Vetus Water Lift Muffler

[13jeff13]

I decided to continue to disassemble my boat, since I'm there syndrome. The muffler system that is pictured now in my garage, I will hook up to the engine when she is all back together, and see how she operates on the hard, out of the boat. My question about this system, Vetus Water Lift, is the lifting ability. The last loop at the end where she hooks up to the muffle thru hull, the one supported by my bicycle pedal, seems awfully high. Does anyone have this system, and does it actually pump the water up higher than the engine? The bottle on the ground just aft of the manifold says water lock on it, and the one on the end says Goose Neck.

Any and all information about this set up would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Jeff

[13jeff13]

Pics continued

How she sits in the garage is how it is arranged in the boat fairly close , as the hoses are fairly rigid, and maintain their shape.. I will be replacing the hoses, I think, are these heavy duty reinforced type hose still available? The first section of hose is different than the longer section At the exit end.

[13jeff13]

On the boat pics

These are some pics of the Vetus muffle system installed on the boat. The aft most pic shows where she leaked because the PO crimped the hose too tight and it buckle the copper/ brass thru hull fitting. Seems Might High there in the Aft Most Locker. I am contemplating replacing the muffle thru hull ,, but I hate to cause more harm than good. She looks well made as original,, and I am concerned that the aftermarket will be junk?? BUT,, the original is deteriorating on the exterior. I really don't want to do any Glass Work.. See next pics.

All Advice welcome.

Thanks..
Jeff

[13jeff13]

Exterior thru hull exhaust/cockpit drains

These are the exterior Drain fittings,, I wonder if they are separate-able from the Glassed in Thru Hull,, so I could just replace the exterior fitting,, or perhaps Tap threads into the existing, and... ??? The single one is the starboard cockpit drain,, the two together are the Muffler Most Port and the other cockpit drain, Port side.

Anyone done this conversion?

Thanks for any and all advice.

Jeff

[sastanley]

Jeff. I like that system. I have the exact same water lift...but I don't have the second Vetus goose neck thing near the bike. I simply have the exhaust hose suspended above the water line in the 'sail locker'. The second thing is probably there to keep sea water from gushing into the exhaust in a following sea & possibly then into the motor.

And yes, there is a enough exhaust pressure produced by the engine to lift the exhaust water up and out the boat that far. However, your layout shows exactly why you never crank the engine for an extended period with the water intake open, since the water pump would spin, fill up the first Vetus, and then back up the hot section and into the cylinders. If I can't get my motor started within 5-10 seconds, I always close the raw water intake until it is running and the exhaust is able to expel the water being injected into system just ahead of the muffler.

[Carl-T705]

Jeff, That's an interesting decal on the ex. manifold, what did it say?

[13jeff13]

Jeff, That's an interesting decal on the ex. manifold, what did it say?

I will post a better pic when i get home...I'm mobile till saturday.

[hanleyclifford]

The pictures reveal a fine system with the added touch of the vertical "muffler" at the transom. Little chance of intrusion from a following sea. I would, however, try to use maximuum hose size from manifold discharge to hot section thus maximizing flow thru the manifold jacket thus keeping the jacket as clear as possible (I use 3/4" hose in this application). Good time to change all fittings to the cast "plumber's" type, and while you're at it, why not incorporate the Tom Thatch Modification?

[ndutton]

My unsolicited opinion is the Vetus waterlift - of which I am not a fan - is the weak link in the pictured exhaust system. Apologies to those who have one but of all the available waterlift mufflers the Vetus is the most lightly constructed, most intolerant of elevated temperatures and most difficult to securely mount.

It's construction is similar to the blow molded cases that Harbor Freight tools come in and on this forum we have heard the stories of melt downs within a minute or so without cooling exhaust water and of seam failure.

[hanleyclifford]

My unsolicited opinion is the Vetus waterlift - of which I am not a fan - is the weak link in the pictured exhaust system. Apologies to those who have one but of all the available waterlift mufflers the Vetus is the most lightly constructed, most intolerant of elevated temperatures and most difficult to securely mount.

It's construction is similar to the blow molded cases that Harbor Freight tools come in and on this forum we have heard the stories of melt downs within a minute or so without cooling exhaust water and of seam failure.

I have in fact experienced the very "melt down" of which Neil speaks. The good news is that it was readily repaired with West System and some mechanic's wire. For insurance I carry a spare since they are relatively cheap. Inasmuch as this boat already has one, the cheap spare is the expedient "solution". Other good news is that the Vetus performs the intended function well. But there is no denying the Vetus is lightly constructed and difficult to mount and fit.

[ndutton]

As an alternative, the Centek Vernalift is, IMO, of vastly superior construction and in the same price range.

Vetus LP40 @ Jamestown = $170
Centek VER 1500020 @ Jamestown = $150

[13jeff13]

Original Decal

Jeff, That's an interesting decal on the ex. manifold, what did it say?

I would love to get an original replacement like this one, any Ideas where one might get such a decal? The original was falling apart before the manifold and engine were Hot Tanked. It is now completely gone.

[13jeff13]

The pictures reveal a fine system with the added touch of the vertical "muffler" at the transom. Little chance of intrusion from a following sea. I would, however, try to use maximum hose size from manifold discharge to hot section thus maximizing flow thru the manifold jacket thus keeping the jacket as clear as possible (I use 3/4" hose in this application). Good time to change all fittings to the cast "plumber's" type, and while you're at it, why not incorporate the Tom Thatch Modification?

A Definite YES on the Tom Thatch Modification. It makes so much more sense to go that way. My new set up will be Fresh water cooled,, But Thatched just the same.. .

Great idea about the 3/4" hose and "plumber" type fittings. Just for aesthetics ,, can stainless steel reinforced braided hose be used? Are there USCG guidelines on that for cooling?

It's good to know about the pitfalls of this system, and a back up maybe is in order, but for now I will probably keep what I have.


Thanks

Jeff