Head Intake Hose Below Waterline

[Terry Etapa]

Hey All,

I think I screwed up...

When I put in my head, I ran sections of solid 1 1/2" PVC through areas that would be difficult to replace the sanitation hose when it becomes odor saturated. While doing this, I ran solid sections of 3/4" PVC for the intake also. Well, looking back at the job, now that the difficult to access areas are covered, I inadvertantly ran some of the intake PVC right at/below the waterline!

How serious of an "Oh *@^*&" is this? How tough is PVC? My worry is that it will crack while I'm at anchor, and have the sea cock open, so that the head can be used during the night.

Which, gets to my second question. What is a good hose to use below the waterline? The Trident exta expensive hose? One of the braided water hoses?

Thanks,
Terry

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

That's a different screwup to mine. I fitted the intake seacock too high up, so the heads was unusable on one tack, and had to relocate it nearer the keel.

I should think it would probably be all right; after all, some of it is bound to be below the waterline.

[Ian McColgin]

I believe you are right to worry. I don't know if there are any rigid pipe schedules that meet accepted standards (ABYS etc) for head intake or discharge, but this is not one.

Pull it out.

You don't have odor saturation of the intake hose any more than you have odor saturation of any raw water intake, such as you'll have for the salt water tap in the galley.

However, there is something about the wee critters that live in the intake above the reach of bottom paint that combines in a head in a nasty way. That's what the variety of killer additives with in-line fittings are for. Or, far easier, always pump dry and keep it clean.

G'luck

[Mike Keers]

If by "braided water hoses" you mean the clear stuff with the braid, most of that is noted as 'not reccomended for below waterline use'. Of course that means on a raw water intake, not for running water from a tank to a sink or whatever.

I'd suggest you go with the black reinforced water hose that's designed for the job--Trident or similar. Hamilton sells 3/4" for about $2 a foot--cheap insurance that will let you sleep at night.

As a side topic, I believe there may be serious issues with using PVC pipe aboard a boat for anything around the engine, due to the fact it supports combustion--i.e., it burns and gives off pizzenous nasty fooms too. But I've seen it done.

[Stiletto]

I like the discipline of keeping the seacock closed except when in use, how practical would that be for you to do?