I am in the process of purchasing a 1982 37 cutter. It has not been surveyed yet. The boat appears to have been mostly used as a weekend "cottage" at the dock. Great interior, not many sailing/cruising upgrades. The information on this site has been very helpful. Thanks. However, I have not seen anything on thru'hulls and seacocks on the 37C. When I poked around I was not very impressed with the thru'hulls. Any comments? Do they need to be replaced? I am aware of the ports, holding tank, wet coring, and rudder post problems thanks to everyone here. Any other "words of wisdom".
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Seacocks
Keith, Do you mean "real" seacocks? Or are they gatevalves or ballcocks? If they are seacocks, and the thru-hull fitting is in good condition, the valve can generally be rebuilt if it is structurally sound. The thru-hull is just the fitting that goes through the hull and, if below the waterline, has some type of valve attached. The thru-hull and valve are separate pieces. If the thru-hull is in bad shape and needs to be replaced (never heard of them being rebuilt) then I would go ahead and rebuild the valves. Replacing seacocks is generally expensive if they cannot be rebuilt but cost must be weighed against risk. Regardless of the type, if a valve goes when no one is around, the boat will probably sink. If they are ballcocks, and in bad shape, they would have to be replaced as they cannot be rebuilt. The plus side is that they are relatively cheap. There is a lot of heated discussion regarding whether they are an acceptable substitute for seacocks. That being said I will say that my boat has ballcocks and I have never had any problem. They were inspected when I got the boat and there were no problems. I asked my marina if they should be replaced and was told that they couldn't justify replacing. (many marinas would have taken my question as an invitation to spend $1000 minimum of my dollars but thankfully mine didn't) If/when I have a problem they will probably be replaced with seacocks. If you exercise them routinely they can last a very long time. If they are gatevalves they have no excuse to be on the boat. (my opinion) They are a plumbers fitting and I have had to replace many that did not last 18 years in a land application and they surely won't in a saltwater environment. I would get them off the boat and replace with either sea' or ballcocks based on your cost/risk analysis. You will probably get alot of opinions on this topic but that's what you wanted. Good luck with your new boat whatever you decide, Les s/v Mutual Fun
Keith, Do you mean "real" seacocks? Or are they gatevalves or ballcocks? If they are seacocks, and the thru-hull fitting is in good condition, the valve can generally be rebuilt if it is structurally sound. The thru-hull is just the fitting that goes through the hull and, if below the waterline, has some type of valve attached. The thru-hull and valve are separate pieces. If the thru-hull is in bad shape and needs to be replaced (never heard of them being rebuilt) then I would go ahead and rebuild the valves. Replacing seacocks is generally expensive if they cannot be rebuilt but cost must be weighed against risk. Regardless of the type, if a valve goes when no one is around, the boat will probably sink. If they are ballcocks, and in bad shape, they would have to be replaced as they cannot be rebuilt. The plus side is that they are relatively cheap. There is a lot of heated discussion regarding whether they are an acceptable substitute for seacocks. That being said I will say that my boat has ballcocks and I have never had any problem. They were inspected when I got the boat and there were no problems. I asked my marina if they should be replaced and was told that they couldn't justify replacing. (many marinas would have taken my question as an invitation to spend $1000 minimum of my dollars but thankfully mine didn't) If/when I have a problem they will probably be replaced with seacocks. If you exercise them routinely they can last a very long time. If they are gatevalves they have no excuse to be on the boat. (my opinion) They are a plumbers fitting and I have had to replace many that did not last 18 years in a land application and they surely won't in a saltwater environment. I would get them off the boat and replace with either sea' or ballcocks based on your cost/risk analysis. You will probably get alot of opinions on this topic but that's what you wanted. Good luck with your new boat whatever you decide, Les s/v Mutual Fun
Thru hulls
Keith, I bought a 1980 H37c this year. Thruhulls are comparable with other boats I've had of that vintage, i.e., original thruhulls and gate valves that are serviceable but probably ought to be replaced. The gate valves on my boat work fine and the thru hulls are OK (no play, etc.). But, since I live on the boat, next spring I'm going to get them replaced for peace of mind. Also, the head intake is a 1/2" thruhull, which makes it easy for wildlife to get a toehold and constrict the water flow. I'm going to get that increased to a 3/4" when I get it replaced.
Keith, I bought a 1980 H37c this year. Thruhulls are comparable with other boats I've had of that vintage, i.e., original thruhulls and gate valves that are serviceable but probably ought to be replaced. The gate valves on my boat work fine and the thru hulls are OK (no play, etc.). But, since I live on the boat, next spring I'm going to get them replaced for peace of mind. Also, the head intake is a 1/2" thruhull, which makes it easy for wildlife to get a toehold and constrict the water flow. I'm going to get that increased to a 3/4" when I get it replaced.
seacocks and valves
Gate valves should be removed at once . Ball valves [ Appollo valves] should be used ABOVE the water line only , never below the water line
Gate valves should be removed at once . Ball valves [ Appollo valves] should be used ABOVE the water line only , never below the water line
H37C thru-hulls
Hi Keith, I've just survived my first season with the original thru-hulls and gate valves on my 1979 H37C. The boat comes out next week and I will replace the two gate valves with two ball valves. These seem much sturdier and you know whether they are closed or open by just looking. One of these came with the boat and I picked up a second for $10. The engine and head thru-hulls are bronze and seem adequate. I'm not sure about comments regarding not using ball valves as seacocks. Unless it has to do with threads. Thru-hulls have a straight-cut thread and both the gate and ball valves use a tapered thread. But my thru-hulls both have an 90-degree elbow and the male end is tapered. So the new ball valves match up. The gate valve on the sink drain seems more than adequate for the job. By the way, I am in fresh water. eschenck@ezo.net
Hi Keith, I've just survived my first season with the original thru-hulls and gate valves on my 1979 H37C. The boat comes out next week and I will replace the two gate valves with two ball valves. These seem much sturdier and you know whether they are closed or open by just looking. One of these came with the boat and I picked up a second for $10. The engine and head thru-hulls are bronze and seem adequate. I'm not sure about comments regarding not using ball valves as seacocks. Unless it has to do with threads. Thru-hulls have a straight-cut thread and both the gate and ball valves use a tapered thread. But my thru-hulls both have an 90-degree elbow and the male end is tapered. So the new ball valves match up. The gate valve on the sink drain seems more than adequate for the job. By the way, I am in fresh water. eschenck@ezo.net
Ball VAlves
Keith.. Have had my boat (1983 model) for three years. The first thing I replaced was the gate valves. I too, use ball valves with no problems at all. As for not using them below the waterline, I'm interested in why not. Good luck with the new boat... Ron
Keith.. Have had my boat (1983 model) for three years. The first thing I replaced was the gate valves. I too, use ball valves with no problems at all. As for not using them below the waterline, I'm interested in why not. Good luck with the new boat... Ron
Thanks
Thanks to y'all respondents! I am now more knowledgeable. The survey is next week. I will try for an update after that. Keith Skelton ps you probably guessed Texas? e-mail is <keiths@hal-C
rg>
Thanks to y'all respondents! I am now more knowledgeable. The survey is next week. I will try for an update after that. Keith Skelton ps you probably guessed Texas? e-mail is <keiths@hal-C
rg>- Status