Looking to plumb a freshwater washdown on my T275

K

ksgoldman

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Aug 20, 2009
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Location
Cape Coral, Fl
Model
Freedom 275
I just bought a 2010 Tournament 275 (which won't be splashed until April). One of my projects before launching the boat is to plumb a freshwater washdown for the boat. Although it has a 20 gallon freshwater tank, and a handheld shower at the stern as well as a sink behind the helm, I'm told by my dealer that the factory freshwater pump doesn't put out enough volume to just plumb in a hose (I'm not sure if he's correct).

I keep my boat at a mooring and would like to be able to wash it off after use. It seems that I have two choices - one simpler than the other. The first choice is to put a tee into one of the existing freshwater faucets and connect a hose fitting with shutoff valve. If in fact the existing freshwater pump gives me enough volume, that solves my problem (I'm thinking I should be able to tee off the faucet behind the helm).

My second option is to attach a second pump to the freshwater tank that is a higher volume pump and plumb that to a hose fitting and shutoff valve. Obviously there's more work to do that (and is something I'm hoping to avoid).

Anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? I know that 20 gallons won't last me very long, but with my prior boat (a Seaswirl Striper 2101 DC) I used to wash the entire boat with 3-1/2 gallons using a Nomad 12 volt portable pressure washer (which really wasn't a pressure washer but more of 3-1/2 gallon tank with a pump and hose).

I'd appreciate any insight on this matter.

Thanks,

Ken
 
Look at your FW tank where the feed hose comes out, is there another port in the tank near it that has a threaded plug in it ?

If you believe your dealer, use this fitting to take off from the tank with a new line, get a washdown pump and wire and hose it all up.

Washdown pumps are better suited to high pressure one expects from a hose nozzle to washdown, just like a dock hose, not a FW pump. Don't chinze on hose size and avoid 90 deg fittings if you have a choice. I'd say 5/8 in. hose min.

But you can always try your idea first, no harm done.
 
Capt Bill, I think using one of those may be a problem, when he wants to use a sink.
The pump will kick in and out if the sink faucet is not opened full bore, and may still do it even full open. Sinks have the aireated screens etc at the nozzle slowing the flow and then tripping the pump off and on.

Using one for washdown will be just fine.
 
Bob, I have a similar, but somewhat lower-volume pump on my motorhome, and it does exactly what you say, but it is designed to do that. If the admiral is taking a shower, and I run the faucet in the galley or flush the head, she doesn't lose pressure, (or temper, if you know what I mean :)

The pump I installed (same make), is designed to increase volume according to demand. I was thinking that this pump would do the same, but I guess a call to the manufacturer would be best.
 
I think you are talking about the variable speed drive (VSD) pumps, that's what I have for my FW pump, the motor runs slow or fast depending on the faucet position so the water flows just like at home, no cycling and surging. It was a lot more expensive than the regular original pump.

For washdown only not needed, at least when I do SW washdown the nozzle trigger is full open or closed.

He's going to get surging if the pump is not VSD. I didn't like it, continous cycling will beat up the motor .
 
My dealer just spoke with someone at GW and found out that they had done exactly what I was proposing (to cut into the freshwater line and add a faucet). The factory pump is 3.5 GPM which should be more than enough (I'll use a hose nozzle that is 0.5-2.0 GPM). Given that I only have a 20 gallon tank, anything more than 3.5 GPM would empty the tank too quickly.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I'll post pictures in the Spring after I do this mod.
 
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