Tru Design Through Hulls and Ball Valves

Norman_E

Norman_E

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I have decided to replace all my metal through hulls and valves this winter, and want the Tru Design ones. Does anyone know a cheaper UK stockist than Lee sanitation? Lee's website quotes prices that are higher than Bainbridge's Recommended Retail Prices. (Bainbridge Marine are the importer & wholesaler). I can actually buy from a German supplier for less than Lee are charging.
 
I'm not sure if Forespar Marelon fittings are similar. Mack Engineering in Glasgow, has them. Might be worth comparing.
 
The Forespar ones look good, but are too bulky for some of the places I have to fit them. In addition the 38mm ones only seem to come with straight tails, and one of mine needs a 90 degree tail, which Tru Design supply.
 
Norman_E said:
I have decided to replace all my metal through hulls and valves this winter, and want the Tru Design ones. Does anyone know a cheaper UK stockist than Lee sanitation? Lee's website quotes prices that are higher than Bainbridge's Recommended Retail Prices. (Bainbridge Marine are the importer & wholesaler). I can actually buy from a German supplier for less than Lee are charging.
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I bought them from German SVB http://http://www.svb24.com/
Excellent valves, you can operate them with one finger, even after a few years. You have to be careful not to cross-thread them when assembling. The instructions say that you should mount them with teflon tape, nothing else. I used Loctite 55 teflon WIRE. A bit easier and safer.
 
Norman_E said:
The Forespar ones look good, but are too bulky for some of the places I have to fit them. In addition the 38mm ones only seem to come with straight tails, and one of mine needs a 90 degree tail, which Tru Design supply.
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They are bulky, but Mack can (could?) certainly supply both straight and 90 degree tails for 38mm versions: I bought one of each last winter.
 
thalassa said:
I bought them from German SVB http://http://www.svb24.com/
Excellent valves, you can operate them with one finger, even after a few years. You have to be careful not to cross-thread them when assembling. The instructions say that you should mount them with teflon tape, nothing else. I used Loctite 55 teflon WIRE. A bit easier and safer.
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Glad to hear of your good experience.

After quite a bit of research and some recommendations from other Moody owners I replaced all through hulls and seacocks late last year and Coppercoated the hull in a drive for lower maintenance and less frequent haul outs.

Tru-design certainly seems to be a well designed, well manufactured product. For anyone that is interested they have a series of videos on You Tube showing strength and fire resistance and other features.

Not cheap but cost effective IMHO. I received a very good service from Leesan. I didn't realise there were any other options so I can't contribute to the price debate.
 
thalassa said:
I bought them from German SVB http://http://www.svb24.com/
Excellent valves, you can operate them with one finger, even after a few years. You have to be careful not to cross-thread them when assembling. The instructions say that you should mount them with teflon tape, nothing else. I used Loctite 55 teflon WIRE. A bit easier and safer.
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SVB was the German site I was looking at. At present exchange rates they come out a lot cheaper than buying from Lee San, but if there is a UK supplier selling at recommended price, or better still giving a discount for over £300 worth of them I would like to know. I refuse to be gouged by retailers who sell at more than RRP.
 
A question for Thalassa.

I have noticed that Tru Design have tails described as "Long Thread" and others called Aquavalve Tails. Am I right in thinking that the former are correct for use with ball valves?

EDIT. I just spoke to Bainbridge, who confirmed the above, and suggested I contact Force4. I have e-mailed Force4 a list of the part numbers I want, and asked for a price. I live in hope, and will let you know if Force4 come up with a better price than Lee.
 
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Norman_E said:
I have noticed that Tru Design have tails described as "Long Thread" and others called Aquavalve Tails. Am I right in thinking that the former are correct for use with ball valves?

EDIT. I just spoke to Bainbridge, who confirmed the above, and suggested I contact Force4. I have e-mailed Force4 a list of the part numbers I want, and asked for a price. I live in hope, and will let you know if Force4 come up with a better price than Lee.
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Because of the stated possibility to adjust the position of the angled tail, I have used their short-threaded fittings. The long-threaded tails are indeed suitable for their ball-valves too. I had the impression that this type is more versatile for mixing with brass or bronze fittings. Also they take more teflon tape, and more effort in constricted lockers etc. In a shorter thread, the Loctite 55 teflon wire gives a more secure seal, IMHO.
 
When I fitted mine last winter, LeeSan were short of one 90 degree elbow. I phoned Bainbridge to see who else they supply and IIRC Force 4 was one of them. Have you asked LeeSan if they will price match? Beauty of TruDesign valves is that they can be stripped, service kits are available.
 
I wonder if there is any feedback on these Tru Design plastic seacocks after a summer's use? Any problems encountered? I am crossing this bridge myself this coming winter and would appreciate any guidance as I'm replacing eight through hulls, sea cocks and hose tails.

TIA

Rob
 
Robih said:
I wonder if there is any feedback on these Tru Design plastic seacocks after a summer's use? Any problems encountered? I am crossing this bridge myself this coming winter and would appreciate any guidance as I'm replacing eight through hulls, sea cocks and hose tails.

TIA

Rob
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We replaced all ballvalvs to Tru design 2012.

We live aboard 365 and all ballvalvs are still in mint condition.


We open and close them all at least every 3-4 week.
Someone (here I think)told me they can size up and get stuck.(sorry for my spelling,it´s bad:disgust:)
I don´t know if it,s thru though...

Tru Design +1
 
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We've had two fitted for well over two years now. No probs at all and very happy with them.
 
Replaced all skin fittings and ball valves with TruDesign in 2013. No problems to date. I used Loctite 55 but found if it was necessary to back the fitting off it was quite difficult. I don't think I applied more than the recommended number of turns of Loctite 55. At that time LeeSan were cheaper than other suppliers and were happy to take back some wrongly ordered parts.
 
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