Seacock warning, probably most relevant to Australians

[peter loveridge]

I have a wilcox-crittenden (sp?) on my engine cooling intake, dates from 1964, and the 2 for the head are from1990. All are like new

[Shirvo]

I have 11 seacocks on my Catalina 42. Four years ago I had to replace a leaking valve and the boatyard used S/S. Less than six months later it was leaking with signs of corrosion. I then decided to replace all of the through hull fittings and seacocks with a Synthetic option. I used Marelon. I figured if the boat is basically plastic then it makes sense to use plastic fittings. A the time I also phoned Buizen Yachts to see what product they used in their multi million dollar yachts - answer Marelon. So far I've had no issues. You just need to lubricate the moving parts at each haul out.

[deblen]

https://marinehowto.com/category/plumbing/


http://coxeng.co.uk/metallurgy/brasses-and-bronzes/



Cheers/Len

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by deblen

https://marinehowto.com/category/plumbing/


Cheers/Len

+1 people need to check that out. It includes my recommendation for flanged adapters.

[Manateeman]

Hi. Please read my post and the replies about issues on frozen marelon seacocks and why, as an experienced boatbuilder, I will switch to real bronze or stainless for aluminum hulls.
Jedi is spot on with his recommendations.
Mark

[GILow]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

+1 people need to check that out. It includes my recommendation for flanged adapters.

That does look very strong.

[JPA Cate]

Originally Posted by GILow

That does look very strong.

Strong, reliable and foolproof.

....mmmmMaybe not damn fool proof, though.

Ann

[HankOnthewater]

Hi Gilow, I have a tub full of bronze fittings and seacocks, came with the boat, have even some of the stuff Jedi posted. No, it is not the variety you complained about. I believe all made in USA and France. If you let me know via PM what size you want, will post that, because I never going to need it all.... that is if you want to stick with bronze.

However synthetic is very attractive, but the same applies to that as well: there might be a lot of inferior stuff on the market.

Just thinking.... is Marelon a brand, one manufacturer or a certain mix of plastics used in skin fittings/plumbing, used by various manufacturers?

added: https://www.forespar.com/about-marel...plumbing.shtml
copied from above:
About Marelon Overview
Marelon® is a proprietary formulation of polymer composite compounds that produces a superior marine-grade product. For use above and below the waterline; precision molded plumbing systems offer complete freedom from corrosion and the ravages of electrolysis. Forespar’s “93” series of valve systems are U. L. approved and A.B.Y.C. accepted. They also meet and exceed all mechanical property requirements specified by the International Standards Organization and are ISO Certified. Marelon plumbing components are also at least half the weight of their bronze counterparts.

Marelon Gets You Out of the Bronze Age

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by HankOnthewater

Hi Gilow, I have a tub full of bronze fittings and seacocks, came with the boat, have even some of the stuff Jedi posted. No, it is not the variety you complained about. I believe all made in USA and France. If you let me know via PM what size you want, will post that, because I never going to need it all.... that is if you want to stick with bronze.

However synthetic is very attractive, but the same applies to that as well: there might be a lot of inferior stuff on the market.

Just thinking.... is Marelon a brand, one manufacturer or a certain mix of plastics used in skin fittings/plumbing, used a various manufacturers?

marelon is the material

see

https://www.defender.com/category.js...=-1|51|2234261

cheers,

[millsie]

The sea cock should have been bonded to the rest of the boat.
If this had been the case the seacock would have been protected by the sacrificial anodes.

[Manateeman]

Hi. Marelon is the Forespar name for Zytel. I was fooled into thinking it is a reliable seacock and I’m a boatbuilder with 60 years of experience. Please. Just google the failures...broken handles, frozen open, frozen closed. No lubrication fitting. Hidden stainless pins. Some people who haul every year and work these valves back and forth...some have no issues.
Boatbuilders very rarely discuss major errors even among other builders but I made a huge mistake with marelon seacocks. Please, please read the prior threads. Jedi and another member sent me information as we have an aluminum hull. We will use Groco stainless flanges. Use the best ball valves you can afford.
I’ve used Apollo seacocks without fail on glass hulls. Please stay clear of marelon. Regards, Mark the manatee

[Quadrille in JB]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Get the Groco flanged adapters, put a Groco valve on top. Can be ordered from Defender and shipped worldwide.

Last week I noticed that my generator was not pumping its usual amount of water through the exhaust. The sea strainer was clean so I removed the hose from the GROCO seacock. The valve’s handle action felt fine but water flowed freely in both open and closed positions. The shaft had apparently broken with the valve in the mid position. I worked it open further with a Phillips screwdriver so the genset would get adequate flow. This will be #1 on my replacement list at the next haul out. Valve is about 5 years old. So much for quality bronze valves.

[roland stockham]

This should also be a reminder to everone to check all skin fitting when you haul out. Dont just look at the outside but check fastenings, strip and greese them if possible as obviously they do fail. Also check that there is a bung the right size tied to any through hull 'just in case'

[GILow]

Originally Posted by roland stockham

This should also be a reminder to everone to check all skin fitting when you haul out. Dont just look at the outside but check fastenings, strip and greese them if possible as obviously they do fail. Also check that there is a bung the right size tied to any through hull 'just in case'

Yeah, I’m feeling a bit silly about that.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by millsie

The sea cock should have been bonded to the rest of the boat.
If this had been the case the seacock would have been protected by the sacrificial anodes.

Let’s just say there are multiple schools of thought on that.

Personally, on an all fibreglass boat which is not connected to shore power, I choose unbounded.

I accept that there are other approaches.