Fiberglass thru hull fittings

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by chiefcoxswain

If your Bronze skin fittings are showing a reddish colour you have not had them wired to your boats bonding system, see, http://www.syc.com.au/wp-content/upl...e-Easy-SYC.pdf

The reddish color is a sign of corrosion, but I don't know that it is necessarily electrolytic corrosion. My Bronze cone valves are 40 years old... they are not bonded and I've read many an argument concerning To Bond or Not to Bond...

My boat had two conscientious POs, maybe regular maintenance is the key. I like that I can lubricate the cones with the boat in the water between lift outs.

Bronze: Characteristics, Uses And Problems

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Pedersen

Bronze do NOT last indefinetely. Just replaced one that showed reddish when scratched. When I knocked it a bit, trying to get it off, it broke off clean just behind the flange.

There are many types of bronze.

I notice you are in Europe. Many boats built in the EU use through hulls and valves that are not made to last very long, typically 5 year replacement as stated by the builders.

In North America Groco through hulls are made of 85-5-5-5 bronze - zinc is 5%. These will last decades and very regularly do without dezincification - bonded or not. Apollo/Conbraco and Spartan are other high quality manufacturers.

Europe uses DZR in many through hulls - a type of dezincification resistant brass.

Your propeller for example is bronze also, usually manganese bronze, which can have up to 39% zinc, making it very prone to dezincification.

[micknor51]

I am with Hoppy, Pedersen and BCBoomer having recently installed Trudesign ball valves on my steel Adams 35.
They are NZ made and rated by 5 different international marine certifiers.
Michael

[Travelaxel]

Originally Posted by hoppy

I replaced all of my trough hull fittings with Marine Products | TRUDESIGN

Just bought Truedesign fittings too. They become part of the hull and last longer than the boat. Great!

[patn44]

Two years ago after 30 years of use, I replaced my bronze through hulls, stopcocks and fittings with bronze marine grade fittings. The handle on one broke off and when the boat was hauled I found that one other was in poor shape so decided to replace all 4, 3 small ($150 ea) one large ($275). Mostly the problem was with the cones that were pitted and difficult to turn. My fault as did not do proper maintenance. To my horror found one of the through hulls was a lightweight white plastic and that the seacock was held on by only a few threads (I didn't install that).
Next haul-out I'm contemplating ditching the toilet for a composting unit and sealing up several of the 'holes in the boat'.

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by patn44

... Next haul-out I'm contemplating ditching the toilet for a composting unit and sealing up several of the 'holes in the boat'.

I went to a composting toilet a year ago eliminating 2 thru hulls, many feet of sewage hose, 30 gal blackwater tank, and unpleasant odor...

[jkindredpdx]

Originally Posted by Travelaxel

Just bought Truedesign fittings too. They become part of the hull and last longer than the boat. Great!

These look good, did you get the load bearing collars as well as the skin fittings, ball valve, and tail?

Which of you has had the Trudesigns installed for the longest time?

[Terra Nova]

I would avoid the use of plastic seacocks wherever possible. And instead buy bronze Groco or equivalent.

[mitiempo]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

I would avoid the use of plastic seacocks wherever possible. And instead buy bronze Groco or equivalent.

I agree.

[bcboomer]

Hmm
I fail to see the advantage of bronze on a "plastic" boat.

[onestepcsy37]

My eight Wilcox-Crittenden bronze thruhulls are now 36 years old and look new. They have NEVER been grounded. Once every four years or so when I haul out for a bottom job I service all the valves by disassembling them, honing the cone and mating surface, and reassembling them with engine assembly grease. I work them regularly and can regrease them in the water if necessary. Can't think of anything better than real bronze thruhulls.

Having said that, I would welcome a more modern plastic through hull if one could be found that worked as well. The Marelon fittings have had a number of problems reported. The new Trudesign valves may be the answer, but they need a few years of real world exposure before I would be convinced.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by bcboomer

Hmm
I fail to see the advantage of bronze on a "plastic" boat.

Do you need to see the advantage of rubber tires on steel wheels?

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

I would avoid the use of plastic seacocks wherever possible. And instead buy bronze Groco or equivalent.

Do you have a reason why?

[Terra Nova]

Yes.

Peace of mind.

[hoppy]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Yes.

Peace of mind.

Funny, that's why I upgraded