Replacing seacock, whilst still afloat

[chrishelen]

You can do it in the water,you need the new seacock at hand and just swop them around,if you are a bit slow and get water in the boat run the bilge pump,or if you prefer run the loose end of the pipe into the bilge and suck it all out with the engine,put your other halfs tights over the end of the pipe to stop any solids being sucked in. i have done this job a few times,preperation is the key.

 

[Stemar]

I've seen it done. Everything to hand and ready, then undo old fitting, pressing it into place to reduce leakage. When the thread's completely undone, hold fitting in one hand, have other hand ready to slap over the hole. Remove fitting & slap spare hand over hole. Take new fitting. Remove hand from hole and fit new seacock.

Time less than 2 minutes Water in bilges - less than 5 litres.

It's all about confidence to get the new bit on. If you've got confidence, the fitting senses this and does what it's told. If you're nervous, it'll leap out of your hand and hide somewhere you can't quite reach with your hand over the hole and when it does finally get in place, the thread will cross and jam, so you break the seal between hull and skinfitting and...

Which is why I'd never risk it!