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An onboard washdown system provides a convenient means to hose down the deck after a day of boating. They are just the ticket for cleaning up the cockpit after landing a big fish, rinsing off a muddy anchor rode as it’s raised by your windlass, or hosing off seagull indiscretions and rinsing the decks after a scrubdown.
Components
Washdown systems are comprised of a 12V DC pump with an integral pressure switch, a hose and nozzle, an inline filter and the appropriate wiring, circuit protection and connectors.
Capacity
Pump capacity is normally rated in gallons per minute (gpm). The needs of most small- and medium-size boats can be met by diaphragm pumps in the 3.4-5gpm range. These pumps generally produce pressures in the 35-50psi range, roughly equivalent to 35-50 percent of "city water" pressure. If you have a larger boat, or simply want higher pressure, we suggest Jabsco's Par Max 8 High Capacity Washdown Pump, which pumps 7.5gpm at 80psi.
Plumbing
Washdown pumps should be installed in an out-of-the-way but easily accessible location. Although these pumps are designed for use in wet locations, care should be taken to locate the pump above the high water mark of the bilge. Washdown pumps are typically installed in a protected location under a boat’s gunwale or in a cockpit locker. To supply the pump with seawater, you will need to tee in to an existing seawater line-or install a separate thru-hull and seacock. You will need 1/2" or 3/4" reinforced inlet hose, 1/2" or 3/4" outlet hose (minimum 100 psi burst strength), hose clamps, and an in-line strainer between the seacock and the pump to keep debris out of the pump. An optional component is an accumulator tank, which installs downstream from the pump. Accumulator tanks smooth out water delivery and allow the pump to cycle on and off less frequently.
Installation Options
Once you have installed the pump, you have a variety of options. In the simplest installations, a garden hose with a trigger nozzle is threaded directly to the pump outlet. Energize the pump and use the hose as if it were connected to dock water. To facilitate this type of installation, Jabsco offers washdown pumps that incorporate their "Quick-Connect Port System", which permits quick engagement and disengagement of the hose at the pump outlet.
A popular alternative to a heavy garden hose are self-coiling hoses. They are lighter and easier to use than standard garden hoses and store in a more compact space. Some owners opt to plumb the outlet line to a garden-hose-style faucet, which they use to control the flow of water on deck. An attractive alternative is to plumb the pump to Hose Coil's Quick Release System. This system consists of an outlet fitting that flush mounts to a bulkhead. Used with one of their self-coiling hoses, the system permits quick engagement of the hose for use, and quick disengagement for storage. The slickest installations are self-coiling hose enclosures that plumb direct to the pump. These enclosures neatly store the hose and keep it out of the way but ready for instant use.
Wiring
If the pump draws less then 10 amps, AWG 14 wire can be used for runs up to 10 feet (breaker panel to pump) with less than a 3% voltage drop. For longer wire runs or pumps with a higher amperage draw, follow the manufacturer's recommendations. We suggest you wire the pump to your boat's electrical distribution panel. (If no panel exists, now might be a good time to install one.) For convenience, a separate waterproof toggle switch can be installed near the pump. Use only marine-grade wire and connectors that have been tinned to prevent corrosion. All connections should be crimped, using a crimping tool designed for this purpose. To guard against water intrusion and corrosion all connections should be protected with adhesive-lined shrink wrap tubing. The circuit should be fused or protected with a breaker per the manufacturer's recommendation.
Once you have installed your washdown system and begun to experience the convenience that these systems offer, you’ll definitely wonder how you managed to do without it!
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