Hose Life Span - Best Case Scenario

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Jun 6, 2005
49
Pearson 10M Tacoma
Hi, I've just pulled all the sanitation hose (1.5") out of my boat and now need to put new stuff back in. I follow all the guidelines: no low spots, flush a gallon or so of fresh water through the system after every trip, then pump out, then flush a cup of vinegar. Can anybody tell me based on personal experience how long it takes the various hoses to pass odours? I know the really good hose (AVS96, Sealand OdorSafe) is $5 to $9 a foot. The cheap stuff (148 series PVC hose) is $2.5 a foot. I'm trying to get a handle on how long between replacing hoses I can go with the various hoses. In the archive I saw mention of hoses "failing" (from an odour stand point) in 3 to 5 years. Is that the time frame expected for the 148 hose, even following the "best practises"? And would the AVS96 hoses then last 10 to 15 years? Feedback from experienced noses is appreciated! Thanks, Craig
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,961
- - LIttle Rock
No way to predict how long it will take

I had Trident #148 (white hose, same as Shields, then the best hose available) on one of my boats for more than 7 years without a trace of odor. The same hose permeated on the next boat in less than 3 months. Changed it out for the original SeaLand OdorSafe (now sold direct by the mfr as AVS96...not the same hose as the current OdorSafePlus), it was still fine 3 years later when I sold the boat. Will it last 15 years? Who knows...but AVS96 has been proven in independent testing to be at least 16x more resistant to odor permeation than any other hose on the planet--including the hose that SeaLand switched to for their "OdorSafePlus" brand...so your odds are better with it than anything else.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Over 10 years.

Craig: We have had the black hose ($8/ft) from West Marine in our H'31 for over 10 years without any problems.
 
D

Daryl

Do yourself a favor and ....

plumb the entire system with solid PVC pipe from Home Depot. It will last forever and cost a small fraction of what you'll pay for proper marine hose. Sealand sells adaptors to glue on inch and a half PVC the fits the hose. Use short lenghts of hose where the PVC meets your fixture. I've had this stuff installed on several vessels, no clogs, no odors and there is no good valid reason not to use it unless you are making money selling marine hose.
 
Jul 17, 2005
586
Hunter 37.5 Bainbridge Island - West of Seattle
Solid PVC on a boat? Yikes! *yks

Scary thought. I would not recommend using solid PVC on a boat, especially as sanitation hose. You are asking for trouble if you use it. Also, where is there a straight path for the PVC to go on a boat? The only place I would use a solid PVC is inside of a holding tank. A boat moves, and twists, and shakes, and rock and roll. You want something that will bend and be flexible along with the boat's movements.
 
D

Daryl

Flex

Yes the boat will flex but it better not flex a much as PVC pipe will or you're in BIG trouble. As long as you have a short piece of hose where each fixture connects it will never be a problem. PVC elbows, connectors and unions of all size and shape cost pennies compared to marine sanitation hose. I suspect some people feel better when they spend more on their vessel even if the result is an inferior system. Keep the economy going and replace your hose every time it stinks if you think that's a better idea. (or do the job once and go sailing)
 
Jul 17, 2005
586
Hunter 37.5 Bainbridge Island - West of Seattle
Well Daryl, I assume you work on your car

and install solid PVC pipes on your car too. No thanks. To each their own. Have fun sailing.
 
D

Daryl

JC on Bainbridge Assumption?

Several marine surveyors liked and approved PVC plumbing in my area. I guess other have come to like the smell you choose to live with. Have fun changing you hoses. I'll be thinking of you while I'm sailing.
 
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