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Salt vs. Freshwater washdown

Our latest sportfisher had saltwater washdown in the cockpit. The last one had freshwater washdown.

I can see the following advantages to the saltwater: Unlimited supply of water; Salt preserves uncoated teak; Does not cause wood dry rot; Does not damage fish filets;

And disadvantages: Corrosion on metal parts; salt spots and residue on glass, metal and brightwork; can't be used for rods, reels, tackle and downrigger washdown; Inlet filter constantly has to be serviced, every few weeks to remove debris; If a hose ruptures or a clamp lets go, it will fill the boat with water and if you are on the bridge on a four hour run out to a sea mount or such, you can turn turtle from free surface effect without even knowing what happened;

So, I am thinking of cranking off the through hull to the saltwater pump and installing a T-fitting in freshwater tank hose, installing a healthy washdown pump and replumbing to the outlet faucet in the cockpit. This seems like a simple job.

Any thoughts? I notice some sportfishers have both. Why is that? To get a real blast for blood and guts, the ordinary $100 washdown pumps are crap, I can tell you that, so you need at least a 4 GPM and 50 PSI rating. Maybe more. Any recommendations on a pump?

 Russell
Jun 27
2006
Because it gives you a choice, depending on which is more appropriate. Wayne.B
Jun 27
The Egg Sportsfish we had for a couple of years had both. The salt was for bleeding the fish and the fresh was for cleanup. Both pumps were barely adequate though and had I remained interested in off-shore fishing and kept the boat, I would have replaced them with higher capacity and pressure units. The other issue was that the boat only had a 50 gallon fresh water tank. On a full day of fishing with 4-6 people on board using the head, etc. I think having fresh water wash down only would have exhausted the water supply.

Eisboch

Eisboch
Jun 27
I used to fish a lot in the south Chesepeake Bay with my friends. We did a good salt water washdown after bloody fish (blues) on the way back then gave it a quick fresh water rinse at the dock. I made a poor man's washdown pump from 1/2" pipe with an elbow on it that worked in the slip stream under the transom when underway. It had a bracket that fit in a rod holder and caught the water passing by. It was better than trying to fill a bucket at 30. I suppose if you got a big enough "mouth" and had it clamped down well it would really move some water. This was more of a steady stream at the end of a hose free flowing.. Putting your thumb on it slowed it down a lot. We ended up using a brush anyway. I think you would need a pressure cleaner to get dried bait and bluefish guts off without it. gfretwell
Jun 27
   
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