What Is A Bilge Pump On A Boat?

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9 Models • 21' → 40'

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4 Models • 23' → 32'

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Heritage 261

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6 Models • 22' → 28'

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Masters 287

Blue and white Sportsman bay boat with Yamaha outboard engine and T-top against white background

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Masters 267OE

SportCraft Masters 247 bay boat with hard-top, Yamaha outboard engine, and tan seating viewed from the side

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Sportsman 227 bay boat in turquoise and white with T-top, center console helm, and outboard motor in side profile view

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Blog > What Is A Bilge Pump On A Boat?

A common question among new boaters is, "What is a bilge pump?" This is a quick look into what exactly a bilge pump is and what it does.

March 16, 2023
Cover image for the post What Is A Bilge Pump On A Boat?
Victor Gonzalez
Chief Marketing Officer
  • Bilge pumps remove water from the bilge to help prevent the boat from sinking
  • There are manual and automatic bilge pumps and automatic pumps activate when water is present
  • Many boats install more than one bilge pump to provide redundancy in case one fails

A bilge pump is a device used to remove water that accumulates in the bilge, which is the lowest part of the hull of a boat. The bilge pump is typically installed in the bilge and is designed to automatically pump out any water that enters the bilge, whether from leaks or from water that enters the boat from waves, rain, or other sources.

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Bilge pumps are essential safety equipment for any boat, as they help prevent the boat from sinking due to excess water in the bilge. There are different types of bilge pumps available, including manual pumps that require someone to operate them, and automatic pumps that turn on automatically when they sense water in the bilge. Some boats may have multiple bilge pumps installed to ensure redundancy in case one fails or is overwhelmed.

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