Freshwater Deck Washdown Pump

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R

Ron

Anyone installed a freshwater deck washdown pump on a similar vintage / model Hunter? Where did you mount the deck hose quick disconnect? Where did you mount the pump? Did you run the power to one of the spare breakers? Where did you hook into the freshwater system? Did you tee into a saltwater pickup also? Thanks!
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,749
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
freshwater washdown

we added a freshwater washdown on our 2002 356, maybe somewhat similar to the 340. the pump is mounted in the bow storage area under the vee berths, just forward of the water tank. the tee fitting and shutoff valve is mounted under the vee berth aft of the water tank-a storage area on the 356. We installed the hose connector in the anchor locker, and powered the system via the anchor windlass feed (with a separate fuse). Since we're in a slip normally, the main use for the washdown system is when retrieving the anchor so this works well. I would never also feed in saltwater, since you could contaminate your freshwater tank.
 
Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
Hey Chuck got any pictures?

I would like to see pictures of your install. I was going to install a wash down system this last spring but other things got in the way. Going to be this coming off season install. How did you mount the pump? Why didn't you consider using outside water for the washdown instead of your fresh water. We anchor out and shower a lot, so I wouldn't want to use up my fresh water. Here on the Chesapeake Bay we deal with lots of smelly mud. Jim S/V Java
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,749
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
356 washdown pump

HI Jim, I'll take some pictures and post them-this week if the rain stops! our Maine mud is really sticky, too-I decided to use fresh water because sometimes the harbor water ain't so great-algae and who knows what-and we usually have access to rewatering locations every few days-so the once a day anchor wash isn't a big deal. We also carry a portable utility pump, so if I need large quantities of salt water rinse I can just drop a hose over the side. the pump is mounted vertically (thru bolted) to the bulkhead forward of the water tank. from there, it's an easy hose run up to the port side of the anchor locker where I mounted a standard marine hose faucet with a coiled hose. pics real soon
 

Rick

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Oct 5, 2004
1,098
Hunter 420 Passage San Diego
Poormans freshwater deck rinse

Ron, I see I am just south of you so I will give ya a solution from "outside the box". On my 95 336, my tanks and pressure pump are below the V berth up front. So I went to local marine exchange and got a T fitting and a "spigot" similar to the ones on my fresh water tanks. I tapped the line just OUT of the pump and before filters. Got a regular 25 foot hose and nozzle from Home Depot. The "curlycew" ones from WM lose pressure traveling all that distance. I just pass it through the forward hatch and "viola", im cleaning the foredeck and anchor. Albiet it is tapping my fresh water but.... Cheers Rick s/v Whiskey Chaser
 
R

Ron

Freshwater Washdown Pump Install

Thanks Chuck...this is very helpful. I moved from a slip in San Diego to a mooring in Newport Beach, so the freshwater washdown is critical to keeping the boat clean. Your 356 is very similar to the 340 as it was the "replacement" model from Hunter when they stopped making the 340. My cabin freshwater pump is under the dining settee and it appears that i will have to tie into the freshwater there, as access under the v-berth is tough. I am installing a 5.0 gpm pump and have a concern regarding the size of the tubing. I was planning on using 1/2" reinforced tubing to run to the anchor locker where i was going to drill a hole to install the quick-disconnect. The current tubing for the system coming out of the tank appears to be a semi-rigid plastic that looks to be maybe 3/8". I am concerned about sizing up and buring up my pump having to work too hard. Any thoughts or more guidance you would care to share on my project so far.
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,749
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
washdown pump plumbing

Hi Ron, does you plumbing use the whale style quick disconnects? if so, it's probably 15mm tube.-Anyone with a 340 want to jump in??? your best bet is to try and tee in as close to the tank as possible, to minimize line friction. running back to the pump will really restrict flow. I'm running a 3-4 GPM pump on the 15mm tube and it works fine, but the tank-hose run is only about 8ft. If you can't do that, consider mounting the washdown pump under the settee so it's pushing more than pulling.
 
Dec 2, 2003
4,245
- - Seabeck WA
Wash down pump????? Why?

What's wrong with just teeing into the fresh water system. Or do you guys do things differently on the right coast?
 
R

Ron

Freshwater Washdown Pump

That is the plan Fred. Teeing into the freshwater system, but adding a dedicated pump for deck washdown that will give much more pressure and volume than the boat's plumbing system can currently provide.
 
R

Ron

Freshwater Washdown Pump

Thanks Rick...i was hoping for a little more pressure than what the freshwater pump that feeds the showers and the sinks provides.
 
Jul 20, 2005
2,422
Whitby 55 Kemah, Tx
I have to ask questions so I can learn

On my boat, I can just pull up the anchor to 2" below the water line and motor off and that cleans the anchor. About a minute of that and I pull it up. Is this not possible on other boats? It doesn't hit my hull because the anchor roller is far enough out (about 12") and I take it slow. Is getting salt off the fiberglass that important? I plan to use a handy wipe on the stainless when I'm cruising to help it from rusting. Why can't you just tap into the water line after the regular fresh water pump? Mine is 44 PSI. Isn't that enough power? Is it odd for a Hunter boat to have a 44 PSI pump for fresh water? It seems a lot more then the city pressure. I know my boat pretty good...just trying to understand others to further my knowledge.
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,749
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
good questions, Franklin

A couple of things to think about... motoring with your anchor dangling is really dangerous-too fast, or a larger wave or wake, you can hit the hull-take it from someone who knows! In maine, the mud is really sticky-we need to wash the chain off as it comes up, as well as the anchor. salt crust on your deck/hull gets really hard if it gets to dry-it's better to wash it off right away. lastly, you could just tap into your freshwater system-but freshwater pumps are designed to maintain pressure in your water system, washdown pumps, while similar, are meant to give larger volumes of water for a shorter period of time
 
E

Ed

ANOTHER REFINEMENT

I saw a friend use a small copper line run directly to the water source. he crimped the end just enough to get a strong fan of water that is directed at the anchor chain. it put on the bow pulpit with tie wraps. you turn on the pump and pull the anchor. it washes as it comes up. really looked neat to me!
 
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