Pressure washer use under water?

[FalconSteve]

As the title suggests, will a kaarcher pressure washer (other brands of pressure washer are available ), operate effectively under a foot or so of water? I am thinking of using one to keep the growth off my stern drives and trim tabs.

 

[JerseyDiver]

Robg assures me it will !!!

 

[beeks]

It worked ok for me. I brought an under body lance attachment (Karcher Underbody Lance
[26388170]) bent it around a bit more with a pipe bender, then you can spray the front of the leg too.

 

[lisilou]

There's a you tube clip showing just that and seemed to work well.
L

 

[CaptainMike1970]

Yes it works, done it myself a number of times, the dirt buster attachment works very well but you need the end of the nozzle very close to the props / leg to get the best results. I trim the legs up to beach mode and then hold end of nozzle 1-2" away, works very well.

 

[nigelmercier]

Yes it works, done it myself a number of times, the dirt buster attachment works very well ...

I was about to say that they don't work very well under water, and the swirling dirt buster doesn't work at all.

 

[CaptainMike1970]

Nigel - I found that any of the attachments useless if more than about 2" away, so it does take a bit of time. Mike

 

[EugeneR]

I have done it and it works, but as above you need to keep it close

 

[DAKA]

Another yes, it works that well you have to keep stopping to wait for the debris to drift away so you can see what you are doing.

Antifoul works too.

Obviously not for the whole hull but touching up underwater on the water line / trim tab etc

 

[alant]

As the title suggests, will a kaarcher pressure washer (other brands of pressure washer are available ), operate effectively under a foot or so of water? I am thinking of using one to keep the growth off my stern drives and trim tabs.

Don't think the whole pump should be dunked though, may be some warranty issues.

 

[FalconSteve]

Thanks for the responses, looks like its worth trying then

My hull seems to be in good shape midway through the season, very little evidence of any marine growth, although there are some deposits of slime in patches along the length.

My out drives and trim tabs are a different story though, I painted them with out drive antifoul in may and they are covered in the usual is of slime, weed and barnacles. The cost of the pressure washer is braodly comparable to the cost of a mid season lift and scrub so is financially viable, especially as the hull seems in good shape.

Should I stick with kaarcher as the brand leader, or are they all much of a muchness? I have heard that the cheaper models are difficult to repair due to parts availability, can anyone comment on this?


Many thanks

 

[DAKA]

Thanks for the responses, looks like its worth trying then

My hull seems to be in good shape midway through the season, very little evidence of any marine growth, although there are some deposits of slime in patches along the length.

My out drives and trim tabs are a different story though, I painted them with out drive antifoul in may and they are covered in the usual is of slime, weed and barnacles. The cost of the pressure washer is braodly comparable to the cost of a mid season lift and scrub so is financially viable, especially as the hull seems in good shape.

Should I stick with kaarcher as the brand leader, or are they all much of a muchness? I have heard that the cheaper models are difficult to repair due to parts availability, can anyone comment on this?


Many thanks

I bought a cheap jet wash from argos , on the basis it had a two year consumer warranty and after two years I had my monies worth anyway , repair ? throw away and buy a new one !

This was 8 years ago and its still going strong.

The cheaper jetwashers (including some smaller karchers) have plastic/nylon pumps where the more expensive ones have heavy metal which are not compatible with occasional marine use or deep frost .