Easing waste hose installs

[lingerfeltja]

I am sure this has been covered ad nauseum and I apologize but I have not found the information with my searches.

I am replacing the waste hoses on my boat (Hunter 37 cutter). The existing through hulls and tees are very low under the v berth and I cannot get sufficient leverage to muscle the new 1.5" hose onto the fittings. I have exhausted myself trying. Any ideas on lube or expanding the hose, etc. w/o causing damage is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Nom De Guerre]

I dunk the hose end in boiled water for 30 seconds, then pull it out of the water and slip it onto the fitting immediately.

A plug in kettle with wide flip top fill port makes it easy to get the boiling water near the hose/fittings.

Gloves are in order, and keep your face out of the steam, to prevent burns.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

The existing through hulls and tees are very low under the v berth and I cannot get sufficient leverage to muscle the new 1.5" hose onto the fittings.

There is no worse job on the face of the earth or elsewhere . Just finished a similar job a few days ago.

Item 1. Hoses and barbed fittings are a trip into the bowels of insanity. All 1.5" barbed fittings don't necessarily fit all 1.5" hoses. the dimensions vary slightly by brand name (hoses and fittings). Just to be sure you've got a pair that match, try fitting them out in the open where you can see if they're a close match and will work.

Item 2. One way of making the hose more pliable is to heat it with a hair drier to the point of "good and bloody hot". This slighty softens wire wound hose but not by much. And of course the good sanitation hoses, I believe, are all wire wound for going around tight corners.

Item 3. The last item to assist in assembly in those impossible locations is to lube the joint with some lubricant. I always try to avoid any petroleum product due to the possibility of it deteriorating the rubber. Some use dishwashing detergent. I choose synthetic grease (Superlube) because it seems to remain slipperier than detergent. Obviously, once the joint is together, don't forget those two hose clamps . Even with the lubrication in there, the joint and hose can't be twisted when the clamps are tight. Test it just to be sure.

 

[thinwater]

K-Y or glycerine and rubber-palm gloves. Heat doesn't help much unless you are using white vinyl sanitation hose. In tank case I prefer boiling water as the heating is uniform. Just got to be careful.

Even synthetic grease is bad on some rubber formulations (EPDM, butyl) used in sanitation hose.