poor quality brass seacocks

[foster]

Hello everyone,

I am concerned by the seacock issue raised in the english yacht magazines about failing seacocks related to poor quality brass that can leak or break after three or five years.

Has anyone looked at this in the B43/B40 ?I am going to check this issue this week. If replacement is decided do you have any suggestions for a bronze or at least a good DZR brass ?

 

Denis

[Michael Cioffi]

Hi Den

it has happened to me on my B40 with a line that helped cool the motor. it simply rotted at the elbow

 and a stream of water the size of a McDonalds straw followed. thank god the bilge out ran the leak.

[foster]

Thanks for this confirmation?

What did Beneteau do since the boat is no more than 4 years old ?

Here is a good article on this subject with what to avoid and what to look for :

http://www.paulstevenssurveys.com/upload/Seacocks.pdf

Denis

[Mike Brown]

Mike, was there any sign of decay on the valve? Did you consult the dealer? If so what did they have to say about it? The last thing I want an issue with is my thruhulls.

Mike

[foster]

Hello,
I looked at every seacock (all 10) with a lot of attention. I found the elbow of the raw (sea) water for the Yanmar has signs of advanced dezincification at the under side that is not visible (pinkish color and little moisture equivalent of a micro leak)). I will send pictures soon. The through hull looks ok as the valve. There is no clear indication of the type of alloy used for the valve as it has a silver color. Can it be bronze or CR brass?
Of course I always keep all the seacoks closed when the boat is not used and unattended I will have that elbow changed as soon as I will have found with proof a compatible BRONZE elbow.

I think all owners should have close look at this issue our boat is French made from 2007 hull number 77. The boat is in th water about 9 months a year.

If somebody has some information about the attitude of Beneteau as I told you for other things the Spanish dealer is very unreactive.
This group shows all the interest of ou community. Thanks to Franc and Andrea.

Denis

[foster]

Hello,

 

Here are a few pictures. 

As you can see it is the tail pipe screwed on the elbow that has signs of corrosion and dezincification.

 

The pictures are taken from underneath.

 

Has anyone else than Michael seen this on their boat ?

 

I will take care of this in December in the meantime the valve is closed of course.

 

Denis

[Mike Brown]

I checked my engine thru hull this weekend (2008 US built 43 hull #001) and other than a very mild touch of oxidation it looked fine. I'll check all the other thru hulls just to be sure but so far it looks like we're OK.

Mike

[Gavin White]

Greetings 

I checked my raw water intake this weekend and got quite a shock. See below  The boat is in the water 12 months of the year, launched December 2008.  I am seeking comment from the local dealer.

Gavin

[foster]

Hello,

 

You should check Paul Stevens website (cf above: http://www.paulstevenssurveys.com/upload/Seacocks.pdf).

I am still loking for a bronze ball valve and elbow tail pipe.

The maximum dezincification seems in the tail pipe that is also the thinest part.

Maybe the engine seacok is more vulnerable due to the temperature in the engine room ?

Regards.

 

Denis

[Gavin White]

Hi 

I am starting to think it may be related to Electrolytic activity. My boat came with only one anode on the shaft to protect the prop.  An inspection of that reveals that it is working.   I would be interested to know what others in the group have installed and thoughts generally on what is required on their boats.

 

Gavin

[foster]

Hello,

The engine raw water intake elbow was disassembled and looked like this.

I will exchange it for a brass or DZR / CR brass elbow.