Do I really need a Flush Pro?

[makeall6]

I just fired up my 2004 SN and noticed a small leak around the Perko Flush pro. It sure would be cheaper to just add a male to male connector. I really only use the Flush Pro once a year. It is handy but a new one is over $100. Saving money this year. Cheers. Tom

[thager]

Unless you are in salt/brackish water the answer is no. I winterize and de-winterize by disconnecting the water intake hose on the engine side of the water filter. 

[Jmoski]

Agree it is not needed, on my old 196 I did the same as Thager, except I disconnect the input to the Raw water strainer and connect the section of 1” I.D clear hose from Home Depot.

 

[makeall6]

Thanks so much. Perfect answers and pix.

Cheers.

Tom

[HMan66]

Hers what I use. Cheap but effective. I used clear hose so I could see that water/anti freeze was flowing. The suction pipe sits about 1/4” off the bottom of the bucket. Clear hose connects to the raw water pump. 

[75Tique]

Related discussion on here just a week or so ago.  Interesting you said yours failed.  Whenever this discussion ("what's the best way to run/flush my engine") advocates always say flush pro.  Many counter with that are susceptible to breaking.  Several other methods.  A photo of mine (and many others) is shown in the linked thread.

 

 

[Mateo_Vargas]

I bet you guys had some killer beer bongs back in the day!  I've used my flush pro on over 15 boats and they were nice enough to upgrade me to the current model when the last one failed.