1999 7.4 mercruiser - cut cooling hose

[kkennedy34]

I have had a cooling hose on my 1999 merc 7.4 cut by the main belt. this seems like a flawed design as the belt is too close to the hose. this is a 1.5" formed c shaped cooling system hose. When I replaced it after the original was cut it had about a 1/2" clearance from the belt. over time it will move and be cut by the belt.

I'm sure others have had this issue due to the design. Anyone have any ideas other than replacing the hose every year or so?

Thanks