thru hulls & seacocks

[actigner]

This started as a simple project of replacing all my gate valves
with proper seacocks. In the process of removal the thru hulls
broke loose and have been removed for cleaning and
reinstallation. Now I'm wondering about replacing everything
with plastic. Obvious benifits are lightning and electroalysis
concerns but being old fashioned I like the structual strength
of bromze. Have any of you any experience with the plastic thru
hulls and seacocks made by Forespar. Lacking some strong
reccomendations I will stay with bronze.
Thanks
RCL

 

[aistqm]

Check with your insurance company. They probable would rather you use bronze. Boat/US's publication of Seaworthy just did an article on this topic and they prefer bronze.

 

[barefoot]

On my boat previous to the M-38 (a Dufour 31), I replaced a gate valve with a ball valve made of a plastic called marlon. It worked beautifully. The boat was surveyed twice after the marlon valve was installed, and the surveyors never said anything about it. It seemed quite sturdy -- I'd have no hesitation to use one again.