In the day and age where companies seem reluctant to stand behind their product, I wanted to share a good story. I have had problems with marelon seacocks mfg. by Forespar.(handels broke off while closing) Despite being out of warranty, Forespar stepped up to the plate and did the right thing by sending me the new parts needed to fix the 6 seacocks on my C310, free of charge. My thanks go out to Randy and Andy at Forespar. If they make a product I need in the future, they will be my first choice.
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Unusual failures?
John If you have a C310, the boat must be fairly new. I'd be asking Forespar why the handles/valves were failing. On my two-year-old C320, there are essentially the same valves used & I haven't experienced any problems (yet). They do need periodic preventative maintenance, however -- they all get turned "on/off" each week, and get lubricated after haulout each winter. If there is a materials or design problem with these valves, many of us would like to know of it! --Ron
John If you have a C310, the boat must be fairly new. I'd be asking Forespar why the handles/valves were failing. On my two-year-old C320, there are essentially the same valves used & I haven't experienced any problems (yet). They do need periodic preventative maintenance, however -- they all get turned "on/off" each week, and get lubricated after haulout each winter. If there is a materials or design problem with these valves, many of us would like to know of it! --Ron
My origonal seacock handles were kept in place with a short self tapping screw. Only about 1/8" or maybe 1.5 threads were going into the body. If it had any lateral movement the screw and handle pulled out of the body. If you were not in the closed position yet, water came pouring through, not fun. They have since redesigned with a longer machine screw that goes into sleeve built into the body. According to Forespar they have had very few problems with the old design. Maybe I just had a bad batch.
Forespar valves need lube, often!
The Marelon(SP?) plastic valves are notorious for freezing up & having handles break off. Supposedly if you regularly lube them then they are OK. Personally I believe a bit sturdier handle assembley might be in order. Until then, keep em' lubed!
The Marelon(SP?) plastic valves are notorious for freezing up & having handles break off. Supposedly if you regularly lube them then they are OK. Personally I believe a bit sturdier handle assembley might be in order. Until then, keep em' lubed!
How do you lube them. The only way I can figure is if you take the body apart, which Forespar says invalidates the warranty.
Lubejob
John Open the valve and spread some teflon grease on the surfaces the ball rides on (use your finger). Then have someone close the valve & you spread a bit more onto the ball itself. Open & close a few times to spread it over all the surfaces. This, of course, is much easier to do after you have your boat hauled.
--Ron
John Open the valve and spread some teflon grease on the surfaces the ball rides on (use your finger). Then have someone close the valve & you spread a bit more onto the ball itself. Open & close a few times to spread it over all the surfaces. This, of course, is much easier to do after you have your boat hauled.
--RonThanks for the quick answer. Hate to rub it in, looking at your location, but we only haul the boat every few years to repaint. Looks like a great weekend for sailing here. 70+ and winds out of the west at 10. John
Lubing Forespar Valves
The boat doesn't have to be out of the water. Close the valve. Disconnect the hose. Lubricate the valve by sticking your grease encased finger or the like inside the valve, and rub the grease around on the ball part of the valve. Reconnect the hose. Operate the valve a few times. Go to the next valve... Also gets you to check your hose clamps.
The boat doesn't have to be out of the water. Close the valve. Disconnect the hose. Lubricate the valve by sticking your grease encased finger or the like inside the valve, and rub the grease around on the ball part of the valve. Reconnect the hose. Operate the valve a few times. Go to the next valve... Also gets you to check your hose clamps.
What size is it?
I have a 93 c30 and just replaced two of my seacocks with the forespar brand. The thru hull for the head sink broke last week. It's not been one there a year and I've lubed it three times this year.
I have a 93 c30 and just replaced two of my seacocks with the forespar brand. The thru hull for the head sink broke last week. It's not been one there a year and I've lubed it three times this year.
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