[C320-list] 'Sticky' Through-Hull Valves

[john at frostnet.net]

I had one break off at the hull on my 6 month old boat. It was a jagged break and I couldn’t stop the water flow but we got it to the lift and saved it. I would have sunk if we hadn't been on board. I now keep a bag of toilet bowl joint wax on board that can plug such a leak

I looked at it under a microscope and found it failed from fatigue,
Turns out it was my head overboard discharge valve which I had zip tied closed by attaching it to an adjacent hose. The valve and the hose vibrated differently under power and my zip tie just vibrated the valve to failure. 

I close all valves when I leave the boat so they get exercised and they are never sticky (fresh water)


John
2007 C320MKII
Hull  #1118
Lake Guntersville, AL



-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of David Wellerstein via C320-list
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2024 10:40 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Cc: David Wellerstein <dwellers at mac.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] 'Sticky' Through-Hull Valves

I had a Marelon break off in my hand (sink drain) and will never use them again.  I’ve replaced them all with bronze seacocks.  

> On Apr 29, 2024, at 8:34 AM, Tony Kalish via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> I have the Marelon through-hull valves on my 1999 Catalina 320.  I try 
> every year to lube and exercise the valves but they still bind and are 
> 'sticky'...they don't open/close smoothly.  I've been using the 
> Marelube to help keep them working, but doesn't seem to be working.  Any suggestions?
> Anyone else have similar issues?