Fitting a deck wash

[bobnewbury]

After spending much time anchoring in the Spanish Rias this summer, have decided that a deck/anchor wash is a high priority and not a poser's accessory. It's a big anchor & it brings up an awful lot of mud, which then proceeds to spread itself all over the deck and thence to cockpit, saloon, bunks, underwear drawer, you name it. You live and learn.

Any advice/comments on fitting one - type of pump/deck fitting/hose/gun etc? We already have a saltwater intake sea cock fitted. Supply is 24v.

 

[tcm]

Hi, we have this. It's a seawater-friendly integral pump and motor which tees off the general intake for generator so no extra holes in the boat, and uses all-plastic but otherwise ordinary plumbing fittings to send the water all the way forward to the bows. I don't have the details of the seawater pump/motor tho motor as not near the boat...but could find out.

 

[bobnewbury]

Thanks tcm, but I think I enjoyed myself last night a little more than I intended (Silver Wedding). What is the 'this' of which you speak? Can't find it in your post.

 

[tcm]

er, the "this" is an anchor wash...

Can't say i ever use ours - just motor about a bit with the anchor just underwater to clean it.

 

[pampas]

Advise straight through to anchor wash, tee off, fit one valve, this to a deck connection for deck wash hose. (doubles as fire hose) fit it now because you will wish for one at some date. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[mikeotteau]

Can you say what make/type of pump as this sounds an excellent idea

 

[bobnewbury]

Ah! I told you it had been a heavy night.

 

[pampas]

I use one of those square based pumps used on hot/cold pressure systems with the pressure switch disconnected, with a fixed nozzle for the chain and anchor, suits me and is only run when the motor is running, simple to install and has given no trouble in 10 years.

 

[tcm]

The motors/pump units are Gianneschi, tho i found their website to be utterly useless - just a pic. Good gear though and widely available replacment brushes around the med.

 

[rudolph_hart]

Fitted one to my Dehler 35 two winters ago, and it's definitely earned its keep over the last 2 seasons, as East Coat mud really does stick to a big Delta anchor.

Fitted a Jabsco Par Max 4 deckwash pump (the one with the pressure switch), with input from a Y-valve on the toilet inlet then via a Jabsco in-line water filter (with a removable lid to allow cleaning out).

Outlet is via a Jabsco bayonet Deck Fitting -expensive, but worth it - to a Hozelock self-coiling hose and garden connectors and pistol grip, all from a DIY.

Pipework is 3/4 inch, but you could get away with 1/2 inch on the outlet (both size connectors on the pump are available from Jabsco Shop).

On the basis that the two are never going to be running simultaneously, electrical connections are shared with the shower drain pump, which has a similar electrical draw.

The boat came with a Delta which self-stows on a 'cat head' that has a large slot in the bottom, just aft of the roller. This enables the presure jet to blast all the mud off the chain and out through the slot, so no mud gets on board. Combined with an electric windlass, single handed raising and rinsing is a doddle.

Hope this is of help.

 

[ArthurWood]

Bob-if it's only the anchor you need to wash, why don't you do as tcm suggests and back down with the anchor just submerged until the mud comes off? It always works for us.
p.s., going fwd, might result in the anchor hitting the bow if you are not careful.