How to Build a Kayak Bilge Pump

Water is supposed to be on the outside of a kayak not inside, but wild rapids, heavy waves or an unintentional rollover can leave a kayak full of water. A kayak bilge pump is an easy way to the remove water from the hull when getting out and dumping the water is impractical or otherwise unsafe. Some common materials from around your garage or at the local hardware store are all you'll need to build a kayak bilge pump.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 ½-inch schedule-40 PVC pipe
  • Two 1 ½-inch schedule-40 PVC tee fittings
  • 1 ½-inch PVC end cap
  • 1 ½-inch PVC coupler
  • PVC primer and glue
  • Small scrap of thin aluminum sheet (about 1.5 mm thick)
  • Small scrap of thin rubber sheet (about 1.5mm thick)
  • Measuring tape
  • Drill
  • 16-inch long rod
  • Four nuts or fastening devices that will thread onto the rod
Show More

Instructions

  1. Cutting

    • 1

      Cut a piece of PVC pipe to 12 inches.

    • 2

      Cut a piece of PVC pipe to 1 ½ inches.

    • 3

      Cut the aluminum sheet into a circle about 1/16-inch smaller than the inside diameter of the PVC pipe.

    • 4

      Cut the rubber sheet into a circle just slightly larger than the inside diameter of the PVC pipe. It should fit snugly but be able to slide up and down the pipe.

    Drilling

    • 5

      Drill one hole, centered in the aluminum circle, so the rod will fit tightly into it.

    • 6

      Drill four to six other holes equally spaced around the center hole.

    • 7

      Drill a hole in the center of the rubber disk, the same size as you did for the center hole on the aluminum circle.

    • 8

      Drill a hole in the center of the PVC end cap, the same size as you did for the aluminum circle center hole.

    • 9

      Drill a hole in the center of the second PVC tee, the same size as you did in the PVC end cap and slide it on the end of the rod. Push the aluminum circle and then the rubber circle on the end of the rod and secure them with nuts or other fastening devices.

    Gluing

    • 10

      Glue one PVC tee to one end of the 12-inch PVC pipe.

    • 11

      Glue the 1 ½-inch long PVC pipe to the other end of the tee.

    • 12

      Glue the PVC coupler to the end of the PVC pipe with the aluminum and rubber circles.

    Assemble

    • 13

      Slide the end of the rod without the aluminum and rubber circles into the end of the 12-inch pipe without the tee, pushing the aluminum and rubber circles just into the end of the pipe. You might need to lubricate the rubber circle with petroleum jelly or silicone grease so it slides into the pipe smoothly. This creates a waterproof seal.

    • 14

      Slide the end cap over the end of the rod and glue it to the other end of the 1 ½-inch PVC pipe you glued to the tee earlier. Secure it to the end with your rod fasteners.

    • 15

      Once all glue joints are dry, start pumping water.