Engine flushing/ Zebra muscles

[garyholl]

I use two lakes, one infested, one not. How do I flush the engine with fresh water to keep that water from getting in the uninfested lake? This is my first inboard and I'm just realizing I don't know how to connect a"fake lake." Is there a water hose fitting or something? Or would a winterizing drain be the only way to deal with it?

[Jetlink]

Fake a lake is usually a plunger type device that you invert and it covers up your raw water intake and seals against the boat hull. There is a fitting to attach a garden hose to supply water. Some boats also have a mod after the fact that allows you to hook the hose right up inline with your plumbing inside the boat to run water to the engine without the need for the "Fake Lake." My boat has said fitting so I just hook up there.

[trayson]

Make it easy on yourself. Do one of these:


It's a ball valve from your local plumbing store that is put inline on your fresh water intake hose. The other end is threaded for the garden hose. Makes it pretty easy.

[garyholl]

Make it easy on yourself. Do one of these:


It's a ball valve from your local plumbing store that is put inline on your fresh water intake hose. The other end is threaded for the garden hose. Makes it pretty easy.

I can't see the ball valve you mention. Does it have a lever or a rotary actuator?

[trayson]

sorry, best pic I had. You're looking at the back side. Something like this:

[garyholl]

sorry, best pic I had. You're looking at the back side. Something like this:

It looks like you have hoses connected to all three ports on the 'T' valve. Is one just a lawn water hose adaptor?

Btw, thanks for the idea; it's a good one...

[Cusefan78]

My boat has a hose connection coming off the strainer. Has like a foot valve connection on it so water can only go one way.

[trayson]

My boat has a hose connection coming off the strainer. Has like a foot valve connection on it so water can only go one way.

the spot at the very bottom of my picture that's kinda cut off is where the garden hose attaches.

[garyholl]

Gotcha.Cool!

[92SupraComp]

I would put the hose in a bucket with soap, because really, all you are doing is running clean water over the zebra muscles, they aren't gonna let go for that, they attach them selves to everything and when they do eventually come off, they take material with them... Should see what they do to steel and aluminum boats lifts...