Raw Water Engine Valve to be open?

[Jack Walsh]

Catalina newbie here. I just purchased an '84 C30 Tall Rig that's powered by a Universal M-25. Though I've sailed for years, I have almost zero experience with the M-25 or any marine diesel engines for that matter.Can anyone here tell me where the valve for the raw water intake is located? Is it on the port side under the galley? I know this engine is fresh water/coolant cooled. I believe this valve should be closed shortly after turning off the engine? So you must have to open it prior to starting the engine. I know the raw water intake is used as a heat exchanger for the fresh water cooling system.If anyone has a pic (or a link) they could put up, it would be greatly appreciated.-Jack

 

[Tom]

valve

Look on the port side of the engine for the valve. Or trace the hose intake off the raw water pump back to the valve. I open the valve prior to starting the engine for the first time of the day, and close the valve when I'm done at the end of the day. One technique for remembering to open the valve prior to starting the engine, is to store and hang the engine key on the valve handle. Some typical factory thru-hull locations (for an '85) are at the link below. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Jack Walsh]

Valve

Thanks Tom. The layout pic is much appreciated.-Jack

 

[Norm (C30 Somerset)]

Keys on Thru-hull

Tom - do you feel comfortable leaving your keys hanging on the thru-hull valve? It seems to me that this is probably the worst-kept secret going, and that if anyone broke into my boat, that would be the first place they would look for the keys.Has anyone had their boat stolen because they left their keys hanging on the valve? I left mine for a week and was so uncomfortable with that arrangement that I now hang a tag on the starter button to remind myself to open the seacock.

 

[Jack Walsh]

Keys on Thru-hull

What got me started on this is the large tag attached to the key chain that says "OPEN VALVE". I've seen others with a placard adhered right under the start button stating open the valve.-Jack

 

[Tom]

Keys on thru-hull

I don't leave the engine key on the handle myself. What I had stated about doing so to help remember to open the valve I had heard on the Sailnet C30 list. Might be good to do for a person who jumps onto the boat and immediately turns the key, as is done in a car. On my boat, I check the oil level, Racor filter bowl level, and sea water strainer contents prior to starting the engine before every trip, so opening the seawater intake valve is but one step in that process. The strainer is next to the seawater valve anyway, so I have never forgotten to check and then open the valve.