Cockpit drains. Non return valve????

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paulcooper

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I recently sold my motor sailer and have just received a complaint from the purchaser.
The vessel was surveyed (paid for by the purchaser) and it was requested that I change the old brass gate valves and renew the tubing for the cockpit drains. This I did and fitted new ball valves and reinforced tubing. The surveyor looked at the work and passed it.
Now I have the new owner complaining that no non return valve was fitted.
Non was fitted originally and I had just replaced as original.
Should the surveyor have commented on this?
Is the purchaser right or wrong in expecting a non return valve in the cockpit drains??
Your input would be appreciated.
Paul.
 
if the valve location is at or below the (heeled) waterline - unusual perhaps - , there might be a case for having a non-return valve.

However there's always a risk that NR valves will clog up with a bit of line or bacon sandwich, so an ordinary gate or lever valve is more normal.

If the new owner did not specify a NR valve, then I'd say he's got a new valve and tubing and should be happy, especially if the surveyor is OK with it.
 
Interesting idea but I have never seen non return valves in cockpit drains. Difficult things to source I would imagine.

One of the under reported pleasures in life is telling someone who deserves it to sod off.

Just thank God you don't live next door to the bloke.
 
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No you should not. You made good a worn out existing system as like for like but with with modern materials. You do not have to change the system. You sold the boat and her systems subject to survey and negotiation after survey. I doubt very much if you had a contract that stated that you should improve on existing systems.
 
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I wonder why you had to do the repairs. Usually the asking price is reduced to suit, and the new owner has the work done to his specification ( which may NOT match the original) - his choice.
Sounds like the broker didn't want to lose any of his comission..
Still, never heard of non-return valves in a cockpit drain. If it's a heeling problem , cross the pipes.
I suspect the valves will cause more trouble than they are worth, as the amount of debris passed through the average cockpit drain will clog or disable the flap.
 
doug748 said:
Interesting idea but I have never seen non return valves in cockpit drains. Difficult things to source I would imagine.
Click to expand...

Westerly Konsort Duo's are fitted with non-return valves in the cockpit drain lines. This is because they drain from an under-floor locker/well area, that sometimes is under water level when motoring - especially on ours with two extra batteries, spare anchor, outboard motor and a dinghy on davits.

The original NRV's were bronze and not all that good, and we usually had 3 or 4 inches of water sloshing about. I replaced ours with different type from Force 4 but had the drain changed from 45 to 90 degrees by the local SS worker.
 
NRV

The biggest problem with none return valves is the force required to open then in the first place .. What you would get is nothing coming up and unless you had a reasonsable amount of water nothing going down ..

What would I say ..

Sorry but it was never fitted with one ..

If you want to fit one fine ..

But don't send me the bill

..

:D
 
You've done what was stated, and confirmed by the surveyor, and the guy has taken delivery of the boat, obviously all payments have been agreed and paid, and then everyone is happy, maybe his first boat and a little taken aback by what is what, or he is taking the p$£s.

If local to you pop down and speak to him personally, and maybe show what has been done, and if he wants non return valves, then its up to him to buy and fit himself...

Be prepared for loads of hassle, probably expect 3 years free servicing to be included also.....
 
I've heard of them on boats with cockpits that are only just above the waterline. You can buy the top-end drain fittings with them built in; I think they have a floating ball rather than a flap.

The buyer has no right or reason to expect you to fit them if they weren't there before.

Pete
 
prv said:
I've heard of them on boats with cockpits that are only just above the waterline. You can buy the top-end drain fittings with them built in; I think they have a floating ball rather than a flap.

The buyer has no right or reason to expect you to fit them if they weren't there before.

Pete
Click to expand...

He might want to keep the water in the cockpit :D
 
prv said:
I've heard of them on boats with cockpits that are only just above the waterline. You can buy the top-end drain fittings with them built in; I think they have a floating ball rather than a flap.

Pete
Click to expand...

If you had read my post further up the list and looked at the link, you would have been able to read and see the non-return valve with the ball.
non return valve
 
There's always one isn't there.... Tell him to get a life. Whats the worst that can happen - he gets his feet wet - on a sailing boat??

If you ask me its a matter between the purchaser and his surveyor (since I presume it was the original surveyor who OK'd the new fittings) and remedial work was completed to surveyor's satisfaction although beats me why you should have done it.

Incidentally - the survey on my yacht (ok not a motor sailer) specifically noted (as a good thing) that no valves were fitted in the outlets - albeit pipes are crossed.
 
paulcooper said:
I recently sold my motor sailer and have just received a complaint from the purchaser.
The vessel was surveyed (paid for by the purchaser) and it was requested that I change the old brass gate valves and renew the tubing for the cockpit drains. This I did and fitted new ball valves and reinforced tubing. The surveyor looked at the work and passed it.
Now I have the new owner complaining that no non return valve was fitted.
Non was fitted originally and I had just replaced as original.
Should the surveyor have commented on this?
Is the purchaser right or wrong in expecting a non return valve in the cockpit drains??
Your input would be appreciated.
Paul.
Click to expand...

You agreed to replace something that was damaged or worn, not to make improvements at your expense. Bit like buying a house with a broken window, and being expected to put double glazing in in place of it.

The buyer got what he paid for - an approved cockpit drain system.
 
Cockpit Drain

The ball valve looks great but £50 .. Suppose thats why he expected you to fit one .. As has alredy been said he will be expecting free service and anything else that breaks for the next 10 years to be fixed FOC .. Don't give way or he will be back with every thing that he ASSUMES should have been fixed .. You have done what his surveyor asked .. Tell him to take it up with him .. :eek: .. Bet he won't get far ...... :rolleyes:
 
i fitted a non-return valve to my cockpit drain because water was coming in at some points of sail as it was a central drain - not two for port and starboard.

kept my feet dry but there was a reduction in the outflow. Wouldn't think a non-return valve was necessary unless you weer getting wet feet before you sold it
 
It's quite simple, you have carried out work that has been approved by the purchaser's surveyor, if he has a beef about what was fitted it is with the surveyor not you unless these days sellers need to poses a crystal ball to try and guess what the buyers are after.

Pay it no further attention just enjoy the money on what ever you have decided to spend it on.
 
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