Mangrover

Hello all. This is a question for those who purchased or have the raw water washdown option on their boat. I am questioning whether the $425.00 price tag is worthwhile. Just as a precursor: I have a dock with a lift and easy access to fresh water at the dock

~ How often do you use it?
~ Do you, in general, avoid using it because you would rather not spray saltwater on the inside of your boat?

Could the following be a possible alternative to purchasing the raw water washdown option?

I don’t want to install a “T Valve” to my live well pump - If I we’re to ever have a mess I would like to address immediately - Can I unscrew the aerator valve in my live well and attach a small length flexible hose with a nozzle to that? My live well pumps 600 gallons per hour.

Please keep in mind that this is not something I would be doing often.......just as a fallback.

Your Thoughts?

cuhuba

For 400 bucks it’s worth it in my mind especially if you fish. Washing down the deck real quick in the middle of the action saves you a lot of scrubbing and fussing when you finally get back in.

EMC Pursuit

I use mine all the time. Any trip to the sand bar, If I dont wash down the anchor and bow, everyone is sandblasted on the way home. I also use it alot when fishing. pull in a bleeder, its much easier to wash down before the blood is dry then to wait till I am back at the dock. Get the highest pressure and GMP you can get! You will not be disappointed..

PeteH

Agree with the above responses.

I would not be without a raw water washdown. system.
The more pressure and volume, the better.

No way to keep a boat clean-, sand, blood, dirt, etc.
Bring a small bottle of dawn dish soap with you, too.

oldkanuk

I want to avoid extra plumbing, switches, wiring and hose storage concerns. On my Pioneer dealer’s suggestion, I screwed a light hose onto my livewell outlet and leave it connected in the livewell where it sinks to the bottom and functions as the “new” livewell outlet. Mahi spit and blood runs out the self bail scuppers. I’m totally happy with this free setup.

rocksandblues

worth it. Unless you just never need to wash fish blood, sand from guests feet at sandbar, bird poop.

mshugg

A five gallon bucket is a perfectly good alternative to a wash down system. On the other hand $400 doesn’t seem excessive for washdown as long as components are high quality and well installed. For DIY, figure $150 for pump and at least that for fittings and hoses. The best system would be strainer/ thru-hull, sea cock, T fitting (all bronze). 1 leg of T feeds livewell pump, the other to your washdown.

Fine Catch

My last two boats have it and frankly I don't know how I did without it. If we have an especially fishy day, we mix up some Boat Zoap or other brand of soap that works in saltwater. We wash down the cockpit and rinse off with the raw water wash down pump before we head home. When we get back to the dock, cleanup is a snap. The cockpit is all clean, we just have to give it a good fresh water rinse.

highflier1

You want the Wash down. The only question is your having them do it, or you going to rig it yourself. At 400 bucks I would say let them do it. The pump, seacock, and drilling hole in bottom of boat, Almost seems like a very very good price.

If you have a option for freshwater wash down. Consider that also. Here in florida when you start to over heat or as you climb out of the salting water, it is awfully nice to take a 10 second rinse of fresh water to get some salt off.

Conclusion, Fishing salt water wash down a must
Beaching freshwater wash down a plus

reelintheyears

I use my raw water wash down all the time. I never use the fresh water wash down. 400 bucks is worth it in my opinion.

Fyre Escape

worth every penny, also will help resale. I know every new boat I buy will have one.

ValPStamas

My boat (31 Stamas Express) came setup with the saltwater washdown AND the livewell running off the same pump.....single thru hull runs to a T connector from which one hose leads to the livewell, the other leads to a faucet mounted on the gunwale...could run both at the same time but generally close the livewell spigot when using the SW washdown....

barrell

yes but dont waist your money on a fresh water system. There are many portable ways to carry freshwater

johncohen

I'm with Mangrove. Sure saltwater gets on the boat on rough days but not where it can get from a saltwater wash down! I use fresh to wash after each bloody deck. If super heavy scoop a 5 gallon bucket of saltwater to start and finish with fresh. If you have a no wake zone start cleaning the rods to speed up things when back at the dock with the fresh. This is assuming you have a big enough rig and the additional load is not an issue to you.

If it's a money thing the additional load of the fresh water in fuel burn over time will overtake the $425 you saved. At 8.34 lbs per gallon 100 gallons of fresh is adding 834 pounds to your load.

kmoose

Went without one for decades just like I went without an auto pilot..... I still kick myself for waiting so lone on both. $400 is a bargain and you won't regret it.

ranger42c

We use the raw water washdown when we pull the anchor, usually heavily coated with mud, and when we have fish bits all over the cockpit. Unlimited supply, so no worries about depleting our onboard freshwater supply (200 gals). Then we wash down with fresh water back at the dock.

-Chris

Fine Catch

I don't know anything about the OP, but most people are fairly reluctant to start drilling holes in the bottom of a brand new boat. In my mind, that makes the cost of a ~$400 dealer/factory install nominal. If you are afraid of spraying saltwater on your boat, then I guess you will never be taking it out on a choppy day.

cman55

If you're a fisherman a salt water wash down is a must. There is no way you could ever predict how much water you will need and I spray and wash the inside of my boat with fresh water after every fishing trip so I'm not worried about saltwater on the interior of the boat. Additionally, $425 is a rather small investment in your overall boating experience and the convenience is well worth it IMO.

mark101

raw & fresh , that way you can wash off w fresh on hot days , and clean boat on way in with fresh

THE BARRACUDA

YES!!!, but in my case its the one pcs of equipment used more on my boat, next to the Crab and lobster puller. I only wish I had hydraulic. But with an outboard motor no such luck. The electric one are not worth a crab for commercial use Unfortunately. I break them constantly. Been through 2 pumps already since August. I guess for me its just the cost of doing business.