Adding fresh-water wash down to Freedom 215

[Riverfix70]

Looking to add a fresh water wash down to my 2018 freedom 215. Was thinking of using the live well pump but read that this may not be powerful enough. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[Hookup1]

Livewell pump isn't going to work. They are centrifugal pumps for water volume not pressure.

Replace your existing fresh water pump with a ShurFlow Blaster Washdown pump. Install a "T" fitting at the pump and pull off a larger diameter hose to the location of your new freshwater washdown spray head.

 

[seasick]

The livewell is a raw water device. In order to add a true fresh water washdown, you need a fresh water tank, fill and vent fittings, a wash down pump, a screen/filter, associated plumbing and a deck or gunnel wash down hose fitting.
If you boat in 'fresh' water than you could add a washdown pump and plumbing. I would still call that a raw water washdown.
Some folks do use a livewell pump output through a selector valve to create a raw water washdown source. It will work but as you suggested, it make provide a weak flow.
Better approach is to get a dual port livewell pump ( you may already have one), connect the secondary output to a new washdown pump and all the previously mentioned parts.

 

[Hookup1]

I just assumed you wanted freshwater from your inboard tank. If you want to pull water from outside the boat consider replacing or checking to see if you have one of these livewell pumps.

500 GPH FC Tournament Series Livewell/Baitwell Pump | West Marine

Check out our 500 GPH FC Tournament Series Livewell/Baitwell Pump and more from West Marine!

www.westmarine.com

Pump is available in 500/800/1100 GPH. Use side port to connect to your new washdown pump.

 

[Riverfix70]

Apologies for not providing enough info in the original post. I boat in fresh water and would like to pull water from the existing live well connection for a raw water wash down. The existing fresh water wash down would isn't really used and would remain as is. Thanks for all of the great input so far!

 

[Hookup1]

So as not to confuse us salt water guys call it a raw water washdown. Share the thru hull with the baitwell and connect you new washdown pump.

 

[seasick]

So as not to confuse us salt water guys call it a raw water washdown. Share the thru hull with the baitwell and connect you new washdown pump.

By share I assume you suggest a selector valve. If so, that may not be doable if the live well pump is directly connected to the under hull seacock. As mentioned earlier a livewell pump with a secondary output port would be the way to go. The only downside I can think of is that the seacock would typically always be open and on some live well setups, when under speed, the live well will fill even without the pump active. That is easy to check, just open the seacock and go for a ride. Check if the livewell fills without the pump running.

 

[Hookup1]

By share I assume you suggest a selector valve. If so, that may not be doable if the live well pump is directly connected to the under hull seacock. As mentioned earlier a livewell pump with a secondary output port would be the way to go. The only downside I can think of is that the seacock would typically always be open and on some live well setups, when under speed, the live well will fill even without the pump active. That is easy to check, just open the seacock and go for a ride. Check if the livewell fills without the pump running.

By "sharing" I mean take the plug out of the Rule pump base (secondary output port) and connect washdown pump hose there.

The clamshell pickups will slightly pressurize the Rule livewell pump while running. On my boat it doesn't fill the livewell. On the other hand the bait tank I strap onto the Euro transom will fill and drain thru the Rule livewell pump.

 

[Fishtales]

Best is a separate pump. If raw water, you'll need a thru hole (new or potentially tap an existing). The latter can work but not the best. Lots of options out there....

Amazon.com : raw water washdown pump