Are these seacocks open or closed?

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crown22

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Hello Everybody
Picture attached of the seacocks supplying the heads.Boat was previously on Lake Windermere with
a portapotti. Boat is back on the water now in Morecambe Bay awaiting fitting of marine toilet.Before launching I noticed that
only the waste hose had a bung in it so I added a bung into the inlet hose. scock.jpgI think the seacocks must be closed
because the boat would have sunk on Windermere if they were open without a bung in the inlet hose.Picture
shows the handles at six o'clock with the bolts that fasten the seacocks together at three and nine o'clock.Boat
has been on the water for eight days now with no leaks.Also does anybody know the make and model of these
seacocks?Thanks in advance.
 
crown22 said:
the boat would have sunk on Windermere if they were open without a bung in the inlet hose.
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Not necessarily, the ends of the hoses are probably above water level.
The handle of sea cock on the left can be seen below the wooden base, in line with the hose, as already stated OPEN. The other one can also be seen below the wooden base, but it does not look directly in line, so although OPEN it may be partly obstructed.
George
 
RichardS said:
I can't see very clearly .... but if the handle long axis is at right angles to the line of the exit hose, then they are closed.

Richard
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They look like Blakes seacocks. If so then handles at right angles to the output hose wouldn't be closed. The handle needs to go further to either between 1 and 2 o'clock or between 10 and 11 o'clock.
 
RichardS said:
OK .... I'll change that to "if the handle long axis is in line with the line of the exit hose, then they are open". :)

Richard
Click to expand...

Well done Richard :encouragement:

When you get back from Specsavers you'll be able to see the handles and you'll know they are both open :)
 
I would say that before proceeding to fit a marine loo, as planned, you should first check whether the valve cones (Blakes) can still be rotated because if they cannot be operated you could find yourself in the doodoo... even literally!
If necessary it is possible that you can lap them in-place while afloat if you fit an external bung... as long as you know what you are doing. Of course, if there is an external grille over the inlet, you cannot fit a bung and it might be possible for thick rubber mat to be held over the opening. Naturally, it would be much easier to do such tasks when not afloat; if your boat is in tidal waters and will dry enough to expose the inlet you could even do the work between tides.
 
I fully agree that the default option is that these sea cocks are open but it is possible to remove the handle from the cone and re-fit it at right angles and in that (unlikely) case these sea cocks would be closed. One of mine is set like that (with a big notice!) because otherwise I could not fully close the sea cock due to its awkward installation....
 
RichardS said:
OK .... I'll change that to "if the handle long axis is in line with the line of the exit hose, then they are open". :)

Richard
Click to expand...

My intention was purely to repeat the point, mentioned before on here but perhaps not common-enough knowledge, that a 90 degree turn of the handle from the fully open and in line position doesn't close a Blake's seacock - it needs a 120 degree turn of the handle.
 
Thanks Guys and that was a curve ball from RivalRedwing. Next time I lift out i will probably have them replaced.As I mentioned the inlet hose did not have a bung in it when I bought the boat on Lake Windermere but being a small boat- Colvic Sailer 26-maybe the inlet hose being above the waterline has stopped water coming in ,if as seems likely the seacocks are open?Next time I visit I will see if I can see the water-line through the hull.No leaks now though so am slightly reluctant to try closing in case a handle snaps off or I end up with a leak.Only one clip on the hoses so will consider retro-fitting a second one.In the tight space where they are located I might be able to work out if there would have been a reason to move the handles as RivalRedwing suggests.Oh the joy of buying an Ebay bargain and not getting a handover from the previous owner!
 
As the inlet hose didn't leak without a bung, you could (as suggested earlier) take the bung out and blow down the pipe.

I would not have them replaced, just service them and they'll likely last a lifetime.
 
RivalRedwing said:
I fully agree that the default option is that these sea cocks are open but it is possible to remove the handle from the cone and re-fit it at right angles and in that (unlikely) case these sea cocks would be closed. One of mine is set like that (with a big notice!) because otherwise I could not fully close the sea cock due to its awkward installation....
Click to expand...

The tops of the square stems on both of mine have a line cast in to show the open direction. Unfortunately the OP's photo is too poorly focused to see if his have them.
 
Steve_N said:
My intention was purely to repeat the point, mentioned before on here but perhaps not common-enough knowledge, that a 90 degree turn of the handle from the fully open and in line position doesn't close a Blake's seacock - it needs a 120 degree turn of the handle.
Click to expand...

I understood Steve. I don't have any Blakes so am not familiar with them. Your comment was perfectly valid and no offence was taken or intended. :)

Richard
 
The blow test will prove it one way or the other. It would make sense to mark open and closed on the wood work for future reference or unfamiliar crew.
BTW, as these are toilet connections, I would use some kind of mouthpiece to avoid direct contact.
 
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