Please don't abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

[Feelingonesway]

Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

I was wondering whether someone could explain what is probably the most basic of questions for a new boat owner. I am not so green to realise that the stop cocks for the engine cooling need to be open when in use, and closed when leaving the boat. Same goes for those on the toilet. However, the boat also has two stop cock type valves under the sink. I would guess one is for the sink drain? and one for the water supply pumped from the flexible tank. Would this be a fair assumption? If so, on the drain for the sink, is this likely to be the same for the shower floor plug and are these drains pumped or gravity sucked out? maybe I should read a book!

 

[sarabande]

Re: Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

shower drain is likely to be below the water line, therefore needs pumping. Do you have a holding tank ?

Sink drain is likely to be above the WL, so will drain directly to sea unless there's a Y valve sending to either sea or holding tank.

Have you seen the boat out of water ? It is worth taking photos of all the through hull fittings from outside and marking them upon a diagram of the P and S sides of the boat, so you have a reference plan.

 

[Leighb]

Re: Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

[ QUOTE ]

Sink drain is likely to be above the WL, so will drain directly to sea unless there's a Y valve sending to either sea or holding tank.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not necessarily. Our sink drain is well below the waterline and if we fail to shut it when sailing, the sink can overflow on a breezy starboard tack. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Your suggestion of checking the outside is a good one.

 

[Bajansailor]

Re: Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

"and one for the water supply pumped from the flexible tank. Would this be a fair assumption?"

It is possible that this one might be for a sea water intake going to a hand (or foot) pump in the galley - I doubt that it would be for the water supply coming from the flexible tank.

Sarabande makes a good point about clearly identifying all of your through hull fittings - make sure you know where they all are, and have some tapered wooden bungs handy in case you ever have to plug a hole or a hose in anger.
Have you got seacocks on your cockpit drains? They are often forgotten about, as they are out of sight..... if fitted, they usually have to be left open all the time (otherwise your cockpit will fill up with water when it rains) - have a look, and if you do have them, make sure that they are 'worked' regularly, to stop them from seizing up.

 

[radarman]

Re: Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

This may be a daft question but when would you ever close a cockpit stopcock? In fact why are they fitted? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Saddletramp]

Re: Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

Good point, mu old boat had them and they were corroded as well as only having one rusty jubilee clip on them. So an accident waiting to happen. My new boat does not have them and when I look at the drain pipe I think 'what would happen if that came adrift'. I suppose I could have bungs next to pipes just in case.

 

[wotayottie]

Re: Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

You dont need to read a book. In fact a book wont answer your question. Simply trace the pipe runs from the seacock and you'll find out what they close off. Alternatively, close them and see what doesnt work. Common sense.

 

[roger]

Re: Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

You close a cockpit drain seacock when the hose from the cockpit drain breaks or is replaced on the water.

 

[Feelingonesway]

Re: Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

thanks all, particularly for the tip about tracing back from the through hull fittings, boat is out of the water at the moment so that a job to do next time I am down. Regards...

 

[Alastairdent]

Re: Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

A suggestion; don't assume that any existing fittings have necessarily been done 'properly'.

A good beginners guide is the Nigel Calder Boatowners mechanical and electrical manual.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boatowners-Mechanical-Electrical-Manual-Essential/dp/0713672269

 

[Allan]

Re: Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

I close mine when I leave the boat. I have a few reasons I do this, bear in mind that I don't normally leave the boat more than a few days. Closing them every time ensures they should not seize up and if there is a problem with the hose or clips etc, when I'm not around, the boat won't sink. It ensures I check the hoses etc regularly.
When I first bought the boat, I gave it lots of thought.
Allan

 

[Refueler]

Re: Please don\'t abuse the novice - plumbing explanations please?

[ QUOTE ]
This may be a daft question but when would you ever close a cockpit stopcock? In fact why are they fitted? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

If you leave my cockpit drains open when motoring - you soon get wet feet. Various boats - mine included - the stern squats when under power as drive force is at different line to hull than sails. If your cockpit sole is only a touch above WL as mine is - bingo - water comes in.

As to OP and his valves on sink and water supply. I have both as well. Water supply because tank is under fwd port bunk ... sink is main cabin stbd side. Wind over port rail and she heels - tank starts to syphon to sink. Second my sink outlet is at WL ... just below antifoul topline ... so that is now well under and water flows back into sink. So I turn of both before sailing. Unfortunately even after 10 yrs I still often forget the cockpit drains until I remember because my feet are wet ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif