Seacocks

[Sknzfan]

I've just purchased a 1996 Carolina Classic Express with twin Volvo diesels. I'm very excited, but have a lot of work to do on the boat to get her ready for the upcoming season.<br /><br />Let me start by saying I am a complete novice when it comes to boat repair, but I want to learn. With that said, can someone please explain to me in English what exactly a seacock is and its purpose in life (and how many does the boat have). One of the items from the survey was to "service the seacocks in the forward engine room".<br /><br />What does that entail? Is it something I can do myself or should I pay someone to do it? If so, how much should I expect to pay?<br /><br />Lastly, do the seacocks somehow tie into the bronze exterior clam shell strainers on the bottom of the boat (thinking they might)?<br /><br />Thx in advance for your help!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Seacocks

Lastly, do the seacocks somehow tie into the bronze exterior clam shell strainers on the bottom of the boat (thinking they might)?

Yes.........<br /><br />My 1st Guess is,<br />You Might want to get Friendly with your Choice of Marina,+ Mechanic......

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Seacocks

A seacocks purpose.. In the event of a hose leaking, you can shut the valve on the seacock to keep the boat from taking on water..<br /><br />How many does it have? One for each engine, the gen-set too, one or two for the head, if you have a saltwater/raw washdown and/or a livewell pump, there should be one there too...<br /><br />"service the seacocks in the forward engine room". This usually means replacement, they are not really "serviceable" items...<br /><br />Sometimes there so badly corroded that they have to be cut out (i love the sawsall and grinder)...<br /><br />Seacocks are not cheap, especially groco's.... Expect to pay anywhere from $40.00 for a 3/4" pipe thread up to a couple hundred for 2" pipe thread for Apollo brand.... Add in the cost for the necessary mushroom head/thru hull fittings which run anywhere from 10-40 bucks, nuts, bolts, washers, any new pipe fittings, hose clamps, and plenty of sealant.. As you can see, this is'nt a cheap venture... <br /><br />I can't tell you the cost of labor.. That depends on access to, and the condition of, the old seacocks... I'd say a good 2-3 hours or more for a large seacock is entirely possible..

 

[mabbott]

Re: Seacocks

They are valves at any intake or discharge point below the water line. They keep the water out when a hose or device it is connected to fails. If you can't close them and you have a problem your boat could sink.<br /><br />To service them, you can sometimes remove the hose and use a brush coated with grease to lubricate the valves moving parts from the top and bottom. You can also spray or pour some oil down the valve and work it open/close many times. This should be done yearly at a minimum.<br /><br />If the valve is stuck open after the above procedure, it may need to be replaced.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Seacocks

WOW!!!! I am sure glad I read this!!!! I thought a seacock was a chicken that lives on a boat....Charlie

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Seacocks

hahahaah and here I thought the early settlers ate seacocks to survive the passage <br />usually the surveyor sees the seacocks are bacly corroded or stuck. a quick piece of advice here. dont try it in the water. I had one a few weeks ago that whacked it with a hammer cause it was stuck open. I got a call at 10 pm or so about help its sinking. was good money but could have been a catastrophie. if they leak or wont work then replace then now. nothing like seacocks not working.<br />good luck and keep posting

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Seacocks

A seacock is simply a valve that has an integral flange cast into the body of the valve to mount it to the boat. A ball valve screwed on to a mushroom fitting works, but is not nearly as strong...and is not a proper seacock. Gate valves are an accident waiting to happen.<br /><br />Groco seacocks, as well as some others which use a tapered rubber plug, are completely serviceable. New plugs are pricy, but available. Service consists of removing the plug and applying a liberal coat of dielectric grease (Groco's recommendation). This can be done in the water if you have reasonable access to the valve.<br /><br />Anything mechanical can and will fail. Intake hoses should be double clamped on the seacock...hoses should be inspected regularly and replaced if they show signs of age or deterioriation. Screw-ups here sink boats. You should also have a tapered softwood plug secured near each seacock...to stuff in the hole if something fails.

 

[Sknzfan]

Re: Seacocks

Well, I'm certainly glad there are no chickens living on the boat.<br /><br />Thx to all for the info...much appreciated!