Sink drain outlet?

[Troppo]

What's your thoughts? The drain on my sink goes through the hull under the water. However, I was in a different type of boat and the drain was above the water line. I guess the benefit of the under-water exit is that when I dump a bucket of muddy cleaning water down the sink it does not shoot out above the waterline and onto any boat broker who may have just pulled in with his dinghy beside the boat I was cleaning [It happened!]. Then again, I am not sure if that is a disadvantage . . . .

sink1.jpg (319.8 KiB) Viewed 5247 times

So, is it beneficial to have the sink outlet above the water line? I think it may be because if the darn tap or hose ever breaks then not likely to have a little fountain that could sink the boat. And, in my under-sink cupboard, if the hose went up higher then access for using the space would be significantly improved. On the downside, a hose with a bend to go out higher might clog up more.

Whatcha reckon?

Troppo

[Brainless]

Oberons is above/just on the water line and has a valve, it would give you more space, maybe a larger diameter pipe and thru fitting would be the go if you are worried about it clogging up

[storm petrel]

Strange to have a gate valve rather than a simple ball valve seacock. The through hull will be underwater anyway when you are healed over, probably better just to make sure your through hull and seacock are in good condition rather than going to the trouble of putting another hole in the boat.

[bearmcnally]

Hi Mark , that is the correct set up you have . the gate valve is the old way ? Some shipwrights like ball valves over gate, believing them to be safer . Egret II has all her skin fittings with gate valves and are in good working condition .Even at 40 years of age

Cheers Bear

[Phillip]

Mark,

The thing is with a ball valve you can see if you have turned it off.

Can't do that with a gate valve! got to test it every time!

[Troppo]

At the very least I am gunna change the valve. I am nervous with this valve as when I turn it I wonder if it will break off in my hands. Be nice to peek under the sink and easily see if on or off.

Is changing the valve a job I can do out on the water? [kidding]

A mate took out an old unused valve in his ancient river boat last time he slipped. Wooden boat. Obvious dampness around valve. Valve practically fell out when he went to remove it. Twas rotting out. Epoxy is a wonderful fixa-uppa and now his hull is as good as new.

Troppo

[Brainless]

I believe you actually can, there is an element of risk but you can use a wood plug and press it into the hole then remove the valve

[Troppo]

I believe you actually can, there is an element of risk but you can use a wood plug and press it into the hole then remove the valve

I guess the element of risk is going in the water and putting the wood plug in the hole from the outside. The risk being the crocs and jellyfish in the river. : )

[storm petrel]

After you escape the crocs and jelly fish there is an added risk of damaging the through hull if the valve thread is seized. I would wait for the next time I was up on the slips and replace it with a ball valve seacock. If the through hull looks corroded(hopefully not) you could replace it at the same time. Luckily the seacocks and through hulls were all replaced just before I bought my boat 7 years ago so I have not had to worry about them.

Bear, I am impressed that your 40yr old gate valves still work well. Are the through-hulls also original?

[Dolphin]

I have replaced the 40mm head discharge valve in the water, through necessity. it was before we went north.There is always some major breakdown just before any trip.
I put a plug with a sock over it to seal a little better and then drove an hour away to get a new valve.
it would worry me at this stage of her life screwing on and off the valve in the water. Some of the skin fittings are going very green!.
The internal valve stem seems to wear the thread off. The stem gets some corrosion on it and every time you use it it grinds the corrosion off to the point where the valve won't open or shut because the thread is stripped.
The ball valves need more room to operate because of the handle but the insurance companies like them. I wonder about dissimilar metals in water ie the Stainless and brass. Its only separated by the Teflon seal.