Clear-View Fittings
There are few things worse than being on a sailboat when a shout comes down the companionway saying, “Hey there’s no water coming out of the engine.”
On most boats, the hoses used for the water intake systems are black, so the only way to track down the problem is to start taking hose clamps off and pulling things apart. Don’t ask me how I know, OK?
Forespar has just released a product, though, that can help take the guesswork out of the hunt for blockages. Marelon Clear View Hose Connectors let you see if water is flowing, thereby letting you pinpoint the problem.
The polycarbonate fittings meet ABYC standards and can be used above or below the waterline. They come in a range of diameters from 1/2-inch to two inches; straight connectors and 90-degree elbows are available with standard pipe thread on one end and a barbed fitting on the other.
Though intended primarily for water intakes for things like engines and gensets, they could also be used on a holding tank, letting you know when the tank is empty.
