Monday, April 29, 2013

Wash Down Pump Installed -Verdict In




If we have learned anything in our 3 years of refitting (who's counting, right?!?!?) its that many times things that sound like a great idea can disappoint you in oh, so so many ways. Let's face it, there is a ton of stuff-gadgets and geegaws a plenty-out on the market to festoon your boat with. Lot's of stuff that while they say it will make life easier, your boat sail faster and make you more attractive and more fun at parties, often just leaves you with a lighter wallet, missing a weeks time and something else that will inevitably need repair. This is not the case with our new wash down pump. This thing is awesome!

Mark got the pump and the necessary plumbing installed. The hose which was supplied by the manufacturer was well, how do I put it nicely? Crap. It was crap. We bought a heavy duty hose, removed the brass fittings, installed heavy duty plastic ones and added a pressure spray nozzle for it. Oh, and you might think taking apart a hose is no big deal until you realize that Mark let me do it, which means he let me use his heat gun, hose cutters and screwdriver. Yes, he let me touch his tools. It's a red letter day around Ceol Mor.

After emptying the anchor locker of the chain rode and dropping the anchor so we could get access to install everything, we had enough disgusting slime, ick and sticky black mud to see how the pump would handle it. It handles it fantastically! We had a moment of doubt when we first turned on the pump without the pressure fitting and saw what appeared to be a tiny little trickle of water. Not to fear, once the pressure attachment was fitted and the sprayer was engaged it had plenty of pressure to knock the mud off. Kitty had too much fun spraying the chain...and the deck...and me. Mark made her day by allowing her to work her way up from Baby Bilge Rat to full fledged Deck Monkey. With some assistance, she was able to work the windlass in a stop and go manner while Mark washed down the chain. She eventually got enough skill to work the windlass on command by herself, although she wasn't maybe spot on when Mark would tell her to stop. Oh well, That's what reverse is for.

For the time being (unless we add a new ac unit and watermaker under the v berth) the plumbing and wiring is done in the front cabin. This means the construction on the cabinetry in the front cabin can begin again in earnest- if only we had a boat wright. *sigh* Let's just say the Universe giveth and the Universe taketh away and try to keep a stiff upper lip and get on with it.
OOOHHH Plumbing AND Electrical runs....

Plumbing...just to document how lovely Mark's installs are. No one cares but boat dorks. I am a boat dork too. Its ok....

Soon....very soon!

14 comments:

  1. Now when Mark gets over Perfecto about something you can squirt him like a naughty cat. Also glad to see Kitty in a PFD, you know that is a pet issue of mine. And yet so few kid boat blogs have kids on deck with PFD's. Good for you!

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  2. She wears a PFD for the docks and when there is not a spare set of hands whose sole job is minding her. She is fast that one, and fearless.

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  3. You know, I am guessing here, but I would think that a man married to a woman who can appreciate and can understand why a clean installation is a thing of beauty on their boat...well, that man would consider himself fortunate indeed.

    Fly your boat dork burgee proudly!

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  4. The way the first paragraph started, I thought I was going to have to write a comment defending deck washes, we love ours too. Michael

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    1. Oh no! Wash down is probably on my top ten list of awesome upgrades.

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  5. Oooh that wash down pump sounds fancy. I've never even heard of one, and if you saw how dirty our boat was, you would truly believe me :)

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    1. Being able to hose off the mud on the chain and anchor before hauling into the locker is HUGE.

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  6. I have a high pressure water pumping machine which I use it to wash off the sticky mud on the tires and lower body of car. It just struck my mind while I was reading your blog post.

    Regards,
    Henry Jordan

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    1. That is called jet pressure water pump. I have it. Unfortunately it damaged my newly bought car. Dents are clearly visible in the sunlight.

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    2. No, its called a wash down pump. It is designed for use on a BOAT not on land. If a water nozzle causes dents on my boat I have much, much bigger problems.

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  7. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  8. Cidnie,

    Would you be so kind as to send me the info on the parts Mark used for your wash down pump. Sounds like he did it right, as usual. LOL. Love your blog!

    www.knottidedown.blogspot.com

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    1. Parts used- Washdown pump was Shurflo 4901-4292

      Flowrate and pressure are adequate to wash down anchor but would replace with a larger pump next time for increased performance

      Washdown outlet was Jabsco Stainless Steel Marine Quick Release Hose Coil Connector

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