Wash Down Pump

[ciswindell]

I am planning on installing a wash down pump on my 23 and would like some help from others that already have them installed.  I plan to mount the pump in the starboard cockpit locker near the transom.  My biggest problem with the logistics is how to get water to the pump.  I don't have any thru hulls below the water line (and don't want any).  My current plan is to mount thru hull high on the transom that I can attach a short length of hose and the hose will then be attached to the swim ladder.  The thought is that when I need to wash down, I can just flip down the swim ladder and it will hold the hose underwater.

Thoughts?

Chris

[MacGyver]

Chris,
My opinion as a boat tech, I would personally put in a thru hull, Bronze, with a bronze sea cock/ball valve (get marine style, not hardware store type, I cant tell you how many of those I had to beat out before....)

Then get a nipple fitting and run the hose to the pump that way........
Thru hulls are really not that bad, but I do understand your concern.

I put in a ton over the years and actually the last 5 years on transducers I hand tighten them, thru hulls I just tighten as best I can. thread seal the threads (liquid type thread seal, both inside threads and outside threads) And no problems!

Seal the thru hull in with "Life Caulk"  to the hull and make sure it oozes out top and bottom all the way around. good stuff, and every 4 years I would reseal it. I literally do transducers in 45 minutes, that is get em out, clean em, reseal and back in.  If the thru hull threads are tall enough then you dont even have to take it out. Just loosen the nut high enough to have access to get to the spot to get new sealant back into it.

Dont use 5200, just my opinion. Pain in the a$$....... Life caulk remains pliable, and I have not once broke anything getting em back out again to reseal.  4 years is a short time, I redid one from 12 years ago, and only reason is they put new instruments in........ I pushed the old right out with my bare hand from the top. some force but it came out no issues.

On the outside remove bottom paint where thru hull would be, bottom paint is sacrificial, so this is just a insurance to get rid of that and put thru hull in, then paint up to it next day after life caulk is dry.  If you have the time, wait a week to paint.

I have been waiting to do another at work so I can put it up in the DIY section, OF COURSE I had a ton this winter and spring....... (new ones I put in)      havent had one for a while yet.

If you do it the way your talking about, the issue I see is pump failure. It has to overcome the hose, etc, then also pull from the leak you will be bound to have at the hose to thru hull connection, and over a short time I would think pump failure to occur.   BUT some pumps I have installed (the more pricey pumps) have a saver built in, that keeps this from happening.

PM me for any other info, I know someone else will have ideas here too, these forums are awesome!

Mac

[Shawn]

Chris,

What about pressurizing your existing fresh water system and adding a hose tap to be used for wash down? I redid my entire water system last year and it has been very nice to have. Makes the sink that much more useable and I also use it to run misters on hot days to help cool off.

Shawn

[Bob23]

Chris:
   A year ago or so, someone here converted thier onboard fresh water tank to a washdown system. If you do a search, you might find it. They obviously did thier homework and found an ideal pump (Jabsco, I think) which worked even while the hose bib was not in use. I believe the hose bib was stored in a cocpit locker. Check it out. And don't be afraid of seacocks. Jason is correct. Bronze and make sure to shut it off. Any boat with an inboard uses thru hull fittings and most have no problem. Do you really want a hose stuck on your ladder? Sounds like it could be a tripping hazard.
   I'd like to know how this project progresses.
Bob23