Any Reason Not To Use PEX On A Boat?

[Mikado]

Originally Posted by HughMcB

Well the trial and error method will always yield good results, provided you don't mind paying for those trials.

$20.00 to test and determine what will provide the best performance for a complete fresh water system seems like a good investment to me.

[HughMcB]

Originally Posted by Mikado

$20.00 to test and determine what will provide the best performance for a complete fresh water system seems like a good investment to me.

Agreed, but adding extra fixtures could change that. As long as you're aware.

[Aqualibrium]

PEX is great on a boat, I plumbed my whole boat with it including Salt wter.

By using the S.harkbite fittings with the release tool you can remove and alter your plumbing at any time.

One change in plumbing layouts more than makes up for the extra cost.

Proudly made in Australia and exported to the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And no I don't work or represent them in any way other than a very satisfied customer!

[Traumagas]

PEX is GREAT !!! and SHARKBITES ARE BETTER THEN CRIMPS !!! BEATS THE TOOLS TO CRIMP IT !!!

[Srqdiver]

Originally Posted by misfits

From some of your previous posts regarding mechanical stuff, I knew I liked you for a reason.

Pex is an awesome product for a boat but personally I like the expander rings like in the Wirsbo/Upnor line in lieu of the crimped rings used by other manufacturers. I have never seen an expander ring leak, can't say that for the crimped rings. Even Watts is moving to an expander ring now. You can also purchase 3/8" pex which when thinking about boats should help conserve water when compared to 1/2". Of course this does depend on many faucets you want to operate at any given time. On a boat, it's your fresh water...
Many plumbing supply houses that sell this product aslo will rent the tools. In my opinion it's best to not mix & match products. Stick with one manufacturer for everything. Or you could end up like this

I agree, the Wirsbo is a little more costly with the expander tools, but the fittings are heavier and stronger as well as not having any metal bands that may have a chance to corrode. I use it all the time on horse trailers where wear and tear is always present. Just keep it out of uv rays.

[Traumagas]

Don't be Fooled Sharkbites have a Proven track record and they are Allowed by National Plumbing Code to be placed inside walls.....I have used these on High Pressure Hot water lines Without Failure. Most Water pumps Never even get close to the pressures seen in residential use

[seahag]

Thanks again for the great replies. I am especially indebted to Hugh for all that detail!


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[HughMcB]

Originally Posted by seahag

I am especially indebted to Hugh for all that detail!

Most welcome. Anytime!

[jrambo316]

Should the hot water pex be insulated?

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[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by jrambo316

Should the hot water pex be insulated?

Ours -- factory original installation -- is not.

-Chris

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by jrambo316

Should the hot water pex be insulated?

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Ideally any hot water pipe should, but I wouldn't bother as I don't think it makes much difference.


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[SSgtPitt]

Insulate what you can get to. It'll save on wasted fresh water as you wait for the hot water to arrive. If the boat is open and you're replacing your plumbing lines, run a hot water return line from the furthest fixture back to your water heater ( yes, i said "water heater". There's no such thing as a "hot water heater" )
You can install a small recirc pump, flip it on for a few seconds and BAM no wasted fresh water and hot water is instant.

[sailorchic34]

Because of the intermittent nature of use of faucets and showers on a boat, I feel for the typical cruiser in the <60 foot range should not worry about insulating the hot water. Insulation only slows the heat loss and odds are it would be cool anyway in an hour.

For the larger yacht/ ship with an extensive hot water system it makes more sense, specially if they have a hot water return line (and they would).

Same applies to homes BTW.

[Matt Johnson]

Originally Posted by SSgtPitt

Insulate what you can get to. It'll save on wasted fresh water as you wait for the hot water to arrive. If the boat is open and you're replacing your plumbing lines, run a hot water return line from the furthest fixture back to your water heater ( yes, i said "water heater". There's no such thing as a "hot water heater" )
You can install a small recirc pump, flip it on for a few seconds and BAM no wasted fresh water and hot water is instant.

We just plumbed the hot water line back to the fresh water tank with a diverter valve. Read about it originally in Dashew's encyclopedia.

Matt

[Steve O]

I used PEX and Whale fittings to plumb my Tartan 37. I had called Whale after coming across the fittings at Home Depot (FYI Cheaper online from other suppliers). Their engineers told me that the Whale fittings were originally designed for marine use aboard Submarines as they resist the extreme vibrations found in that application. They work great on my boat (which is not a sub) and you can get Red for Hot, Blue for Cold and Beige for un-pressurized