All CD Owners -a "Heads Up!" to check out

[Larry DeMers]

Last weekend, I removed my galley sink, drain system and seacock in prep for another project.
In the process of dissassembling the sink drain, I found the tail piece from the sink drain (ther part that slides into your hose) to be badly corroded and split in 4 pieces. It was next to dissolved in fact, and this was the only thing holding the hose to the drain fitting.

The danger that this represents is that while underway, and heeled, our sink is below the waterline, as evidenced by the water in the sink bowl itself. This fitting would have eventually broken, and we would have had an unplanned adventure, saved from an unplanned sinking by the *SEACOCK*.

I would recommend that the upper portion of your hose be gently removed from your sink drain pipe, and checked for this problem. I sail fresh water only, never use harsh chemicals on the drain, nor empty acids in the sink..so this appears to be a normal reaction to normal galley discharges. THe solution is simple and inexpensive. Get a hardware store sink drain tailpiece..sold separately from the rest of the household sink stuff, and cut it to length, and replace that puppy.

Good Sailing & Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior



demers@sgi.com

[Jim]

I second your recommendation. When removing the sink Seacock from Delta Dawn (CD 30 built 1981) due to the electrolysis problem which occurred with the thru hulls and seacocks, the tail piece broke right off in my hand with no presure at all. Delta Dawn is finaly back in the water and hopefully the electrolysis problem has been solved. I believe the electrolysis problem occurred due to a ground wire not being connected to the new engine when the engine was replaced. I sailed her by myself for the first time a week ago, I loved it.



otter777@aol.com

[D. Stump, Hanalei]

Larry,

Thanks for the heads up. The tailpipes and in fact the connecting piping between drains is typical household plastic stuff on Hanalei (1984 CD-30). I have thought about this, and have considered going to metal tailpipes to hose to a "Y" fitting to hose to the seacock. The problem with the plastic is that it has the typical hand tightened couplings with a "O" ring seal! The set-up as is has never failed, but like you, I do get concerned because when heeled this stuff is below the water line.

What do you recommend? It's not broke, should I fix it?

Dave Stump
Captain Commanding
s/v Hanalei CD-30

In the water, rig tuned, cabin stocked, time to bend on the sails and go SAILING.

[John R.]

Last weekend, I removed my galley sink, drain system and seacock in prep for another project.
In the process of dissassembling the sink drain, I found the tail piece from the sink drain (ther part that slides into your hose) to be badly corroded and split in 4 pieces. It was next to dissolved in fact, and this was the only thing holding the hose to the drain fitting.

The danger that this represents is that while underway, and heeled, our sink is below the waterline, as evidenced by the water in the sink bowl itself. This fitting would have eventually broken, and we would have had an unplanned adventure, saved from an unplanned sinking by the *SEACOCK*.

I would recommend that the upper portion of your hose be gently removed from your sink drain pipe, and checked for this problem. I sail fresh water only, never use harsh chemicals on the drain, nor empty acids in the sink..so this appears to be a normal reaction to normal galley discharges. THe solution is simple and inexpensive. Get a hardware store sink drain tailpiece..sold separately from the rest of the household sink stuff, and cut it to length, and replace that puppy.

Good Sailing & Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30 Lake Superior

A few years ago I replaced the entire drain pipe arrangement with PVC and a glass filled nylon tailpiece to connect to helical hose (short length)which connects to the seacock via a check valve that will stop any possible reverse flow of sea water in rough conditions. My galley sink is a dual basin in a CD30.

[Larry DeMers]

Glad you found it in time Jim. Now I am wondering if electrolysis is what got to mine after 18 years. I have seen no electrolysis evidence on my new zincs since we bought DLM..but the old zincs were really worn away badly. That could have been the start of it..jeesh, these are the damn things that come to my mind at night when we're crossing Superior, and you can't see your own hands..now I find that these little worries can be real as ever. hee, there won't be a problem keeping awake at 3am now~!

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
DeLaMer

I second your recommendation. When removing the sink Seacock from Delta Dawn (CD 30 built 1981) due to the electrolysis problem which occurred with the thru hulls and seacocks, the tail piece broke right off in my hand with no presure at all. Delta Dawn is finaly back in the water and hopefully the electrolysis problem has been solved. I believe the electrolysis problem occurred due to a ground wire not being connected to the new engine when the engine was replaced. I sailed her by myself for the first time a week ago, I loved it.

demers@sgi.com

[Geoff Safron]

Larry, one possible "sleep aid" re seacock failure: I've hung a conical softwood plug in the neighborhood of each seacock, with a cheap ball-pean hammer handy. With any luck, they were a waste of money!



brainstorm@unidial.com