Repairing gate value on Hunter 31 galley sink drain

G

Galind

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Sep 19, 2018
12
Hunter 31 Rockwall
Has anyone done repair on the gate valve on the galley sink? The valve may be original to the boat.

I closed then reopened the value to after replacing the water heater and the now the gate stopper will not seat to seal. I know a haul out is the best way to replace the thru hull but there is no haul out on the lake as the shop that did my last haul out closed. The thru hull is below the water line so there is pressure forcing water up thru the value.

Just checking to see if anyone had any ideas of a temporary solution.

Thanks
 

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Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

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Jan 4, 2006
7,268
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Is the water in your lake anywhere near a temperature you can work in it ? I see you're in Texas so it may be a possibility. You should replace the gate valve with a ball valve.

If you can get near a shore with a soft bottom, you may get able to work standing and up insert a soft plug into the thru-hull. Another method is to wrap a large flat sheet of poly over the thru-hull.

Be extremely careful once you start to remove the valve that you don't break anything. Without a haul out, you'll be holding that poly in place for a looooooong time.
 
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Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,174
CC 30 South Florida
You know you can stop water inflow from a broken valve with a wood plug or a rag. Usually it is the valve top and mechanism that fails in those original valves. It is almost impossible to find a replacement mechanism so the only permanent solution is to replace the valve which should be done with a ball type valve. If the valve is not leaking I don't see the need to try and fix it at this time. I see your hose looks good and it is properly double clamped which is the best insurance against developing a leak. I will speak for myself, but I suspect most of us, do leave the galley drain open 24/7. The water will push up but only to the boat's water line. The best protection against water intrusion is to periodically inspect the valve body, the hose and the clamps. If you feel the valve body is sound, I would not recommend any temporary fix. The reason I mentioned that you can stop a water inflow easily with a rag or a wood plug is just in case you decide to work on the valve and it does break. I once had to remove the top and the gate innards of one such valve and was able to stop the water inflow with a rag while I went to the hardware store and found a screw plug to stop the leak. Now that was a temporary necessary fix which I used for 6 months until I was able to replace the valve. Needless to say I continued using the boat during that time. It is not recommended to try and replace the valve with the boat in the water as the seal bond between the hull and the thru-hull can be broken in the process.
 
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Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

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Feb 26, 2004
23,049
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
The valve may not have failed. Since it is from your galley sink, before you go faffing around worrying about replacing the valve, do a couple of things to try to clear the valve. Open it fully; it's a gate valve, so keep opening until the gate stops against the bonnet inside. Then pour some boiling water down the drain. Do NOT use Drano. Close valve, open again, see if it works. Might have to do this a couple of times.
Other helpers: get a mini-plunger from a hardware store, or try a snake.
I have a ball cock seacock on my sink drain and I still have to use my mini-plunger occasionally.
Put off replacing that valve until your next haul out if you can.
 
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Mike Culik

Mike Culik

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Aug 23, 2011
94
Hunter 31 Georgetown, MD
Your boat remaining afloat depends on the integrity of the sink drain hose/tubing!

My original was "dry rotted" and snapped as I unscrewed the hose clamps from the OEM thru hull valve!

PS.... I never leave any of my thru hulls open.
Its part of my shutdown procedure every time I come back in.
The engine key is "stored" on the engine fresh water inlet valve handle! ( a tip from another forum sailboat owner)

Your boat your choice ... I don't like to worry while away
 
Tally Ho

Tally Ho

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Jan 7, 2011
5,612
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
Mike Culik said:
Your boat remaining afloat depends on the integrity of the sink drain hose/tubing!

My original was "dry rotted" and snapped as I unscrewed the hose clamps from the OEM thru hull valve!

PS.... I never leave any of my thru hulls open.
Its part of my shutdown procedure every time I come back in.
The engine key is "stored" on the engine fresh water inlet valve handle! ( a tip from another forum sailboat owner)

Your boat your choice ... I don't like to worry while away
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Greg
 
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