Trudesign/Forespar

mogmog2

mogmog2

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I'm looking for a skin fitting and have noticed that, where they had almost no presence before, Forespar Marelon fittings are now stocked by Chas Newens & ASAP Supplies and the latter has no Trudesign (if one searches for Trudesign, the results are Forespar)

When I researched and bought my Trudesign valves etc about 5 years ago, I concluded that they were considered ahead of Marelon, not least down to the latter's track record of broken handles/seizing.

Anyone got any idea what's going on or has caused this shift? I'd have thought switching to US stuff was an odd choice given the state of things.
 
As do Lee Sanitation leesan.com/online-store chas Newens is only a small retail outlet that also operates as a "broker" - that is they list a lot of things they don't actually stock and are shipped directly from the wholesaler or manufacturer. Forespar are now more competitive in the market since they started offering BSP style valves and fittings.
 
Tranona said:
chas Newens is only a small retail outlet that also operates as a "broker" - that is they list a lot of things they don't actually stock and are shipped directly from the wholesaler or manufacturer
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....eventually.

I'll never use them again, abyssmal service for (expensive) items listed as "in stock" with (expensive) next day shipping that took two weeks to arrive.
 
KevinV said:
....eventually.

I'll never use them again, abyssmal service for (expensive) items listed as "in stock" with (expensive) next day shipping that took two weeks to arrive.
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My experience also - but even worse. Too ashamed to relate all the details because I should never have let it run the way it did. Eventually resolved by going direct to the supplier but even then it took ages to finally resolve. Pity because the price savings were significant.
 
During a discussion about ten years ago one contributor had just fitted plastic sea cock/s and was pleased with the job. A few days later he posted a video of one leaking and breaking in his hand.

Not very helpful because I can't fully recall which one it was :( However I suspect it was the American one. Someone will remember.

.
 
Trudesign available off the shelf in most local chandlers UK.

More importantly which - Trudesign or Forespar do people think are best - longest lasting -trouble free if used only a few times each year.
 
Egret said:
Trudesign available off the shelf in most local chandlers UK.

More importantly which - Trudesign or Forespar do people think are best - longest lasting -trouble free if used only a few times each year.
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We have the forestay valves. Leak free and trouble free after 13 years and 43,000nm
 
I fitted a trudesign 38mm outlet seacock for my Lavac a couple of years ago, I'm pleased with it, easy to operate & obtainable from both my local chandlers. I tend to use Seamark Nunn as they are competitive on price & delivery.
 
Tranona said:
My experience also - but even worse. Too ashamed to relate all the details because I should never have let it run the way it did. Eventually resolved by going direct to the supplier but even then it took ages to finally resolve. Pity because the price savings were significant.
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Not quite as bad here but similarly shocking and slow delivery timescales.
 
In terms of the original post… I fitted a full set TruDesign four years ago and have been very satisfied. Only watch out is that the collars are very bulky.
 
I fitted a 1.5" trudesign about 10 years on the heads outlet. No problem so far, though it is operated every time I arrive and leave the boat. I didn't bother with the support collar as I felt the diameter was 'self supporting' and not likely to be trodden on unless I took the heads to bits to remove the floor !
 
Timely thread! I’m needing to do a full thuhull & seacock change this winter and was planning “tru design.” Any gotchas to be aware of on a 80’s grp boat? Other than the inevitable access & skint knuckles that come from any boat job
 
When you apply sealant between the skin fitting and the ball valve don’t be stingy. Apply lots and clean it up after it’s cured. I also found it worthwhile to clean the parts with isopropyl alcohol and give them a really good scrub with a stainless wire brush. Helped everything stick much better.
 
Minerva said:
Timely thread! I’m needing to do a full thuhull & seacock change this winter and was planning “tru design.” Any gotchas to be aware of on a 80’s grp boat? Other than the inevitable access & skint knuckles that come from any boat job
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Be aware that the TruDesign fittings are larger than the normal 'metal' ones. I can't comment on the Marelon ones having never fitted them.
 
This year I fitted a Trudesign heads outlet to replace a virtually seized Italian bronze one, which even when fitted new about 10 years ago had been quite stiff to turn. Works very well, except being longer and larger it was completely impossible to get the pipe attached as it was in a very small locker under the heads sink and needed in the end a 90 degree tail fitting, which I would have preferred not to have.

I was dubious about the 90 degree turn on a 38mm pipe, but decided that there is already a 90 degree turn inside the Jabsco heads!
 
I'm only 2 years into Trudesign, so far very happy, but they are big chunky things and required some changes to arrangements.

They seem very easy to keep really clean, which is a bonus.
 
jwilson said:
This year I fitted a Trudesign heads outlet to replace a virtually seized Italian bronze one, which even when fitted new about 10 years ago had been quite stiff to turn. Works very well, except being longer and larger it was completely impossible to get the pipe attached as it was in a very small locker under the heads sink and needed in the end a 90 degree tail fitting, which I would have preferred not to have.

I was dubious about the 90 degree turn on a 38mm pipe, but decided that there is already a 90 degree turn inside the Jabsco heads!
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I managed to use 120 degree bend where a straighthose tail would have best. Still a tight fit though
 
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