Beneath the gleaming exterior of your boat lies a network of hoses quietly performing essential functions. As a marine surveyor, I've often encountered a significant threat to maritime safety – aging hoses. In this brief post, we'll explore the vital importance of regularly checking and replacing these hoses to ensure the longevity and safety of your vessel.
The Silent Threat: Wire-reinforced hoses, crucial for maintaining structural integrity under pressure, as well as non-wire-reinforced hoses, can deteriorate over time due to exposure to the marine environment. Dry cracks begin to emerge, posing a serious risk of catastrophic failure. The photo above was taken on a sailboat on Lake St. Clair I inspected for an insurance survey a few months back. This heavily degraded deck drain hose (yes, that is water leaking through) lead to a thru-hull fitting just above the static waterline. When under sail and heeled over, there is no doubt that the thru-hull fitting would be below the waterline!
The Consequences of Neglect: Neglecting to replace these hoses can lead to unexpected disasters, from inconvenient leaks to life-threatening situations. Beyond safety concerns, a looming financial burden arises should a hose completely fail, necessitating more extensive repairs. It is important to establish a routine inspection and examine all hoses for signs of wear, abrasion, or dry cracking. Pay attention to the stainless-steel hose clamps at each connection and inspect for any corrosion, ensuring they are properly secured.
A Small Investment for Long-Term Security: View hose replacement as a small investment in your vessel's long-term security. Timely replacements, before hoses reach the end of their serviceable life, guarantee reliability and resilience against the harsh marine environment. If you observe the beginning stages of dry cracking, I always recommend replacement as preventative maintenance. The total cost for replacing the three-foot hose above would have been around $25 for materials and about fifteen minutes of do-it-yourself labor. That is peace of mind when it comes to the alternative of the ticking time bomb in the photo above.
I understand that, for some, examining your boat's hoses is not a widely favored task, as it typically involves navigating the deep and dark areas of your bilges. If you have a boat in Metro Detroit or the Great Lakes region and would like to hire a professional marine surveyor to complete a boat inspection, please feel free to contact me!