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KatKokomo · 17-08-2012, 14:06

I am planning to replace my seacocks (Engine intake).
Which one is better, Bronze or Marelon seacocks?
Pros and cons other than the price.

Thanks for your input

savoir · 17-08-2012, 14:17

For engine intake I would suggest marelon. Almost zero maintenance, just pull them apart once a year and check for dirt or weed. None of mine needed more than a wipe down last time I did them.

Bronze would be better for the hot water outlet.

**noelex 77** · 17-08-2012, 14:26

Mine are Marelon, but I have an aluminium boat and all the seacocks are on metal pipes that are above the waterline so if one is damaged the boat does not sink.

For a fiberglass boat I would go for bronze ( make sure it's not brass a lot of production boats have bass seacocks) because it's stronger.

Cheechako · 17-08-2012, 14:39

I vote bronze, install them and forget them for years!

djmarchand · 17-08-2012, 14:44

Marelon. Exercise them a couple of times a year so they don't bind up and every few years spray with inside with silicone and they will last forever. Bronze are ok, but I have had them fall apart on me after 15 years.

David

**David M** · 17-08-2012, 15:14

Bronze. I have had a couple seize up so I got rid of them. One of the boat mechanics at the yard where I haul out says he can't count how many Marelon valves he has had to replace because they were either seized up or the handle broke off.

belizesailor · 17-08-2012, 16:19

All marelon. Never had any problems.

cburger · 17-08-2012, 16:25

Spartan Bronze

Astral Blue · 17-08-2012, 16:37

I would use Marelon over bronze in a heartbeat! A previous poster referred to Marelon valves failing as indicated to him by a mechanic. I'm willing to bet most if not all of the failures were due to improper maintenance. Regardless of the materials, valves NEED to be exercised on a regular basis. A Marelon valve is no more or less prone to the effects of neglect than a valve of any other material.

One additional advantage offered by Marelon is that it does not need to be grounded because it is relatively dielectric. There is also no need to worry about the effects of electrolysis.

bobconnie · 17-08-2012, 17:01

Bronze for us ! I don't want anything holding water out of my boat that I can kick and break !!

just my 2 cents !!

bob_77903 · 17-08-2012, 17:14

Another vote...Spartan Bronze!

HopCar · 17-08-2012, 18:05

I'm glad that you are talking real seacocks and not just a ball valve on a thru-hull.
I prefer a modern bronze ball valve seacock but Marelon and traditional tapered plug seacocks like the Sparton are good as well. All seacocks need to be exercised a couple of times a year to prevent seizing. The Sparton should be disassembled every few years and the tapered plug cleaned and lubricated. Not a big job.

The Apollo ball valve seacocks on my boat are over twenty years old and still work fine. They have had no maintenence except exercise in all that time.

If I were doing it today I'd probably go with the Groco seacock, they have some nice features that the Apollo don't have.

I also really like the new Groco Ball Valve Flanged Adapter which gives you the strength of a seacock and the ease of replacement of a ball valve on a thru-hull.

Groco Flanged Adapter IBVF

cburger · 17-08-2012, 18:22

I have the old Grocco bronze seacocks with the rubber cones throughout the boat, installed in 1976, no bonding anywhere in the boat, (don't believe in it), the seacocks are as good as the day they were installed, not a bit of corrosion. Serviced a complete set of Spartan seacocks on a friends 1967 Cape Dory like new. In my humble opinion comparing Marlon to quality bronze is like comparing a Timex to a Rolex, no matter how you want to spin it it just ain't the same thing. One of my primary issues with the plastic is it is just not as impact resistant and under the right conditions could break off and cause a real issue. Swaped out one of these last year for a customer, handle had snapped off, personally not the type of fitting I would feel comfortable with.