Water Line

Aug 7, 2022
17
Custom Declercq 51 Green Bay
Replacing / rebuilding fresh water system. What type of pipe / hose / tubing for the water lines? Hot and cold?
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,146
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Two basic approaches.
PEX A or B. I like A but they require a tool to make the connections. Here is a link to a description of the various PEX options.

Or you can go old school and choose something like:

TRIDENT MARINE HOSE & PROPANE
SERIES 162. 5/8" Reinforced PVC Hose w/Tracer
1710636311956.png

It comes in various sizes.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,146
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Check the A. It has better behavior. Bends but doesn’t kink.
 
Jan 11, 2014
12,958
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
I just redid my plumbing using Pex A. Pex A is more flexible and can be used with crimp rings or with heat expansion tool. Check with the specific PEX manufacturer to be certain. My install is a year old and there are no leaks from the PEX fittings with crimps. Expansion fittings, the ones designed for use with the expansion tool can not be used with crimps and vice versa. Plumbers like the expansion tool because it is faster when installing fittings than using crimp rings, however, the crimp ring tool is about half the cost of the expansion tool.

While PEX is flexible, it does get stiffer when cold, installation is better as a warm weather project. Sharp bends will require fittings. In the photo the orange PEX is for the hydronic heating system and the remain PVC hose is for the refrigerator drain and water cooled refrigerator.

Fittings and hose are much less expensive online. I used SupplyHouse.com. Good prices and quick shipping.

1710643148447.png
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,146
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Good query. I have not heard of mold in pex pipe as an issue. It is a plastic so suspect it is a minimal risk. There is an issue identified when Pex is exposed long term to highly chlorinated water. Pex B is recommended when water has high concentrations of chlorine.

Most of my experience with Pex has been associated with home building. Water is constantly flowing through the pipes.

I am planning a Pex project on my boat this year.
 

higgs

.
Aug 24, 2005
3,710
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
On my larger boats with running water I always had good luck with plastic hose from my local hardware store.
 

dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,409
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Is PEX less likely to develop mold/mildew than vinyl tubing if air gets in during winter layup?
I found this article fairly informative about PEX tubing, but it does not answer your question.

Strictly from a materials point if view, I don't see a reason why there would be a difference between the different PEX forms and vinyl.

dj

 
Sep 24, 2018
3,406
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
I found this article fairly informative about PEX tubing, but it does not answer your question.

Strictly from a materials point if view, I don't see a reason why there would be a difference between the different PEX forms and vinyl.

dj

Mold/mildew are more likely to grow on some materials and less likely on others. PEX is made from polyethylene.