Seacocks

[mitiempo]

It is good practice to close seacocks when leaving the boat.

A Jabsco type head should not be able to flood the bowl with seacock open if properly installed. There is supposed to be an anti-siphon loop between the pump and the rear of the bowl. This replaces the white hose from the pump outlet to the bowl, which is not even an approved type of hose for use below the waterline. You cannot expect to rely on the valving in a Jabsco type pump to stop an inflow of water.

In my case I am a liveaboard. I replaced the head with a Lavac. The intake has an anti-siphon about an inch under the deck and there is zero chance of the bowl filling. The hoses are double clamped and in good condition. I leave mine open.

 

[Richard Bryer]

Some years ago I arrived down at the boat one day to find the water in the toilet bowl right up to the top- that scared be enough to make VERY sure I have closed everything ESPECIALLY the head intake!

 

[rardiH36]

To close all seacocks at the end of the day is sound policy. Just remember to open the raw water engine intake before you next cast off. Last year I didn't one day and my Yanmar heat sensor reminded me about three minutes away from the marina. As a souvenir of that traumatic experience I now keep the remnant of my destroyed impellor that day attached to the cord that I attach my ignition key to. Also, you might inspect your thru-hull hoses annually or even more frequently, esp since your H27 dates from 1989. Do you know when they were last replaced?

I also did the "forgot-to-open-the-engine-seacock" scenario several years ago. My normal routine was interrupted due to arriving guests on board and being at a different marina. Fortunately I had on-board a spare impeller and there was no damage to the engine.

Vowing to never repeat, I mounted a trigger switch to my engine seacock and wired it to my Yanmar alarm circuit (pictured). Now, if the alarm doesn't stop sounding after the usual several seconds (until the oil pressure rises), I quickly know the seacock is still closed.

I posted this at the time of my incident. I recall that one forum responder opined that if I couldn't remember to open my seacocks, I had no business owning a boat. Useful solution.

 

[sailcruiser]

We close all but one. I'm actively changing that too. A PO tied the bilge pump into the one that is open. We also leave the engine key on the raw water intake. The head and head sink remain closed unless being used. The fresh water tank is also closed for peace of mind.

We had a boat sink a few years back that had fthe ability to use a hose as fresh water as opposed to filling the tanks. They lost a hose on the inside of the boat and sank it from the faucet. Why they didn't turn the faucet off as they left is a mystery to me.

I like to leave knowing that I've done all I can to keep the water where I left it be that in the tank or under the boat.
SC

 

[mitiempo]

A PO tied the bilge pump into the one that is open.

Bilge pump outlets should always be above the waterline with a high loop or siphon break before the outlet.

 

[YVRguy]

To close all seacocks at the end of the day is sound policy. Just remember to open the raw water engine intake before you next cast off. Last year I didn't one day and my Yanmar heat sensor reminded me about three minutes away from the marina. As a souvenir of that traumatic experience I now keep the remnant of my destroyed impellor that day attached to the cord that I attach my ignition key to. Also, you might inspect your thru-hull hoses annually or even more frequently, esp since your H27 dates from 1989. Do you know when they were last replaced?

Exactly - this is my fear, at least for this particular seacock. I will stick with regular inspections and maintenance. On the other hand closing the one for the head seems easy and prudent.

 

[Finisterre]

This is a good thread, as like most of the responders, I know to close them, but often leave without. This weekend, i did.

Another benefit to closing them is they get exercised and used. As we know, things in the marine environment are hostel and need to be worked and like someone said, you see the condition of each valve, connections and you work them making sure they are indeed working correctly.

It is never pleasant to have to see these in the worst way when with an Ounce of prevention a lot could have been prevented. I have not had anything fail on me, but have read many accounts of those that have. The one thing about boating is that we can learn from other mistakes and be aware of the possible complications through others.

 

[WayneH]

When I bought my new-to-me boat four years ago, the head valve was stuck OPEN. After massaging it with a hammer and working the handle for quite some time, I finally got it to close using both hands. It never got to be free moving and the Admiral *****ed every time she had to stroke the valve so it was replaced last year.

We close the galley, the engine raw water, the head sink every time we leave the boat. The new setup on the head means everything goes into the holding tank and the head valve stays closed unless we are 3 miles out. The A/C gets left open while we are at the marina to run the dehumidifier. But that valve gets closed when we go to sea. No generator to run it offshore.

 

[LittleCreek]

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.

So true!

 

[Scott B]

I also did the "forgot-to-open-the-engine-seacock" scenario several years ago. My normal routine was interrupted due to arriving guests on board and being at a different marina. Fortunately I had on-board a spare impeller and there was no damage to the engine.

Vowing to never repeat, I mounted a trigger switch to my engine seacock and wired it to my Yanmar alarm circuit (pictured). Now, if the alarm doesn't stop sounding after the usual several seconds (until the oil pressure rises), I quickly know the seacock is still closed.

I posted this at the time of my incident. I recall that one forum responder opined that if I couldn't remember to open my seacocks, I had no business owning a boat. Useful solution.

Should also train yourself to listen to the exhaust and the splash. I backed out of our slip once and my ear picked up on the sound of the exhaust without the splash and ran down quick to open the intake. Never know as well if it could be impeller failure or blockage etc.

 

[SailingCal21]

Yes, there is definitely a tone change from wet to a dry muffler. Hard to distinguish, however when not at the helm.

 

[rardiH36]

Should also train yourself to listen to the exhaust and the splash. I backed out of our slip once and my ear picked up on the sound of the exhaust without the splash and ran down quick to open the intake. Never know as well if it could be impeller failure or blockage etc.

Yes, I can hear the difference including the water splashing out of the exhaust. But only when I lean outboard over the starboard side of my transome. I usually remember to do this after starting the engine ... unless thinking about something else to do. When underway when leaving the berth with low rpms, its hard to discern the sound difference without the physical stretch of my head overboard. Thanks for the reminder though.

 

[Ron20324]

Last weekend we started the engine and checked for water output- as always. Okay. We were about a mile out before the heat light came on. Engine shut off by the key, I scrambled for the thru-hulls, which I did not think I had closed three days earlier- but I had.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

So the water was left over ....

Last weekend we started the engine and checked for water output- as always. Okay. We were about a mile out before the heat light came on. Engine shut off by the key, I scrambled for the thru-hulls, which I did not think I had closed three days earlier- but I had.

from the water lift? I always watch long enough to be convinced that fresh water is being discharged. I also taught Sue that she MUST watch the discharge after starting up (and shut it down if there is none) because I don't trust that she will remember the seacock.

I thought that the key around the sea cock thing was a good idea until I realized that I would really have to be losing my mind if I couldn't remember to open it without looking for the key. Besides, watching the exhaust is a better practice and the new control panel has no ignition key anyway.

That makes me more nervous because if I left the boat locked up and the battery switch ON, I would travel 100 miles back just to turn it OFF. Otherwise, anybody climbing into the cockpit and pushing the start button could simply drive off with our boat!

 

[hjohnp]

Re: Best practices are sometimes problematic

Our 2003 Hunter 36, Luhr design, british made, has the coolant intake at the aft of the saildrive engine, either accessable through the rear cabin - via bed and matresses, low ceiling, or by removing the steps in the cabin and stretching past the hot engine, hoping to avoid heat and oil, to place my hand where I think the seacock handle is - can't look and touch simultaneously. Dreadful design.

 

[vollEngineer]

I read through those four pages. I didn't see a list of the seacocks to close. I'm a new owner. Will someone give me a list of what to go find and close? (If it matters, I have a Hunter 386)

 

[Stu Jackson]

I read through those four pages. I didn't see a list of the seacocks to close. I'm a new owner. Will someone give me a list of what to go find and close? (If it matters, I have a Hunter 386)

Hi, and congratulations on your new boat.

Most boats of that size are similar, only the locations change. If you don't have a manual, you most likely can find one right here on this site.

Raw water intake for engine cooling
Head intake
Galley sink drain
Head sink drain
Shower sump outlet/drain
Head overboard
Macerator overboard or holding tank overboard

Some boats don't have macerators or head direct overboards for obvious reasons.

Some boats have additional foot pumps in the galley and have additional thru hulls for that.

Some boats have valves on their cockpit drains.

Happy hunting!

 

[ted Gladden]

That is good practice to close your seacocks and sorry to say that I do not close mine. Their is one you should leave open and that is the one to the cockpit, so to ensure your cockpit drains from heavy rain storms and not fill with water because that also could lead to a bad episode.

 

[Genesizemore]

In 2013 my 30 foot Lippencott sank in the slip because I had the flu and was unable to make it to the boat when an unexpected cold snap overtook Virginia. I had recently moved from salt water to fresh water and did not have a healthy respect for how quickly fresh water freezes

$8,000 dollars later, mostly not covered by my insurance, a bruised ego, and 2 years of work and she is finally back in shape.

I now close all my seacocks when not in use. I store my engine keys on the value to remind me to turn it on. I do this year round just to make it habit

Closing your seacock valves is an easy thing to get in the habit of doing, and has expensive consequences if things go bad.

 

[Captn TJ]

Remotely related as it relates to boat sinking at the dock. We had a neighbors boat sink because the owner didn't turn off the dockside fresh water. One of the hoses gave out inside and entire cabin filled with fresh water. A good lesson here - In addition to turning off the water we also disconnect the hose.

So while you're closing the thru hulls also don't forget the fresh water (if you have it). Ps most powerboats always leave the water on.