One of the nastiest jobs of Spring fitting out is freeing up seacocks that have frozen. I found one method of easing the job. Using a funnel, pour about a pint of WD-40 or other type of penetrating oil into the hose leading out of the seacock (if it's frozen open you'll have to plug the through-hull from the outside; tapered wood bungs should do it.) Let the oil work for a few days. This usually loosens the innards enough to pull the seacock apart for greasing and reassembly. If it doesn't, heat helps, too. I use a heat gun rather than propane out of respect to the fiberglass near the seacocks. You can buy WD-40 in bulk (gallons) at most large auto stores for about $12/gallon. - Joe Brown, CD28 "Caprice."
joebrown@mint.net
Frozen Seacocks
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