My overboard discharge valve from the head is stuck in the discharge position. So far I haven't been able to move it to the holding tank position. The valve is a Groco 90 degree valve. I can remove the holding tank hose from the valve without getting water in the boat. How do I free up the valve without sinking my boat?
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If it's stuck it can only mean one thing...
That you never close it. Not only is that a good way to end up with a "frozen" valve, but it's illegal to have it open inside the "3 mile limit" AND could sink the boat. Tank discharge thru-hulls should remain closed at all times except when dumping the tank. But first you have to get it freed up so you can close it. The best stuff I've found to free up frozen metal connections are the products heat and air conditioning (land, not marine) contractors use. Because systems sit outside for decades in all kinds of weather, frozen connections in those systems is a very common problem. So pick the biggest heat and air contractor in your area out the Yellow Pages and give him a call to find out what they use. If it works for them, it should work for you.
That you never close it. Not only is that a good way to end up with a "frozen" valve, but it's illegal to have it open inside the "3 mile limit" AND could sink the boat. Tank discharge thru-hulls should remain closed at all times except when dumping the tank. But first you have to get it freed up so you can close it. The best stuff I've found to free up frozen metal connections are the products heat and air conditioning (land, not marine) contractors use. Because systems sit outside for decades in all kinds of weather, frozen connections in those systems is a very common problem. So pick the biggest heat and air contractor in your area out the Yellow Pages and give him a call to find out what they use. If it works for them, it should work for you.
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