Boat taps - what's so special

[MoodySabre]

I need to fit a new mixer tap in the heads. I've measured the hole. So there's something like this from Plastimo for £49

or there's B&Q for a fraction of that. What's the big deal? OK there might be some tinkering with the hoses to the tails.

 

[Searush]

Possibly smaller size & weight? but nowt else, I have stripped & refurbished the tap inserts on SR & they are exactly like the taps in the house. Why would they be any different? Household taps are chromed brass anyway.

 

[Vara]

Nothing, I had to replace 2 Franke as the pull out shower pipe had gone, £70 for just the pipes.

Straight to E bay and got 3 clone taps for £18 each, straight swap and after 18 months still working perfectly.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I need to fit a new mixer tap in the heads. I've measured the hole. So there's something like this from Plastimo for £49

or there's B&Q for a fraction of that. What's the big deal? OK there might be some tinkering with the hoses to the tails.

I've just replaced mine as it froze in the cold spell....... Went to B&Q and paid £35. And it's a nicer looking one, but it's not like yours, mines got two crosshead handles(eaqsier to use!

 

[FullCircle]

Mine look like they are the same as yours, and seem to have a 10mm feed inlet for hot and cold (although I haven't actually had them off and measured them) but the reducers are available from 15mm and 22mm which are the standard house plumbing sizes.
I would think the risks are few, especially if you have it in your mitt while you are wandering round B&Q on Diamond Senior Discount Day.

 

[Martin_J]

It doesn't look like that tap has a very long reach... Pengiun Engineering on Hayling Island have a good selection that have a longer reach - unfortunately their price list seems to be unreadable.
http://www.penguineng.com/tapsshowers.html

 

[nimbusgb]

But one's a 'marine' tap! Surely it's worth 4 times as much!

 

[maxi77]

Try a caravan shop they sell the same stuff for less usually, our shower mixer came from one.

 

[simplyred]

I agree with most of the above, any good plumbers merchant will show you a good selection, sometimes a lot cheaper than B&Qor Screwfix. flexi feeds will be best and come with 10mm or 12mm connection threads depending which tap you buy.
marine taps are no different in most cases so don't get ripped off.

happy daze

 

[V1701]

Try Penguin...

Depends exactly what you're after. Penguin eng. good service and comparable price to others I found for a high quality product. I needed a pull out shower head/tap for the heads sink, tried a cheapo from ebay first & it was hopeless. Don't know what the issue with the Penguin pricelist is, give them a call, they're very friendly...

(no connection, etc...)

 

[bendyone]

Check that the B&Q one is not a high pressure one, will restrict the flow.

 

[lumphammer]

We replaced the hot and cold mixer tap in the galley with a one from B & Q - no problems and it gives you much more choice at a better price

 

[dslittle]

Long story short

Had non-boaty people non board. Galley tap not working! Water pump on? - now working!! Next day galley tap starts leaking. Contact Jeanneau re spares. 'Made in Italy, no further detail but will provide replacement tap for £250'.

Got off floor and invited friend who is a plumber to come sailing (can plumbers be friends?) Sharp intake of breath, not an easy job, need to ID cartridge, could be expensive etc etc...

Took cartridge out myself, searched on internet, found similar cartridge in China but had to buy 100!!! Went to plumbers merchants with cartridge, after numerous phone calls being told that there are 'literally hundreds of different cartridges and cannot be replaced without full details of original tap manufacturer', took a chance on one that looked exactly the same to me - the rank amateur, took it back to the boat, fitted it and, Hey Presto, problem solved.

Oh, the cost? £6.00, a 'saving' of £244 on Jeanneau's price excluding fitting etc