For Sale: Used Fire Hose for Chafing Equipment

[Natche]

I recently sold a used scuba tank to a guy and he mentioned
he cleans boats on the side. We started talking more and he asked
What I do ? I am a firefighter/ paramedic to which he replied,
"Do you have any used fire hose?"
I asked what for and his reply was "for chafing equipment on boat
lines".
Long story short, I have access to used/ discarded fire hose from
my dept that would otherwise be put in a dumpster when it fails a pressure test, is too short to recouple and reuse etc.
Is there a need/ market for this?? What is a reasonable price per foot ?? I assume various lengths are needed as well as sizes or preferences in hose
type. Any suggestions or specifics would help me possibly provide another avenue to recycle it as opposed to dumping it in a landfill.
I am located in Southern Ca.
Thank you for your time in advance.

[callmecrazy]

I'd say some people would be interested. I see used fire hoses (of various types and quality) on ebay, and it looks like they're going for around $1 a foot or sometimes less.

Of course, if you actually wrap it in plastic and print "Chafe Guard" on a label, you could probably sell it for $10 a foot

[pjop]

I've also used firehose nailed to a dock as very effective chafe guard. It lasted eight years or longer. It was still in decent shape when I sold the place. It was given to me so can't tell you anything about it's price point but Crazy has it right. Stamp MARINE on it anywhere and you will need garbage bags to stuff all your cash into.

[Therapy]

Anyone can usually get it if they ask at a fire house/station or get directed to where it is.

But most don't know to do that so might buy it.

Lengths can't be too long though because one only wants the outside layer. The inside that is "welded"?? to the inner rubber is no good as it does not allow water to pass through thus cooling the rope. (Most use nylon and failure is often heat related and not "pull" related) It isn't easy to separate in longer lengths.

It is also really dirt stained from years of being drug around all over the place.

But I guess you could sell it.

$1.00 a foot!! I am going to have to look into that too. I can get loads of it too. Is that legal?

There is one that is 100' for $30.00 - but think shipping

Lots of it is large diameter that I don't think is much good for chafe protection.

Let us know how it goes.

[callmecrazy]

Originally Posted by Therapy

There is one that is 100' for $30.00 - but think shipping



Let us know how it goes.

I was just looking at the BIN prices (and only looked for a few seconds). quite a few $30 bids, apparently someone is trying to stock up (or make it look like there is interest)? But wait for end of auction prices or look at BiN price for any real pricing info.

[Tripod]

Welcome aboard Natche.

Our marina gives away in small quanities as needed and if you ask, with the lining stripped out, clean, and ready to use. They can do this because it's a municiple marina and the city fire dept gives them as much as they want. We're lucky, but in most areas there may be a market. Not sure what a fair price would be, but a few bucks for an 18 inch piece ready to use would probably be about right . . . but like callmecrazy said, much more if it was packaged nice and had "marine" on the label somewhere.

[Natche]

Thanks for all the input. I am interested to
hear more. There are several types and sizes
of hose. The older cotton, single jacket type with
rubber is not the only type. There is a newer
Single synthetic jacket type with a clear synthetic
liner that can't be separated. Sizes from 1", 1 1/2",
1 3/4 ", 2 1/2", 3,4 and 5" ... Several others in
between I'm sure as well.
My boat knowledge is pretty limited , so please
excuse my ignorance. Would it work if the hose was
turned inside out ( rubber on outside) or??
Ideas and all thoughts accepted... ADD is my friend ...
Lol. What works or doesnt??
Also, what are normal sizes in chafe guards?

[wolfenzee]

a number of people have suggested to me to go to the local FD to get used fire hose for anti-chafing gear.....probably wouldn't be worth trying to make a profit from....would be worth more to give people as gifts, just a friendship thing.

[JRM]

Originally Posted by Natche

I recently sold a used scuba tank to a guy and he mentioned
he cleans boats on the side. We started talking more and he asked
What I do ? I am a firefighter/ paramedic to which he replied,
"Do you have any used fire hose?"
I asked what for and his reply was "for chafing equipment on boat
lines".
Long story short, I have access to used/ discarded fire hose from
my dept that would otherwise be put in a dumpster when it fails a pressure test, is too short to recouple and reuse etc.
Is there a need/ market for this?? What is a reasonable price per foot ?? I assume various lengths are needed as well as sizes or preferences in hose
type. Any suggestions or specifics would help me possibly provide another avenue to recycle it as opposed to dumping it in a landfill.
I am located in Southern Ca.
Thank you for your time in advance.

Assuming you mean southern California and not Canada, I'd be ***really*** careful about trying to sell anything that used to belong to the department, surveyed out or not. All it takes is one crusty IGM'er to rat you out to HR that you're attempting to profit from city/county owned equipment (surveyed out or not) and you're in for a world of attorneys. Doesn't matter if you're right or not, it seems that the HR people love to make examples out of firemen. Even if you win, you lose, and so does the Local's defense fund (if you're a member, otherwise it's your personal piggybank).

Fair or not, it's a job predicated on personal integrity. Just ask yourself, "Is my career worth X thousand dollars?" Especially in this case, where X is probably less than 1

JRM

[Natche]

JRM,

I hadn't thought about that and I appreciate your
input. I just think it is a sad reflection on society when you
have to think first about what the public might misperceive
before one does anything.
Used fire hose can be attained at public auctions,
on ebay, Craigslist or any number of places. There is
Actually a company in England, I believe, that takes used,
non operational fire hose and turns it into belts, purses
and other stuff.

[zeehag]

fire dept in san diego actually has a place to go to for purchasing used firehose. what is this worry about wtf when it is legally available for public consumer purchase.....

[Natche]

Wolfenzee,

Maybe I need to make friends with boat owners since I don't have one and
it would definitely behoove me to have a buddy with
a boat cuz I know boats can access a lot of cool dive spots
that can't be driven or walked to.

Zeehag,
I'm glad I'm not the only one and I appreciate the input
as well. I can see both sides of the coin, however.
I guess I am also blessed/ cursed with an inquisitive
mind and I always find myself asking, "How does this
work? Could i make it better? What other things could i
use this for? What is that? Did I break it?
How do I fix it? As well as many other questions.

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by callmecrazy

I'd say some people would be interested. I see used fire hoses (of various types and quality) on ebay, and it looks like they're going for around $1 a foot or sometimes less.

Of course, if you actually wrap it in plastic and print "Chafe Guard" on a label, you could probably sell it for $10 a foot

I would urge people to look at the research that came out of hurricane Katrina. They found that a lot of boats were properly secured but that the lines actually MELTED from the inside out and then failed. The melting was caused by the friction within the the lines as the fibers were stressed and stretched.

They found that lines that had non-waterproof chafe guards fared better. It was the insurance industry's conclusion that the rain water (and splashing salt water of course) cooled the lines and kept them from getting so hot they could melt.

The problem with this is that I don't know what there is that isn't waterproof but that could be an effective chafe guard for that length of period. I'm considering replacing my cleats and mounting the in such a way that they won't chafe, but that's not always completely possible.

I'm no expert o this, but I know the research I just described exists.

[David M]

For non-extreme, non-storm situations where we are not talking about the line heating internally I think fire hoses are fine. I have used them plenty of times on larger vessels with success.

[zeehag]

i have used in san diego in conditions wherein 90+mph winds were recorded without problems. no sweat--i LOVE firehose. is the BEST thing i have found for antichafe gear.
wish i could find some here in mexico....