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13-07-2018, 18:57
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Hamilton, MA
Boat: Cabot 36 - Que Sera
Posts: 40
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Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
Looking for recommendations on the best 3/4" seacock for this application, which involves more use of the shutoff handle than any other seacock on my boat. I'm leaning toward the Groco BV-750 ball valve, which appears to have a particularly rugged handle, but also considering the Spartan barrel valve. My original 41-year-old valve is showing its age. Thanks in advance for any wisdom --
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13-07-2018, 19:00
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
I do not have Spartan experience, but my Groco’s seem fine, and the more they are used, it seems to be the better they work, if there is a problem it comes from them not being exercised for months.
I think if frequently exercised, then they have a whole lot of cycles in them.
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13-07-2018, 20:15
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Florida
Boat: Scout 30
Posts: 3,112
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
I recently purchase a solid bronze Spartan to replace the seacock for my engine. It's been sitting on my desk for a couple of months now & it's really quite impressive. The Groco FBV has a chrome plated brass ball which I don't recommend. The Groco BV has a stainless steel ball which costs more but will hold up much better. The Perko seacock has a plastic ball. I'd pass on that. The Spartan does cost twice as much as the better Groco but there's a Spartan on Ebay that's priced well:
https://www.ebay.com/i/172888783356?chn=ps
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14-07-2018, 06:12
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Miami Florida
Boat: Ellis Flybridge 28
Posts: 4,057
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
I think the Groco BV series are the best seacocks on the market. I don’t understand the Fascination with Spartan tapered cone seacocks. They’re way over priced and require more maintenance than a ball valve design.
__________________
Retired from Hopkins-Carter Marine Supplies
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14-07-2018, 07:32
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,007
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
Quote:
Originally Posted by HopCar
I think the Groco BV series are the best seacocks on the market. I don’t understand the Fascination with Spartan tapered cone seacocks. They’re way over priced and require more maintenance than a ball valve design.
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The only reason people choose a plug valve (Spartan) over a modern ball valve is they see them recommended in old books. The magic invention required to make a ball valve work was the Teflon seats. Before that, the plug valve was the best, not any more.
A well built ball valve with Teflon seats that is lubricated annually, and protected from galvanic or stray current corrosion is a forever investment. If you are going to use a ball valve as a seacock, get one BUILT as a seacock, not a general plumbing valve.
Materials of construction will be appropriate, threads will match (if you don’t know the difference between NSP and NTP you probably should be working on seacocks), and the handles will be made of something corrosion resistant.
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14-07-2018, 08:02
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Boat: Swallowed the anchor
Posts: 976
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
Quote:
Originally Posted by billknny
The only reason people choose a plug valve (Spartan) over a modern ball valve is they see them recommended in old books. The magic invention required to make a ball valve work was the Teflon seats. Before that, the plug valve was the best, not any more.
A well built ball valve with Teflon seats that is lubricated annually, and protected from galvanic or stray current corrosion is a forever investment. If you are going to use a ball valve as a seacock, get one BUILT as a seacock, not a general plumbing valve.
Materials of construction will be appropriate, threads will match (if you don’t know the difference between NSP and NTP you probably should be working on seacocks), and the handles will be made of something corrosion resistant.
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Perhaps you mean NPT and NPS.
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14-07-2018, 08:11
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Florida
Boat: Scout 30
Posts: 3,112
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
Quote:
Originally Posted by billknny
A well built ball valve with Teflon seats that is lubricated annually, and protected from galvanic or stray current corrosion is a forever investment.
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A well built tapered cone seacock that is lubricated annually, and protected from galvanic or stray current corrosion is a forever investment.
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14-07-2018, 08:27
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Boat: Swallowed the anchor
Posts: 976
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
I'm a little surprised that Forespar's marelon seacocks haven't been mentioned. Non corrosive and typically non binding they are a very viable choice.
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14-07-2018, 08:32
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#9
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Jacksonville/ out cruising
Boat: Island Packet 38
Posts: 31,351
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
I have seven Groco ball valves.
Five were put out the Boat in 1987 when it was manufactured, two more were added about 2015.
You can’t tell any difference between them operationally. How long is a valve expected to last?
The ones one the sink drains are stiff, I’m sure that is because they are really never exercised and I assume something builds up on the ball.
None have ever been lubricated, what line would you use on a synthetic valve seat?
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14-07-2018, 08:38
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#10
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Solent, England
Boat: Moody 31
Posts: 18,423
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
Quote:
Originally Posted by kenbo
I'm a little surprised that Forespar's marelon seacocks haven't been mentioned. Non corrosive and typically non binding they are a very viable choice.
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We have started to replace ours with Trudesign valves cheaper than real bronze and no problems with corrosion.
Manual Ball Valve | TRUDESIGN
The first was the heads discharge valve which replaced a rather dubious chromed brass valve.
Pete
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14-07-2018, 08:46
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,483
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
The one bad thing about ball valves is many have a small opening through the ball. If you want true size and flow you need to buy up a size. Go look at the bore through the ball on say a 1" ball valve. It's probably something like 3/4".
There may be true to size ones out there though... Like Scout said, a tapered cone seacock is a lifetime investment. :>)
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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14-07-2018, 08:48
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Boat: Swallowed the anchor
Posts: 976
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot
I have seven Groco ball valves.
Five were put out the Boat in 1987 when it was manufactured, two more were added about 2015.
You can’t tell any difference between them operationally. How long is a valve expected to last?
The ones one the sink drains are stiff, I’m sure that is because they are really never exercised and I assume something builds up on the ball.
None have ever been lubricated, what line would you use on a synthetic valve seat?
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I use silicone brake grease to lube the Teflon seals.
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14-07-2018, 08:54
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Noank, Ct. USA
Boat: Cape Dory 31
Posts: 3,169
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck g
Looking for recommendations on the best 3/4" seacock for this application, which involves more use of the shutoff handle than any other seacock on my boat. I'm leaning toward the Groco BV-750 ball valve, which appears to have a particularly rugged handle, but also considering the Spartan barrel valve. My original 41-year-old valve is showing its age. Thanks in advance for any wisdom --
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The Cape Dory Board • View topic - Spartans Seacocks For Sale
This may be just what you are looking for.....at a bargain price
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14-07-2018, 09:00
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#14
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Vienna, Austria
Boat: Vagabond 47
Posts: 922
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
Marelon or bronze (not the expensive tru-hull [bloody useless - sold as safety asset] but mushrooms and vent)
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14-07-2018, 09:25
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#15
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Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Solent, England
Boat: Moody 31
Posts: 18,423
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Re: Best seacock for saltwater intake in head
Quote:
Originally Posted by moseriw
Marelon or bronze
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Ok, good so far.
Quote:
Originally Posted by moseriw
(not the expensive tru-hull [bloody useless - sold as safety asset] but mushrooms and vent)
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And the problem is? with thousands of yachts safely floating about with them all over the world.
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