Should I be worried about this valve leak?

[jamhass]

A good diver can replace the valve in the water with little-to-no water in the boat. Had mine done that way in La Paz, Mex.

Took the diver less than 10 minutes to do the job, once the area was ready (fresh valve on hand and pre-sealed, hoses and fitting off, etc.) He slightly loosened the valve from the thru-hull, used a plastic salad bowl against the hull and had a tight-fitting hole for the wrench holding the TH from turning. His buddy then unscrewed that valve, and attached the new one in seconds flat. Did not torque or break the bond between the TH and the hull.

Same diver has replaced complete thru-hulls in the water with similar results.

It can be done.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by jamhass

A good diver can replace the valve in the water with little-to-no water in the boat. Had mine done that way in La Paz, Mex.



Took the diver less than 10 minutes to do the job, once the area was ready (fresh valve on hand and pre-sealed, hoses and fitting off, etc.) He slightly loosened the valve from the thru-hull, used a plastic salad bowl against the hull and had a tight-fitting hole for the wrench holding the TH from turning. His buddy then unscrewed that valve, and attached the new one in seconds flat. Did not torque or break the bond between the TH and the hull.



Same diver has replaced complete thru-hulls in the water with similar results.



It can be done.

The valve in question is bolted to the hull. Not going to change that in the water.

[phorvati]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

The valve in question is bolted to the hull. Not going to change that in the water.

I have to take off the 5200 to get a better look. PO might have just glued it and not bolted through. If that's the case I have the step wrench and supposedly I could be outside holding the through hull in place while another person breaks the body with large pipe wrench and swap it out. It is sketchy.
Here in RI, new england boatworks, now safe harbor charged me 900$ for up to two weeks out of water last summer. That's not bad. I might do that in the fall, if I'm not happy how the leak progresses.