keeping and draining water from your boat. Marine sump pumps are always a good idea for any boat that has on board showers, toilets or other water system.
We searched the most popular marine pumps to find the very best for your boat. Our team reviewed drain kit systems to pick the 5 very best ones for all types and sizes of boats. Keep reading to learn more about the best shower, toilet and bilge pump systems.
Best Bilge Pumps Pumps – Top 5
- MAXZONE Sump Boat Pump
- Shoreline Marine Bilge Pump
- Amarine Boat Pump
- Rule 1500 GPH Marine Bilge Pump
- Rule 2000 Bilge Pump
Learn more about the top rated boat sump pumps:
Best Bilge and Sump Pumps
| Our Pick | Pump | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Top Pick | MAXZONE Sump Boat Pump | 4.5 |
| Runner Up | Shoreline Marine Bilge Pump | 4 |
| Budget Pick | Amarine Boat Pump | 4.2 |
| Bilge Pump | Rule 1500 GPH Marine Bilge Pump | 4.3 |
| Most Expensive | Rule 2000 Bilge Pump | 4 |
Top Pick: MAXZONE Sump Boat Pump
Our top boat pump pick is the MAXZONE Water Pump. It can pump up to 1100 gallons of water per hour and is activated with a standard float switch.
You never want to be on the water with a pump that can’t clear the water from the bottom of your boat. We recommend the MAXZONE Sump Pump for most boat owners that need a pump for a small to medium sized boat. It is float activated and dependable enough to keep water out. It can also be used in your basement during emergency situations.
Pump Features
- 1100 Gallons per Hour Pump
- Activated by automatic float switch
- Built in internal float switch
- Attaches to standard NPT drain lines
- Stainless steel and thermoplastic design
- Air lock protection
- Water cooled motor
- Does not burn out in low water
Pros
- Easy to use – just plug it in
- Affordable for any boat owner
- Built in float switch with auto activation
Cons
- Noisy
Runner Up: Shoreline Marine Bilge Pump
Our runner up pick is the Shoreline Marine Bilge Pump. This pump might not look like much but it as all the features and pumping power you boat needs to stay dry.
The Shoreline Marine sump pump might seem small and under-powered but there is more to this pump than meets the eye. It can pump 1100 gallons of water per hour out of your boat and it is protected by a tough plastic shell so it can take the wear and tear associated with being installed on a boat.
Pump Features
- 1,100 GPH pump
- Weights 13.6 ounces
- Only requires 3 wires to install
Pros
- Can be installed in less than 5 minutes
- Powerful enough for small to medium sized boats
- Does not make a lot of noise
Cons
- Low flow and pressure compared to larger pumps
Budget Pick: Amarine Boat Pump
Our pick for the best budget pump for your boat is the Amarine Boat Pump. It costs under $15 and is enough power to drain water from most small to medium boats with its high flow rate and ability to run for long periods of time.
See Pump
The pump may be small by it is actually made of stainless steel and a thermoplastic shell. It is designed for efficiency and has a lower than normal current which means it uses less power. It is built with long term use in mind so it will have no problem running for 20+ minutes. The pump is designed to be fully submerged and the motor is water cooled so it is hard to overheat.
Pump Features
- Pumps 1100 gallons of water per hour
- Water cooled motor
- Makes little noise
- Made of stainless steel motor part
- Good bilge for small boats
Pros
- Easy to insall
- Good for small boats that are tight on space
- Water cooled motor
Cons
- May have problems with salt water
Bilge Pump: Rule 1500 GPH Marine Bilge Pump
Rule pumps are a great choice for medium sized boats with a 1 1/8″ discharge lines. We recommend the Rule 1500 GPH for medium size boats that need a pump that can be totally submersed in water without rusting.
See Pump
You never want to be on the water with a pump you can’t trust. We think this bilge pump is the best choice for medium size boats that have consistent water to plump form the bilge. With enough power to pump 1500 gallons of water per hour it is a good choice for big jobs. Another feature we like is that it runs almost totally silent which makes it a good choice for large boat trips with friends and for fisherman.
Pump Features
- Pump 1500 gallons per hour
- 3 year limited warranty
- Fits 1 1/8 barb discharge outlet
- Stainless steel construction
- Runs silent with no vibrations
Pros
- Powerful pump designed long term use
- Efficient design uses little power
- RULE is one of the best pump manufacturers
Cons
- More expensive than other pumps
Most Expensive: Rule 2000 Bilge Pump
The most expensive pump that is still a good value is the Rule 2000 Bilge Pump. This pump is one of the most powerful on the market and it built to last for years plus it has some additional bells and whistles.
See Pump
The RULE 2000 boat pump is one of our favorites but it does come with a high price tag. It can pump 2000 gallons of water per hour thanks to the powerful pump which is what separates it from similar models. Like other RULE pumps it runs almost totally silent and does not vibrate while in use.
Pump Features
- Pumps 2000 gallons per hour
- Uses about 8 amp
- Weights 3.5 pounds
- 3 year warranty
Pros
- Good for boats 25′ and larger
- Good for heavy duty pumping
- Easy to install
Cons
- May be too powerful for smaller boats
Buyers Guide
Here are a few of the most important things to consider when shopping for a new pump:
Runtime
If your boat has a lot of blge water to pump you will want a model that can run for more than a few minutes at a time. There are many small pumps with weak motors and low flow rates that can’t keep up with demands of larger boats. These smaller pumps may seem like a good idea but do not have the power needed to keep things dry.
Flow Rate
Make sure you get a pump with a high enough flow rate. If water is entering you your bilge quicker than you can pump it out your pump will only do a small amount of good. We recommend getting a model with a little more power than you will need but not too much since you don’t want to burn out the motor. Flow rate along with he pumps horse power should give you an idea of just how much water you can drain at a given head height.
Watch Out For Burned Out Motors
Getting the most powerful pump may seem like a good idea but if it is too powerful it will burn out the motor!
Pricing
Prices is always going to be the deciding factor for many boat owners. It is important to remember that you get what you pay for when it comes to water pump. More expensive models will be more dependable, have higher horsepower pump and drain more that cheaper alternatives. On the other hand, if you have a small boat or only occasionally need to pump water you may be able to save some money with a cheaper pump.
Who Needs A Boat Sump Pump
Getting out on the water with out a pump (or one that is broken) will leave you looking for a bucket and heading for shore. We recommend that every medium size boat and large have a pump installed when hitting the lake. If ou plan on using the pump occasionally you can get a detachable model and use it for other things around the jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a boat sump pump do?
The sump pump on your boat is responsible for draining what that collects in the bilge.