Ball valves...

[NYSail]

Hello all....

Have a bad ball valve that needs to be replaced. Bought a new groco however now find out threads are metric. Should I just start from scratch and replace everything? What have others done?

Thanks!

 

[LeslieTroyer]

Don’t assume Metric it might not pipe thread but straight

 

[Gunni]

Do your research on the GROCO BSPP threaded fittings for the OEM Beneteau through-hulls.

 

[BigEasy]

Second Gunni’s recommendation. I just purchased Groco’s fittings with BSPP threads. Not as good as a seacock; however, better than the OEM setup. At least the thru hull fitting, ball valve, and tailpiece are all bronze with matching threads. Purchased directly from Groco.

 

[JimInPB]

You might be able to find thread adapters if you google hard enough. If not, any local machine shop with a thread cutting lathe should be able to make them up for you, in your choice of material.

 

[NYSail]

Now that was easy....... thanks Gunni and all. Groco shipping everything! Started to panic as boat is heading into water in a couple of weeks.... hate un-closed holes in the bottom!

 

[NYSail]

So part came in, went to boat and what do you know.... fits. Again thanks for the direction. However, when looking at the set-up it looks like beneteau used different metal for the street elbow and fitting. Also other ball valves that are original all do not look bronz....... or is that just aged (2005).
Thanks
Greg

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

Also other ball valves that are original all do not look bronz....... or is that just aged (2005).
Thanks
Greg
View attachment 148125

They are not bronze. They are brass.

 

[NYSail]

Beneteau used brass below the water line?? Seems nuts. So this combination.... Brass thru hull and elbow to bronze ball valve is a disaster waiting to happen. And not just that.... if it is the case that Beneteau used all brass fittings below water line then all thru hulls are suspect??

 

[Gunni]

Beneteau used bronze for the thru-hull, but you don’t know what the previous owner did with fittings beyond that. Looking at the elbow I think I see a fracture in the thread next to the the valve.

 

[heritage]

I does look like a possible fracture in the thread. Also, the thread area is pinkish in color that could signify dezincification. They may have used a type of bronze that has a higher than normal zinc quantity.

 

[NYSail]

The pink stuff is a thread sealant..... think the fracture is the light, however I will check closely today when at boat...... cover comes off! Thanks for the good eyes!

 

[NYSail]

Beneteau used bronze for the thru-hull, but you don’t know what the previous owner did with fittings beyond that. Looking at the elbow I think I see a fracture in the thread next to the the valve.

Well that is a relief hearing..... everything on boat is original. All fittings look the same.

 

[BigEasy]

Don’t know first hand what they used for the thru hull fitting; however, the ball valve was very light in color—doesn’t appear to be bronze.

 

[NYSail]

A few other ball valves on boat......
Just don’t look like typical marine, however all appear in good shape

 

[DougM]

I have wodered from they day I got my boat why the ball valves appeared to be stainless whilst the through hull fittings were bronze. The boat has only been in fresh water, so no outward signs of corrosion after 13 seasons.

 

[Gunni]

Typical. If they give you trouble replace them with the new GROCO BSPP valves and fittings. Elegant and improved.

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

This is what Beneteu used to install (brass throughulls) at least in the 331,361,381,411 etc series. After that they used bronze.

 

[RoyS]

What thread sealant will you use with straight threads?

 

[Philip_Oceanis 361]

I used Loctite 577 for the seacocks (changed them last year).