Looking to get a coiled hose for my 22' walkaround. Never had a raw water pump before (Jabsco 32605-0092 3.5-4GPM 60psi). How much difference is there between 3/8" and 1/2" hose over 15' with my pump? Not sure if I should go to the 1/2" for an extra $20 and if it will make a noticable difference in pressure/volume. Don't mind the $20 if it makes a noticeable difference. Main use will be to wash of shoe muck and fish blood off the deck while on the water (ocean). I imagine 15' is long enough as I don't really see me needing it for the bow area, just the deck space. Harbour Chandler carries the Camco nozzle and the Shurhold nozzle. Either of them any good? Thanks.
3/8" or 1/2" 15' hose for raw water washdown? Sprayer options?
- Thread starter chiroken
- Start date
Rain City
Crew Member
Get a length of good hose made up from Greenline. Coiled hose sucks so much. Get just enough to reach your bow in case you need to spray something off, otherwise get as short as possible for your needs on the back deck. Coiled is a bigger tripping hazard, it constantly pulls back at you, and it actually takes more space up when stowed. There's is zero benefit to it over a nice soft short hose. 3/8" is fine.
Plus 1 on getting enough to get to the bow. Seem like you need more like 25ft. Really nice to wash the foul smelling mud off the chain and anchor before it gets on the boat. Have had raw water wash downs for 35 years. A must if you fish or anchor. On our Meridian 490, we have one at the bow and one stern.
excellent point, I never thought of cleaning off the anchor. Previous boat was much smaller and always locally in sand so it was pretty clean coming up. I'm sure I'll find some nasty stuff with this new boat!
Max123
Well-Known Member
+1 for Green Line Hose and Fitting on Venables in Vancouver. I have two 1/2" yellow hoses that I bought when I became a homeowner over 15 years ago. Still going strong - nicely pressed in brass fittings that still tighten up smoothly by hand. Hoses have been left out in the elements that entire time with zero signs of wear. They cost no more than a crappy hose with plastic fittings from Canadian Tire or Home Depot that will last 1-2 years at best. Greenline always has 25' 50' 75' & 100' in 1/2" or 5/8" in stock. I believe they will custom make any length you want but I've never asked. I don't think they sell 3/8". They also have a good selection of brass sprayer heads and assorted fittings. My boat launch has a hose for washing down, but I keep a brass spray head on board as those always seem to go missing and it makes washing so much easier.
As to the specific question:
The difference between 3/8" & 1/2" is pressure drop under flow. Your pump will be trying to produce 4gpm at 60psi, but the internal resistance from the hose will deliver reduced pressure/flow at the business end. There are lots of pressure drop calculators online, but basically it comes down to this: a 1/2" hose is likely going to see 3-5psi pressure drop whereas a 3/8" hose is going to see around 15psi pressure drop. On a 60psi pump, getting 45psi delivered is likely manageable.
thanks for the explanation on drop in pressure. I like the idea of a self coiling hose vs a regular hose as I don't really have space for 25' of hose to sit when I'm out fishing where as the coiled hose will sit nicely in the side wall out of the way. I've never had a coiled boat hose so I may regret it down the road lol
I use the Zero-G hoses. They're not fully shrinking like the shrinking hoses out there, but are alot more manageable to stow vs. a normal hose. The shrinking hoses probably provide the best for stowing. I've used the shrinking hoses before with no complaints but also heard stories (take that for what it's worth) about them having bacteria issues with water sitting in the hose, but what hose doesn't have a bit of water in it to some extent? If the hose is just for washdowns, the shrinking hoses are a really good option. If also filling water tanks for drinking, then more research to go with what you're comfortable with.
Rain City
Crew Member
I had shrinking hoses at home at one time. I found them to be annoying to use because they expand fully when you're not using the water but they're pressurized. Then they shrink half way once you start spraying things down. The fittings also didn't last. This is why I went with a 15 foot 1/2" super soft custom blue hose from Greenline. It's one coil on the ground and lays super flat. The shrinking hose could be good for stowing for bigger jobs that require more hose or for filling tanks etc.
pescador
Well-Known Member
Great for washing down the boat, (not for raw water wash down system). They take up very little space for stowage. And, most have a valve on them to control water flow at the sprayer end. Really handy for flushing out two motors meaning you don't have to go back to the hose bib and shut down the water to move it from one motor to the other. Set them up with quick connects and it's fast and way less work. I'm a big fan. Normally at most docks you need a 75 Footer. I bought a 50 and found it was just too short. A 100 was too much.
bryce
Crew Member
I had one for an hr before a rockfish spine got it
