Being very optimistic about some cruising this year I’ve decided that I would like to install or build a washdown system to deal with the Chesapeake Bay, stinky fish poo, muck that sticks to my anchor chain and anchor when retrieving. I would appreciate guidance as to PSI and gallons per minute that I should consider when purchasing a pump. There appears to be a bunch of ready to go kits that can be purchased and installed but is there a better approach to this project?
Being very optimistic about some cruising this year I’ve decided that I would like to install or build a washdown system to deal with the Chesapeake Bay, stinky fish poo, muck that sticks to my anchor chain and anchor when retrieving. I would appreciate guidance as to PSI and gallons per minute that I should consider when purchasing a pump. There appears to be a bunch of ready to go kits that can be purchased and installed but is there a better approach to this project?
Butch, I installed a deck wash down pump several years ago. It was not a bad job but, FWIW, I honestly don’t use it much. For most jobs it is easier and faster to revert to the old collapsible bucket. I bought a West Marine kit which included a 4 GPM pump, coil type hose, inline filter, and some quick connect fittings. It did not include the deck fitting which I purchased through West Marine from a third party. I installed the pump under the sink in the head of our 30U. I plumbed the water intake to an existing through hull fitting in that area which, prior to our purchase of the boat, had been used for overboard head discharge. The quick connect deck fitting is amidship on the starboard side. Everything works OK with this setup but the number of steps required to use it is problematic: open seacock, turn on breaker, dig hose out of the cockpit locker and hook it up to the deck fitting. Also, of course, it is something else that needs to be winterized at the end of the season. Good luck.
I saw a set up once that had the chain run between two brushes before entering the gypsy. That plus collapsible pail would be low maintenance. I find giving the chain a shake as it comes up helps to clear it off… but depends on the stickiness of the mud.
These are photos of mine. I placed the pump under the head vanity and put a “T” in the head’s through hull for a water source. By using a flush mount deckwash fitting (Jabsco Stainless Steel Quick-Release Hose Deck Mount Fitting And Hose Adapter) on the foredeck, it’s handy and not a trip hazard.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Looks as if you have a bunch of info already – fwiw, I offer my own experience on Persistence.
I too asked the list for recommendations on sizing the pump and got steered to a bit more power (70 PSI, 6 gpm) and it probably is more that I need, but it works well.
I installed the pump and filter (!) in the head vanity as others have done, and ran the hose right up into the bow, to avoid yet another hole in the deck. The fit (both for the fitting and me!) was tight, but I was 7 years younger then, and it has held up well.
I keep one of those expandable hoses and nozzles permanently rigged on the bow – it seems to stay out of the way and saves me the hassle of connecting it every day I move the boat (I have cruised for up to four months each season, staying mostly off the dock, so the ground tackle gets a lot of work). Yes, I replace the hose every few years.
Biggest thing to remember is to turn off the breaker and release the pressure on the line after each use. Also check the filter periodically.
