"HK" wrote in message
. ..
I'm thinking seriously of installing a fresh water washdown system in
the new Yo Ho. The boat has a very large center console* with good
access, so I have room for a decent tank. I'm thinking 12 to 15 gallons.
Probably a poly water tank, a washdown pump, a bit of hose, a couple of
hose fittings for filling tank, for draining tank to the cockpit, for
the hose washdown, et cetera. Got access to unused circuit breakers in
the console.

Just make sure the tank and pump are securely fastened. Water is heavy.
Many tanks are held down by metal (aluminum?) straps, along with molded-in
ridges along the bottom. If you create your own base make sure the pieces
are large enough to spread the load. As in not just 1/2" strips of molding.
Same thing with the mount for the pump; screw it into larger sheets of
starboard, marine plywood and the like.

Check with the factory to see if they have recommendations for where to put
it and what sizes to use.

Jabsco also makes several different ways to mount the coiled hose. I
installed a 15' flush-mount system. The hole needed is 6-3/8". I had an 8"
deck plate over the anchor locker. I cut the hole into the existing deck
plate. This way I didn't have to cut a new hole for the hose, but can still
pop it out to gain access to the rode locker. I also put an extra 2' of
3/8" hose on it to allow the container to be pulled fully up from the deck
plate without disconnecting anything.

Coiled hoses aren't very good at stretching their "full" length. Don't
expect to get much more than 10' of total extension, even with a 25' hose.
Yes, you CAN pull them out pretty far, but in the process they tend to kink.
Worse yet they eventually stretch enough to refuse to properly coil back up
again. So adjust your expectations accordingly.

You'll need a filler hose AND a vent hose (you need to displace the air when
filling it). Better to install an actual deck plate for these and not try
to screw/unscrew something directly on the tank.

Don't forget to install a filter ahead of the pump to keep gunk from ruining
it. And an inline backflow valve to prevent anything from getting sucked
back into the tank. While you may never "plan" to ingest the water it would
be better to set it up so that it "could" be used in an emergency.

And when you run the plumbing be sure to secure it properly. You don't want
the hose flopping around; eventually chafing and leaking.

-Bill Kearney