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Steve Bean · 01-11-2013, 09:44

I've been in the water business over 25 years and have freed up frozen ball valves by partially unscrewing the valve body. Be prepared with wood plugs or other means in case something breaks. Use two wrenches to ensure the force you apply will only tend to loosen the valve threads, rather than break something else. Clean everything as well as possible first, and use penetrating oil. This is assuming you can get a purchase on the square stem where the handle was. I must say I haven't done this on a boat; it may be safer to wait on this...

Snore · 01-11-2013, 17:35

She is back at the dock safe and sound.

I decided not to take any proactive actions. Not knowing the condition of the metal meant that hammering a plug could have made things worse. If things went bad, Plan A was rescue tape. Plan B plug inside and block. Plan C plug outside. Plan D diaper the outside with a sail. Fortunately, I did not have to use any of the plans.

All seacocks are turned off when I leave the boat, so they are exercised regularly. This looks like a case of 32 years of corrosion taking it's toll.

It seems all SIX through hull fittings were installed the same way. Apparently that was the standard when this Tartan was built... Kinda shocks me too. Also disappointed that the surveyor did not say anything 18 months ago when I bought her.

Right now Cynosure is "red tagged" and out of service until I figure out if I am going to write a healthy check or arrange a haulout at a DIY yard and spend a weeks vacation on her.

Thanks again for all the inputs. CF rocks!!!

Scott Berg · 01-11-2013, 18:04

A product everyone should know is the GROCO Adapter… it has straight threads for the THRU HULL and tapered mail for a ball valve. I prefer a through-bolted seacock but for some purposes this can help, especially if you need to use the dreaded "street el" for space reasons

GROCO MARINE PRODUCTS