Hey, You Hoser

All aquatic conduits are not created equal. Here’s what you need to know about washdown hoses.

Once upon a time you bought a garden hose to wash down your boat, and that was the end of the story. Like they say on TV: But wait, there’s more! Today, in addition to regular garden hoses, we also have anti-kink hoses, self-coiling hoses, fiber sleeve hoses, and expandable hoses. Should all these different water-delivery devices be deemed desirable? Even when setting

aside special purpose hoses used for tasks like below-the-waterline applications, each of the types just mentioned has its own strengths and weaknesses, and some are best for one job while others are best for a different job. So, which is the ideal choice for your needs?

Garden Hoses

The tried-and-true garden hose with polyurethane, PVC, or rubberized construction has the longest lifespan (often 10-plus years) of any option and is still great for backyard washdowns and engine flushes. Plus, when damaged, this type of hose is easy to cut and rejoin with a double-barbed fitting and some hose clamps. Anti-kink hoses fall into this same category but have a mesh or helix layer in-between interior and exterior plies. They do reduce kinking, though calling them “kink-proof” would be a stretch.

But garden hoses of either variety have some major drawbacks. You likely know just how difficult these can be to coil, and they’re also heavy and unwieldy. Worst of all, if you drag one across the gunwales and into the boat, it can cause scuffs and streaks on the gelcoat. Black and green hoses are the worst offenders. White hoses can still leave marks, though at least they aren’t usually as noticeable depending on the color of your boat’s gelcoat.

The verdict: Regular old garden hoses are fine for use in the garden, but for a boater, they’re best used for exterior washdowns and engine flushes only.

Self-Coiling Hoses

These semi-rigid hoses are made from polyurethane, polyether, and similar polymer plastics, which maintain shape and form until physically stretched. Think of them like a tubular Slinky. When relaxed, they remain in tight coils of a specific size, which means they can be made to fit in enclosures or on racks. However, like all plastics, these hoses are subject to UV damage. If you have one that’s exposed to constant sunlight, expect to replace it every couple of seasons when pinholes start soaking your legs and feet. If the hose is protected from sunlight when stowed, you might get three to five years of use before it needs replacement.

Most have a reduced diameter (3/8- or ½-inch) and thus a reduced flow rate as compared to garden hoses (for which 5/8-inch is the most common size). Also note that these generally come in short lengths, and they don’t stretch easily. Plus, if you regularly use more than about 75% of their full length, you’ll stress the material, which can lead to cracks, kinks, or breaks.

The verdict: The über-easy stowage means self-coiling hoses are a hands-down winner for use as an onboard washdown hose, especially on relatively small boats where neatly stowing a hose can be problematic and you don’t need a ton of length. However, their relatively short lifespan, limited lengths, and reduced diameter mean they aren’t a good choice for most other jobs.

Fiber Sleeve Hoses

At first glance, a fiber sleeve hose might look more or less like any other garden hose, but these have an inner polymer core armored by a flexible fabric jacket. Most will flatten when drained, are lighter and easier to coil than a regular garden hose, and are more kink-resistant as well. Best of all, as long as they’re kept clean, they generally won’t mark the gelcoat when dragged across the gunwales.

On the flip side, most sleeved hoses need to pressurize to move water effectively, so some can’t be used to their full effect without a nozzle. Since the interior expands and contracts, you can’t expect it to last for more than five to seven years, and if you leave one pressurized for an extended period of time by accident, you may significantly shorten its lifespan. Some fiber sleeve hoses are also more sensitive to freeze damage than regular garden hoses.

The verdict: Fiber sleeve hoses are perfect for complete boat washdowns inside and out, and are a great option for use in the slip or driveway. But their need to pressurize does create some limitations for other uses; we’d be particularly wary of flushing an engine with earmuffs using some sleeved hoses. If you try it, ensure that there’s a good, strong, significant flow of water before and after turning the key.

Expandable Hoses

Remember that “As Seen On TV” part? You’ve probably seen the rather sensational ads for these hoses, which have a multilayer latex liner protected by a polyester or expandible fabric sleeve. They perform as advertised, shrinking down to a third of the size as they squeeze out water after use. They’re very easy to coil, you can drop a 50-foot hose in a 2-gallon bucket when deflated, they don’t mark gunwales, and you have to work hard to create a kink.

Unfortunately, many versions are cheaply made and have a very limited lifespan. We’ve found one full season of heavy use to be a realistic expectation (despite seeing some guarantees just as sensational as the TV ads). Another problem with expandible hoses is that it’s easy to accidentally cut off the water supply by stepping on the hose or tensioning it against a rigid object.

The verdict: You can’t beat an expandable if you want a travel hose you can easily leave stowed aboard. They also make good slip hoses if you accept that relatively rapid replacement will probably be necessary.

The Final Verdict

So which one of these options is the best choice for you? All of them. Each excels at its own unique use. Hang a garden hose in the backyard within spritzing distance of both the garden and where you park your boat. Keep a self-coiling hose in an enclosure in the cockpit for raw-water washdowns. Get a fiber sleeve hose for full-boat washdowns at the dock or in the yard. And drop an expandable hose in a bucket for washdowns during trips to distant slips. Yes, you need them all – because if you’re a boater, you’re also a hoser.