Hi Alan,

I know that I'd replace the plastic thru-hulls.  Whether I'd put new valves on would depend on what you plan to do and when you plan to do it.  If you're cruising during the summer, you're near land or near services and you've full confidence in the hoses, clamps, and deck fittings you don't need them.  It's a case of what you feel comfortable with – not ABYC, although they tend to be conservative. 

The thing of it is is that the sea doesn't forgive. This is the rule of thumb.  True, the fittings and hoses are capable of withstanding probably 100+ times the forces encountered during their normal use and that's the real issue. 

Certainly 30 years is a long time and you'd be fine either way.  If you break the thru-hull it won't matter if there's a valve or not, frankly.

So, in my humble opinion which I, personally, hold in pretty fair regard, this is entirely up to you. Your boat will be level far more than it will be heeled and as long as you keep an eye on corrosion, you'd be good to go.  None of those thru-hulls are anywhere you could step on them so I think you'd be hard pressed to break them that way.

Pelican came with all the valves and new hoses.  I probably would not have added valves if they weren't already there.  If there are any plastic thru-hulls, I would (will) replace them with bronze.

That said, I would install Marelon valves if I were to put or replace valves.

Either way, you'll probably be fine. I know only my last two (this and the prior) had valves on the deck drains.

Bob

On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 5:08 PM, Alan P < ([email][/email])> wrote:

One owner had his boat sink on a reef a few years back. He blamed the failure on the plastic fittings and replaced them all with bronze. Apparnetly, at least one of the plastic through-hulls ground off when rubbing on the coral and caused the boat to flood. Was it Pelican?

I’ve replaced a few of mine over the years, but went with plastic.

Regards
Rich

Alan:

My 3 waterline cockpit drains have Marlon “like” valves on plastic thru-hulls. However, I am not sure what real benefit these valves have. You can’t close then when you leave the boat, so no benefit there. In the very unlikely event that new quality hose or double hose clamps fail while on that tack, you just change tacks and put a wood plug in.

I would be more concerned about having my plastic thru-hull breaking than having anything after the valve break. You shouldn’t have that concern with the bronze thru-hulls that you are looking at (by the way – Discount Marine has them for $9 cheaper than Jamestown:)

http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/Thru_Hulls_Adapters-CONBRACO_90_DEGREE_THRU_HULL_FITTING.html

I was having a closer look at my drains, wondering what had been replaced already. I noticed that the hose looked fairly new, and upon closer inspection, I see that it is Shields Fire – ACOL Type A2 fuel hose. I am not sure why the PO went with that, as it is fairly expensive. I am now wondering how good it is for sea-water?? The good news is it is pretty new as it is ISO 7840 2003, which should mean it is less than 6 years old.

Paul
Boundless #28

The question I am wrestling with, according to ABYC standards, anything below the water line at max heel, needs a proper sea cock. Now, for 30 plus years these plastic fittings have been there with no sea cock and have done just fine. I am trying to justify the cost of 3 new 1 1/2″ sea cocks and hasle of putting them in, backing pads and all.
Just do it and shut up?
alan

–

Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

Hi Rich,

Jesus, I hope it wasn't Pelican!  As far as I know and can tell, she's never sunk. There's nothing I can see to indicate it.  But plastic thru-hulls are a no-no as far as I'm concerned even without valves.  They're just to susceptible to damage…

The incremental cost of bronze over plastic is not that great in the scheme of things, to my opinion.  As I told Alan, though, each takes his/her own risks and measures it against their experience.  From that standpoint there is no right or wrong way to do something.  I always tend to over engineer things, building for the eons.  Like I'll be around for it…

Bob

On Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 10:13 PM, Rich Carter < ([email][/email])> wrote:

One owner had his boat sink on a reef a few years back.  He blamed the failure on the plastic fittings and replaced them all with bronze.  Apparnetly, at least one of the plastic through-hulls ground off when rubbing on the coral and caused the boat to flood.  Was it Pelican? 
 
I've replaced a few of mine over the years, but went with plastic.   
 
Regards
Rich

—
Bob Fine
s/v Pelican
Hull #8

Post generated from Pearson424 Forum using Mail2Forum

We replaced all the deck drain, and cockpit drain thru-hulls with bronze seacocks and 90 degree tailpieces, and white sanitation hose. Of course that was when we initially restored her, and we were spending like drunken sailors. In retrospect, the Conbraco thru-hull fittings look pretty good. The awkward locations make servicing the seacocks difficult, and they never are closed anyway.
If you are planning to go offshore, you may need a survey. Perhaps you could ask the surveyor you plan to use if he or she would hold you to current ABYC standards (seacocks) or simply upgrading the thru-hulls and hoses is OK. Might as well only do the job once, but definitely replace the originals because they can sink you, even at the dock.
In any event, check the hose on the port side aft drain. There is a sharp bend just below the deck drain that is a failure point, and makes for a wet berth.
Quent
Clairebuoyant #132