If you are looking for a seawater pump, the XAJE B SteelPump range is a great option. While not designed specifically as a marine pump they have proved to be very capable. We’ve seen these pumps survive years of salty conditions with no major issues, and they’re honestly one of the best value for money options around right now. Plus, they are one of the few easily repairable pumps on the market today where all the components can be sourced easily in the UK.

If you’re looking for a robust, long-lasting pump to handle seawater in a small boat, yacht, or marine setup, the XAJE80B or XAJE120B from SteelPumps could be the right option for you.

Isn’t Seawater Corrosive to pumps?

Absolutely. Seawater is notoriously harsh on metals, including many grades of brass and steel. It chews through these materials in no time. That’s why the materials in contact with the water are critical — and here’s where the XAJE B really earns its stripes.

In recent years, the old (chromed brass) plugs have been replaced with stainless steel, meaning the only materials now in contact with seawater are stainless steel, durable plastics (polypropylene and noryl), and NBR rubber. This makes a huge difference in resisting corrosion and extending lifespan.

It’s true that 420 stainless steel, which is used for the shaft, isn’t as corrosion resistant as some other grades like 304 and 316 but can still handle seawater as long as it isn’t left permanently immersed. If you're not running this pump 24/7 in hot, oxygen-rich seawater, you'll likely get years of reliable use before any signs of shaft wear even show up. And honestly? That’s more than enough for most boaters, who run their systems intermittently.

There is some possibility that a little surface rust may appear around chromium depletion zones at the weld points (like on the rear foot and outlet). That’s cosmetic more than anything and not likely to become a structural concern.

We know a guy on the Dorset coast who’s been running an XAJE80B in a sea salt extraction setup for years — no failures, no rebuilds.

When You’d Want to Pump Seawater on a Boat

Here are some real-life marine scenarios where the XAJE80B and XAJE120B are a perfect fit:

• Deck Washdowns – Got a muddy anchor or fish guts on the deck? A seawater washdown system saves your freshwater tank and gets the job done quickly.
• Livewell or Bait Tank Circulation – Keeping live bait healthy requires fresh seawater flow. This pump has the pressure and flow rate to keep things circulating well.
• Saltwater Supply for Cleaning or Rinse Stations – Great if you’re cleaning gear, fish, or dive equipment with saltwater directly from the sea.
• Seawater Transfer or Tank Filling – Moving seawater from one tank to another, especially in aquaculture or research setups? This is a great fit.
• Salt Harvesting - Pumping sea water to a sea salt processing units
• Temporary Water Supplies – Supplying seawater to mobile desalination equipment.

Technical Info at a Glance

Model: XAJE80B

• Power: 0.8 HP
• Flow Rate: Up to 50L/min
• Build: Stainless steel body & impeller, plastic internals, NBR seals
• Head: Up to 40m
• Use: Ideal for intermittent seawater duty (when properly pre-filtered).

For the full technical specification see the XAJE80B web page.

Model: XAJE120B

• Power: 1.2 HP
• Flow Rate: Up to 60L/min
• Build: Stainless steel body & impeller, plastic internals, NBR seals
• Head: Up to 49m
• Use: Ideal for intermittent seawater duty (when properly pre-filtered).

For the full technical specification see the XAJE120B web page.

Final Thoughts

The XAJE80B and XAJE120B SteelPumps aren’t billed as a marine-grade seawater pumps, but in practical terms, they handle the job extremely well. In most leisure applications, you’re unlikely to run into serious corrosion issues. The stainless-steel build, pressure activated operation, and compact size make it perfect for yachts, small boats, and other marine and coastal applications.

For maximum service life we recommend flushing with fresh water after use.

If you would like to talk through your salt water pumping application with our technical team, please contact us.