Through hull valves

[Andy284]

I think this is an easy question for experience owners.
What direction the through hull valves turn for the head water intake,
Clockwise or Counterclockwise?
I own a Hunter 28.5 and can't tell, these are the screw type not 1/4 turn.
I have two valves one for the head and the second for the waste tank emergency flush. I want to keep them both closed permanently.

Thank you!

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Why do you want to keep the toilet intake thru-hull closed?

You're on a fresh water lake, so you don't have to deal with sea water odors...using only flush water poured into the bowl isn't good for manual toilet pumps and will destroy the intake pumps in most sea water electric toilets.

I can appreciate why you'd want--maybe even be required by state law--to permanently close toilet and tank discharge thru-hulls...but why the intake thru-hull too?

 

[kloudie1]

Those valves are probably OK for fresh water, but really should be either blanked or changed to real bronze seacocks. Those old gate valves turn clockwise to close.. Righty-Tighty !
If they are stiff, next time you are out of the water, pull the covers off the body and clean, inspect the bodies, lube the valve, and re-pack the stem packing.

 

[jtm]

I had those original gate valves on my H28.5. i never used the potty in the boat and had left the gates closed for 20+ years. I had a feeling that if I tried to see if they'd open/close, the stems would probably break.

I did a haulout in '09 and decided to replace the gates valves with ball-throw valves- but first I wanted to see if they'd open and or break- one broke at the stem, the other opened.

I have no regret about changing out the gates for the throw ball valves. I would also advise you check the status/condition of the seacock and the 2 waterline plastic mushroom thruhulls( under the head sink and the galley sink) - they may be pretty brittle after all these years.

 

[Andy284]

Re: Why do you want to keep the toilet intake thru-hull clos

Righty - Tigthy I will remeber
Thank you for all your that replied, I do plan to replace the old original valves with brass seacocks next time the boat is in the dry. I had the same recommendations from some fellow owners in our lake.

 

[Andy284]

Re: Why do you want to keep the toilet intake thru-hull clos

Hi there, you are right I am in a fresh water lake, however lake water left inside the bowl can stink in in the heat after a few days.
Most of my fellow sailors don't use the potty's in their boats. I flush with water from a container and refill from my fresh water tank. In any case is for "emergencies" only. I dread the annual trip to discharge the holding tank into the club's septic tank properly named "mr. Thirsty".
In my case I had no choice because the valve or intake from the lake was clogged and never drew water from the lake anyway.
Thank you for y our response