Checking through hulls have not turned to copper

[tudorsailor]

>If you want to stop the problem replace bronze with Marelon throughulls. They are made of very hard nylon and are used on metal boats.

>>However, as the YM article points out, they may not have the fire resistance for use in engine rooms.

Interesting point. We have two in the engine room are they are approved by surveyors so I wouldn't worry about it.

So on the boat yesterday and thought I would grease all the sea-cocks. All my through hull fittings are metal but the many of the sea-cocks are Marelon plastic. I opened and closed - and it was not very stiff, and the handle came off in my hand! Hence able to post this photo

Should this really happen? The yacht is 10 years old

Tudorsailor

 

[Lady Campanula]

".....Might I suggest that a joint statement of 'best practice' between your professional body and the main insurers active in the UK leisure boating market - published by your favourite sailing mag - might do much to repair the damage to reputation and public confidence....?"

Might I mention that's not now very far away.....

 

[PeterR]

As a relative newcomer to sailing I spend enough time as it is worrying about all things I might run into, onto or over and I assumed that if the boat did sink I would have something to do with it. The idea that it might develop holes all on its own hadn't really crossed my mind.

If I learn that Dufour were using DZR in 2008 I'll stop worrying about it, If I learn that they didn't I'll get the bits changed next winter along with my very pink Volvo 2 blade folding prop!

So far the dealer is awaiting a response from the Manufacturer.

You may be interested in some comments on the Dufour Forum http://www.boefamily.dk/dufour/viewtopic.php?t=303

One owner had the following response from Dufour: "Yes DZR BRASS has been and is being used on skin fittings - ball valves - nipples on all Dufour yachts and these only have a service life of 5 years at most."

It does not seem likely that DZR is being used, at least for the valves as these are all nickel plated red handled types. My understanding was that DZR should last longer than 5 years?

An owner of a Dufour 325 in Palma which is kept in the water full time found that after 4 and a half seasons the tail pipes of 2 fittings were so dezinkified that they could be broken apart by finger pressure.

Perhaps this will add weight to the argument that the even the pathetic current 5-year standard for skin fittings is not being adhered to.

 

[vyv_cox]

One owner had the following response from Dufour: "Yes DZR BRASS has been and is being used on skin fittings - ball valves - nipples on all Dufour yachts and these only have a service life of 5 years at most."

Sounds like an attempt to confuse. DZR to CZ132 has a very long life in seawater. Blakes seacocks have been made to this standard for more than 20 years. I have yet to hear of an example of dezincification in one.

DZR ball valves for plumbing use have this logo cast into them

I don't think that any DZR marine fittings, including skin fittings, hose tails, stern glands and Blakes seacocks, have this logo. I hope that the outcome of this campaign will be that the logo becomes universal.

 

[Blue5]

You may be interested in some comments on the Dufour Forum http://www.boefamily.dk/dufour/viewtopic.php?t=303

One owner had the following response from Dufour: "Yes DZR BRASS has been and is being used on skin fittings - ball valves - nipples on all Dufour yachts and these only have a service life of 5 years at most."

Intersting, just going through the manuals for my Dufour it lists warnings for items like gas hoses that should be changed after 5 years and saildrive gaskets that need changing after 7 years, no mention of seacocks.

You would think with such a short service life they may be worth a paragraph or two....................

 

[ean_p]

C83600 ?

How suitable would C83600 Brass/Bronze be for under water fittings please Vyv?

 

[vyv_cox]

How suitable would C83600 Brass/Bronze be for under water fittings please Vyv?

This is the specification of gunmetal, for some reason called 'red brass' in USA. A tin content of 5% is standard nowadays but at one time it would have been higher. Very good underwater corrosion resistance. This table on the ASAP site is a good guide to copper alloy compositions.

 

[ean_p]

thanks for the reply Vyv, i have a cast fitting of this material fitted in a steel boat so it should be well protected ! I hope?