Engine seacocks

S

S Lightly Salty

Member
Sep 3, 2017
88
Boat Info
1987 Sea Ray Sundancer 340
Engines
Dual 454 Mercruisers
What do you guys do with your engine seacocks? Do you open them and leave them open for the season or do you close them in between trips?
 
Open all the time, Thought about closing them when were not at the boat but could see forgetting about it and burning up a set of impellers. Main thing is making sure the raw water hoses are in good shape. Replaced mine the first year, original stuff, Had cracks in it everywhere.
 
It's just part of my routine to open them when I get ready to start the engines for the day. I open the fuel valves at the same time. For me, they are easy to get to. When I get back to the dock....I close the fuel valves and sea cocks. I would like to think that cycling the sea cocks will help them last longer.
 
When in the water open all the time. When we kept the boat in the water 365 days a year open all the time. But you should open and close them every few months to keep them in working order.
 
I always flush my raw water system with fresh water when I come in, so I close them in order to do that. I leave them closed until I take the boat out again. I always remember to open them before running as it’s just a part of my routine, but I do have a checklist I go through when I get to the boat. Opening seacocks is at the top of the list.
 
Don’t forget any 3rd parties that may have access to your boat like marina employees and mechanics.

Our marina has the right to move my boat for maintenance to the docks, likings, roof etc. and the service manager can run the boat as a part of any repairs or maintenance we ask then to do. We can’t risk leaving the sea clocks closed. If the boat were docked behind my house, I’d probably take a different view.
 
M Prod said:
I always flush my raw water system with fresh water when I come in, so I close them in order to do that. I leave them closed until I take the boat out again. I always remember to open them before running as it’s just a part of my routine, but I do have a checklist I go through when I get to the boat. Opening seacocks is at the top of the list.
Click to expand...

+1.
I made two small signs: "Engine Seacocks closed". One on the helm and one on the master panel next to the engine breakers. Just in case someone needs to move the boat.
Plus it is a good practice to open the engine compartment before starting the engine for ventilation, fluids check, bilge pumps check, etc.
seacock.jpg
 
M Prod said:
I always flush my raw water system with fresh water when I come in, so I close them in order to do that. I leave them closed until I take the boat out again. I always remember to open them before running as it’s just a part of my routine, but I do have a checklist I go through when I get to the boat. Opening seacocks is at the top of the list.
Click to expand...
 
Hi all, just curious, at dock with peacocks closed, how do you flush the coolers? Special gear? Thanks for info. I have been wondering about this also.
 
islandsearay said:
Hi all, just curious, at dock with peacocks closed, how do you flush the coolers? Special gear? Thanks for info. I have been wondering about this also.
Click to expand...


My boat has a built in flush system with a garden hose connection. Otherwise you can use something like a Sea Flush kit and hose with the sea strainers (which I use to do the generator and ac).

http://www.seaflush.com/sea-flush-1/
 
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