Marelon seacocks/valves.

[luvitt]

Im trying to replace all my seacocks/valves before i launch april 1. 40' hunter. the 1"1/4 bronze valve in the aft head is reponsible for the partial sinking of this vessel. So, I wanna be safe and replace all of them. I havent done a count yet, but there seems to be a bunch. probably at least 10, maybe 15. I bought a new one for the head, but even with my port supply discount they are $44 each for that size. The marelon version would only cost me $10-$12. Is Marelon ok? Seems it would be good b/c it wont corrode. Let me know what you think.

thanks.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

If you can get them for $10, buy all you can - I just checked PS and found the flanged Marelon at $97.
In terms of reliability, Marelon won't corrode but will tend to stick more easily if not routinely exercised and are prone to breaking at the handle whereas the bronze is more sturdy and I believe are considered of better quality.

I'd be more concerned with why your old one failed - electrolysis can effect more than just the seacocks if not addressed. This should never happen.

No disrespect intended but it's not the seacock which was " responsible for the partial sinking" but the lack of proper maintenance and inspection.

 

[Hermit Scott]

brobins- we are kind of in the same boat so to speak. I just bought bronze flange adapters and built some fiberglass backing plates for every through hull in my boat. When you get these in and bottom paint, you can do almost everything else in the water. After much consideration this was one thing I decided not try to be cheap on.
However I only have four 3/4" and one 1-1/4" not 10 or more like you. This is one thing that if you have to keep your boat in the yard longer to do it right it is worth the time. I could have launched a month ago but I decided to hold off and do this right.
Please check out maine sail's website and go to his upgrade page and check out the through hull page. It's everything you need to know.

 

[Hermit Scott]

http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects

 

[luvitt]

Thanks guys. I remember now, the valves I saw for $10 were not from west marine and more than likely not marelon. I looked at marelon at west marine and then ran accross something at Northern Tools that i confused for marelon. They were probably pvc.

 

[NYSail]

Forespar makes the marlon thru hulls and valves and $10 is not even close. I bought all mine from Defender. When I replaced all of my thru hull fittings and sea cocks three years ago, I used bronze for the below water applications and used the marlon for above. I only have three below water line...engine intake, head intake and galley sink. I have 8 above the water line. 10 fittings....does that include the above water line fittings?

Good luck! It is a project well worth the effort in my opinion!

Greg

 

[luvitt]

yes, it includes above the water fittings too. my engine exhaust was relocated above the waterline by the previous owner (thank goodness). i know i have one for the seawater pump for the a/c, one for the engine intake. but i know theres at least 4 below the waterline on the port side alone. not sure about starboard side. will count them tomorrow.

 

[Maine Sail]

Im trying to replace all my seacocks/valves before i launch april 1. 40' hunter. the 1"1/4 bronze valve in the aft head is reponsible for the partial sinking of this vessel. So, I wanna be safe and replace all of them. I havent done a count yet, but there seems to be a bunch. probably at least 10, maybe 15. I bought a new one for the head, but even with my port supply discount they are $44 each for that size. The marelon version would only cost me $10-$12. Is Marelon ok? Seems it would be good b/c it wont corrode. Let me know what you think.

thanks.

1 1/4" Marelon for $10.00 to $12.00?? Where? Please don't buy valves for your boat from a home center, hardware store or Harbor Freight. We'd hate to see your partial sinking may become a full sinking. All valves/seacocks should be Marine UL listed!

 

[Hermit Scott]

I wouldn't worry about above the waterline yet if you are concerned about time and money. Those can be replaced after you put her back in.
I know you are trying to go on the cheap right now. I am too. I only bought one ball valve, the one for the engine. The other flanges are just getting capped until I get around to needing them. I didn't even buy a through hull wrench, I just slotted some old sockets. I am seriously trying to focus every penny into being able to get it to the marina and out of the yard.
If you have one problem with your through hulls, you have to pay for another haul out.

 

[Stu Jackson]

If you have that many thru hulls

and you're redoing them, if it was my boat I'd find a way to group them together and minimize the quantity of them. How can you have so many? Hmm, let's see:

1. 2 heads w/ separate holding tanks: 4 valves plus macerator outputs

2. Seawater intake

3. galley seawater in & gray water out

4. head sinks: 2 more

Sure adds up quickly, eh?

 

[luvitt]

Good idea Hermitt Scott,

I really just need the one for the engine intake for now. I have an a/c system, but i havent even started thinking about hooking it up.

So just Plug them up? How do I replace them down the road? I guess another haulout? What do you plug them with?

Yeah, it sounds like we are in almost exactly the same boat. I could never afford to purchase a boat like this, even restoring one gets very expensive, but at least you can scrounge and scrape and make it happen. I love it. I dont know what im going to do when the project is complete. I look forward to working on her every single day after work. Guess i will sail her every single day after work!

 

[RickSylvester]

Your starboard side

probably has 5 through-hulls. Three in the forward head and two in the galley.

Fwiw, I think the other posters are correct. Your issues aren't with marelon vs. bronze but rather uncoated ply backing plates, no flange base and mismatched threads.

 

[Hermit Scott]

If you don't want to have to do this again. I would install flange adapters, not flanged seacocks. Once you install those you won't have to haul the boat to add the ball valves. You can cap the flanges for now. When you get ready to use a through hull, put some pipe dope on a ball valve, uncap the flange then quickly screw it on. If you ever have a ball valve go bad, it's the same procedure.
The through hulls are cheap, Like $11 a piece (3/4"), the flanges I think were like $20.
Seriously though, look at this link http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects
It is going to explain how and why to do this the right way. Look at the through hull primer and through hull and seacock installation. I am going to do this on my boat this weekend. I have removed the old ones made the fiberglass backing plates, and now I just have to install them. It does take a little time, but this is the only part you HAVE to do in the yard. Are you bottom painting your hull?

 

[Maine Sail]

When you get ready to use a through hull, put some pipe dope on a ball valve, uncap the flange then quickly screw it on.

Just for clarification the female ball valve should not have dope applied to it as it will just mash up into the valve and lodge somewhere in the system like your head pump or your siphon break. The proper method is to apply dope or tape or both dope and tape to the male threads. You can do this by removing the cap and sticking a wood bung into the flanged adapter while you apply the dope..

Hope that made sense?

Tape:

Tape & Dope:

 

[Hermit Scott]

I'm glad you said something. I am sure I would have done it backwards so as not to remove the cap till the last second.

 

[jibes138]

Where are you getting the flanged adapters?

I checked Defender and they only list 1.5 inch size. Do they come in other sizes? I definitely need to upgrade my O'Day as all of them are the typical through hull with mismatched thread ball valve. You also sold me on the FRP flange reinforcement plates. One of the web sites noted Hamilton Marine as a source but I searched around their site and couldn't find them. Please send a link or something. I also didn't see them in Phil's store? I'd just as soon give him the business as he's been giving me the business for years.

 

[sailingdog]

Jibes—

Try www.Hamiltonmarine.com, they've usually got a wide selection at decent prices.

 

[Maine Sail]

Link

I checked Defender and they only list 1.5 inch size. Do they come in other sizes? I definitely need to upgrade my O'Day as all of them are the typical through hull with mismatched thread ball valve. You also sold me on the FRP flange reinforcement plates. One of the web sites noted Hamilton Marine as a source but I searched around their site and couldn't find them. Please send a link or something. I also didn't see them in Phil's store? I'd just as soon give him the business as he's been giving me the business for years.

Dave,

If this link does not work type IBVF into the search box on the Hamilton site. Hamilton's IT dept leaves a little work!

Hamilton Flanged Adapters (LINK)

 

[atom]

Re: Marelon seacocks/valves

Hermit,
I have done something like you suggested you were going to do.
That is, remove the cap from the thru-hull and replace with ball valve in the water.
Caused an owner to almost have heart failure. Depending on the thru-hull size, it can be a religious experience.
I would encourage you to jump in the water and shove a plug in the thru-hull first, just snug, it might leak some,but it will give you more time inside.

Just a thought, your mileage may vary.

 

[Dan H]

I bought mine from Forespar directly. Cheapest rate going. And you can get any size you want.