Seacocks - are they always a good idea?

[Lee_Shaw]

Hi.

The reason I'm asking is that I have two cockpit drains that terminate just below the waterline with their tail just above the waterline. Incorporating seacocks into the set up will introduce 4 more joints to go wrong and (the way I see it) normally only protect against failure of the hose or clips which will, by then, be well above the waterline. Any failure of the skin fittings or sealent etc will not benefit from a seacock in any event.

Am I missing something?

So should I bother?

Will I be forced to bother by the surveyor?

Ta for any advice

<hr width=100% size=1>Steve

 

[WayneS]

Yes you will be forced to bother by a surveyor I am afriad.

A shking fitting within 4" (I think, could be more) of the normal waterline has to be fitted with a seacock.

That's what I was told anyway.

Cheers

W

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[mirabriani]

Surely seacocks are just something else to maintain, OK then go wrong.
I suggest you do a search, I believe I have seen one way valves for this purpose.
However the question posed, "Are they a good idea?" Reminded me. I have never used mine as I do not use the heads. (My yacht is a boys boat) In addition about the last item on the surveyors list was to extend the hose up in a loop in case the cocks failed.
Perhaps I should remove them alltogether and seal up the holes, thus eliminating another job and removing a source of potential failure.
A while ago I saw a German(?) dry heads adaptor using waterproof bags which seal up. Any one know anything about these?
Sorry Lee Shaw, hijacked your thread
Briani

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[brianhumber]

From your description I would think yes.
You terminate under waterline and start just above. Your thought process should consider where does the pipe run through between the two. If it leaks - is it into a watertight compartment that if flooded will not affect yachts stability or trim?On a well heeled beat does the water enter the cockpit ?
With following seas does the water enter the cockpit.?


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[capt_courageous]

Do the pipes cross over. That is rh cockpit to lh transom. That is how my Uffa Fox designed boat was fitted.

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[Trevor_swfyc]

I also have two outlets from the cockpit without any valves. It would be pointless having valves as it would take some time to get access to close and open them. It would also eventually be counterproductive when you accidently leave the boat with them shut, with heavy rainfall such as we had in august the boat would soon be taking in water.
So if concerned I would fit new clips and hose but not valves.

Trevor

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[brianhumber]

Hi,

agree this is very good practice, I would still be worried about stern seas and pipe failures cause I've been caught out in the past.

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[Graham_Wright]

Wonderful things seacocks. Mine stuck, gave it a gentle clout with a hammer and it broke away from the hull. Pretty fountain!

Best omitted in my view.

If they are supposed to protect against hose failure, use double hoses, outer one at least transparent so you can see if inner leaks. Otherwise use rigid failure proof drains i.e. rigid with a bit of flexibility just below cockpi sole to take up movement.

<hr width=100% size=1>GBW

 

[Lee_Shaw]

Thanks guys. Food for thought. I'm trying to follow KISS with my boat and needlessly introducing 4 more joints to go wrong and, as was pointed out, adding frailty to the whole set-up doesn't seem right. Regular inspection, proper maintenance and annual replacement of the hoses and jubilees seems more appropriate. Of course the skin fittings and bedding material will need regular checks but these aspects are not protected against by seacocks in any event.

Interesting point about leaving the cocks open when I'm away or else the cockpit will fill up with rain water.

All in all I haven't got a good feeling about seacocks in this instance - I have put them on all my other underwater fittings - and will therefore bite the bullet and leave them off.

My pipes don't cross over but I fitted them myself as the existing arrangement was poultry. Surely if they crossover it will make it harder for water to drain if pointing.

Ive fitted two 2" diam. bronze fittings in the cockpit with heavy duty 2" hose attached with two A4 jubilees each end, which then lead straight (my ratianale was to avoid bending the hose and creating possible weakness??) to two 2" bronze skin fittings on the transon at about 1-2" below the waterline again connected with two A4 jubes. The tail of the skin fittings (which are huge) are about 2" above the w/line and in the event of failure of the jubilees and hose at the outboard end would most likely let water into the boat, though it wouldn't gush in it would present a problem and would need plugging.

<hr width=100% size=1>Steve

 

[capt_courageous]

The pipes were crossed so that when heeling with one of the outlet holes underwater the other - cockpit - end would be higher and so above the water line. When the boat was level the cockpit was self draining.

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