I recently purchased a used Catalina 320. Are certain through hull valves supposed to be shut every time you leave the boat for a week? If so which ones? I was told the "head" inflow feed, and the engine cool water feed... is this the case? If I left the boat without doing so, should I be running back to close these valves? Previous owner told me to leave the bilge on "manual" instead of "automatic", does this sound right? Any other helpful- what to do when u leave the boat for a week.... tips ? any help w/b appreciated.
Are through hulls shut when leaving the boat??
- Thread starter ken6736
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Close all the valves
If anything goes bad ( split hose, broken collar, corroded valve, etc) a 1.5 inch through hull will sink the boat in minutes. I always shut them all and I leave the pump on auto. In case of problem, someone will notice the boat continuously bilging and call the marina, which should call you. At the dock, the charger will keep the pump going. At the mooring, I keep the pump on auto as well, the 4 house batteries wont go forever but better run down the batteries and maybe save the boat, then save the batteries and sink ( or swamp) the boat!
If anything goes bad ( split hose, broken collar, corroded valve, etc) a 1.5 inch through hull will sink the boat in minutes. I always shut them all and I leave the pump on auto. In case of problem, someone will notice the boat continuously bilging and call the marina, which should call you. At the dock, the charger will keep the pump going. At the mooring, I keep the pump on auto as well, the 4 house batteries wont go forever but better run down the batteries and maybe save the boat, then save the batteries and sink ( or swamp) the boat!
Close them all
Most of the sailors I know do NOT close any of the seacocks when they leave their boats. But when you consider that all that is keeping your boat above water is then a couple of hose clamps, you may decide to close every seacock when leaving the boat. I always do. Hang the engine key on the engine intake seacock handle to avoid running the engine without cooling water. And leave the bilge pump switch on auto!
Most of the sailors I know do NOT close any of the seacocks when they leave their boats. But when you consider that all that is keeping your boat above water is then a couple of hose clamps, you may decide to close every seacock when leaving the boat. I always do. Hang the engine key on the engine intake seacock handle to avoid running the engine without cooling water. And leave the bilge pump switch on auto!
I close any time I leave the boat for more than
a few minutes. Seacocks are what make boats sink. Manual position on switch turns the pump on, automatic turns it on when the float switch activates bilge pump. You can turn batteries to "off" when you leave boat cause pump is wired direct to battery (thru float switch which turns it on when enough water in bilge). Probably a little sign under battery switch that says pump is always live regardless. I also turn off circuit breaker to water heater just so it's not working needlessly. I also know people with 20 year old boats that leave open all the time, it only takes once and I don't want to trust my boat to vinyl hose & some clamps. I have seen perfectly good lookin clamps come off in your hand when you give them a good twist.
a few minutes. Seacocks are what make boats sink. Manual position on switch turns the pump on, automatic turns it on when the float switch activates bilge pump. You can turn batteries to "off" when you leave boat cause pump is wired direct to battery (thru float switch which turns it on when enough water in bilge). Probably a little sign under battery switch that says pump is always live regardless. I also turn off circuit breaker to water heater just so it's not working needlessly. I also know people with 20 year old boats that leave open all the time, it only takes once and I don't want to trust my boat to vinyl hose & some clamps. I have seen perfectly good lookin clamps come off in your hand when you give them a good twist.
Close them all
and leave engine key on intake for engine so as not to forget to turn it open when I start the old iron sail.
and leave engine key on intake for engine so as not to forget to turn it open when I start the old iron sail.
Except...
All good advice. When leaving boat - All Seacocks closed, except Cockpit Drains (if fitted), which are always left open. Bilge Pump on (automatic).
All good advice. When leaving boat - All Seacocks closed, except Cockpit Drains (if fitted), which are always left open. Bilge Pump on (automatic).
Always
The important point brought up so far is to keep the boat from sinking when unattended. But more importantly you want to keep the boat from sinking when you are on it. If you leave seacocks in 1 position and never move them they will seize and you will not be able to close them in an emergency. Tim R.
The important point brought up so far is to keep the boat from sinking when unattended. But more importantly you want to keep the boat from sinking when you are on it. If you leave seacocks in 1 position and never move them they will seize and you will not be able to close them in an emergency. Tim R.
Bilge Pump
If you have not already done so, I would recommend verifying the wiring for the pump. In manual the pump should run regardless of the position of the battery selector switch. In automatic it should run when told to do so by the float switch, again regardless of the selector. If your's does not, it should be re-wired. NEVER trust the work of the previous owner. Best of luck, Bryon Thomas "Shore Leave"
If you have not already done so, I would recommend verifying the wiring for the pump. In manual the pump should run regardless of the position of the battery selector switch. In automatic it should run when told to do so by the float switch, again regardless of the selector. If your's does not, it should be re-wired. NEVER trust the work of the previous owner. Best of luck, Bryon Thomas "Shore Leave"
Ken, since the boat is new to you check
the "automatic" feature of the bilge pump. Turn battary switch to off and switch off all circuit breakers on the panel. Lift up the floor board to access the pump and lift up the float until you hear the pump hum. If not then you got a problem. Also switch on the manual pump switch and listen for operation of the pump. Agree with the others on closing through hull valves, including any sink drain. Also, by opening and closing the valve you confirm that they are operational and not frozen in either the open or closed positions. If you have gate valves (with a faucet round handle, replace when you get a change (during a haul out)with ball valves that have a straight lever type handle. you can see if the ball valve is closed without having to turn it. Closed when handle is sidways/perpendicular to the valve body/hose. Enjoy your boat and ask a lot of questions as you go along. Scott
the "automatic" feature of the bilge pump. Turn battary switch to off and switch off all circuit breakers on the panel. Lift up the floor board to access the pump and lift up the float until you hear the pump hum. If not then you got a problem. Also switch on the manual pump switch and listen for operation of the pump. Agree with the others on closing through hull valves, including any sink drain. Also, by opening and closing the valve you confirm that they are operational and not frozen in either the open or closed positions. If you have gate valves (with a faucet round handle, replace when you get a change (during a haul out)with ball valves that have a straight lever type handle. you can see if the ball valve is closed without having to turn it. Closed when handle is sidways/perpendicular to the valve body/hose. Enjoy your boat and ask a lot of questions as you go along. Scott
I'll be the contrarian.
I don't close all my seacocks when I leave the boat for the week. If you are the least bit concerned then I guess close them. I am on the boat often and I have a newer boat and I feel comfortable all the thruhulls and plumbing is good. If there was anything questionable then I would close it. Also if I was on a mooring, I'd be more apt to close them, but on my dock with lots of people walking around I feel a little better especially with the electricity always on I can garauntee there are LOTS of boats in my marina with at least one thru hull left open. How do I know? Well I can see their A/C outlets running all the time. As for the bilge pump I think he meant to leave it on "automatic", that's where the bilge pump only goes on when the float switch triggers it . Putting it in "manual" would have the pump running all the time 24 hours a day. (Thats if the set-up is wired and running like my '99 C36) ps. just a note for all those who shut their valves before they leave and feel 100% safe. Beware that a boat can still sink at a dock, I saw the waterline of a boat a few down below where it was supposed to be. Turns out the stuffing box leaked badly & the bilge pump either stopped working or was clogged. The people that owned the boat left it for weeks and but it was caught it in time.
I don't close all my seacocks when I leave the boat for the week. If you are the least bit concerned then I guess close them. I am on the boat often and I have a newer boat and I feel comfortable all the thruhulls and plumbing is good. If there was anything questionable then I would close it. Also if I was on a mooring, I'd be more apt to close them, but on my dock with lots of people walking around I feel a little better especially with the electricity always on I can garauntee there are LOTS of boats in my marina with at least one thru hull left open. How do I know? Well I can see their A/C outlets running all the time. As for the bilge pump I think he meant to leave it on "automatic", that's where the bilge pump only goes on when the float switch triggers it . Putting it in "manual" would have the pump running all the time 24 hours a day. (Thats if the set-up is wired and running like my '99 C36) ps. just a note for all those who shut their valves before they leave and feel 100% safe. Beware that a boat can still sink at a dock, I saw the waterline of a boat a few down below where it was supposed to be. Turns out the stuffing box leaked badly & the bilge pump either stopped working or was clogged. The people that owned the boat left it for weeks and but it was caught it in time.
Close if suspect?
I suggest that anyone with a "suspect" seacock valve, hose, etc, REPLACE or repair it (rather than just closing the valve). Confidance in one's equipment is fine - overconfidence is hubris. Gord from Tom s. If you are the least bit concerned then I guess close them.
I suggest that anyone with a "suspect" seacock valve, hose, etc, REPLACE or repair it (rather than just closing the valve). Confidance in one's equipment is fine - overconfidence is hubris. Gord from Tom s. If you are the least bit concerned then I guess close them.
close most
I know I should close them all when I am gone for a week or more. I close all of mine except for the engine raw intake. Mainly because I don't want to forget to open it back up when I start the engine. I do have an added benifit that there is only 1.5 feet of water under my boat at it's slip. If I do spring a leak, I do a lot of damage to the interior, but it's not like the deck will be awash.
I know I should close them all when I am gone for a week or more. I close all of mine except for the engine raw intake. Mainly because I don't want to forget to open it back up when I start the engine. I do have an added benifit that there is only 1.5 feet of water under my boat at it's slip. If I do spring a leak, I do a lot of damage to the interior, but it's not like the deck will be awash.
It would be pretty silly to
send your boat to the bottom for lack of closeing afew throw hull fittings close them it only takes a sec and can save you alot of time and money I like to check my shaft packing at the end of the weekend wile im down there. John Olson
send your boat to the bottom for lack of closeing afew throw hull fittings close them it only takes a sec and can save you alot of time and money I like to check my shaft packing at the end of the weekend wile im down there. John Olson
Always close mine
I always close all mine for a day or a week... Just takes a minute..As for leaving open the engine intake for fear of not turning it back on ...thats what your engine overheat alarm is for.. Did that a couple of times ..but now it's the first thing I do when getting to the boat open the thru hulls.
I always close all mine for a day or a week... Just takes a minute..As for leaving open the engine intake for fear of not turning it back on ...thats what your engine overheat alarm is for.. Did that a couple of times ..but now it's the first thing I do when getting to the boat open the thru hulls.
Raw water sea cock
In regards to closing all sea cocks, this is a must...but for those of you who keep the engine raw water sea cock open for fear of forgetting to open it when you fire up the engine: 1. I put the ingnition key on or near the sea cock handle to remind me to open it when I retreive the key. 2. You should ALWAYS check the exhaust for cooling water discharge while the engine warms up before leaving the dock.
In regards to closing all sea cocks, this is a must...but for those of you who keep the engine raw water sea cock open for fear of forgetting to open it when you fire up the engine: 1. I put the ingnition key on or near the sea cock handle to remind me to open it when I retreive the key. 2. You should ALWAYS check the exhaust for cooling water discharge while the engine warms up before leaving the dock.
Good idea Foamy, I've got a big sign that
hangs over battery switch that says "Open Engine Seacock Stupid!" So when I get to boat I turn on batteries, open seacock then hide sign before anyone sees it and I have to explain the "stupid" part.
hangs over battery switch that says "Open Engine Seacock Stupid!" So when I get to boat I turn on batteries, open seacock then hide sign before anyone sees it and I have to explain the "stupid" part.
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