This inline ball valve’s silver color is misleading; most mistake it
for stainless steel, when in fact it’s nickel plating over what may
be a brass base metal. Brass is inappropriate for raw-water
applications because of its propensity to crevice-corrode.
disconnected icebox drain that exited the hull above the
resting waterline. During an extended passage, this hole
was routinely thrust a foot or two underwater, and it
admitted hundreds of gallons of water each hour. The
bilge pump eventually failed (most likely clogged with
washed-out bilge debris), flooding ensued, the batteries
were submerged, unsecured sole panels floated out of
position, and pandemonium reigned below. The crew
was unaware of the disconnected drain and therefore was
unable to arrest the rising tide for several hours, nearly
losing the vessel in the process.
Just as important as knowing where seacocks are
located is being able to easily and quickly access them
without the benefit of tools. Burying a seacock in the
bilge beneath a hatch that’s been screwed into place and
has 300 lb. of house batteries sitting on top of it, or under
a V-berth shelf in a bilge that requires you to shimmy
like a soldier under barbed wire to reach it, should be
avoided at all costs. I’ve encountered both scenarios
during vessel inspections I’ve conducted. Seacocks
should only be located in lockers or compartments that
are easily opened without the aid of a socket wrench,
• Long Range Cruising Catamaran
• Wave Piercing Bows
• Exceptional Fuel Ecconomy
• Two or Three Stateroom Layout
Hull #1 just sold to the West Coast. Hull #2 Sold in Asia.
Bay Island Yachts
Distributor of Journey Catamarans
510-814-0400 • journey@bayislandyachts.com
journeycatamarans.com
Journey Catamarans is excited to announce a partnership with
Jet Tern Marine – Selene Trawlers as builder of the 46 Journey LRCat.
