Good advice; The inquiring party is a long time dredger. As for the other readers, your advice on use and storage is "spot on". I too prefer clear hose in order to locate jams. As far as durability, "ah' they last as long as you repair them well at the time of notice. Home Depot sells a roll of Silicone Self Sieving Tape that does wonders for punctures. Comes in six colors, including clear.
Good luck!