Anyone done any neat projects or have any good ideas to equip their boat for keeping the exterior clean? I am considering installing a pump to provide lake water pressure for periodic cleaning of my boat. Today I use the bucket and rope method to get water to the decks (my marina doesn't have water at the individual docks). Any suggestions?
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it's hard to beat a bucket and rope
for cost and efficency!!!! Unfortunately the water at my dock is so dirty that it'd probably make the boat dirtier!!! Elbow grease is the only way that I've found to keep the boat clean. Well that and a little dish washing detergent. I hate to wash the boat while it's in the water but for a larger boat there really isn't any choice.
for cost and efficency!!!! Unfortunately the water at my dock is so dirty that it'd probably make the boat dirtier!!! Elbow grease is the only way that I've found to keep the boat clean. Well that and a little dish washing detergent. I hate to wash the boat while it's in the water but for a larger boat there really isn't any choice.
Pumping lake water.
Wish I could remember where. But someone wrote of making something to drop overboard, maybe a pump in a bucket? They wanted a source for washing the anchor chain and deck but did not want a new thru-hull or below decks plumbing. So basically a pump to plug into a 12v supply, a hose overboard and walla! Personally, if I had the time and money, I would like a hose in the anchor locker attached to a pump.
Wish I could remember where. But someone wrote of making something to drop overboard, maybe a pump in a bucket? They wanted a source for washing the anchor chain and deck but did not want a new thru-hull or below decks plumbing. So basically a pump to plug into a 12v supply, a hose overboard and walla! Personally, if I had the time and money, I would like a hose in the anchor locker attached to a pump.
Thanks
Thanks for the feedback. Actually the hose and pump in the anchor locker is a really good one especially since I already have wired 12V power there for a windless that is not!
Thanks for the feedback. Actually the hose and pump in the anchor locker is a really good one especially since I already have wired 12V power there for a windless that is not!
Ed, why not just run a line off your fresh water
supply. A friend who owns a 38 IP did that...ran the line and ended it at a new faucet to which he attached a garden hose...kept the hose coiled on a hook high on the aft chain locker bulkhead...ran it out through the forward deck hatch when he wanted to wash off the anchor and rode. However, he was in salt water...you're in fresh. Why not just install a small raw water washdown pump--which you'd also be able to use to wash the boat or hose off any part of it that needs it. And btw...if the water in the marina is too dirty for boat washing, motor out to a nice spot where the water is clean and drop the anchor. We did that one year when drought conditions led to watering restrictions that included no boat washing. Several of us went in together on a washdown pump...one of my dock maters wired it to plug into a "cigarette lighter" receptable...put a long hose on the intake so we could just set the pump down in the cockpit and dangle the hose over the side...we took turns using it wash our boats with lake water.
supply. A friend who owns a 38 IP did that...ran the line and ended it at a new faucet to which he attached a garden hose...kept the hose coiled on a hook high on the aft chain locker bulkhead...ran it out through the forward deck hatch when he wanted to wash off the anchor and rode. However, he was in salt water...you're in fresh. Why not just install a small raw water washdown pump--which you'd also be able to use to wash the boat or hose off any part of it that needs it. And btw...if the water in the marina is too dirty for boat washing, motor out to a nice spot where the water is clean and drop the anchor. We did that one year when drought conditions led to watering restrictions that included no boat washing. Several of us went in together on a washdown pump...one of my dock maters wired it to plug into a "cigarette lighter" receptable...put a long hose on the intake so we could just set the pump down in the cockpit and dangle the hose over the side...we took turns using it wash our boats with lake water.
fresh water pump
You can buy a submersible pump from any of the large home stores (Lowes or Home Depot) for around $50. Hook a hose to it, plug it into 110V, and drop it in the water. The pressure won't be quite what you have at home but its enough for a rinse. If you want more pressure you can hook up a power washer, just be careful using it on the boat.
You can buy a submersible pump from any of the large home stores (Lowes or Home Depot) for around $50. Hook a hose to it, plug it into 110V, and drop it in the water. The pressure won't be quite what you have at home but its enough for a rinse. If you want more pressure you can hook up a power washer, just be careful using it on the boat.
Great idea Peggy!
At least doing this anchored out in the middle of the lask sound much less like the work is seems while doing it at the marina. Thanks for the idea! I am thinking most seriously about the raw water pump and I think Ed's idea about installing in in the anchor locker is an outstanding one given I think I already have wiring in the locker for a windless that is not installed...at least the breaker panel has a windless breaker and I hope that means there is wiring up front. The 12V approach vs. the AC approach would certainly be more convenient than only having the capability to wash the boat while at the dock.
At least doing this anchored out in the middle of the lask sound much less like the work is seems while doing it at the marina. Thanks for the idea! I am thinking most seriously about the raw water pump and I think Ed's idea about installing in in the anchor locker is an outstanding one given I think I already have wiring in the locker for a windless that is not installed...at least the breaker panel has a windless breaker and I hope that means there is wiring up front. The 12V approach vs. the AC approach would certainly be more convenient than only having the capability to wash the boat while at the dock.
Power washer needs 115v AC power.
Best to go with the 12v washdown with a sprayer nozzle that'll give you some decent pressure.
Best to go with the 12v washdown with a sprayer nozzle that'll give you some decent pressure.
Just tee the fresh water pressure side...
If all you want is an anchor washdown. You'll use a couple of gallons, tops, and you won't have funky marine life decaying in your anchor locker. There's a cool little quick-release deck fitting that Newfound Metals sells on their website. I installed that on my boat when I put in a windlass this past spring. You can see it if you follow the link. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
If all you want is an anchor washdown. You'll use a couple of gallons, tops, and you won't have funky marine life decaying in your anchor locker. There's a cool little quick-release deck fitting that Newfound Metals sells on their website. I installed that on my boat when I put in a windlass this past spring. You can see it if you follow the link. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
Wash down pump
Kevin, I installed a dedicated 12 V water pump with a permanent hose up to the anchor lock. With a 2 way valve, see picture, I can choose between fresh water from the tanks, or raw water. To avoid drilling a second thru-hull, raw water is taken from the head water inlet using a second 2-way valve. I included a check valve in the fresh water inlet pipe to avoid contamination of the water in the tanks. To simplify electrical connections and plumbing, I located the new pump in the same area of the main fresh water pump and I installed a switch to direct the current to either one of the pumps at a time. This saved me from installing a new circuit breaker in my panel and the extra distance of wiring. It took a little planning to come up with all the fittings, but it has been worth.
Kevin, I installed a dedicated 12 V water pump with a permanent hose up to the anchor lock. With a 2 way valve, see picture, I can choose between fresh water from the tanks, or raw water. To avoid drilling a second thru-hull, raw water is taken from the head water inlet using a second 2-way valve. I included a check valve in the fresh water inlet pipe to avoid contamination of the water in the tanks. To simplify electrical connections and plumbing, I located the new pump in the same area of the main fresh water pump and I installed a switch to direct the current to either one of the pumps at a time. This saved me from installing a new circuit breaker in my panel and the extra distance of wiring. It took a little planning to come up with all the fittings, but it has been worth.
Here is the raw water inlet
with a 2 way valve in the head inlet pipe. Also shown the switch to split the current between both pumps
with a 2 way valve in the head inlet pipe. Also shown the switch to split the current between both pumps
Attachments
Waterbuster
As a boatwright, I often had use for a portable pump; which might also serve your purposes. The Attwood #ATT 41404 is a self-contained battery (3 x ‘D’ cell) operated portable, at about 5: diameter x 7" high selling for about $30 USD. It won’t provide pressure, but will lift lake water to your deck and anchor locker. It can also dewater your dinghy, etc. I also had a larger pump, that was connected (alligator clips or cig. lighter plug) to the house battery, and provided more water, and slight pressure (over $100). Sorry, don’t recall the part number. Regards, Gord
As a boatwright, I often had use for a portable pump; which might also serve your purposes. The Attwood #ATT 41404 is a self-contained battery (3 x ‘D’ cell) operated portable, at about 5: diameter x 7" high selling for about $30 USD. It won’t provide pressure, but will lift lake water to your deck and anchor locker. It can also dewater your dinghy, etc. I also had a larger pump, that was connected (alligator clips or cig. lighter plug) to the house battery, and provided more water, and slight pressure (over $100). Sorry, don’t recall the part number. Regards, Gord
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