Suggestions on power washers

M

matt_unique

New member
10 minutes into cleaning my hulls on scuba late in the season I knew it was a one time deal.

I'm looking into buying a power washer to remove the end of season junk. Any recommendations from the C Team? I have looked at a few units from Home Depot and Sears, each with mixed user reviews.

With my former, smaller boat I could trailer it right into a self-serve car wash place and clean the hull spotless. I would be looking for at least that amount of pressure.

Thanks!
 
Harbour Freight has one for $100 Power Washer. Tried it via a son-in-law and it worked great on the bottom of Journey On. Remember you don't want to remove paint. And it's electric, so you can use it once a year with no problem. I have a gas one, and storing it is a pain.

Boris
 
Matt I've got a gas model from Sears and it works great when you can get it running. Next one I buy will definately be electric you don't need or want that much pressure on the gel coat.
 
I like the idea of basically a zero maintenance electric washer, but the majority of my use may be mid-season cleaning without access to electricity.

Of course it's possible I will have Napoleon at a yacht club next year such that I could run an extension cord out for a washdown on the trailer...hmmm....

You guys found the electric washers powerful enough to remove the junk? How do they compare to the pressure you get at a self-serve car wash?

Thanks
 
The electric I had several years ago was about equal to the pressure at a car wash. Don't remember the brand but I think it came from Lowes. The gas Sears model I have now is pretty powerful and you'd have to be pretty careful using it on your boat. Keeping my boat in a lift I don't really have a need to pressure wash the boat. I can tell you the Sears gas model will literally nearly cut the deck boards on my dock when I power wash it. It's 3 HP. No more often than I use it it's a pain to use.
 
I borrowed a 1400 psi electric washer to do the fence around my yard. It came from a discount place called ALDI and I think the cost was around $80. It worked very well on my fence, which after 6 years of neglect was much dirtier than my boat ever gets. It took many many hours to finish the fence and the washer handled it fine.

I would try to find one under $100 locally, so that if there is a problem, you can just return it.

Rob
 
I've used an electric Karcher (don't k now the PSI) and it worked great. It cleaned windows, junk off the hull after a month in saltwater with no bottom paint, and is great on nonskid. I though it's best use would be for cleaning the hull, but it saves so much time on the non-skid that I think I will get one just for that. And I'd definitely prefer a electric model, they are quiet and maintenance free.
 
I've got a Karcher as well, had it for several years and have been quite happy with it. Don't recall the model, but as memory serves it's around 1500 PSI max.

As long as I don't adjust it to the pinpoint spray setting, it's completely safe on gelcoat or the car finishes, even up close. Sometimes less is better...
 
I had an electric once and it was junk. Now I've got a 3000 PSI with a 5.5 HP Honda engine from Northern Tool. You'd have a hard time screwing up the gel coat with a pressure washer; I generally use a 15 degree nozzle. It's the only way to go, IMO.
Al
 
I tried the electrics, not enough power ta do squat. Bought a 3500 psi with 6hp Honda from Costco that gets with the program; I pressure wash the Triple J after each trip.
I originally bought the pressure washer to clean out the cracks in my driveway for repair, really makes short work of cleaning the boat.
Word of caution; if you have canvas go easy and use a wide spray pattern.
 
Matt:

I have a 1800 PSI Husky electric power washer that I bought from home depot more than an year ago fro $180. It works great.

It is light enough to move around without spraining my back. It does a good job on the hull- got be careful with ablative bottom paint, of course, because it will blow it right off (I know you use hard paint...)

The best use is in cleaning the non-skid in the cockpit and up by the bow.

Be careful not to spray directly on to the "Tomcat" logo on the side of the cabin- it will peel off!
 
I have a NorthStar power washer bouht from a friends estate that puts out 4 gpm @2700 PSI, and has a suction feed for soap, solvent, etc. It's a commercial unit with a 5 HP 220 VAC (~20 amps @ 220) electric motor. (The gas version has an 11 hp Honda engine).

It cost about $1100 10 years ago, plus $180 for a a turbo wand that greatly enhances its effectiveness by pulsating the pressure, perhap by a factor of three.

It'll blow the pin stripping right off your car! (Don't ask me how I know), or give needless injection of vaccine serums to whales at 20 yards.

Removes bottom junk and paint, too, if you're not careful

Great for removing peeling paint, moss on masonry, oil on driveways, dirt and moss geowth on your tile roof and under the eves, and quickly trains dogs that use your lawn as a Porta-Potti. Also works to just cool off the gang when working (Used at a distance).

Biggest issue is the 220 VAC outlet availability. I've got a 50 ft extension cord that plugs into my electric dryer outlet, and with the 50 foot OEM GFI protected intergal cord and 50 feet of pressure hose, I can get anywhere on our 1/2 acre lot. Has pneumatic tires and a big handle for portability.

Probably a bit much / overkill for most home users, but does anything I ask of it. Best to use two hands with it to control the backward thrust safely.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I saw a Karcher unit at Costco and later that day saw someone using it at a boat dealer -- they liked it. I believe it is similar to the unit Bob Austin describes in this post.

Warren
 
I have used several pumps over the years. My gas sears unit was running weak so I bought a new one on sale 3100 psi 9 hps unit and am happily cleaning the building then my friend returned a surfboard and parked right on top the hose cutting off the water. Fried my pump because I could not stop it quick enough.

The pump is not rebuildable. So I upgraded to a power equip pressure washer with a rebuildable pump. Cost was twice as much but it is a better washer even though it is not rated as high around 2500 psi and the dealer gave me a bottle of stabil.

I had my hose out of the way and I could never intentionally park on it if I was trying but I still was PO'd when it happened. Second time I used the pump. My friend ended up making an insurance claim and paid for the pressure washer, but I wish I just could have had the pump rebuilt.

fwiw I don't think many of the home type pumps could compare to the car wash. The car wash has a fire main size intake and most home owners use a garden hose.

But for the cost, if you don't use it, maybe one of the electric ones would do.

But Joe's the man with the best pump. Hey Joe can you heat the water with your setup? A good pressure washer is a must have for me.
 
1TUBERIDER":2sbvj643 said:
fwiw I don't think many of the home type pumps could compare to the car wash. The car wash has a fire main size intake and most home owners use a garden hose.
Click to expand...

But doesn't that intake feed several wash bays simultaneously?

The question for me is whether an electric unit would be strong enough to clean my boat (topsides and bottom) safely yet keep me from getting into trouble with it. From what I have read here, the answer is yes. Do you concur?

Warren
 
Back
Top