Can sea cocks leak when closed?

Re: Just a thought

"have you checked to see if ite fresh or saline?"
Just wondering how other people do this. I've been wondering for a while about a bit of water that gradually accumulates in the bilges on Allegro. I strongly suspect its blown rainwater, and keep thinking about testing whether its salt or fresh. But by the time its collected there it looks rather mucky and I can't bring myself to taste it. Am I just being a woos?! Is this perhaps an indicator that I should be cleaning the bilges first?!! Or is there some other clever way...

Cheers
Patrick

<hr width=100% size=1>Sailing a Victoire 25 on the Scottish West Coast
 
Re: Just a thought

I've wondered about this too - even if you keep your bilges clean I think there could be some nasty bacteria in there, and if its an overflow from your toilet bowl .... !

I think it could be done more scientifically by measuring the specific gravity with a hydrometer since sea water has a specific gravity of 1.030 or thereabouts and fresh 1.000 of course - if somewhere in between then it is a mixture of the two!

A hydrometer is < £5 and used in home wine/beer making, and covers the needed range. Seems like a better option than tasting the bilge juices! I've never tried this but it must work ok.


Chris

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Re: Just a thought

I must confess that whenever I have done it I have just bitten the bullet & dipped my finger in. Not that I would suggest that anyone else should try it. Mind you, I'm not dead yet, but my kids do say that I'm pretty evil.

Martin

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Whenever I see a thread about Blakes seacocks I like to remind everyone that in order to turn them off fully they need more than a 90 degree turn from the 'on' position. In fact about an extra 15-20 degrees. I only realised this after suffering 5 years of water backing up and overflowing from the loo when sailing hard on port tack (loo's to stbd).

Of course, if there's any leak in the system such as a nick in the hose, as someone else mentioned, you will get water in the bilges.

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UURRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH

Just been down to check boat as it was worrying me despite leaving seacocks closed on Sunday afternoon.....now Tuesday night and there is more water which has appeared. The only places that I think it can be coming from are the WC inlet/outlet or associated pipework - just don't understand it when cocks closed?

Any ideas please?

I have arranged for engineer to look in the morning and have left the power on to pump just in case so may just possibly sleep tonight...

Thanks

Nick

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2>http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2</A>
 
Re: Can sea cocks leak when closed? yup!

Nick.....

Water. ok a few basics ..maybe teaching mama to suck eggs but worth starting over!

Water gets into boat only in a few ways: Thru hull below waterline.
or above waterline by rain, condensation or problems with your water services.

If as you have stated, the water is salty therefore it must be thru the hull & as the bilge is compartmentalised then you should check the toilet hoses. BUT if they are properly installed with an anti syphon loop they will almost certainly not be the problem. I assume both the inlet & outlet valves are within the bilge compartment? the valves could be letting by either on the thru hull fitting or the hose connection, but very difficult to see if only a weep.

If your toilet bowl is filling up then check the loop and make sure that there is no obstruction, but I really cant see that being a problem even with the valves open.
The WC pump I assume is manual? if so you can get spare parts & diaphrames & DIY, but if elecee then it may cost you a couple of hours from a local engineer.


I am afraid there is little you can do while the boat is in the water, she will have to come out as the outlet valve is likely to be 35mm and you dont want to mess with that.

Best policy for peace of mind is replace the thru hull fittings & the valves. Personally I think Blakes are over rated & over priced. a good 1/4 turn bronze valve from the local plumb center is as good and will last a long time, with the correct size bronze thru hull ftg. Make sure your hoses are in good nick and not brittle. Again personally I would replace and remake the ends. Make sure you use only sanitary grade pipe from your chandler.

poter.

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Re: Are they Blakes\' seacocks?

Page 34 of the latest (April) YM.
Quote:
"traditional Blakes cone-type seacocks need regular stripping and regreasing with proper seacock grease.Consider changing to safer ball valves"
If that's not an April Fools joke then it is the worst piece of advice I can recall YM offering.

IanW

<hr width=100% size=1>Vertue 203, Patience
 
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