Wash down pump

[terry_thatcher]

I would like to install a wash down pump under the head sink, using the sink drain as the water supply. That seems doable, but I don’t know how to run the discharge tubing and where to put the deck spigot to which I will attach the hose. I can’t really access under the outer bulwark inside the boat above the head area. Everywhere else it seems I will have to run the hose in an exposed location inside the boat, which is pretty unsightly and/or requires new teak covering trim. Has anyone else done this and, if so, where did you put your spigot? Oh, and how powerful a pump do I need? West Marine has on sale a pump that looks like a Jabsco. They claim it will produce 60 psi, which seems sufficient for washing the anchor and the boat. Thanks for any advice.

 

[jimcleary]

Terry
Years ago I installed an anchor washdown pump system. The pump, a quad type, is located under the head sink and takes it's intake from the head salt water intake. The discharge runs up through the storage locker on the port side above the head. To gain access to the space inside the bulwark and under the caprail I first drilled a hole from the on deck anchor locker into the port bulwark. Next a hole was drilled in the upper part of the head locker to again access the bulwark space. I then fed metal snake from the anchor locker to the head. From the hole in the head locker, I fished out the snake. This went fairly easy and didn't require removing the V-bunk overhead. A 1/2" reinforced hose was then led from under the head sink to the anchor locker. The hose is exposed in the head locker but is tucked out of the way. The hose bib on deck is placed forward of the anchor locker on the port side in the little triangle area up there. I then use a 10' curly hose leading to a wand made from 1/2" PEX pipe with a PVC valve and a "suicide" nozzle on the end. The nonadjustable nozzle gives a powerful stream. Most of our anchoring is done in good New England mud and that powerful stream does a very good job of blasting it off. I'm going to be out at the boat this weekend, I'll take some photos and get the model of the pump for you.
A "suicide" nozzle is a narrow, single outlet, nozzle that reduces the diameter of the opening that will increase the pressure of the stream. We used them in the Navy to fight fires.

Jim

 

[terry_thatcher]

Thanks Jim. As usual you have given things some thought. I had not considered putting the outlet up forward because I thought a midships location would be more versatile. But your idea sound good, actually. The only issue will be cutting the holes. I spent some time and money making sure the upper anchor locker and the bulkhead there are sealed from the forecastle. If I follow your approach, that remains a concern.

 

[jimcleary]

Terry
You are right about sealing that bulkhead. Maybe a fitting with a 1/2" barb could be epoxyed into the bulkhead to maintain the watertight integrity?
The outlet forward of the anchor locker works great. The hose is always out of the way of the windlass and is used primarily for anchor washdown. When I want a salt water washdown for the rest of the boat, I add a 30' hose to the outlet that will reach back to the cockpit.
Photos tomorrow unless it's pouring rain.

Jim

 

[jimcleary]

Terry
Just got back from the boat in the yard. Too cold to do any work but I took some photos. The pump under the head sink is a Flojet 4305-144. The hose runs thru the upper locker on the aft end. The round hose fitting on the port side forward of the anchor locker is the outlet on deck. The wand is 36" long with the 10' crinkle hose, PVC valve, and the "suicide" nozzle. With the wand I can stand upright and get the water stream on the chain or the anchor as needed without bending my back too much. The wand stores in the on deck anchor locker on top of the secondary anchor and rode.
I hope this helps with your project.

Jim

 

[terry_thatcher]

Great, thanks so much. I also note you have better pulpit attachment points than I do. Do you rebuild the pulpit?

 

[jimcleary]

Terry
When we first brought the boat, the pulpit legs were blocked up with 3/4" teak blocks. We rebedded and replaced the teak with Starboard blocks. It stands up much better without a lot of maintenance.

 

[datswite]

I installed one in the same place as Jim - under the head sink, using the same through hull. However, the outlet is a flush style, and it's installed above the head locker. The outlet of the pump is directed to the aft outboard corner of the locker - hole saw through the fiberglass head liner - directly to the deck mounted outlet. The only space lost in the locker is a 3/4" hose in the very aft corner. The outlet is outboard, just inside the bulwark. I use one of those scrunchy style collapsible hoses. It easily reaches the foredeck for cleaning the anchor, but I can also hose down fish guts from the side deck or hose down the cockpit. It has worked great for fulltime cruising for the past 4 years. However, I use it far less in the Caribbean than along the US east coast. Sandy bottoms don't make a mess. Lol Doing it again, I'd install the same way.

That's the cap shroud in the photo for reference. The deck outlet came from Newfound Metals - I bought it along with their ports. I used a chisel to remove the non skid in the area of the outlet, so it would sit flush. Sealed with butyl tape. No leaks yet - 4 years.

 

[terry_thatcher]

Thanks. I like the idea of a flush mount. How does the hose attach? Most tails of hoses are female threads. So, this fitting must have female threads. I guess you just make a special hose with male fittings at each end?

 

[datswite]

The deck port comes with a fitting that you leave attached to the hose. It inserts into the deck port and locks with a quarter turn. It's a nice system. The deck port has a valve that opens when the hose is inserted. The water shuts off when you remove the hose. See the link below.

https://newfoundmetals.worldsecuresystems.com/deck-wash-down/deckwashdown

 

[tfrere]

I built a portable pump that fits in a fiberglass enclosure about 12 x 10 x 5 inches. I have quick connects for suction and discharge hoses on top as well as a cord to plug it in. I ran a trolling motor plug in on the inside of the toe rail over the v-berth cabinets. I throw the suction line overboard, plug it in, and hose down my anchor and chain. Works great.