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Old 11-26-2015, 02:09 PM   #21
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I second Steve's opinion. Our washdown pump doesn't have a strainer of any kind on it but the pump is so big it would probably pass gravel. But weed, mud, grit, etc. can be pretty hard on a flexible impeller pump so filtering that out would probably be a good idea in terms of impeller longevity.

And if it's something that's going to be used infrequently it can be a smart idea to turn it on for second or two every now and then to spin the impeller and park it in a different place.
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Old 11-26-2015, 03:36 PM   #22
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I installed a lighted ON/OFF switch at the lower helm to draw my attention to the switch when it's on. It has reminded me several times when I forgot to turn it off after use.
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Old 11-26-2015, 03:36 PM   #23
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You will use that wash down pump for maybe 5 minutes each time you anchor. Your engine's raw water strainer gets ten to one hundred times more use. I have put a couple of hundred boating hours on the Neuse, tributaries and Pamlico Sound and when I clean my engine's raw water strainer (a couple of times each year) I get a few blades of grass, that is all.


You will be happy with the pump's strainer.


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Old 11-26-2015, 04:14 PM   #24
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George, thanks for posting the link to my website.

I'd try the pump with the strainer it came with. If you end up cleaning it often, it's easy to replace it with a bigger one.

Be sure to have the yard install a backing block and flanged valve. Don't just screw a valve onto a thru-hull and call it a seacock.
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Old 11-26-2015, 05:45 PM   #25
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Quote:
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And if it's something that's going to be used infrequently it can be a smart idea to turn it on for second or two every now and then to spin the impeller and park it in a different place.
Real smart, saltwater does not smell nice after parking in the pump/hose for even a few days.
Someone invariably grabs it to wash their hands and gets the rotten egg treatment!
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Old 11-26-2015, 07:43 PM   #26
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Be sure to have the yard install a backing block and flanged valve. Don't just screw a valve onto a thru-hull and call it a seacock.
No backing plate, but a good flanged valve. It's only a 3/4" thru-hull and this boat has a thick, solid hull. Good amount of Sik-a-flex 291.
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Old 11-26-2015, 10:18 PM   #27
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I've got a big pump ready to install. Plan to place it discretely, innocuously in it's own small plastic container on port corner of swim step... within just inches of water; will draw from deployed hose having screened end.. Will have available long flex hose at the ready for complete wash-down of boat at any time. Can be used to wash off mud on rear anchor. Front anchor is easily washed by large drop "plunking"... when necessary.

Only set up situation I've not yet fully figured is 12 V access... but I do have plans!

Hope to complete before next summer. Many projects lined up!

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Old 11-27-2015, 06:00 AM   #28
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"I really don't need a firehose to wash off mud :-) "

Unless you get the chain clean of ALL the muck , the low tide stench will live in your anchor locker.

Lots of pressure , lots of volume is less scrubbing with a hand brush.
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Old 11-27-2015, 11:08 AM   #29
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I agree with FF...lots of water and pressure. We have an older Jabsco 7gpm washdown pump (I don't think they offer it any more) and at times we need more pressure. We use a walmart 1200 pressure washer fed by the washdown pump.


Keep the pilothouse windows closed during retrieval and washdown.....
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Old 11-28-2015, 08:59 AM   #30
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Quote:
You will use that wash down pump for maybe 5 minutes each time you anchor.
I wish! An all chain rode that's attached to a deeply buried anchor in sticky mud for a few days has taken us as much as 20 minutes or more to get all clean with excellent pressure and water flow. In Tom's cruising grounds, most of Cape Lookout Bight, South River, and Ocracoke all fall in that category.
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Old 11-29-2015, 01:19 AM   #31
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Real smart, saltwater does not smell nice after parking in the pump/hose for even a few days.
Someone invariably grabs it to wash their hands and gets the rotten egg treatment!
It's smart if you do it in a smart way. We leave the seacock on the anchor washdown pump closed unless we're going to use the pump. So when we energize the pump for a second to move the impeller to a different parking spot it's not pulling any water in.
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