Thru-hull life expectancy?

[malyea]

What is the life expectancy of a good quality bronze thru hull (just the thru-hull, not the valve or seacock) in saltwater year round and no gavanic corrosion?

[Taichungman]

Originally Posted by malyea

What is the life expectancy of a good quality bronze thru hull (just the thru-hull, not the valve or seacock) in saltwater year round and no gavanic corrosion?

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I do not know from experience but from what I have been told and old salts I have talked to over the years is that they could outlast your boat. I'm talking like you said," good quality expensive bronze and no corrosion."

[sailorboy1]

I don't know but know mine are 16 years old.

[rwidman]

I would think "indefinite" as long as they are operated from time to time and move smoothly.

[malyea]

Originally Posted by rwidman

I would think "indefinite" as long as they are operated from time to time and move smoothly.

Not the valve/seacock ... just curious about the thru-hull itself. They're two distinctly separate parts (though fitted together).

[geoleo]

50 years

[HopCar]

Mine will be thirty years old next year. I suspect they will outlast the rest of the boat. Just check them for galvanic corrosion periodically.

I still have the original seacocks as well. They are Apollo brand seacocks. I think any of the US made bronze seacocks currently on the market should last virtually forever as well. Nothing wrong with the old tapered cone style seacock either.

Avoid that Euro crap DZR brass. I wouldn't trust it beyond about five years.

[Pete7]

Ours are 29 years old. The heads discharge one has a grill with little bars on them, they have broken away but otherwise all seem okay but no real way of knowing other than do they ring when tapped.

Pete

[Taichungman]

Originally Posted by HopCar

Mine will be thirty years old next year. I suspect they will outlast the rest of the boat. Just check them for galvanic corrosion periodically.

I still have the original seacocks as well. They are Apollo brand seacocks. I think any of the US made bronze seacocks currently on the market should last virtually forever as well. Nothing wrong with the old tapered cone style seacock either.

Avoid that Euro crap DZR brass. I wouldn't trust it beyond about five years.

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Amen on the brass; I would not use any kind of brass on a saltwater boat, Euro or any other. Zinc is the problem with brass and how it reacts to saltwater. Brass is used on freshwater boats mostly and mostly without problems.