Sep. 02, 2024
On the one hand, you should consider the dimensions of the connection fitting when choosing the right hose diameter. On the other hand, the required flow volume for reaching the maximum pumping capacity of a connected pressure water or sewage pump is relevant.
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If these dimensions should not be compatible, you can easily customize the different diameters with a reduction nipple or suitable hose nozzles .
The dimensions of hoses and hose fittings are often given in inches, and these are mostly the dimensions of the inner diameter of the marine hose. Most of the times the dimensions of sea valves, connecting pieces or connection fittings refer to the inner diameter of the hose. The outer diameters of yacht hoses are only significant when selecting appropriate hose clamps.
If you were to ask a group of boaters which type of marine hardware causes the worst case of sticker shock, most of them would probably think of electronics or engine parts. Well, theyd be wrong. In my 10-plus year career in working with marine supplies, it wasnt a new radar system or engine thermostat that made my customers feel as if their wallets were spontaneously combusting. Nope, it was boat hose.
Imagine pulling a three- or four-foot section of one-inch engine water intake hose out of your boat and then taking it to your local marine shop for a match. Next, imagine nearly $30 vanishing from your back pocket. While per-foot hose pricing can take your breath away, dont let it tempt you into skimping or misplacing frugality. When it comes to boats, selecting and installing the right hose for the job is absolutely essential to system functionality, as well as safety. Lets take a look at the types youll likely encounter.
Pro tip: When measuring for hose, always find out what the inside diameter (ID) of the hose youre replacing is, not the outside diameter (OD).
Sanitation Hose
If youve been on a lot of boats with toilets that have been in service for more than a couple of seasons, you know that smell. Its very common, and can be hard to prevent and hard to eliminate. Aside from tedious head maintenance, the best way to help keep those odors at bay is by using the proper sanitation hose, which is engineered to not absorb odiferous effluent.
Unfortunately, this hose comes with that aforementioned sticker shock. Be prepared to spend as much as $10 a foot for the good wire-reinforced vulcanized rubber stuff (comes in black and white). And be sure it is classified as sanitation hose on the outside. Its generally sold in 1-1/2-inch diameter, but can also be found in 3/4- and one-inch sizes for use with macerator pumps.
You will also likely find white PVC sanitation hose with stiff, somewhat inflexible characteristics. Yes, it will certainly look better where it is exposed in head compartments, and it is cheaper than the black stuff, but it does not resist odors nearly as well in the long run.
Uses: Head discharges, holding tank lines, macerator pumps, and vented loops.
Raw Water/Exhaust Hose
Typically among the most expensive hose youll find in any marine supply shop, exhaust hose is usually comprised of several layers of tough, cloth-reinforced, vulcanized rubber with a stiff length of wire running through it. Its designed to make bends without collapsing, and its extremely abrasion- and heat-resistant, making it an ideal candidate for connections to through-hulls under the waterline, and for carrying hot exhaust gases and cooling water overboard.
Some exhaust hose has no wire reinforcement, especially the big stuff over four inches in diameter. Thats because larger exhaust line runs dont usually encounter any bends.
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Uses: Raw water engine intakes, hot water exhaust, raw water intakes for heads, washdown pumps, or other bits of plumbing that connect to a below-the-waterline through-hull.
Potable Water Hose
This stuff doesnt usually fall into the sticker shock category, but its an area where boaters often are tempted to use the wrong stuff, such as clear PVC hose. Proper water hose is reinforced with nylon threads to not only strengthen it against the pressure of fresh and raw water systems, but also to help prevent it from collapsing on the suction side of pumps. If you want to really show an attention to detail, use hose with a red tracer for hot feeds, and with blue for cold feeds. Also, look for FDA Approved in the specifications.
Uses: Freshwater systems (manual and pressurized), raw-water washdown systems (above the waterline connections), water tank vents, ice box drains, scupper drains (above the waterline), and more. A good general-purpose hose.
Fuel Hose
Fuel hose can be confusing, and thats mainly because of all the different classifications it is sold under. What youll usually find are types A1, A2, B1, and B2. Generally speaking, A-type hose has a thicker wall than B-type hoses, and must also not leak during a two-and a-half-minute fire. The number classifications in those letter ratings (e.g. A1) refer to the permeability of the hose. Type A1 hose, for example, will be less permeable to fuel than Type A2.
If youre working with gasoline, its really difficult for me to recommend anything but Type A1, and I dont think I ever sold a foot of B1 or B2 hose to anyone for this purpose, except for fuel tank vent lines. Diesel fuel is obviously less volatile, but that never stopped me from encouraging my customers to go with A1 hose for those applications.
Uses: Engine fuel feeds, fuel fill lines, fuel tank lines, and fuel vents.
Bilge Hose
Bilge hose is designed to work with bilge pumps, as the name suggests. What usually sets bilge pump hose apart from other hoses is its flexibility. This is an advantage, since bilge pump discharge lines are often weaved and routed through some tight areas. In fact some bilge hose is sold under the trade name, bilge flex.
But I wouldnt use it. This corrugated (ridged) hose is certainly flexible, but it also is cheap and flimsy. Its a dirt and grime magnet, too, thanks to all the tiny ridges in its surface. Those ridges also create friction inside the hose, which reduces the efficiency of your bilge pump.
For bilge pumps I like smooth-walled, white PVC hose with nylon reinforcement. Its much more durable, and with a smooth exterior, it doesnt attract fuel, oil, dirt, or any of the other nasty stuff in your bilge. Its also smooth-walled inside, which means its effect on pump efficiency is minimal. Its unfortunately not as flexible as other bilge pump hose, and may require some work to route through your boat.
Uses: Bilge pump pickups and discharges.
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