What Pipe is Best for Bilge/Livewell Plumbing?

[FloatsLikeARock]

I am trying to address a leak in the livewell plumbing of my 2000 Procraft 170 Combo, and while I have the batteries, boxes, and fuel tank out, I thought it would be a good idea to replace all the 20+ year old pipes in the bilge area. The original pipe that's in there looks like flexible PVC. It has a spiral reinforcement in it, but it is not corrugated. So, I ordered what was described as flexible PVC pipe from an evidently popular and reputable online marine supplier. What I got is corrugated pipe. See the picture below. I've had bad experiences with this stuff in my pond plumbing, mostly related to UV deterioration. I'm wondering if this stuff will cause me the same kind of grief in this application. Is it as good as what I replaced, or should I hold out for the real flexible PVC?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Get the right hose for below the water line.

That is bilge pump hose that you bought, which is OK to use above the water line.

FYI, the good stuff is about 4x the cost of the stuff you bought

 

[FloatsLikeARock]

Get the right hose for below the water line.

That is bilge pump hose that you bought, which is OK to use above the water line.

FYI, the good stuff is about 4x the cost of the stuff you bought

OK. Sounds like the right advice. I'll spring for the good stuff. Linky to an example of it?

 

[Chris1956]

I used "Shields Series 148" for my scupper hoses. They are rated for below waterline use and I expect them to last forever. They are tough to bend to shape, but easily seal to the thru hull fittings.

 

[FloatsLikeARock]

I used "Shields Series 148" for my scupper hoses. They are rated for below waterline use and I expect them to last forever. They are tough to bend to shape, but easily seal to the thru hull fittings.

Thanks! Shields has a great PDF file with the full specs on their marine hoses. Very informative. Series 148 or 149 look good for my application.

 

[poconojoe]

I am trying to address a leak in the livewell plumbing of my 2000 Procraft 170 Combo, and while I have the batteries, boxes, and fuel tank out, I thought it would be a good idea to replace all the 20+ year old pipes in the bilge area. The original pipe that's in there looks like flexible PVC. It has a spiral reinforcement in it, but it is not corrugated. So, I ordered what was described as flexible PVC pipe from an evidently popular and reputable online marine supplier. What I got is corrugated pipe. See the picture below. I've had bad experiences with this stuff in my pond plumbing, mostly related to UV deterioration. I'm wondering if this stuff will cause me the same kind of grief in this application. Is it as good as what I replaced, or should I hold out for the real flexible PVC?

View attachment 363886

Yeah, that looks very similar to the terrible pond hose that constantly failed in my early koi pond days. I learned that schedule 40 flexible PVC was the best hose to use in my koi pond. It is definitely the last hose I will have to buy. When searching for it, make sure you specify schedule 40 for the true flex PVC which is totally compatible with all the standard ridgid PVC fittings, primer and glue.

That being said, I don't know if it is legitimate in a boating scenario. I'll leave that up to the experts.