Pressure Washer

[peterb]

I am thinking of buying a pressure washer. I envision using it for a number of things, including washing the growth off my boat when i pull it out of the water.

What have been other people's experiences with pressure washers? I am interested in PSI ratings, specific manufacturers and the like. On other forums (see the below url) I have seen people talk about going as low as 1650 to 1750 PSI and still getting the job done.

Thanks web page

[strick]

I used to have a deck refinishing business and I have one that goes up to 3000 psi. It will do just about any job I ask of it. It's just like buying a outboard.... get the biggest you can put on the boat. You can always turn down the psi if you want. I'd get one with a Honda or Briggs and Stratton engine. The rest of the parts are pretty generic once you get past the engine.

strick

[ocuyler]

Like Strick, we have a Cat piston pump coupled to a Honda 9 HP, purchased from Northern Tool. It has 5 nozzles. There are 2 nozzles that are perfect for boat hulls, but you have to be careful not to blast off the bottom paint (unless you want too, because it will). Works great on non-slip too. There is one nozzle that's only purpose is to cut human flesh. We try to stay away from that one.

Gas is noisy compare to electric, but you can put this in the the back of the truck and make it work anywhere. We use a 500 gallon poly tank to give us over 2 hours of use on remote jobs.

I also have a Karcher Electric Cold Water Pressure Washer . It works well cleaning up the boat, but is not strong enough for bottom jobs. There are several to choose from in between.

If you rent or borrow a couple different ones, you'll know what you need. This is not an 80/20 rule decision. The pump, because it's adjustable in pressure, flow and RPM's (gas), you need one that will do the most difficult job you anticipate in any typical season.

Northerners be sure to winterize them or don't let them freeze.

[peterb]

Thanks for the great feedback. I was hoping to be able to settle for an electrical unit at around 1750 psi, but it sounds like you don't think that this will get the job done (such as getting growth off of the bottom of my boat). The last thing my wife wants to see is another gas engine in our shed & garage (let's see, snowblower, 2 mowers, leafblower, hedge trimmer, minibike & 15 hp kicker), but I want to purchase a product that meets my needs.

[Abe's Rocket]

Go with a gas powered unit...the electric ones are good for wash downs

[NoBones]

Peter, I owned a self service carwash in Daytona for 21
years. If you want a pump for serious duty make sure it is a Cat pump. They go for thousands of hours before any service is necessary. I purchased a 5hp Honda from Sams
Club for $298, it has 2400lbs of pressure with 4 different tips. It has been great for all those little jobs around the house. Should last as long, if you take care of it.
By the way it was manufactured by DeVilbiss. Which is a good company. Good Luck, Ken