Plug thru hulls to svc seacocks

[Skipper]

Have tapered cone seacocks. Some are getting dry/threatening to seize. Serviced them 2 years ago on the hard, and used white lithium grease. Doesn't hold up. Bought Spartan grease for this time.
However, am in CA now and boat is in the water year round. Don't want to haul as paint is good and no other bottom work needed.
Diver says he can plug the thru-hulls from the bottom with wood plugs.
Has anyone used this method to be able to disassemble the seacocks for service on the water? Are the plugs watertight?

 

[capta]

I wouldn't do it. Are you going to have the diver standby the whole time you are doing the job in case something goes wrong?

 

[Skipper]

I wouldn't do it. Are you going to have the diver standby the whole time you are doing the job in case something goes wrong?

No. I'd just have to slide the cone barrel back in if it sprung. Would have all the plugs in at once, done prior to my arrival. Would then be servicing one seacock at a time.
I don't see any danger. But am wondering if the plugs leak, and if so is the leaking going to prevent a good job on the seacocks.

 

[Ken Cross]

There is no reason the believe getting some sea water on a sea water valve should present problems.

Ken

 

[Maine Sail]

Wood plugs often don't seal well due to the dogs/ears in the thru-hull. Foresspar makes a tapered foam plug that works well and alternatively you might find something in the kids "Nerf" section of Toys-R-Us. The biggest issue you will face is that if you lap them, quite often needed, you will not be able to adequately clean the lapping compound from the thru-hull and it will re-deposit on the cone.If greasing only foam plugs work, but otherwise a haul is best.

 

[seadaddler]

The red foam plugs at WM are much better for sealing and not that much $$$$.
Or my diver when he comes to clean bottom did help me once with a transducer I needed to remove and work on and so he put a plunger the half red kind with out the long handle and a
added a small piece where the handle screws into,but any way it worked real good and no water into the boat.
So next time you have the bottom cleaned while he is cleaning have him put the plug over the thru hull while you service it or you maybe could do it.
Nick

 

[Skipper]

Wood plugs often don't seal well due to the dogs/ears in the thru-hull. Foresspar makes a tapered foam plug that works well and alternatively you might find something in the kids "Nerf" section of Toys-R-Us. The biggest issue you will face is that if you lap them, quite often needed, you will not be able to adequately clean the lapping compound from the thru-hull and it will re-deposit on the cone.If greasing only foam plugs work, but otherwise a haul is best.

Thank you. I think 2 of them will need a few laps. Now am thinking will just get into difficulties and will have wasted the effort with the plugs. So am leaning towards a haul out.

 

[Ron20324]

How about a rubber ball? You could shut the valve, take off the hose, stick the rubber ball in, open the valve, push the rubber ball past the rotating part.

 

[Skipper]

How about a rubber ball? You could shut the valve, take off the hose, stick the rubber ball in, open the valve, push the rubber ball past the rotating part.

I like it.
But my luck it would not seat, and would shoot up, bounce off my face and land in the head bowl. And while I swished around trying to get the ball out of the bowl, water and small fish would be jetting into the boat.
I really wanted to do this in the water. Thanks to those who offered help, but after some deep thought I think I'd mucker up more than I would remedy. So while it'll cost $300 I guess will have to haul it. Yard says I can hang in the slings while doing the job, then drop me back in.
This time I'll use the right grease.