Fresh Water Plumbing

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Hawkshaw1

Hawkshaw1

Senior Member
Joined
May 4, 2020
Messages
103
Location
United States
Vessel Make
Mainship 390
I have a 2001 Mainship 390.
Can someone tell me what the fresh water plumbing is made of and where to buy connectors ? It is clear hose/pipe. I have a cracked 90 degree fitting where one would connect a hose from shore to the fresh water system. I want to have the replacement in hand when I start to try to access it.

Thanks,

Hawk
 
Doesn't sound like a factory plumbing job. Try a big box store.

pete
 
You will need to know the size tubing and then Shark Bite will most likely have something that will work.
 
My 2005 34T has 9mm PEX; all push fit connections. Impossible to find in the US except ebay/amazon. Get a 1/2" PEX push fit fitting from a big box. If it won't quite fit, then you know...
 
Sounds like pex tubing. You need to know the size of the tubing. Then check out Watts-Aqua Lock fittings. Good website with lots of options. Other option would be Whale. If it's standard CTS sizing, Shark-Bite will have fittings too.
 
Hawk
Here you go...
https://www.defender.com/category.jsp?name=quick-connect-fittings&path=-1|51|2243585&id=2243592
Just be sure to order the correct size. Should be marked on the tubing and I'll bet it is 15mm. PEX fittings will work but you will only find them in English sizes not metric... same w/ Sharkbite. I doubt very much it is a flare ftg.

Best guess attached pic from the MS parts file

Order a couple spares as that one especially is prone to leaking - the nut that screws onto 1/2" MPT cracks from over tightening... replaced several myself.

[EDIT] SeaTech is now Agualock
https://www.watts.com/aqualock-marine
 

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Bacchus said:
Hawk
Here you go...
https://www.defender.com/category.jsp?name=quick-connect-fittings&path=-1|51|2243585&id=2243592
Just be sure to order the correct size. Should be marked on the tubing and I'll bet it is 15mm. PEX fittings will work but you will only find them in English sizes not metric... same w/ Sharkbite. I doubt very much it is a flare ftg.

Best guess attached pic from the MS parts file.
Click to expand...

This seems to come up a lot. Just to prevent confusion, PEX is a material, not a brand name. It comes in standard CTS sizes as well as metric (and probably a bunch of others). Shark-bite comes in standard CTS sizes. The Whale is metric. The Watts-Aqua Lock (formerly Sea Tech) comes in both. But all are suitable for PEX as well as other materials in the correct size.

Like the OP, my tubing is translucent PEX. Mine is 3/8 CTS. Key is to find your proper tubing size (mine is not printed on the tubing). Once you know your size you can find your options.
 
prospective, great explanation.

tubing on our pilot is smaller than 15mm. we have that on another boat. 3/8" sounds more like it. you jogged my memory, sea-tech was where i got extra fittings.

the fittings on our pilot had a collar and a threaded flare that was inserted into the tubing and then the collar was screwed down. they are definitely not the whale press on type fittings, at least not on our boat. going forward, i'll convert as needed.
 
Duetto said:
prospective, great explanation.

tubing on our pilot is smaller than 15mm. we have that on another boat. 3/8" sounds more like it. you jogged my memory, sea-tech was where i got extra fittings.

the fittings on our pilot had a collar and a threaded flare that was inserted into the tubing and then the collar was screwed down. they are definitely not the whale press on type fittings, at least not on our boat. going forward, i'll convert as needed.
Click to expand...

I've spent enough time on this to make my eyes bleed. The name of that old style fitting with the collar and flare escapes me. It's exactly what I have on my boat. Mine are gray and come in multiple sizes. I did figure out what they were at some point and confirmed that they're not made any more. Once I determined my tubing size was 3/8, I've had success with Watts, John Guest, and Shark-bite. There are not as many types of fittings in 3/8 as 1/2. But there's a great selection if you go to the Watts-Aqua Lock web page. Pretty easy to search.
 
Prospective said:
This seems to come up a lot. Just to prevent confusion, PEX is a material, not a brand name. It comes in standard CTS sizes as well as metric (and probably a bunch of others). Shark-bite comes in standard CTS sizes. The Whale is metric. The Watts-Aqua Lock (formerly Sea Tech) comes in both. But all are suitable for PEX as well as other materials in the correct size.

Like the OP, my tubing is translucent PEX. Mine is 3/8 CTS. Key is to find your proper tubing size (mine is not printed on the tubing). Once you know your size you can find your options.
Click to expand...

Sorry I wasn't clearer... what I really meant was you are not likely to find PEX tube or ftgs in metric sizes in any local / big box stores. I have always had to get them from a marine store of online.
 
I found the fitting on my 2005 Pilot II to be SeaTech, and I was able to buy fittings under that name two years ago. Good to know the name change to Aqualock. My PEX tubing is 15 mm.
 
My 1999 350 is 3/8" ID using the older style compression fittings. These seem impossible to find. They measure 1/2"OD, but it's not exact, so standard 1/2" push on fittings will not seal properly.

The size should be printed somewhere on the water line itself. It might be tricky to locate.
 
Bacchus said:
Hawk
Here you go...
https://www.defender.com/category.jsp?name=quick-connect-fittings&path=-1|51|2243585&id=2243592
Just be sure to order the correct size. Should be marked on the tubing and I'll bet it is 15mm. PEX fittings will work but you will only find them in English sizes not metric... same w/ Sharkbite. I doubt very much it is a flare ftg.

Best guess attached pic from the MS parts file

Order a couple spares as that one especially is prone to leaking - the nut that screws onto 1/2" MPT cracks from over tightening... replaced several myself.

[EDIT] SeaTech is now Agualock
https://www.watts.com/aqualock-marine
Click to expand...

That's exactly what happened. The nut/cap broke where it attaches to the pressure regulator.
I traced the piping this morning. It's FLEXPEX 1/2 IN SDR9 PEX-a

The spec sheet for the regulator states the regulator has 1/2 " MPT (Male Pipe Thread) so maybe I have get a shark bite that will work. Luck my wife's had will fit in the hole!

Hawk
 
Shrew said:
My 1999 350 is 3/8" ID using the older style compression fittings. These seem impossible to find. They measure 1/2"OD, but it's not exact, so standard 1/2" push on fittings will not seal properly.

The size should be printed somewhere on the water line itself. It might be tricky to locate.
Click to expand...

Mine was the same style and is 3/8 ID as well. I've been able to find shark-bites in that size at lowes and home depot in limited styles, ie.. elbow, straight, tee. Watts/Aqua Lock has a huge assortment of 3/8 fittings including adapters and shut-offs as well.
 
Hawkshaw1 said:
I have a 2001 Mainship 390.
Can someone tell me what the fresh water plumbing is made of and where to buy connectors ? It is clear hose/pipe. I have a cracked 90 degree fitting where one would connect a hose from shore to the fresh water system. I want to have the replacement in hand when I start to try to access it.

Thanks,

Hawk
Click to expand...
The fittings and Pipe installed from Factory is blue (Cold) Red (Hot) and black Fittings it is Sea Tech 15mm and cannot be mixed with 1/2 inch from a big box.
https://www.marineoutfitters.ca/index.cfm?category=10036|10692|11370
 
Makes sense yours is not made by the same people it's newer than ours built by Mainship. sorry think yours was built bt Marlow
 
cartouche,

i don't think marlowe has anything to do with this. our 2003 pilot has the exact same semi-clear tubing. i think mainship was always looking for the lowest cost supplier and they shifted back and forth.
 
Duetto said:
cartouche,

i don't think marlowe has anything to do with this. our 2003 pilot has the exact same semi-clear tubing. i think mainship was always looking for the lowest cost supplier and they shifted back and forth.
Click to expand...
Did not realize this and I see OP has a 01 390 not a 34T following to many threads. Cheers
 
It's great that the size is stamped right on there and that it's 1/2 CTS. You'll be able to get a large selection of fittings almost anywhere. Shark-bites should work and you can get those at the big box stores and hardware stores in a ton of configurations. The aforementioned Watts/Aqua-lock will work as well as John Guest and a host of others that you can order on line.
 
I have used both Sharkbite and John Guest. Both work but the John Guest fittings are half the cost and are available in 1/4" and 3/8" tubing sizes as well as 1/2" whereas Sharkbite only has 1/2" fittings except for a straight 3/8 to 1/2" transition fitting. Watts probably has the same variety as John Guest but I do not know that for a fact.
Prospective said:
It's great that the size is stamped right on there and that it's 1/2 CTS. You'll be able to get a large selection of fittings almost anywhere. Shark-bites should work and you can get those at the big box stores and hardware stores in a ton of configurations. The aforementioned Watts/Aqua-lock will work as well as John Guest and a host of others that you can order on line.
Click to expand...
 
Prospective said:
It's great that the size is stamped right on there and that it's 1/2 CTS. You'll be able to get a large selection of fittings almost anywhere. Shark-bites should work and you can get those at the big box stores and hardware stores in a ton of configurations. The aforementioned Watts/Aqua-lock will work as well as John Guest and a host of others that you can order on line.
Click to expand...
If anyone has 1/2" the common PEX fittings with crimp rings or band crimps work very well and are less $ than the EZ on/off alternatives. They are more difficult to remove but for 90% of the water system and 100% of those hidden ftgs they work just fine.
 
Our 2000 Mainship 390 has [1/2" OD LDPE] (aka: low density polyethylene), and I have found fittings for that spec online for adding features like an Accumulator Tank without a hitch. No leaks. Yes, translucent as described by others' posts.

((other trivia: Single engine models have 2 water tanks, Dual engine models have 1 water tank. Mine is 1 engine, 2 tank, with two separate supply lines coming together right before the fresh water pump/strainer, in the port side engine compartment.))
Hope that helps.
 
Capt. Ray
My boat is exactly like yours. I fixed the leak successfully. The shark bites from Lowes worked just fine. My plumber friend (and bass player in our bluegrass band) marked the pipe to be sure the shark bite pushed to the full depth.
Thanks for all the input.
Hawk
24040-albums1029-picture6590.jpg

24040-albums1029-picture6592.jpg

24040-albums1029-picture6591.jpg
 
Thanks! Nice to know Sharkbite works too. In my former house that we owned up in Maine, I did some Sharkbite plumbing. Good to know it is compatible with my BOAT!!!
 
Hawkshaw1, I have the same tubing on my boat and used the Watts-Aqua Lock (formerly Sea Tech) to get fittings for some work awhile back.
 
Pics?
Hawkshaw1 said:
I have a 2001 Mainship 390.
Can someone tell me what the fresh water plumbing is made of and where to buy connectors ? It is clear hose/pipe. I have a cracked 90 degree fitting where one would connect a hose from shore to the fresh water system. I want to have the replacement in hand when I start to try to access it.

Thanks,

Hawk
Click to expand...
 
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