Selecting Marine Hoses for Different Applications

Boats require hoses for various functions. From carrying freshwater to transporting fuel and other fluids to your engine, there's usually no one-type-fits all when it comes to boat hoses. Like many boat components, hoses may call for replacement with time. This is because damaged or defective hoses can affect crucial functions and components on your boat, like electronics. Fires (in the case of gas or fuel hoses), flooding, and odours (in the case of a defective toilet or sanitation hose) are other issues you are likely to face with defective hoses on your boat.

Choosing the correct hose for your boat can be challenging if you've never done it before. Therefore, here is a quick guide to the different types of boat hoses and how to choose the correct one.

Raw Water Hoses

Your boat needs intake of raw water for several functions. Some primary raw water functions include cooling the engine and air conditioning system, supplying water for fish in your bait tanks, and flushing the toilet. Generally, these hoses are required for plumbing connections below the waterline. Therefore, remember to ask for hoses designed for such applications. Raw water hoses come in a wide range of materials like fabric, stainless steel, and PVC. Since they are needed for below-waterline applications, go for materials like PVC that won't corrode from exposure to water.

Portable Water Hoses

These hoses supply your boat with fresh water for drinking. Therefore, you must be extra careful when selecting one for your boat. First, the hoses must be chemically inert and made from non-toxic materials that won't leach chemicals into your drinking water and cause a bad taste, among other issues. If your boat has a pressurised system, your portable water hose must be sturdy enough to withstand the high pump pressure. Therefore, choose reinforced portable water hoses. These reinforced options also work well if you have hot water.

Sanitation Hoses

Does your boat have a toilet? Having properly functioning sanitation hoses is crucial to prevent odours that can be extremely challenging to eliminate. Therefore, if you've been dealing with foul smells lately, chances are your sanitation hose is the culprit. For your sanitation hoses, go for thick-walled with low permeability hoses that prevent the permeation of odours from uric acid and other types of waste.

Your new sanitation hoses should also be resistant to chemicals. Go for options with a smooth interior instead of corrugated options that can restrict flow and trap waste, contributing to increased foul smell.

For more information about marine hoses, visit websites like https://www.fenquin.com.au.


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