What type of hoses last the longest?

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
4,789
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Might be simplest method to use manufacturer‘s warranties & recommendations; however, not very cost efficient. For example, I recently changed my engine mounts at 18 years; yanmar recommends5 years. I changed my Volvo shaft seal at 17 years; Volvo recommends 5 years (old one looked just as good as new replacement). In many instances, manufacturers recommend replace intervals to cover their rearend & to boost profits. Better method is to inspect hoses for cracks, rigidity vs flexibility, & appearance. I recently replaced my head & galley thru hull fittings at 17 years because of Beneteau’s use of lower quality OEM fittings; for convenience, I also replaced the 11/2” trident hoses with saniflex hoses at the same time. The original hoses appeared normal & would have lasted for many years. Now, if I were planning a major cruise to remote locations, I would be much more prone to replacement to prevent unexpected failure & to avoid problems with parts availability. So, my advice is to thoroughly inspect & replace as necessary. And, be sure to close those thru hull valves when not onboard..
The quote of mine you used for this response was taken totally out of context given your response above. The question being asked was how to find the data on expected life expectancy of a given hose material. The actual data will be very hard, if not impossible to find, hence I suggested to begin looking at the published warranty times of different manufacturers.

dj
 
Dec 8, 2025
26
Oday 27 Tuscaloosa
What the AI says and is likely correct. Same answer as others provided earlier.

Asking AI,"what would be the material used to make flexible hoses that would last longest in a boat exposed to salt water and sewage but not sunlight?"

AI answer,",
The best materials for flexible hoses that will last in a boat exposed to saltwater and sewage, but not sunlight, are PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride). Both materials are resistant to saltwater corrosion and suitable for sanitation applications, making them ideal for marine environments.
acmeplastics.com environmentalmarine.com

Best Materials for Flexible Hoses in Marine Environments
When selecting flexible hoses for use on boats exposed to saltwater and sewage, durability and resistance to corrosion are key factors. Here are the most suitable materials:
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
  • Corrosion Resistance: PVC is resistant to saltwater and does not corrode like metals.
  • Chemical Resistance: It withstands exposure to sewage and various chemicals.
  • Weight: PVC is lightweight, making it easier to handle and install.
  • Cost-Effective: Generally less expensive than other materials.
Nitrile Rubber (NBR)
  • Oil and Chemical Resistance: NBR is excellent for applications involving sewage and oils.
  • Flexibility: It remains flexible in cold temperatures, which is beneficial in marine environments.
  • Durability: Offers good resistance to wear and tear, making it suitable for long-term use.
Polyurethane (PU)
  • Abrasion Resistance: PU hoses are highly durable and resistant to wear.
  • Flexibility: They maintain flexibility even in colder conditions.
  • Chemical Resistance: Good for handling various chemicals, including those found in sewage.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
  • UV Resistance: While not exposed to sunlight, HDPE is known for its durability in harsh environments.
  • Corrosion Resistance: It resists saltwater and is suitable for marine applications.
  • Longevity: Requires minimal maintenance and has a long lifespan.
Summary Table
MaterialCorrosion ResistanceChemical ResistanceFlexibilityDurability
PVCExcellentGoodModerateGood
Nitrile RubberGoodExcellentHighGood
PolyurethaneGoodGoodHighExcellent
HDPEExcellentGoodModerateExcellent
 
Sep 24, 2018
4,018
Catalina 30 MKIII Chicago
What the AI says and is likely correct. Same answer as others provided earlier.

Asking AI,"what would be the material used to make flexible hoses that would last longest in a boat exposed to salt water and sewage but not sunlight?"

AI answer,",
The best materials for flexible hoses that will last in a boat exposed to saltwater and sewage, but not sunlight, are PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride). Both materials are resistant to saltwater corrosion and suitable for sanitation applications, making them ideal for marine environments.
acmeplastics.com environmentalmarine.com

Best Materials for Flexible Hoses in Marine Environments
When selecting flexible hoses for use on boats exposed to saltwater and sewage, durability and resistance to corrosion are key factors. Here are the most suitable materials:
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
  • Corrosion Resistance: PVC is resistant to saltwater and does not corrode like metals.
  • Chemical Resistance: It withstands exposure to sewage and various chemicals.
  • Weight: PVC is lightweight, making it easier to handle and install.
  • Cost-Effective: Generally less expensive than other materials.
Nitrile Rubber (NBR)
  • Oil and Chemical Resistance: NBR is excellent for applications involving sewage and oils.
  • Flexibility: It remains flexible in cold temperatures, which is beneficial in marine environments.
  • Durability: Offers good resistance to wear and tear, making it suitable for long-term use.
Polyurethane (PU)
  • Abrasion Resistance: PU hoses are highly durable and resistant to wear.
  • Flexibility: They maintain flexibility even in colder conditions.
  • Chemical Resistance: Good for handling various chemicals, including those found in sewage.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
  • UV Resistance: While not exposed to sunlight, HDPE is known for its durability in harsh environments.
  • Corrosion Resistance: It resists saltwater and is suitable for marine applications.
  • Longevity: Requires minimal maintenance and has a long lifespan.
Summary Table
MaterialCorrosion ResistanceChemical ResistanceFlexibilityDurability
PVCExcellentGoodModerateGood
Nitrile RubberGoodExcellentHighGood
PolyurethaneGoodGoodHighExcellent
HDPEExcellentGoodModerateExcellent
The hose that fell apart had virtually no exposure to liquids. The question was primarily about longevity rather than chemical resistance, although the latter does have an impact on the former
 
Sep 27, 2020
18
Tartan, Compac T27, CP19 Stuart
As many have pointed out, application, location, environment.
For the OP: it sounds like your hose handles grey water, will be exposed mostly to detergents and is not connected directly overboard (meaning if it fails it will not sink the boat).
Classic pvc sanitary hose is quiet resilient. It gets hard over time and it's most common failure point is where it goes on to a hose barb. It can pinhole where the hose is stressed as it stretches over the bard and also where compressed by hose clamps.
There are other higher end sanitation hoses that that remain flexible longer.
At the high end, silicone high temperature exhaust hose. Probably over kill.
Depending on your drains physical location, schedule 80 pvc pipe is great for grey water. It can be connected with short sections of hose if needed. If properly supported I have scene it last 60 + years.
 
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