The plastic through-hulls on my H23 are turning chalky. You know the ones...the anchor locker drain on the starbord bow, the sink drain on port quarter and the cockpit drain in the center of transom. Seems to me they'll need to be changed pretty soon (on my boat they're at least 16 years old). Has anybody ever done this on the H23? Did youuse bronze, marelon or a replacement from the factory? I checked the forum archives but couldn't find anything. Thanks in advance. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Contact Forespar
Recommend contacting the manufacturer, Forespar, and asking them the question. My gut feeling is that a little lightning of color on the outer skin of the plastic would not have any affect on performance but if anyone could give you proper advice I would think that Forespar could. ABYC specifies bronze but this is subject to electrolysis and will have to be grounded. In spite of the ABYC position, my preference is for the Forespar valves. I've seen first-hand what happens when a bronze valve fails and it's difficult, make that nearly impossible, to determine if one is good or not.
Recommend contacting the manufacturer, Forespar, and asking them the question. My gut feeling is that a little lightning of color on the outer skin of the plastic would not have any affect on performance but if anyone could give you proper advice I would think that Forespar could. ABYC specifies bronze but this is subject to electrolysis and will have to be grounded. In spite of the ABYC position, my preference is for the Forespar valves. I've seen first-hand what happens when a bronze valve fails and it's difficult, make that nearly impossible, to determine if one is good or not.
Go with Marelon
Guys: The through hulls on the H23 are above water, for the most part, so stay with Marelon as the extra expense for bronze is not warranted. I have inspected mine for the start of each season and will do the same this year. The anchor locker through hull drain is not exposed to the sunlight and ought to last forever. The outlet for the anchor locker and the other 2 through hulls on my boat have been painted on the exterior and thus seem to be standing up okay. But after 18 years, replacement is strongly being considered. -Kevin.
Guys: The through hulls on the H23 are above water, for the most part, so stay with Marelon as the extra expense for bronze is not warranted. I have inspected mine for the start of each season and will do the same this year. The anchor locker through hull drain is not exposed to the sunlight and ought to last forever. The outlet for the anchor locker and the other 2 through hulls on my boat have been painted on the exterior and thus seem to be standing up okay. But after 18 years, replacement is strongly being considered. -Kevin.
Reply to David on ABYC
David: Right you are. ABYC accepts both Marelon and bronze material for thruhulls. - Kevin.
David: Right you are. ABYC accepts both Marelon and bronze material for thruhulls. - Kevin.
Updated Info
Thanks to Kevin and David for comments about ABYC requirements on valves. Guess I need to update some of my references!
Thanks to Kevin and David for comments about ABYC requirements on valves. Guess I need to update some of my references!
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