[C320-list] Relocate Engine Thru-Hull

[Jeff Hare]

I had a handle break on me as well when the boat was out of the water.  These handles on these little 5/8" valves are not very strong in spite of what Forespar might insist on.

The broken handle was my fault, because I attempted to open it one Fall morning when it probably had some ice in it.  But it broke using only my thumb and first finger trying to open it.
Always open your thru-hulls in the winter so that condensation or water doesn't build up in the hose.  I also determined at that time that should the handle break off in the water and the screw is still in place, do not remove that screw!!  Removing that will release the O-rings and you'll probably get an awesome stream of water that will likely blow the screw and all the attached parts into the bilge.

I think the next size up in thru-hulls are MUCH better constructed.  I've toyed with the idea of replacing the 5 thru-hulls with the heavy duty 3/4" Forespar models like you find on the larger Catalinas.

-Jeff Hare
#809

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of John Frost
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2015 4:12 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Relocate Engine Thru-Hull

Be very careful what you attach to a through hull handle.
Several years ago, when my MKII was less than a year old, I had a sudden failure of the valve for my overboard discharge through hull.
It was an irregularly shaped hole and I could not plug it.  I was taking on several gallons a minute more than the bilge pump was discharging.
Luckily we were near our marina and I had the Admiral ignore the no wake zone and approach the boat lift at full speed. :-) We were able to lift it out of the water and calm things down.

When I talked to Forespar they would not believe it had failed.  They said they tested to several hundred pounds of force and there's no way that I can have broken it.
I then realized that I had the Marelon valve secured in the closed position with a heavy duty plastic wire tie.  I restrained it against a large adjacent hose to prove that I was not discharging overboard.
Even though I am supposed to be an engineer, I forgot to consider the forces this would put on the handle when the boat vibrated.  It was pulling the handle in a direction perpendicular to the normal forces that rotated it and it was doing it several thousand times per minute.  The whole thing just died in fatigue failure.

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-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2015 1:52 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Relocate Engine Thur-Hull

Interesting thread. I, too, am bothered by accessing the raw water thru-hull under the aft cabin. There are remotely operated valves on the market. Forespar makes one: too expensive. I'm against leaving it open for the obvious reasons. I've thought about attaching a flexible cable to the handle and bringing it through at some point. Haven't thought this one through. 

Warren and Pattie Updike
1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62

-----Original Message-----
From: kendgb [mailto:kendgb at aol.com]
Sent: Friday, September 18, 2015 8:41 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Relocate Engine Thur-Hull

On another boat I was able to extend the handle shaft through a bulkhead to a better accessible location.  Can't see how that would work here but maybe a sprocket and chain or a bell crank and rod(s) would get the valve actuator to better remote location.

Ken Geiger
Northern Dream #765
On Georgian Bay


Sent from Samsung Mobile

-------- Original message --------
From: rclausen1 at bigpond.com
Date:09/18/2015  04:35  (GMT-05:00)
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Relocate Engine Thur-Hull 

Hi Tony

We have a hole in the cover just above the seacock, we can fit one hand in between the mattresses and open and close the seacock without moving them.

Safe sailing

Teddy Clausen

Cool Change 294

Port Macquarie Aus.