We have our own boathouse/dock, and it does not have water run to it, but it does have electricity. As an alternative to the very expensive water company hookup, I am thinking about installing some kind of wash down pump that will pull water from the lake. Obviously we won't use it for potable water, but it would be very helpful for just general clean up / wash down. I looked through the West Marine catalog; everything I saw there was 12v. I think, for ease of use, I want one that is 110v - just wire it into the dock electricity. What suggestions do you have for me? Are there 110v options? Home Depot options? What GPM rating and PSI do I need for general wash down purposes. I have no idea what PSI or GPM I get from my backyard garden hose, but that's what I'm looking for in a washdown pump. Thanks for the advice!
Dockside Wash Down Options
- Thread starter Sherry
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Electric pump
You could try a landscape supply store that sells pumps. Your garden hose probably flows at 1 (no more than 2) gallons per minute. The pressure would be 20 pounds per square inch (low) to about 45 psi, unless you have really high pressure. So look for something in that range. Can a plumber run a line from your house to the lake without necessarily making a water service connection at the street (is that what you mean by "water company" hookup)??
You could try a landscape supply store that sells pumps. Your garden hose probably flows at 1 (no more than 2) gallons per minute. The pressure would be 20 pounds per square inch (low) to about 45 psi, unless you have really high pressure. So look for something in that range. Can a plumber run a line from your house to the lake without necessarily making a water service connection at the street (is that what you mean by "water company" hookup)??
Dock washdown pumps
In the area where I live most of the lumber yards and hardware stores have just the setup you're talking about. Complete dock pump kits that run off of 110V. Prices vary a little...but you can get a basic setup with good pressure for $150 up.
In the area where I live most of the lumber yards and hardware stores have just the setup you're talking about. Complete dock pump kits that run off of 110V. Prices vary a little...but you can get a basic setup with good pressure for $150 up.
water company hookup
Our lake house is in a very rural/dirt road area. Water company offered me two options - I could have a plumber make a new connection on my side of the house meter and run a pipe from my house to the lake - about 100 yards, across a road and through neighbor's property. Or, they would connect a new meter from the 'main' water line (and they couldn't tell me where that was), then I would be responsible for the run from there to the boat house. Then I have two separate water bills, both subject to monthly minimums. So overall, it just seemed like an expensive option. Am thinking the dockside pump with lake water is a better choice.
Our lake house is in a very rural/dirt road area. Water company offered me two options - I could have a plumber make a new connection on my side of the house meter and run a pipe from my house to the lake - about 100 yards, across a road and through neighbor's property. Or, they would connect a new meter from the 'main' water line (and they couldn't tell me where that was), then I would be responsible for the run from there to the boat house. Then I have two separate water bills, both subject to monthly minimums. So overall, it just seemed like an expensive option. Am thinking the dockside pump with lake water is a better choice.
Sump Pump
I'd recommend looking at sump pumps. I use one for my fish pond through an 1 1/2" line to a manifold and the filter. I'd bet if you brought that down to 3/4" for a garden hose hookup it would have adequate power. Depending on your lake, you'll probably want to build something to hold it up off the bottom. I had to do something similar to keep the pond pump from clogging with fallen leaves and other debris. They're affordable and they're sturdy. Mine has been running 24x7 for over two years. T J
I'd recommend looking at sump pumps. I use one for my fish pond through an 1 1/2" line to a manifold and the filter. I'd bet if you brought that down to 3/4" for a garden hose hookup it would have adequate power. Depending on your lake, you'll probably want to build something to hold it up off the bottom. I had to do something similar to keep the pond pump from clogging with fallen leaves and other debris. They're affordable and they're sturdy. Mine has been running 24x7 for over two years. T J
We had to deal with this in drought conditions...
From time to time on Lake Lanier in GA, drought conditions become severe enough for all grounds watering and boat washing to be prohibited. Several of us on my dock solved the problem by using a raw water washdown pump connected to a battery on the dock...just dangled the intake hose off the dock into the lake. When the water level in the lake got low enough that water under the dock wasn't as clean as we liked, we tossed the battery and pump onto our boats and went out to someplace that had deeper water. Seems to me this would also be the least expensive solution for you. If you have AC power at the dock, you can use an automotive charger to keep the battery for the pump charged.
From time to time on Lake Lanier in GA, drought conditions become severe enough for all grounds watering and boat washing to be prohibited. Several of us on my dock solved the problem by using a raw water washdown pump connected to a battery on the dock...just dangled the intake hose off the dock into the lake. When the water level in the lake got low enough that water under the dock wasn't as clean as we liked, we tossed the battery and pump onto our boats and went out to someplace that had deeper water. Seems to me this would also be the least expensive solution for you. If you have AC power at the dock, you can use an automotive charger to keep the battery for the pump charged.
Question for Steve
Steve, Are the pumps you're talking about at local hardware stores marine type items? Are you referring to a Home Depot / Lowe's kind of place? To all, Thanks for the great advice! Sherry
Steve, Are the pumps you're talking about at local hardware stores marine type items? Are you referring to a Home Depot / Lowe's kind of place? To all, Thanks for the great advice! Sherry
Don't forget to check EBay
All the previous suggestions are great. You might check EBay for "fountain pumps" or maybe something a little more heavy duty. You can usually find great stuff even cheaper than HD.
All the previous suggestions are great. You might check EBay for "fountain pumps" or maybe something a little more heavy duty. You can usually find great stuff even cheaper than HD.
How about a shelf on
one of the pilings just deep enough to keep one of those shallow sump pumps on? the type that sit on the floor in a basement and will pump water down to about 1/4 of an inch? I use one as a sump pump at home,and have the outlet to a garden hose size. an electric box and switch will complete the pump setup a chain on the pump will allow you to retrieve it easily, and cost will be small! Good Luck!!
one of the pilings just deep enough to keep one of those shallow sump pumps on? the type that sit on the floor in a basement and will pump water down to about 1/4 of an inch? I use one as a sump pump at home,and have the outlet to a garden hose size. an electric box and switch will complete the pump setup a chain on the pump will allow you to retrieve it easily, and cost will be small! Good Luck!!
Shallow Well Jet Pump
A more elaborate system could include a shallow well jet pump (made for homes and usually has an air bladder tank so the pump isn't running all the time). You can plumb hose bibbs from this. On the intake side just run 1" or 1.25" PVC down into the lake along a piling probably with a foot filter. You can get these pumps at Sears, Home Depot, and Lowes. They are really quite nice pumps (and they run off of 120V some off of 240V). I have installed several at some cabins my family has had throught the years. Dan B Alton, IL
A more elaborate system could include a shallow well jet pump (made for homes and usually has an air bladder tank so the pump isn't running all the time). You can plumb hose bibbs from this. On the intake side just run 1" or 1.25" PVC down into the lake along a piling probably with a foot filter. You can get these pumps at Sears, Home Depot, and Lowes. They are really quite nice pumps (and they run off of 120V some off of 240V). I have installed several at some cabins my family has had throught the years. Dan B Alton, IL
HP needed?
I had a few minutes to run by Home Depot last night to look at options there. I saw the shallow well pump you mentioned, and I also looked at a Flotec FP5112 utility pump. It's portable - $139. I almost bought it, but I ran out of time to sort out what all I needed to gowith it. It's 1/2 HP. I opened the box and looked at manual, which included instructions for pumping water from a lake. I think the 1/2 HP should be enough, but I'm not sure. I also looked at a Jabsco 12210 pump on the web - about $240. It looks like it could be mounted fairly easily, which would be better in my situation than portable. Anybody know anything about either of these pumps?
I had a few minutes to run by Home Depot last night to look at options there. I saw the shallow well pump you mentioned, and I also looked at a Flotec FP5112 utility pump. It's portable - $139. I almost bought it, but I ran out of time to sort out what all I needed to gowith it. It's 1/2 HP. I opened the box and looked at manual, which included instructions for pumping water from a lake. I think the 1/2 HP should be enough, but I'm not sure. I also looked at a Jabsco 12210 pump on the web - about $240. It looks like it could be mounted fairly easily, which would be better in my situation than portable. Anybody know anything about either of these pumps?
freash water is better
You did not say how far your house was from the dock. I don’t know if I would want to wash my boat in pond water all the time fresh water at a dock is very helpful. How much would it cost to buy a y valve hook it up to your house and put PVC down to your dock with a spicket valve at the end. ½ in PVC 12 cents a foot have it delivered for free by home depot and do it your self. If need be rent a small tiller to dig a line in about 15 min and return it for 20$ for 4 hours. 200$ at most and what 4 hours from start to finish and now you have fresh water. This is really a easy to do it your self thing. Also keep in mind some lakes don’t allow you to put water pumps in them.
You did not say how far your house was from the dock. I don’t know if I would want to wash my boat in pond water all the time fresh water at a dock is very helpful. How much would it cost to buy a y valve hook it up to your house and put PVC down to your dock with a spicket valve at the end. ½ in PVC 12 cents a foot have it delivered for free by home depot and do it your self. If need be rent a small tiller to dig a line in about 15 min and return it for 20$ for 4 hours. 200$ at most and what 4 hours from start to finish and now you have fresh water. This is really a easy to do it your self thing. Also keep in mind some lakes don’t allow you to put water pumps in them.
3/4 HP
Sherry, I believe the units I installed were 3/4 HP, maybe 1 HP. We are pulling an 1.25" column of water roughly 20' vertical feet when I install ours and it does just fine. I would think 1/2 HP should work great for you. To get even more elaborate with the shallow well jet pump: drive a sand point well near your bank (probably only have to drive it down about 15' for clear water) or have someone do it. The water won't be potatble (unless treated) but may be cleaner than lake water and won't drive up your water/sewer bill. A little high up front cost for almost no recurring cost. Also it can be used to water the lawn -- on second thought that just means more mowing and less sailing! Take care, Dan B
Sherry, I believe the units I installed were 3/4 HP, maybe 1 HP. We are pulling an 1.25" column of water roughly 20' vertical feet when I install ours and it does just fine. I would think 1/2 HP should work great for you. To get even more elaborate with the shallow well jet pump: drive a sand point well near your bank (probably only have to drive it down about 15' for clear water) or have someone do it. The water won't be potatble (unless treated) but may be cleaner than lake water and won't drive up your water/sewer bill. A little high up front cost for almost no recurring cost. Also it can be used to water the lawn -- on second thought that just means more mowing and less sailing! Take care, Dan B
What lawn?
Dan, Thanks for the additional info. I'll do some more asking about the well. I'm sure it's possible. And I'm sure it would be cleaner. Thankfully our house lot is ALL rocks and trees - no grass to water
I don't envy the 'rich' folks around the corner from us who have the large, sweeping expanses of green lawn. I'd rather have more sailing and less mowing. I've elicited a promise from husband to go to Lowe's with me tomorrow night to pump shop. HOpefully I'll have good news to report after shopping, and we can get it installed this weekend. Thank you all! Sherry
Dan, Thanks for the additional info. I'll do some more asking about the well. I'm sure it's possible. And I'm sure it would be cleaner. Thankfully our house lot is ALL rocks and trees - no grass to water
I don't envy the 'rich' folks around the corner from us who have the large, sweeping expanses of green lawn. I'd rather have more sailing and less mowing. I've elicited a promise from husband to go to Lowe's with me tomorrow night to pump shop. HOpefully I'll have good news to report after shopping, and we can get it installed this weekend. Thank you all! Sherrypump is bought
We bought a utility pump at Lowe's tonight and all the hardware to suspend a pvc pipe with a strainer on the end of it in the lake. The top (output) has an adapter to allow the attachment of a regular water hose. So we'll install this weekend and see how it goes. I'll update you next week
We bought a utility pump at Lowe's tonight and all the hardware to suspend a pvc pipe with a strainer on the end of it in the lake. The top (output) has an adapter to allow the attachment of a regular water hose. So we'll install this weekend and see how it goes. I'll update you next week
Success!!!
Thanks to all for the great advice. We installed the pump today, and it works GREAT! We bought 1 hp, 740 gph pump at Lowe's for about $140 plus misc. pvc parts to plumb everything. It's great! Thanks again!
Thanks to all for the great advice. We installed the pump today, and it works GREAT! We bought 1 hp, 740 gph pump at Lowe's for about $140 plus misc. pvc parts to plumb everything. It's great! Thanks again!
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