Fresh Water Engine Flush

Bob Loblaw

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My 250 Yamaha has a garden hose adapter for flushing the engine. Easy to flush the engine if you have a water supply. Trouble is the marina I’m at doesn’t have water. Anyone have an idea how I can fresh-water flush my engine after each use?
 

seasick

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Some folks have made a mod to the fresh water system to use it as the flush source. Of course, that assumes that you have the fresh water option ANG have access to someplace to refill the fresh water tank. The fresh water tank may be quite small for the smaller hulls though.

If the marina doesn't have water, I guess you don't get to rinse the boat or your gear after a run. Not the best of situations.
 

magicalbill

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I agree with Seasick: Not being able to flush or rinse the salt off the boat will cause it to deteriorate prematurely. Is moving to a nearby marina an option?
 

Bob Loblaw

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No fresh water option. Nearby marina is not an option. Thanks
 

DogBone

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On occasions where I knew I would be docking without fresh water access, I brought a 5 gallon bucket filled with fresh water. I added a small bilge pump with a 12V connector and a garden hose and male garden hose fitting. I could then pump a few gallons of water and Salt-Away (either add to the water or use the garden hose dispenser) into the flush fitting. Keep in mind that water weighs 8.35 lbs/gallon, so 5 gallons weighs about 42 lbs. Granted you're not going to get as long of a flush as on municipal water, but you can get the salt water out and get some Salt-Away in the system.
 
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Fishtales

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Assumptions: Your motor(s) run fresh water through them non-operational and you don't have a water system. You may be able to get or make something. Some type of strong shower bag? that can hold a few of gallons of water with a hose fitting attached. Connect up, try gravity first or work the water through the engine. Maybe a pump sprayer with water and a fitting that connects and you pump it through. 5 gallon pale, 12v elec pump and some hose. You'd have to get access to water and fill the bucket each time and set up a power connection. There is always option zero - do what everyone has done on a mooring - nothing.
 

DennisG01

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There is always option zero - do what everyone has done on a mooring - nothing.
Best answer! :) I'll add... the more you use the engine, the less issues there seem to be from salt. Seems as though "sitting around" does the most damage. Kinda like a couch potato...

Going along with the bilge pump being dropped into water... supposedly (they "claim" it does) Salt Terminator/Salt Away/whatever still works quite well if you flush with salt water, instead of fresh water. So... use the bottle that is designed to be attached to a hose and hook it up to the flush attachment on the side of the engine and then drop the bilge pump into the surrounding water.
 

magicalbill

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Another perspective: By the time the owner rigs up the auxiliary equipment, 12V pump, bucket/bag of water, etc and goes thru the steps to flush the engine after every trip he might:

1.) Take less trips because of the hassle factor:

2.) Say "Screw This" and avail himself of Option Zero.

3.) As usual, Dennis has good advice; Maybe just have more fun, use the darn thing and keep it cleaned out while smiling behind the helm.
 

seasick

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Not flushing the motor is an option but not one I like. Not rinsing the boat is a different story. I can't recommend rinsing with salt water. The idea is to rinse off the salt. Have you rinsed your windshield with salt water??
I guess I am luck to have docks and water at my docks.