Bilge Pump Parts

About Bilge Pump Parts

Boat Pump Parts & Accessories

Bilge pumps are essential for removing excess water buildup within the bilge of a boat. This is not an easy job as bilge pumps are subject to oil, waste, and the occasional bit of gunk or trash. Maintenance kits, bilge pump replacement parts, and new float switches can save the day and are generally easy to change out. Confirm your parts list before you buy and get to fixing that bilge pump!

Bilge Pump Basics

Unless you use a bailer, your boat has a bilge pump. If you've had the pleasure of using a bailer and a bilge pump at different times, it's likely you prefer the bilge pump handling the water removal. Bilge pumps remove the excess water that accumulates within the hull of your boat. Water accumulates within the bilge, from sources such as:
  • Rainwater
  • Ocean spray
  • Pipe, Window, Hose, and Hull Leaks
  • Condensation

When this water doesn't drain directly through a scupper or off the deck it accumulates in the bilge. The bilge pump removes this water, either manually or automatically. Without a bilge pump, water within the bilge could eventually cause a boat to sink.

Manual or Automatic?

A manual bilge pump will help pump out excess water accumulated within the bilge. An automatic bilge pump uses a sensor to detect when the water within the bilge has reached a certain level, then pumps it out once the sensor is triggered. Float switches engage the pump automatically when the bilge water levels reach a certain level. Defender carries bilge pump replacement parts for automatic and manual systems.

Hand & Fixed/Emergency Pumps

Defender carries hand pumps for manual pumping and emergency pumps. Mobile hand pumps can be extremely useful, even on large vessels. Hand pumps can:

  • Work when there is no electricity
  • Pump out small areas outside of the bilge
  • Pump out hard-to-reach places that won't naturally drain

Emergency pumps and installed manual pumps can also work without electricity. These pumps have many uses, from the bilge to wastewater. Emergency pumps set up as a failsafe on boats with automatic pumps installed can be a comfort as an extra safety measure.