...it's recommended your thru-hull valves be lubricated each year? I didn't but I understand why now.
When I opened the sink drain thru-hull in the head yesterday the handle came off in my hand and water started coming into the boat from the hole where the handle had been attached.
The situation stabilized when I discovered I could hold the handle in it's intended position and still move the valve back to closed. It felt like it was "geared". I'm not sure whether there was more anxiety after the water was stopped or before; this valve isn't the "stiff one" of my SIX!
I later learned that the white plug in the valve handle with the loop in it's top fits as a plug in the thru-hull opening, (from the outside). The loop in the top of the plug is to tie it to a line as a retriever/retainer so you don't have to go swimming a second time to take the plug out.
I'm still working out the details for changing out the broken valve and lubricating each valve while the boat's afloat.
If you weren't aware before you may wish to put thru-hull valve lubrication on your annual maintenance checklist and if you're cruising consider a spare valve as part of your parts inventory and some parachute cord as a plug retriever/retainer if you ever need it.
Todd L.
When I opened the sink drain thru-hull in the head yesterday the handle came off in my hand and water started coming into the boat from the hole where the handle had been attached.
The situation stabilized when I discovered I could hold the handle in it's intended position and still move the valve back to closed. It felt like it was "geared". I'm not sure whether there was more anxiety after the water was stopped or before; this valve isn't the "stiff one" of my SIX!
I later learned that the white plug in the valve handle with the loop in it's top fits as a plug in the thru-hull opening, (from the outside). The loop in the top of the plug is to tie it to a line as a retriever/retainer so you don't have to go swimming a second time to take the plug out.
I'm still working out the details for changing out the broken valve and lubricating each valve while the boat's afloat.
If you weren't aware before you may wish to put thru-hull valve lubrication on your annual maintenance checklist and if you're cruising consider a spare valve as part of your parts inventory and some parachute cord as a plug retriever/retainer if you ever need it.
Todd L.