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Sea Flush is a funnel-shaped reservoir with an adaptor that connects to any common “shop-vac” hose. It allows for easier engine winterization and also unclogs blocked through-hulls. It’s a ready-made tool similar to the ones many boat owners cobble together themselves, albeit with a better fit and more versatility than most of those I’ve seen and used.
The tapered funnel fits inside the sea strainer on the intake line of equipment like air-conditioning, engines and gensets and proved large enough to hold an inverted gallon jug of antifreeze during our test. Supplied elastic straps secure Sea Flush to your sea strainer’s plumbing.
See a video of Sea Flush used for winterization below:
To unclog a through-hull fitting, set your shop vacuum to the “blow” mode, insert the adaptor into strainer and let her rip. When you see bubbles emanating from beneath the hull, you know the clog has been cleared. Since the through-hull is initially clogged, opening the strainer doesn’t allow water to come in through the line; once the clog is cleared—as indicated by the bubbles—shut the seacock and then remove the Sea Flush.
Watch a video of Sea Flush being used to unclog an air-conditioner intake below:
At $69 bucks, the Sea Flush kit is a good deal, particularly if it saves you from paying a diver to unclog a through-hull. It can also be used to extend your boating season into the cold months and to fresh water flush engines and generators.
A Caveat
Be careful using a shop vacuum around engine and bilge spaces. They can and will cause an explosion if fumes are present. Keep the vacuum on deck using a long hose, make sure it’s on “blow”, not “suck,” and make sure you run your bilge blower.
