I am looking for wisdom, advise, and concerns. I need to replace the hot water hoses on my "new to me" 1985 H28.5 from the engine to the water heater. I have looked at the task and realize I will need to attach the new hose to the old so I can fish it through the hull. Are there any other things I need to be aware of before I start. Anything I need to watch out for. I know it seems like a simple task but there are always those little things that can bite you. Any help and advise is welcome. Robert
R and R water hose to water heater
- Thread starter r. gallagher
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The thing that bites is the floor
Usually the floor opening near the water heater is tiny and makes it difficult to bring the hoses through. I would try to do them both at the same time. Before you start make sure you can push and pull from both ends freely. Notice I said push and pull - that means you should have another person to help. One person at the engine, one at the water heater. Work together by pushing and pulling to work it through. Never pull too hard - use a rocking motion to make progress. Make sure that the splice between the old and new hose joint is unbreakable. Use a male to male barb to make the connections and glue the ()*& out of it. If the two ends come apart under the floor, you'll have to rip it up. This is one job where you'll want to err on caution. Do not let the splice come apart! I did mine when the floor was removed and Hunter did a pretty good job with the holes in the floor liner. It was pretty large. To me the floor is the issue.
Usually the floor opening near the water heater is tiny and makes it difficult to bring the hoses through. I would try to do them both at the same time. Before you start make sure you can push and pull from both ends freely. Notice I said push and pull - that means you should have another person to help. One person at the engine, one at the water heater. Work together by pushing and pulling to work it through. Never pull too hard - use a rocking motion to make progress. Make sure that the splice between the old and new hose joint is unbreakable. Use a male to male barb to make the connections and glue the ()*& out of it. If the two ends come apart under the floor, you'll have to rip it up. This is one job where you'll want to err on caution. Do not let the splice come apart! I did mine when the floor was removed and Hunter did a pretty good job with the holes in the floor liner. It was pretty large. To me the floor is the issue.
male to male barb?
thank you for the reply. I fugured duck taping the two hoses together. What is a male to male barb? Is the fit that tight under the floor pan?
thank you for the reply. I fugured duck taping the two hoses together. What is a male to male barb? Is the fit that tight under the floor pan?
Yes the fit is tight and 2 persons are needed
as mentioned by Guy, one to push the other to pull ever so gently. Barbs are hose connectors. If you can't find any male to male barbs of the right size, use a 6" piece of 1/2" copper pipe. Slide 3" in the end of the old hose from the engine side and 3" in the new hose you want to fish through. Make sure both hoses are really clean on the outside so your ducktape sticks really well. Extend the ducktape at least 9-10 inches from the joint. Lather up the joined pieces with your favorite brand of dish soap as it will make the joint slid easier in tight corners. You do not have to worry about it eating through the new hose. It will either get rinsed out by bilge water or dry out. I have had success pulling one after the other with this method. And it took my friend and I about one hour, i.e a 2-beer job ! Good luck.
as mentioned by Guy, one to push the other to pull ever so gently. Barbs are hose connectors. If you can't find any male to male barbs of the right size, use a 6" piece of 1/2" copper pipe. Slide 3" in the end of the old hose from the engine side and 3" in the new hose you want to fish through. Make sure both hoses are really clean on the outside so your ducktape sticks really well. Extend the ducktape at least 9-10 inches from the joint. Lather up the joined pieces with your favorite brand of dish soap as it will make the joint slid easier in tight corners. You do not have to worry about it eating through the new hose. It will either get rinsed out by bilge water or dry out. I have had success pulling one after the other with this method. And it took my friend and I about one hour, i.e a 2-beer job ! Good luck.
Do you clamp?
Do you clamp the hoses to the barb or copper pipe? Is there enough room for a hose clamp to slide through the pan? This sounds like a harder job than it looks like. But, it also sounds like it is doable as long as I go slow. Thank you so far for the information. I just need to know if I clamp the hose or not.
Do you clamp the hoses to the barb or copper pipe? Is there enough room for a hose clamp to slide through the pan? This sounds like a harder job than it looks like. But, it also sounds like it is doable as long as I go slow. Thank you so far for the information. I just need to know if I clamp the hose or not.
Okay, one more question
I get the idea. I am an old auto mechanic and have changed hoses on everything from cars to jet engines (retired AF). I have not worked on this boat yet but now she is mine and we are getting to know each other. What kind of adhesive (glue) do you recommend? Also, do you remember the approximate length of the hoses? I no longer have my hose stretcher and do not want to come up short. I figured if I bought a 10 foot piece I would be okay. Thanks for the patience and help.
I get the idea. I am an old auto mechanic and have changed hoses on everything from cars to jet engines (retired AF). I have not worked on this boat yet but now she is mine and we are getting to know each other. What kind of adhesive (glue) do you recommend? Also, do you remember the approximate length of the hoses? I no longer have my hose stretcher and do not want to come up short. I figured if I bought a 10 foot piece I would be okay. Thanks for the patience and help.
Dont know the length of hose you will need but,
you could measure it by running a small wire thru both ends. I know that hose is expensive - I used Shields 5/8 high temp. I think that the duct tape with an overlap of a couple of ft. with the copper tube like Claude suggested will work fine. I used a male to male barb which basically is a splice. I liked the barb because it gave a tight fit to the inside of the hose. Even with the floor off, the hose still goes under the floor liner for a couple of ft. Good luck.
you could measure it by running a small wire thru both ends. I know that hose is expensive - I used Shields 5/8 high temp. I think that the duct tape with an overlap of a couple of ft. with the copper tube like Claude suggested will work fine. I used a male to male barb which basically is a splice. I liked the barb because it gave a tight fit to the inside of the hose. Even with the floor off, the hose still goes under the floor liner for a couple of ft. Good luck.
Thanks for the help
Thanks guys for the insight. I will take on this task this weekend with the help of my 1st mate. Looks like weather will be sour (more rain) so we can spend the afternoon working on the boat.
Thanks guys for the insight. I will take on this task this weekend with the help of my 1st mate. Looks like weather will be sour (more rain) so we can spend the afternoon working on the boat.
Job Done. Thanks for advice.
Well I r3eplaced the hose and followed everyone's advice. It actually went very smooth and quick. I had the wife helping and we were surprised it went so well. I used a barb and duct taped the h*** out of the two hoses. I crawled into the back of the aft locker while the wife pushed from the engine compartment. I would say 10 minutes and the hose was through. Nowwe do the next one in a couple of weeks. Thanks again for everyone's tips and advice.
Well I r3eplaced the hose and followed everyone's advice. It actually went very smooth and quick. I had the wife helping and we were surprised it went so well. I used a barb and duct taped the h*** out of the two hoses. I crawled into the back of the aft locker while the wife pushed from the engine compartment. I would say 10 minutes and the hose was through. Nowwe do the next one in a couple of weeks. Thanks again for everyone's tips and advice.
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