Plumbing Copper Pine

[Mr. LowTech]

Boat Plumbing:
- Can anyone tell me if copper pipe is suitable for use in marine fresh water systems (I am talking about soft copper tubing here. I suspect that hard copper pipe and soldered joints will not work).



Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.

[Dutch Peter]

Hard copper with soldered joints is actually used in $ 30.000.000,= type yachts! I alwaaays understood that soft copper is not adequate for water systems, but can't remember the reason. But why use copper in stead of plastic?

[PAR]

I don't like copper and will not use it aboard. I develops pin holes and doesn't take vibration very well. When you leave water in it for very long it reacts and with vinyl or PVC as other options the selection is clear, at least for me. Vinyl is the material used in most production craft and my first pick.

I know a number of fishing and trawler type vessels were built with copper fuel lines, for to engine and the return to the tank. If copper is not so good, what is more suitable?

[PAR]

Copper is a poor choice for fuel lines. Vibration can cause a fuel leak and spell disaster pretty quickly in gas powered craft. Typical installations use soft lines meeting SAE J1527 type A1 & A2 standards - these are the fabric reinforced rubber hoses, or hard lines of steel, preferably of stainless, bent to fit with flair fittings.

There may be a poly line of some sort, though I'm unaware of any, that meet the USCG and/or NMMA requirements for fuel lines. Fuel delivery and return systems are a very different animal then water, the lines are NOT interchangeable.