through hulls

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therobesons's picture
therobesons
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through hulls

As a week end sailor in nice weather, So Cal, do you close all your through hulls each time you doc and leave your boat?

Or do you leave them open or just close them when you know you are going to be gone for a while

Open or close, how do you leave your through hulls?

Thanks

Bob

Bob, LaRainne and McKenzie Robeson

1985 Std Rig C-36, Hull #374

San Pedro, Cal

Sailing the So Cal Islands and coastal ports from San Pedro south to San Diego.

cillman
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Posts: 30

[QUOTE=therobesons;2208]As a week end sailor in nice weather, So Cal, do you close all your through hulls each time you doc and leave your boat?

Or do you leave them open or just close them when you know you are going to be gone for a while

Open or close, how do you leave your through hulls?

Thanks

Bob[/QUOTE]

Bob - I try to remember to close them all when I leave the boat. I only open them as required. Usually on day sails, just the raw water, the head and galley sinks.

Craig

Craig Illman, Seattle
S/V Espresso C34 #1150 1991

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Allan R
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Posts: 177

I close "all" when I am leaving the boat and like Craig only open those I need when going out.

Allan Rex
# 2216

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stu jackson c34
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Posts: 1270

Close all all the time - I want the boat to be there when I come back. I just don't understand people who don't. They claim: "Well, we stay on the boat overnight and nothing happens. We're on the boat, and we go to the store, and nothing happens. We're at a dock party and nothing happens." Statistically, I guess they're right. But I've heard too many "...rusted hose clamps letting go..." stories to trust to that. We also don't leave our boat plugged in all the time.

Your boat, your choice.

Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)

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therobesons
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Posts: 114

When I bought our boat, all through hulls were open, when I asked the owner he said that he was just lazy, but did not see any reason to close them all the time in so cal, it is not like it freezes here.

My thoughts were algae and other growth can get up in there and slow everything down, and since our sink drains slowly I believe this is the issue.

I never thought about a hose, clamp or something else failing.

I will close all when we leave the boat and only open what I need.

Thanks

Bob

Bob, LaRainne and McKenzie Robeson

1985 Std Rig C-36, Hull #374

San Pedro, Cal

Sailing the So Cal Islands and coastal ports from San Pedro south to San Diego.

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Sojourn
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Posts: 171

I agree closing thru hulls should be done before departing. I have a tag I use whenever I close the Engine thru hull. I hang it from the switch panel in the nav station to remind me to open it before we motor. As for other reminders I have a check list for departing the boat. I got tired of forgotten glasses or wallets.

I have attached the check list.

Regards,

Lou Bruska
Sojourn
1985 C-36 Mk-I TR #495
Eldean Shipyard
Lake Macatawa (Holland, MI) Lake Michigan
Rallyback@comcast.net

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Microsoft Office document icon End of Sail Checklist.doc28.5 KB
jmontani
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Joined: 7/19/07
Posts: 143

I close all valves.

In addition, I leave my engine key next to the thru-hull for the engine so there is no way I can forget to open up the valve before starting the motor.(the key ring is large enough to fit over the strainer knob)

Lastly, since my A/C valve is behind the bottom drawer (stbd side) of the sink, I remove that drawer and store it on the stove cover so I don't forget to open the valve when I return to the boat.

Good article...

BoatUS...50% of boats that sink at a dock are caused by underwater fittings failing...

I thought it would have been higher. Stuffing Boxes led this study.

[url]http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/sinking/default.asp[/url]

Jack
Solstice
Hull #1598
1996 MKII/TR/FK - M35AC - 3 Blade MaxProp
Lake Texoma

www.texomasailing.org

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dejavu
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Posts: 433

Well, knock on teak, but the raw water inlet is the only through-hull I've closed in the past 10 years. Yikes! I keep my engine key near it, too, so I remember to open it. The boat is also plugged in all the time with the battery charger and frig running, but I do keep the fresh water switch off unless I need it. So far so good.

Mike

Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA

hilbre
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Posts: 218

I close all through hulls on Hilbre when I am not on the boat, besides you want to exercise all through hulls so they do not get stiff. I use a small plunger once in a while on the sink just to clear the small diameter drain.
John Meyer - Hilbre 2135 San Pedro

John Meyer
Hilbre
C36 MKll, Hull 2135

Cabrillo Marina, San Pedro, CA

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wfahey
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Posts: 157

Bob

We close all through hulls when we leave the boat. I also close all of them when I sail (with the exception of the engine).

The A/C through hull will drain out when sailing and it is a bugger to reprime. I have also heard that there is the possibility of flooding the boat if it heels too far over with the head through hull open.

Bill
s/v Lucky
1984 MK I Hull #266
San Antonio, Texas

jmontani
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Posts: 143

This thread got me thinking and on my MKII...

There are nine (9) entries into my boat from under the waterline (Engine Raw water, Stuffing box, Galley Sink/Refer Drain, AC raw water, Macerator, Head inlet, Head sink/shower drain, Speed Transducer, and Depth transducer.)

I usually peek around the ones that I actively use (probably 5), but I need to do a better job of actively looking at the others.

Thanks for starting this thread.

Jack
Solstice
Hull #1598
1996 MKII/TR/FK - M35AC - 3 Blade MaxProp
Lake Texoma

www.texomasailing.org

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Steve Frost
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Posts: 788

Yep, I too keep my seacocks closed when not aboard for any length of time. I do not trust that clear vinyl hose on the sinks, and agree that keeping them closed decreases the critter habitat in the though hull.

I also hang my engine key on the raw water intake seacock so I make sure it gets turned off and on when appopriate as I find it hard to start the engine without the key.

I am not sure if it is fact based but I also felt that by turning off the and isolating the raw water intake that it may limit electrolytic action from the engine to the sea. I know there is still a bond from the shaft to the engine but it makes me feel better about it even if it is a waste of time electolysis wise.

Cepheus dream
C36 MK I # 825
MK I Tech Editor No Mas

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therobesons
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Posts: 114

I will be closing all through hulls all the time.

I will come up with a message/check list for when I return to the boat or when I leave the boat.

Thanks everyone

Bob, LaRainne and McKenzie Robeson

1985 Std Rig C-36, Hull #374

San Pedro, Cal

Sailing the So Cal Islands and coastal ports from San Pedro south to San Diego.

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