Weeping seacock

[MEC]

The photo establishes that the boat is not fitted with a proper "seacock" valve.



I suggest that you read "Boatpoker's" comments and then follow his advice ASAP.

[DreamWeaver III]

I cannot stress it enough, if you have weeping or discolouration of your bronze fittings REPLACE them, one of mine broke off in my hand with minimal force - admittedly we were on the hard and I had planned to replace them but wanted to see how weak they actually were in

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by DreamWeaver III

I cannot stress it enough, if you have weeping or discolouration of your bronze fittings REPLACE them, one of mine broke off in my hand with minimal force - admittedly we were on the hard and I had planned to replace them but wanted to see how weak they actually were in

I'd bet that photo is not bronze. The colour strongly indicates brass.

[JimZeigler]

Looking at your picture, I am a little suspicious of the metals in that seacock based on their appearance. You could try and replace the seacock at the dock, but have a plug and be near a haul out facility in case the thruhaul snaps off or spins in the nut and loosens. Or bite the bullet and do a quick haul our and replace all those suspect thru hauls and seacocks.

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Depends on exactly what is leaking. If those are typical Euro plated brass ball valves I'd move up the haulout schedule.

There was a time when European regulations permitted lower grade bronze valves. Maybe still allowed. They had a projected life of about 2-5 years. Hard to believe such a thing could be allowed. Written by the uneducated, uninvolved who don’t understand the terror of a leaky boat.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

There was a time when European regulations permitted lower grade bronze valves. Maybe still allowed. They had a projected life of about 2-5 years. Hard to believe such a thing could be allowed. Written by the uneducated, uninvolved who don’t understand the terror of a leaky boat.

Actually it was straight "brass" that was used. Around 2008 the CE standard was changed to "DZR brass" (Dezincification resistant) brass which is still far inferior (& cheaper) to bronze.

[Don C L]

Who tries to save a buck on thru-hulls and seacocks?

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Who tries to save a buck on thru-hulls and seacocks?

Mass production builders like Beneteau and Jenneau.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Who tries to save a buck on thru-hulls and seacocks?

Beneteau, Lagoon, Jeanneau, Hanse, Bavaria, Dufour ....

[BAD ORCA]

I had a ball valve on a seacock that was weeping and put it off for a long while. The valve handle moved but didnt close the ball valve inside. In my noobish level of experience at the time i figured i was ok for a while.

Wheen i finally hauled out and began prepping to replace that bad valve and seacock, i twisted the handle to the closed position and it promptly broke off leaving a sizeable hole in the side of the ball valve, maybe 1/2" hole give or take. Had that happened when i was away it would have been a serious matter.

[Sailorichiban]

Hello all,
In the past there have been seacocks and thruhulls that were in my opinion questionable on different boats I have owned or have had responsibility for.
Generally I would test them.
Much better to have appropriate plugs and a lift immediately available if needed than to have a failure at possibly the worst possible time. Especially bad if the failure should occur unobserved and be noticed only after a problem makes it obvious. When submerged the simple operation of plugging could be very difficult or impossible.
Testing often involved a hammer or a bar or both. Much more comfortable than relying on lady luck.
A few words to the wise and the best of luck to all !

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Sailorichiban

Testing often involved a hammer or a bar or both. Much more comfortable than relying on lady luck.

Not while in water ... right ?