Ball Valves on Through-Hulls
Maine Sail says, “It's funny that the only person who claims to have re-threaded a thru-hull to NPT is a non-registered poster who has only ever had ONE post according to the search tool..” Maine Sail has a history of implying that a poster must be registered to have credibility. Does a poster need to have chronicled an extensive number of posts like Maine Sail to have credibility, I think not. I think the intent of this forum is to share our collective knowledge so we all can be better sailors. Ross, thank you for your post explaining what a Black Locust Clamp is and how to make one. If I had this knowledge back when I cut NPT on the through-hulls I would have made and used this clamp. I used a piece of steel flat stock that fit inside the through-hulls to keep them from spinning during threading, with a similar affect as the step wrench photo Maine Sail posted. I used basic threading dies with a ratchet-handle to make threads. You also mentioned “notch sensitivity” in another post. This is what I consider the weak point of a valve mounted on the end of a through-hull. We know about the affects an unsecured alternator had on a through-hull. This is why I do not stow unsecured gear near through-hull/valves, notch sensitivity. Hunter put valves, without flanges, on the end of through-hulls for many years. My ’82 H-33 came with gate-valves on the through-hulls. This flange-less valve system probably saved time and money. Is it the most dependable system for use below the waterline, NO. I think a proper seacock through-bolted is the best. So, this begs the question, why did I use ball-valves? It saved time, money, and has worked for many years. It is a production boat after all. Akula PS: I think Maine Sail’s through-hull article with photos is well done. I commend you for emphasizing the hazards associated with combining NPS and NPT.
Yes feeling very mossy alright. My jobsite today was clay..sort of like trying to stand on the foredeck in a blow, but a lot messier when you hit the deck.
