Opinions Wanted for Seacock Valve Repair

[psychfeld]

Hi all,

I have a 2009 Lagoon 420 with two frozen bronze seacock valves coming into the boat through the sail drive's cast aluminum base mounts. On both sides the seacock T-valve is frozen open and the seacock valve itself is frozen into the sail drive mount.

I have tried penetrating sprays and best as I can tell I risk breaking the t-valve and/or the cast aluminum mounting threats to apply serious torque to remove.

I am looking at the Marelon ball valves with the intention to mount the ball valve next to the existing frozen open bronze valve. The line this ball valve would service is for the raw water strainer that I currently cannot close in order to clean.

I'm looking at the Marelon ball valves and the schedule 80 PVC valves - I am wondering if anyone knows of a problem with using the schedule 80 pvc type as they cost 3 dollars each, rather than $100 plus.

Does anyone have any experience with either they would share or any concerns, insights that might guide my choice. I hate to spend the greater money when it's really not necessary.

Thanks!!

Rob

[a64pilot]

I don't know much about Lagoons and saildrives.
However it's my belief that seacocks and other single points of failure that result in a catastrophe are not a place to save money.
I'd also have to get the old brass out myself, as I believe it will one day fail.
I think with dis-similar metals as a concern, the Marelon is a good choice

[HopCar]

Here are the numbers, What Marelon Is

[Cheechako]

Grey Sch 80 PVC has failed in an industrial application that I have seen. It was a warm water/anti freeze application and some vibration was involved. It wasn't very old.
I'm not sure I entirely understand your situation, but why not just mount bronze ball valves?
It all begs the question: Bronze valves were mounted to Aluminum? Really?

[topmast]

SS ball valves of all sizes fill barrels in most metal recycle shops .Breweries and pulp mills are the source. Usually dollar a pound .

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

...Bronze valves were mounted to Aluminum? Really?

This. WTF were they thinking?

[a64pilot]

I don't thing bronze, it's my understanding this manufacturer uses brass

[UNCIVILIZED]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

It all begs the question: Bronze valves were mounted to Aluminum? Really?

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

This. WTF were they thinking?

Yeah, my thoughts exactly (on the above). And that said, for the OP, you need to address this mixed metals problem NOW. Since, firstly, it's the kind of thing that could sink your boat. And secondly, the longer it goes uncorrected, the worse the problem is going to get. Read as time goes by, the price of the eventual repair grows (at a geometric rate).

[barnakiel]

Yep. A shocker.

Why a bronze on alloy?

Or is it one of those world famous hybrid drive Lagoons and this is how they solved the battery challenge?

Maybe these are not original valves?

BE VERY CAUTIOUS removing the valves/fittings. Alloy is the less noble material and force removal is out of question.

Let us know what ensues.

I would consider plastic fittings there. Maybe the Marelon thing.

b.

[psychfeld]

I may have misspoke, it could be brass, not bronze. They look the same to my novice eyes!

[boatpoker]

Suggest the OP read this other thread on this issue..... sooner rather than later.

[Matsubob]

The Yamaha 26 that we had in 1982 came with gate valves of questionable "marine quality" (brass, I think). They were no good so I switched them all out to Marelon and they are still in there today with NO problems.
The Mikawa 30 that I have now also came with those questionable (brass) gatevalves and they were frozen into position from disuse. I switched them out to Marelon back in 1998 and they are still in there today, with no problems.
The only issue with Marelon is that the sizes have diminished to 3/4" and 1-1/2". They used to have a 1/2" and also 1-1/4" but those two sizes are no lnoger available. But the biggest plus for these is that you can forget about them. Some may have issue with the "springi-ness of the operating lever, but you get used to it once you learn it's not going to break off.

[George DuBose]

Gee, a guy has a 300k + sailboat and he wants to install $3.00 seacocks. OY!

Good quality BRONZE seacocks need to be maintained and if not regularly used they tend to freeze up, but it's only that the grease has hardened. Loosening the nut that holds the cone and gently tapping with a plastic or rubber mallet should free up the cone and when removed, it can be cleaned and the aperture cleaned as well.

Household valves are used in some new European boats, and the EU made a rule that one has to change one's seacocks every five years. Hahahaha...

I use 40 year old Wilcox/Crittenden BRONZE seacocks and clean and grease them at every haulout.

Brass is NOT suitable for use anywhere on a salt water vessel, brass can dezincify in a week turning to a pile of orange dust.

Man-up and buy some real seacocks, Groco or Spartan are good brands.

[Bleemus]

What George said. No brass on boats. You spent the money on the boat so dont go cheap on keeping it afloat.

[ValiantV]

Originally Posted by Matsubob

The Yamaha 26 that we had in 1982 came with gate valves of questionable "marine quality" (brass, I think). They were no good so I switched them all out to Marelon and they are still in there today with NO problems.
The Mikawa 30 that I have now also came with those questionable (brass) gatevalves and they were frozen into position from disuse. I switched them out to Marelon back in 1998 and they are still in there today, with no problems.
The only issue with Marelon is that the sizes have diminished to 3/4" and 1-1/2". They used to have a 1/2" and also 1-1/4" but those two sizes are no lnoger available. But the biggest plus for these is that you can forget about them. Some may have issue with the "springi-ness of the operating lever, but you get used to it once you learn it's not going to break off.

The Marelon through-hulls and sea cocks are alarmingly flexible ("springy" I think one poster said) so they are not confidence-inspiring, especially when trying to unscrew anything that is attached to them. They do promise to outlast pretty much anything else though, so happy to have them.

They should be a good fit once the bronze ones are extracted from their current positions.