Cape Dory 270, Owner'S Manual

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Two drain fasteners are located to either side of the seacock housing
and can be used to drain the valve during its lay up period.
Before launching, and regularly throughout the season, you should check
to see that all hose clamps are tight and in good condition. Seacocks
are designed to provide a positive means of stopping a flow of water
into the hull, should a connection fail or hose rupture. These fittings
are the single most important safety devices affecting the watertight
integrity of your boat. Checking them for ease and effectiveness of
operation means making certain that the handles move the full 180
degrees arc that they were designed for and that sinks, toilets, and
cockpits drain easily when filled.
Whenever the boat is left unattended in the water, all thru hull
fittings should be left in the CLOSED position except for those serving
the cockpit scuppers. Be certain to open the engine cooling seacock
BEFORE starting the diesel engine. The water pump impeller could be
damaged and/or the engine and exhaust system damaged by overheating if
the engine were to be started with the seacock closed.
Routine maintenance of seacocks calls for disassembling them when the
boat is out of the water, applying a waterproof grease to all friction-
bearing parts and reassemble. When disassembling seacocks, do so one at
a time as the components are individually fitted to each other by their
manufacturer. Your dealer or marina will suggest a good grease
available in your locality. Automotive water pump grease or lubriplate
may be used.
Seacocks should be worked frequently to keep corrosion from forming,
causing them to jam.
Your seacocks for the cockpit drain should almost always be left open.
Their primary function is to be able to shut off a flow of water should
the drain hose burst or come disconnected. Because these are the least
used seacocks on the boat, there is a tendency to forget that they are
there. DON'T! Work them frequently, and service them annually so that
they will work should an emergency arise. Leave all sea cocks open when
the boat is stored for the winter so there is no freezing damage.
The other sea cocks should normally be left in the closed position when
you leave the boat. Be sure that you establish a routine of opening and
closing sea cocks so that you don't overheat your engine or burst hoses
in the head. The head bowl is near the waterline and particular
attention should be paid to the sea cocks that serve the head. They
should be shut off anytime you are asleep or off the boat. A
malfunction in the head or leaving the head intake valve open could
cause the boat to flood or sink if undetected. Simply closing the
seacocks eliminates this hazard. Set up a routine to do this all the
time.
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