Don't overlook the fact that opening and closing your seacocks on a regular basis makes it far less likely for one to be frozen in the open position when you really, really need to close it.
Seacocks
- Thread starter kvalerio
- Start date
Our Hunter 38 design puts all the thru-hull sea cocks in one location. It's a trivial matter to lift the sole panel at the base of the companion way steps to open or close any or all the sea cocks from one place. And, for sure (like others said) we always keep the key on the engine cooling sea cock handle. Closing them all when not in use is a good idea and should be done. I think it's also good to "exercise" them too -- it doesn't hurt a to have that extra bit of confidence that they are likely to work properly in an emergency.
Perhaps it depends somewhat on how often you use your boat? If you are a live-aboard you'll obviously keep most/all of them open all the time and you will be there if something does go wrong. In my case, the boat is 10 min away, I sail frequently all year round and use the boat regularly to meet up with friends. My seacocks are most often open. On the other hand, I can see where someone who is driving an hour to the boat and uses it less frequently would want to take further precautions.
Well most marinas in our area keep a record of boat owners phone numbers and most neighbors and staff are quick to report any boats found listing so the owner can get a call. If you are not going to be in the area or have someone looking after the boat then just close the valves.
Agree, a very practical approach. But I would still always close the head intake as the valves on heads are below the waterline and not reliable.
Like I said, I don't close mine either except for the head intake. Like you indicate some are very inconvenient to get too. I feel confident my hoses and clamps are in good shape, I have good neighbors that would sound any alarm and insurance coverage is good and in place. I sleep very at ease.
I have several seacocks on my boat and i always close them when i leave it. The one for the head i keep closed unless its being used. I do admit, i never did this before until a boat sunk because a hose broke and owner wasnt around.
Scuppers
I'm surprised that I didn't see a post regarding the cockpit scuppers.
you should close all EXCEPT THE COCKPIT SCUPPER Seacocks.
I'm surprised that I didn't see a post regarding the cockpit scuppers.
you should close all EXCEPT THE COCKPIT SCUPPER Seacocks.
I close seacocks below the water line, EXCEPT THE COCKPIT SCUPPER, when not on the boat and in the water as part of my safety check list. It also confirms that they are in working order and not seized. A "start checklist" insures that I open them before getting underway.
On the hard, they ALL closed, EXCEPT COCKPIT SCUPPERS and bilge, and ALL plugged with brass scoring pads to prevent insects and vermin from making a home! This is also an opportunity to lubricate them, from the hull and insure proper operation.
On the hard, they ALL closed, EXCEPT COCKPIT SCUPPERS and bilge, and ALL plugged with brass scoring pads to prevent insects and vermin from making a home! This is also an opportunity to lubricate them, from the hull and insure proper operation.
I keep the head valve closed unless flushing; I've had it overflow while sailing before. I keep the sink valve closed unless cruising; on a lake we are mostly racing, so we haven't gotten around to filling the water tank this year yet, so it's been closed this whole year. The engine water intake is closed with the key on the valve, as others have suggested.
I've known of three boat sinkings in this general area. Two had seacocks open and went down in the winter due to burst hose. One was our neighbor on the docks; we came out after an ice storm to check on our boat, and only noticed on return that the boat catty-corner to ours was sitting on the keel on the bottom of the lake (only the mast was visible). Don't overrate what your neighbors can do for you.
Finally, the third boat was a derelict set adrift with a large rock tied to the front of the deck. It didn't sink; they forgot to open the seacocks and loose a hose.
I've known of three boat sinkings in this general area. Two had seacocks open and went down in the winter due to burst hose. One was our neighbor on the docks; we came out after an ice storm to check on our boat, and only noticed on return that the boat catty-corner to ours was sitting on the keel on the bottom of the lake (only the mast was visible). Don't overrate what your neighbors can do for you.
Finally, the third boat was a derelict set adrift with a large rock tied to the front of the deck. It didn't sink; they forgot to open the seacocks and loose a hose.
Check values?
Just curious, I don't have any below water thru hulls, or any others I might be concerned about, but I may buy a new boat soon, so, is there any reason not to use a check valve?
Just curious, I don't have any below water thru hulls, or any others I might be concerned about, but I may buy a new boat soon, so, is there any reason not to use a check valve?
The marine surveyor that did our inspection commented that for unknown reasons, sail-boaters usually turn them off every time that come in and power-boaters tent to turn them on at the beginning of the season and leave them open all season.
Closed is the way to go
Our club boat sank at it's slip because the head water intake only had one clamp on it and it failed.
Tis better to err on the side of caution than risk sinking your boat because of a failed hose or hose clamp.
A close up the boat checklist may help inspire one to do this along with,
Insure all mooring / dock lines are secure and adjusted properly, fuel shutoff, bilge pump on auto, shut off all non needed breakers. close all ports and hatches, tie down main sail and cover, tie down furled jib to head stay, lash tiller, stow below all loose stuff on deck, etc, etc, etc ...
Two reasons (not to use them):
They can get clogged or simply fail and you will not know when until it's too late, and
They inherently require additional points of connection(read -failure points) and restrict flow in the desired direction.
Actually, that's 4 reasons...
I think periodic inspection and repair/replace those you think are of concern is the practical approach; especially on the 40'+ size sailboats.
I would argue that regular open/close cycling of the seacocks accelerates their fatigue and ultimate failure point vs. say a quarterly inspection cycle.
Bryan
I would argue that regular open/close cycling of the seacocks accelerates their fatigue and ultimate failure point vs. say a quarterly inspection cycle.
Bryan
Don's right. You also need to understand what a check valve does. That would be an incorrect application for one.
Good Ideas here
I keep my boat at the pier in my backyard and often relax in the gazebo where i can gaze upon it when not in use. I was not closing the thru-hull for the head but after reading this I certainly will begin doing so! Nice thread and thanks to all who participate.
I would be interested to know how an insurance company would respond to a boat sinking because the thruhull was left open.