Somewhere in my files I have an email from one of the directors of HR justifying their decision not to change to DZR. Their view was that inspecting seacocks for imminent failure was the normal job of the conscientious skipper.
The normal failure mode of the balls is that the plating pits and spalls off, increasing the friction considerably. The stem, weakened by dezincification, then snaps, often with the valve closed or partially so. I have experienced this myself and seen quite a few.
I have no agenda. The misinformation is plain to see as in the article in PBO. I am just pointing it out. You will also notice if you read what I write, instead of making up your own version, that I acknowledge all the potential deficiencies of the 60/40 plain brass valves and fittings (even though they are still used extensively by boat builders). My comments about the suitability for replacements by people such as you and I is solely related to DZR components - which as Vyv has just said do not have the same deficiencies. The bodies and fittings are highly corrosion resistant as are the internals. Actual valve failure is very rare. As I have pointed out many times it is threaded fittings that cause the problems which are eliminated if DZR or bronze fittings are used.
