My seacocks were all on the verge of locking up. Its been a year and the white Lithium grease was done. I am way to cheap to pay to have the boat hauled. So I set about to rebuild the seacocks with the boat in the water.
My first experiment involved the use of one of those pool toys sold as a "Noodle". Its a foam cylinder about 3" in dia. and 5' long. Comes in nice bright colors also. I took a swim and stuffed it into the sink thru hull. On the inside of the boat I then disassemble the seacock, lapped it, regreased and reassembled. Only a small quantity of water seeped in. Since the "noodle" was readily accessable from the rail no swimming required to remove..
On a roll from the success I then took on the engine raw water seacock. The intake is a rounded strainer with holes in it.. No "noodle" would work here. I took a small sink plunger and screwed a L hook into the end. Swimming again I hooked it on the screen and proceeded to rebuild the seacock. Not a complete success since there was considerable seepage. But the seacock is in the bilge already and the pump works....
2 down...Now completely confident I took on the 3 under the head sink. All water in this area drains directly to the bilge and the pump is working.... This time I am going to work without a net.. No more swimming... I am going to pull the thing and stuff a rag in the body of the seacock in one fell swoop. The quantity of water was ...well considerable. No way to lap these but they are in really good shape. The rag slowed the flow enough to get the plug greased and back in with one deft maneuver. Whew... Did all three and they work great...
I think I need to find a 12 step program before long....something bad has to come of this..
Boyd
Boyd@wbta.cc