Potable water pumps

[bostonhatteras]

Hello all.
Taking out the third shureflo 5.7 'smart sensor' pump. It's been one per year! I bought the extended warrantee from west marine so they have all been a free replacement It is my understanding that shureflo has discontinued this line due to obvious poor engineering and gone back to an analog system, not sure if the new model needs an accumulator tank. The smart sensor did not need an accumulator tank. This question is mostly for the 38-50 foot range owners I would think but what water pumps have you had extended reliable service from? I heard good things about headhunter then was floored by the $1200.00 price tag! That is similar to Grocos big pump and the galleymaid. I've been on boats with these super heavy pumps and I wasn't particularly impressed with the flow/pressure considering the little shureflo gave similar results albeit without long term reliability. Paying 1200 may be worth it if I never have to replace a pump again on July 4th but if it's more of the same I'll be very disappointed. Would be happy to have a lower price pump too if the performance is similar. What are your experiences? Thanks.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Take a look at the smaller Groco FW pump- Groco stuff isn't cheap, but they do make a smaller unit based on the SPO-80 vane pump which might serve you. I have had one for years and it works fine. All the parts are replaceable or rebuildable, not that I've ever had to service it except to keep the inlet strainer clean. (my boat had a separate pressure vessel that I'd installed before, also made by Groco)

I haven't looked in their catalog recently but you can likely find it on line. It isn't as expensive as the Paragon pumps, but the quality is no different; it's just smaller.

 

[saltshaker]

The Headhunter pumps are worth the price tag. Great preasure with multiple fixtures running and very quiet. It may be more than you need on your boat but if you want to do it once and never wory about it again, buy a Headhunter. I had the ShurFlo smart sensor pump on my 46C. When it worked it was awesome. Fist one failed within 2 weeks. The replacement failed a few months later. I had another ready to go in when I sold the boat but didn't install it yet. I believe the new owner has had good luck with this one.

 

[Colwyn D]

My experience 42C. Started with shureflo 4gpm diaphram pump and accumulator, reasonably quiet and ok for house needs but rubbish deck wash. Then went to shureflo smart sensor with no acc., failed in two months so replaced and ok for 18 months, nice and quiet with good house pressure and flow but not a great improvement in deck wash. Just installed Groco PJR system with acc., very good house, shower very good, more noisy than smart sensor which is a backward step but almost acceptable wash down pressure and flow.
Probably a split system of smart sensor for house and 120v pump for wash down would have been the best choice but I do like to have the freshwater wash down available while fishing etc and don't want to have to start the genny for that.
I'm sticking with the PJR now and accept the noise.

 

[bobk]

I'm surprised to hear all the issues with the smart sensor Sureflo. I put one in seven years ago and even with as a six-seven month/year liveaboard have had no issues other than maintaining prime which was solved with a check valve at the tank. Hmmm.... But then again, I never add chlorine and NEVER shock the tank.

Bobk

 

[Boatsb]

I have a separate wash down pump with salt water for the cockpit. We have a fresh water spigot there too but use it only for people if needed. We dont carry enough fresh water for rinsing the decks properly.

 

[Pascal]

I ve been thru a bunch of shurflos as well, both on my boat and the one I run where the DC pump is just a back up. Problem with the electronic but also the diaphragm

It s hard to beat a shallow well pump for reliability, volume and costs the headhunter Mach 5 is a great pump although the last one I used had to be replaced under warranty after a couple of years. Most likely an isolated incident because they have a great reputation.

Of course both the headhunter or shallow well are AC so you still need a DC back up, but just any diaphragm pump can do in that role

 

[Colwyn D]

I do have the saltwater spigot, pumped with a Groco C-60 (Groco PJR puts out a slightly better pressure and volume) but when running in after fishing or kids in and out with the dink I switch over to the fresh water. Also in Bahamas I like to use fresh most of the time to keep boat sweet as we are living on it and often out at anchor for several days. Watermaker is one of the best things on the boat out there.
Maybe the expense of the headhunter to run everything would, in the long run, be worth it. I was impressed with the quietness of the smart sensor pump and have it as a spare.

 

[GJH]

You can get a complete remanufactured Galley Maid system (pump, accumulator tank, switch) from Raz Marine for $660 not sure if a core is required). I got just the pump from them almost 6 years ago, the thing comes literally like new. It has performed very well with extensive live aboard and cruising use ever since with no maintenance.