[C320-list] SS Clamp Failure

[Kirk McCullough]

Hi Bruce

Hopefully your new clamps are for a marine application. Anyway now you know 
to check them periodically.

The screw that holds the handle into the body of the Marelon valve came out 
as I was trying to close it after a pump out. The handle then simply pulled 
out of its fitting and water began to flow through. I don't think there is 
supposed to be a water path even with the handle removed, so the valve 
itself must have been faulty.

I found a similar screw on board and recovered the handle which had fallen 
down under the holding tank, then reinstalled the handle, as a temporary 
fix. I purchased a new valve and replaced the failed valve on my next haul 
out. The screw must have been loose and backed out on its own. It threads 
into the plastic Marelon material, not the best design, a metal insert for 
the screw might be a better arrangement.

I check the valve handles on all the thru-hull valves now several times a 
year.

Kirk

#124
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <bruceheyman at cox.net>
To: "C320 List" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, December 31, 2007 7:15 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] SS Clamp Failure


> Kirk,
> The only numbers I could find on the clamps were 300.  Unfortunately the 
> new clamps I bought had the same numbers.
> How did the thru hull handle break off?  Was it frozen up?
> Bruce
> Somerset 671 SoCal
> Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Kirk McCullough" <kirk.mccullough at telus.net>
>
> Date: Sun, 30 Dec 2007 17:14:33
> To:"'C320-List'" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] SS Clamp Failure
>
>
> I have the original clamps on Boomerang a 1994 boat with no signs of
> corrosion and no failures. I suspect that your clamps are a poor quality
> stainless steel. I suppose they are SS, but for a marine application we 
> need
> something like 304 or 316 SS.
>
> Good thing you found it before you had a major failure at sea.
>
> We lost the through hull valve while pumping out at sea once; the handle
> broke off and a leak path through the handle fastener allowed 50 or more
> gallons of water in before I could stop the flow. I check my through hulls
> and hose clamps very frequently now...... but I've never had a clamp fail
> just the Marlon thru hull valve.
>
> Kirk
> #124
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Heyman
> Sent: 28 December 2007 10:03
> To: 'C320-List'
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] SS Clamp Failure
>
> Barry,
> Surprisingly they did not fail at the gear base which is where I would 
> have
> expected.  Most of them failed along the strap where it is relieved to 
> allow
> for the screw thread.  The metal was very brittle and quickly snapped if 
> you
> flexed them.  I'm sure they are the original clamps applied at the factory
> about 8 years ago.
> Bruce
> Somerset #671 SoCal
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Barry Fahrer
> Sent: Friday, December 28, 2007 8:42 AM
> To: C320-List
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] SS Clamp Failure
>
> I am very surprised that your clamps failed.  How did they fail ?  I guess
> it is possible that the acid fumes from the battery could be causing a
> problem.
> I have only seen some cheap hose clamps fail because the metal around the
> gear base couldn't withstand the tension.
> You might want to talk to the manufacturer and find out if they
> are warranted at all. BARRY --... ...-- 
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13 - Release Date: 12/31/2007 
12:00 AM