Everytime I leave my boat for a while I shut all of the through hulls. I was told to do this but is it really necessary? I usually away from my boat a week or two. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts were on this.
Through Hulls open or closed?
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Thru Hulls
When I got my boat, all the ball valves on the thru hulls were froze up. I think that I open and close mine to make sure that they will work when needed. If I was leaving my boat for a day I would close them. Fresh water or salt, I wouldn't want my boat on the bottom for something as easy as closing a valve. Now if you have a really crappy boat, it's well insured and want a new one, then it might be a different story.
When I got my boat, all the ball valves on the thru hulls were froze up. I think that I open and close mine to make sure that they will work when needed. If I was leaving my boat for a day I would close them. Fresh water or salt, I wouldn't want my boat on the bottom for something as easy as closing a valve. Now if you have a really crappy boat, it's well insured and want a new one, then it might be a different story.
Use Them
As already mentioned its a good idea to close them when ever gone from the boat,its easy to keep your boat from sinking plus its also a good idea to use them on a regular basis this way you know they work ok when you need them,I do forget sometimes but not often.
As already mentioned its a good idea to close them when ever gone from the boat,its easy to keep your boat from sinking plus its also a good idea to use them on a regular basis this way you know they work ok when you need them,I do forget sometimes but not often.
I do the same thing Bad, it's good for the valves,
I sleep better, it's a win-win. I've forgotten sometimes and the boat is still afloat.
I sleep better, it's a win-win. I've forgotten sometimes and the boat is still afloat.
Boats also sink in fresh water.
According to BOAT/US insurance stats, for every boat that sinks underway, 4 boats sink in their slips. Read http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/sinking/default.asp
According to BOAT/US insurance stats, for every boat that sinks underway, 4 boats sink in their slips. Read http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/sinking/default.asp
Boats sink because of
indifferent maintenance. My boat sank in its slip before I owned it. I don't believe that a carefully kept boat sinks in her slip any more than a carefully maintained body fails without warning. Only when the warnings are ignored do things go catastrophically bad.
indifferent maintenance. My boat sank in its slip before I owned it. I don't believe that a carefully kept boat sinks in her slip any more than a carefully maintained body fails without warning. Only when the warnings are ignored do things go catastrophically bad.
Ignorance is bliss
Being a newbee, when we got our new/old boat the previous owner acted like the frozen thru hulls where no big deal so I wasn't too worried. This winter I felt they should be replaced and Googamooga, the hose to the sink valve fell off in my hand. I've no idea why it didn't sink. New valves, shut off, every time. God takes care of babies and drunks, but I'm not going to push it. Shut 'em.
Being a newbee, when we got our new/old boat the previous owner acted like the frozen thru hulls where no big deal so I wasn't too worried. This winter I felt they should be replaced and Googamooga, the hose to the sink valve fell off in my hand. I've no idea why it didn't sink. New valves, shut off, every time. God takes care of babies and drunks, but I'm not going to push it. Shut 'em.
Closed
I always leave mine closed. Where in Colonial Beach is your boat Bad Obsession? I am at CBYC. Jorge
I always leave mine closed. Where in Colonial Beach is your boat Bad Obsession? I am at CBYC. Jorge
What fails?
Is it the thru-hull that fails, or is it the hose attached to the thru-hull, or something else? Hoses and clamps should be inspected on a regular basis as well as making sure the valve works properly. What is causing these boats to sink at the dock? Most of my thru-hull valves are fairly easy to access. The one for the engine water intake is tough. You must remove a large cushion from the aft berth, remove a wooden hatch cover, lay down, and turn the lever. Come on, how many boat owners really do that every time they leave their boat? By reading the previous posts, it would seem that the majority do. My guess is that those that don't close them every time don't want to answer because they feel embarrassed or put-down.
Is it the thru-hull that fails, or is it the hose attached to the thru-hull, or something else? Hoses and clamps should be inspected on a regular basis as well as making sure the valve works properly. What is causing these boats to sink at the dock? Most of my thru-hull valves are fairly easy to access. The one for the engine water intake is tough. You must remove a large cushion from the aft berth, remove a wooden hatch cover, lay down, and turn the lever. Come on, how many boat owners really do that every time they leave their boat? By reading the previous posts, it would seem that the majority do. My guess is that those that don't close them every time don't want to answer because they feel embarrassed or put-down.
Hey Jorge
I have my Catalina 30 at the new marina on Winkee Doodle Point (Curley's Packing Co.). The boat is named the Spirit of Liberty. Hope to see you out there!
I have my Catalina 30 at the new marina on Winkee Doodle Point (Curley's Packing Co.). The boat is named the Spirit of Liberty. Hope to see you out there!
My rule is;
If the boat is unattended, close them. I know sailors that will not close them and they are the type of persons that if the boat sinks they would blame bad luck or everyone but themselves. If it happened to me I would be kicking myself for laziness and stupidity so in order to avoid that I close them.
If the boat is unattended, close them. I know sailors that will not close them and they are the type of persons that if the boat sinks they would blame bad luck or everyone but themselves. If it happened to me I would be kicking myself for laziness and stupidity so in order to avoid that I close them.
Close 'em
If theres a failure, its bad news. Also by opening/closing valves they're less apt to freeze up. You should lube them occasionally too.
If theres a failure, its bad news. Also by opening/closing valves they're less apt to freeze up. You should lube them occasionally too.
Hey Bad Obsession
I went drove by your Marina Sunday P.M. What's the depth getting there and at the dock? The chart say's 3 feet. Any facilities? Price? I couldn't make out the sign in the rain. Not many Sail boats at CBYC to mingle with. Sure are plenty there though!!My email is titantriggerfish@adelphia.net.
I went drove by your Marina Sunday P.M. What's the depth getting there and at the dock? The chart say's 3 feet. Any facilities? Price? I couldn't make out the sign in the rain. Not many Sail boats at CBYC to mingle with. Sure are plenty there though!!My email is titantriggerfish@adelphia.net.
Ok, I'll admit it .... I'll be honest
I don't often close them. I know, I know,.... I should, but I'm at my boat every week. If I was away for a while I'd probably close them. But one thing I am NOT ignorant of is my boat. I know it very well. I check and look at my plumbing often, if there was something about a thru hull or valve or underwater hose or SS clamp that bothered me, then I would probably close it until I fixed what was bothering me. Yeah I know things can happen (and they do) so I am not advocating this for everyone. There are many designs and materials used on boats that would concern me more and make me close them(Cheap hose, old electrolysis ridden sea-cocks, etc) I was on a new motorboat yesterday that had the cockpit scuppers drain to an underwater thru-hull on the back of the boat that didn't even HAVE a way to close it. And the hose that was attached did not look like that really really heavy black exhaust hose, it was that hose that look like it goes on a vacuum cleaner. It looked open to any sort of loose object puncturing it and the boat would probably sink in 10 minutes. Not to mention that the bilgepump was so small I don't think it could drain a bath-tub (It was a "Sea Boss 255" walkaround)
I don't often close them. I know, I know,.... I should, but I'm at my boat every week. If I was away for a while I'd probably close them. But one thing I am NOT ignorant of is my boat. I know it very well. I check and look at my plumbing often, if there was something about a thru hull or valve or underwater hose or SS clamp that bothered me, then I would probably close it until I fixed what was bothering me. Yeah I know things can happen (and they do) so I am not advocating this for everyone. There are many designs and materials used on boats that would concern me more and make me close them(Cheap hose, old electrolysis ridden sea-cocks, etc) I was on a new motorboat yesterday that had the cockpit scuppers drain to an underwater thru-hull on the back of the boat that didn't even HAVE a way to close it. And the hose that was attached did not look like that really really heavy black exhaust hose, it was that hose that look like it goes on a vacuum cleaner. It looked open to any sort of loose object puncturing it and the boat would probably sink in 10 minutes. Not to mention that the bilgepump was so small I don't think it could drain a bath-tub (It was a "Sea Boss 255" walkaround)
More Honesty
I don't close them either. Mine are not in convienient places (Hunter 31). I do check their condition on a regular basis however.
I don't close them either. Mine are not in convienient places (Hunter 31). I do check their condition on a regular basis however.
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