New sea cock consensus?

[brianontheroad]

The new-to-me boat needs sea cocks, on the last boat I went with Groco Ball Valves, but I've seen mentioned here that they're of suspect quality now -- I have 11 (!) to replace of various sizes, so cost is of a concern but sea cocks do me the favor of keeping the boat from sinking, therefore so is quality

Recommendations?

Marelon makes me nervous for some reason, change my mind if you can!

[alpeckenpa]

11 seacocks? I'd be thinking about how many I could plug....

[Tim R.]

Apollo or Groco BV series. I have not heard anything bad about Groco. Can you provide a source?

[brianontheroad]

If you go to Groco's website they have a link to a recall (towards the bottom) -- looks like it only affects some older ball valves 2004-2006 manufacture, so it may not be that much of a concern

11 sea cocks is relatively normal for a boat with two heads, fridge, air con, etc. if there were any to get rid of I surely would!

[Tim R.]

I have 10 in my boat.

[phantomracer]

Originally Posted by brianontheroad

The new-to-me boat needs sea cocks, on the last boat I went with Groco Ball Valves, but I've seen mentioned here that they're of suspect quality now -- I have 11 (!) to replace of various sizes, so cost is of a concern but sea cocks do me the favor of keeping the boat from sinking, therefore so is quality

Recommendations?

Marelon makes me nervous for some reason, change my mind if you can!

our 'new' 1968 Ohlson has its original bronze Blakes seacocks. easy to service and you can feel the quality.

Blakes SCXP210C Seacock 1 1/2 complete 38mm

I know modern plastics are great, something nice about the bronze units.

[Ziggy]

The Apollo/Conbraco seacocks seem to me somewhat better quality than Groco. However, as far as I know, only Groco makes the flanged adapters that make installation and replacement easier in some situations. I ended up installing Groco flanged adapters and ball valves on my boat.

[HopCar]

I would use a groco flanged adapter and Groco ball valve. There is nothing wrong with Groco ball valves and using the flanged adapter allows you to change the valve with out replacing the complete seacock. You were planning to use real seacocks and not just screw ball valves onto through hull fittings?
Here's a link to the flanged adapters: Groco Flanged Adapter IBVF

[Bash]

Originally Posted by brianontheroad

Marelon makes me nervous for some reason, change my mind if you can!

Marelon is not affected by electrolysis. Bronze is.

[brianontheroad]

I used the groco/flanged adapter on the last boat and was happy with it, but I like the idea of the "traditional" sea cocks as well, like the blakes

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by Tim R.

I have 10 in my boat.

I have a relatively small boat and still have 8. Working on replacing one now with Groco. The others will be replaced in time.

[westsail42]

Originally Posted by brianontheroad

Marelon makes me nervous for some reason, change my mind if you can!

What about marelon makes you nervous? Like bronze valves, they require periodic lubrication. But no electrolysis or galvanic corrosion. Therefore no bonding system required.

The all-in-one thruhull/valve units are easy to install and service. They can even be disassembled while in water, below waterline, quickly and easily with a phillips screwdriver.

[CarlF]

Any discussion about Marlon seacocks seems to become confused between:

1: The regular Forespar seacocks that have a reputation for breaking handles and swelling

and

2: The Forespar OEM 93 Series that are very strong, don't break their handles, and don't swell (or at least not enough that they become difficult to turn)

The picture is the 93 Series. It is the only one I'd use.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by HopCar

I would use a groco flanged adapter and Groco ball valve. There is nothing wrong with Groco ball valves and using the flanged adapter allows you to change the valve with out replacing the complete seacock. You were planning to use real seacocks and not just screw ball valves onto through hull fittings?

+1

And Groco's are rebuildable too. The new kits/valves come with a plastic (acetate) ball = no corrosion.