Your favorite hose nozzle to go with your boat bucket

[skipmac]

Over the years I've tried just about every option, from the time honored thumb over the end of the hose to fancy pistol grip squeeze nozzles. I tend to prefer the simple, brass, twist to open/close/adjust nozzle but have not been able to convince my wife that these are the best. She keeps going for pistol grip, twist the head to select multiple spray pattern types but those all seem to break, corrode, leak or worse.

Part of her rationale is the simple brass nozzle is leaky, hard to adjust and doesn't make a nice, even spray pattern for the more delicate stuff in the garden. Since my focus is boat stuff I never paid much attention to that but tested the el cheapo Home Depot brass nozzles we have laying around and had to agree.

So did a little internet research and ordered a better brass nozzle that came today. Made by Dramm that I got from Amazon for under $20 and I love it. Closed down it is totally dripless, open all the way it makes a nice, strong jet, in between a nice, smooth spray and operates with a smooth, easy action. Took it apart and there's two O-rings inside that are what makes it drip free. However, wife still likes her cheap, corroded, drippy pistol grip because it makes a nice rain shower spray.

So, for the simple I love the Dramm but anyone know of a nice, well made, pistol grip type?

[Strait Shooter]

Is the nozzle for use on a boat, or in a garden?

A pistol grip spray nozzle would suit a garden better. They're not very hardy though and won't last long on board. They do have some pretty good ones at any hardware store though.

For the boat however, brass twist nozzle is definitely the way to go.

[a64pilot]

I like the "sweeper" type of nozzle, looks like it came off of a tiny fire hose, this thing
nozzel
Put it on a ball valve and it will last forever, but it will never give a rain shower

On a different note, do those expanding hoses work? Seems it would make storage easier.

[zeehag]

have been using truper plastic pistol grip shower jetstream and other goodies on my boat-- buy new every 3 yrs. the black ones are more durable than the orange ones, btw......

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Strait Shooter

Is the nozzle for use on a boat, or in a garden?

A pistol grip spray nozzle would suit a garden better. They're not very hardy though and won't last long on board. They do have some pretty good ones at any hardware store though.

For the boat however, brass twist nozzle is definitely the way to go.

Well I'm looking at nozzles for both. I do think the basic brass is the way to go for the boat but still sorting out one for home use.

Every time I wash the car I have to remove the leaky pistol grip nozzle my wife loves because it just won't make a strong jet like a brass nozzle. Then have to go search for my brass nozzle that has been lost in the mulch under the faucet. Then a new washer and pliers to do the swap because the hose has been left lying in the yard and the end fitting stepped on so the nozzle doesn't seal and sprays water out the bottom.

Just wish I could find one we both can use.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I like the "sweeper" type of nozzle, looks like it came off of a tiny fire hose, this thing
nozzel
Put it on a ball valve and it will last forever, but it will never give a rain shower

On a different note, do those expanding hoses work? Seems it would make storage easier.

No experience due to to underwhelming reports... Maybe somebody has some positive experience....

[a64pilot]

You need my Daughter's Lab, she chews the ends off the hoses.
Never seen a dog that would chew like that, chewed the license plates off of one car, and even chewed the aluminum wheel on my Wife's car.
I buy packages of solid brass hose ends every so often

[Strait Shooter]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Well I'm looking at nozzles for both. I do think the basic brass is the way to go for the boat but still sorting out one for home use.


Just wish I could find one we both can use.

Gotcha! They make some pretty nice pistol grip ones compared to days of yore. Nice spray patterns, and good stream flow. Your local big box hardware store will have a good selection I'm sure.

You could also add a quick hose disconnect to the hose and nozzles for changes.

For the boat of course, the biggest, baddest, bronze and rubber or brass you can find is gonna be best. I like to think of it as a "grandkids control device".

[transmitterdan]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

On a different note, do those expanding hoses work? Seems it would make storage easier.

Yes, but the cover is not as UV resistant as one would like. If you keep it out of the sun when not being used it works well and saves significant space.

[Strait Shooter]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

On a different note, do those expanding hoses work? Seems it would make storage easier.

I don't think that nozzles to hoses is to far of a drift................

They don't last forever, but they frigging rock in regards to storage. I keep a couple of spares, they're that cheap, and store so well.

I saw a brand of them mentioned in a thread last week and can't find it now. In the thread it was mentioned that there's a brand that can be worked on by cutting the end off and reassembling it so it works again.

If anyone knows of this brand, I'd be forever thankful for the info.

[Moody46CC]

I'm with Transmitter Dan. Keep them out of the sun! I've had two burst from UV exposure; one while doing indoor chores. What a mess as I had to run back to the valve on the dock to shut off the water. On the plus side, they store easily. Perfect for cruising.

[a64pilot]

I'll have to get one then, any to avoid? I tend to shop Amazon, I'd want it for washdowns, my plan is to have a spigot at both ends of the boat, so 25' hose is plenty.
I wouldn't leave a hose on deck, I'd trip over the thing and bust something, I attach my shorepower cord to the lifeline for that reason, I'm clumsy I guess.

[zboss]

We prefer the models that have a plastic liner for the piece that attaches to the hose... that way it doesn't get stuck on the hose.

We end up buying new ones every season.

[RichandHelen]

I use an inexpensive all-plastic one. Pressure works fine and when I (invariably) drop/drag it on the deck, it doesn't do any damage. It has one of those "stay "on" flip-up locks for when I need it to fill the water tanks.

[thinwater]

Brass.

My current one is from ~ 1940 and is still drip-tight... though why I would care on a boat is beyond me. I hate the trigger type.

• Gotta hold it. Even more annoying in the garden.
• Snags on everything if you drag it. Even more annoying at home.
• Snags in the locker.
• Can't drop it.

Same thing at the house. I have no idea what the life expectancy is of a good one (like everything, there is some junk out there), but I suspect it is greater than mine... which explains why I have a 1940 nozzle (grandfather).