I open/close my seacock each time I use my 30C. But I’m tired of the long, blind and challenging reach into the engine compartment (it is a direct drive, not v-drive, Westerbeke 27). When looking at Nonsuches to purchase, I saw one that had moved the intake to share the galley seacock. I can’t find any discussions about people who have considered/done this. Anyone made the switch? I’d probably try to use a 45-degree fitting instead of a 90 to avoid any galley contaminates entering the engine intake hose, small as they might be. We’re mostly day sailors and I don’t expect for cruising that adding “flush the galley drain” to my prestart checklist will be a problem. If you’ve put a new seacock in instead, where did you locate it?
(Posting on Google for copy to Discourse to reach everyone).
Dan Weinstein
Look Farther, 30C #205
East Greenwich RI
I suggest you not do this as the engine through hull should only feed the engine. Island Packet had major complaints for a couple of years when they had a similar setup. Next time you haul, install a new one.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Why not use a motorized valve instead of your manual one.
This should be a drop in replacement with a small bit of wiring.
Hydraulics will remain the same.
Dan, I have the same sail drive system on my Nonsuch that I’ve owned for over 20 years now.
I have never felt there was a need to open & close that freshwater feed that cools the engine, with every use.
The danger is that you or someone else could forget to open it someday upon starting and
destroy your impeller when it runs dry … unless you always check for water coming out of the exhaust.
P.S. Don’t ever let any North American purist convince you that their shaft driven system is better,
theirs is initially cheaper but requires more expensive maintenance over time than the Volvo Penta Sail Drive.
A Volvo Penta trained mechanic told me that heavy use police & coast guard boats use the sail drive system,
and well-built European sail boats come that way.
Herb G. Huber, MISTOFFELEES NS30C#91, Bridgeview Marina, Point Edward/Sarnia, Ontario
Lake Huron Nonsuch Association
Besides sucking air, I really worry about sucking whatever is going down the sink drain - what if the engine is running while someone else is cleaning a coffee pot - are you going to suck all the whatever is going down the drain through the raw water filter?
And that is an awful long run from the sink to the engine - is the pump that is on the engine suitable for pulling water that far? Maybe, but find out before you replumb.
I do wish the engine raw water thru hull was right under the companionway steps, easily accessible by opening the hatch on the engine cover (on v-drive W27A engine).
lloyd herman Rendezvous, 30U (w/ v-drive)
Port Washington, NY
Personally I would move it forward either port or starboard. Mine is starboard and my friends boat is port. If you relocate to the deeper part of the keel just aft of thw engine then you are good so long as your strainer is below the water line you shouldn’t have issues. I have had to clean mine a few times this season due to the blooms of seaweed but have had no temp issues. Running it off of the sink drain seems like a fools errand. If anything install a new through hull and stopper up the old one.
John SMYTH
Fatal Distraction NS30U #388
Toronto Canada