Marine Pumps are Ideal for More than Boats

Marine pumps are a must for boating, but you may also be surprised to find out you can use them around the home, yard or when you are camping or spending time at the cabin. One of the most popular all around pumps that can be used both on the water as well as on land is the hand pump, simple to operate and capable of moving a lot of water with a very small amount of effort.

When you think of boats, watercraft and marine pumps then you are probably thinking about a bilge pump. These pumps, which can be incredibly lightweight and very easy to store onboard, are completely submersible. As the name implies, the earliest use of these pumps was in the lowest compartment on a ship, the bilge, and the pumps were critical for removing excess water from the ship. Originally they were also called force pumps, but later the term bilge pump became the standard. In smaller boats and pleasure watercrafts the bilge pump is designed to avoid those problem situations when water comes overboard or when there is minor damage to the hull or bottom of the boat. Even small fishing boats can find a bilge pump handy and it can be used to bring fresh water into live storage containers on fishing boats, a great way to bring home some really fresh fish.

Bilge pumps, like other types of marine pumps, have different pumping capacities. This is reflected in the GPM or gallons per minute rating, which is always listed in conjunction with the foot of head specifications. Most are designed for both fresh and salt water use however some pumps are specifically only for fresh water. They can be designed to be virtually vibrationless, allowing them to run without causing any noise or knocking on the hull and through the boat. It is always a good idea to check that they have corrosion and rust protection, most are stainless steel to minimize any issues with either potential problem.

A very practical option to a bilge pump is the hand pump. This type of marine pump doesn't require any power source other than what you provide in the pumping action of the handle. For the infrequent or weekend boater a hand pump is a low cost, lightweight and very compact safety option for onboard. Of course you can also use them on land, which makes them perfect for pumping out water in the basement, water in the cabin or for draining areas of the landscaping when necessary. They are designed to be able to handle gray water which means you don't have to have perfectly clean and filtered water to use the system. You do need to flush out the pump after use with clean water to ensure a solid seal on the diaphragm for future use if gray water is pumped.

These pumps typically use a diaphragm type of system that pulls water in to the pump cavity when the hand is raised by creating suction, then forcing it out the discharge hose when the handle is depressed. The faster you raise and lower the handle the more water is pumped. These pumps are very small in size with a detachable handle for compact storage and easy movement.

Marine pumps of all types are available in a variety of sizes and styles. If you think you will have a need for a pump around the cabin, house or yard you may want to consider a hand pump, it really is a very versatile tool.