Manual Bilge Pumps

Our Manual Bilge Pumps range covers hand-operated bilge pumps for clearing water from the bilge without relying on the battery – a backup that keeps working if the electric pump or the boat’s power fails.

A manual bilge pump is not a replacement for an electric bilge pump – it’s the backup you reach for if the electric pump fails, the battery is flat, or the boat loses power altogether, which is exactly when you most need a working bilge pump. Every boat should carry one regardless of how good the electric setup is. Check the pump’s output rate (litres per minute/stroke) against your bilge volume so you know roughly how long it would take to clear a serious ingress, and make sure the handle and hose are stowed somewhere genuinely reachable in an emergency, not buried under gear.

Test it occasionally rather than assuming it works, since diaphragm and valve components can perish if left unused for long periods.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a manual bilge pump if I already have an electric one?

Yes – the manual pump is your backup if the electric pump or the boat’s power fails, which is often exactly when you need it most.

Where should I store the manual bilge pump?

Somewhere genuinely reachable in an emergency, not buried under gear – and make sure the crew knows where it is.

Should I test a manual bilge pump before the season?

Yes – diaphragm and valve components can perish if left unused, so a quick test avoids relying on it for the first time in an emergency.