Marine Plumbing

Keep Your Marine Plumbing Systems Running Smoothly

Onboard plumbing systems like pressurized freshwater systems, marine sanitation systems and washdown systems add a great deal of enjoyment and convenience to the time we spend on the water. To keep these systems operating smoothly, we suggest regular maintenance and parts replacement when necessary.

To help you maintain your marine plumbing systems, West Marine offers a large selection of boat plumbing fittings from the most respected manufacturers in the marine industry. Examples include pumps from Shurflow, Attwood, Rule Industries and Johnson Pump; faucets from Ambassador Marine, marine sanitation systems from Dometic, Raritan and Jabsco; Marelon fittings from Forespar; bronze fittings and strainers from Groco and Perko; and a variety of application-specific marine hoses from Shields.

Match the plumbing fitting you select to the application.

When selecting marine plumbing replacement parts, make sure to select parts designed for the application at hand. For example, the marine hose manufacturer Shields offers hoses for virtually every conceivable application on a boat. Examples include hose for freshwater systems, sanitation systems and freshwater systems. Don’t for example, attempt to use reinforced vinyl hose designed for freshwater systems for marine sanitation purposes! Another no-no is to use plastic plumbing fittings which are designed for above-the-water use for below-the-waterline applications.

At the heart of many marine plumbing systems is a pump. Examples include bilge pumps, freshwater pumps, washdown pumps, macerator pumps and manual galley pumps. Matching the capacity of the pump, whether it is a bilge pump, engine cooling pump or freshwater pump, to the your needs will help to optimize results. Ensure that pipe fittings and hose fittings are designed for your intended use.

Periodic maintenance and inspections are key.

You don’t want to lose the convenience of pressurized freshwater at sea or (perish the thought!) get stuck with a non-functioning marine sanitation system. That’s why we suggest periodic maintenance and that you take quick action to fix leaks or other issues. Replacing faulty hoses, fittings and fixtures can prevent headaches down the road.