Thread: Ball Valves
View Single Post
Old 07-20-2012, 04:31 PM   #11
RickB
Scraping Paint
 
City: Fort Lauderdale
Vessel Model: CHB 48 Zodiac YL 4.2
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,804
ABYC will never say anything is "safe." There are ways to reduce risk but no boat will ever be "safe."

"... have you ever seen a seacock fail due to impact?"

Nope, all the boats I have owned or worked on have seacocks that are protected from that kind of abuse.

If you want to reduce the risk of breaking a seacock, protect it from falling objects and from becoming a stepping stone either intentionally or otherwise.

You can install a short piece of hose between the through-hull and valve and all but eliminate any chance of placing a bending load on it if you want. Cover the entire assembly with a box if you like but don't go around telling people that there is only one way to do something. Even ABYC acknowledges that fact.

If you are worried about de-zincification then check your fittings more often, know what you've got, and learn to recognize conditions before they become problems or worse.
RickB is offline   Reply With Quote