Thru-hull valves: Ball or Gate?

Hartley18 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010

That is the question. What's the best to use?

I'm looking to replace the sink drain (currently a 3/4" gate valve) and the head inlet (a 3/4" ball valve) with new ball valves.. and then fit new something-or-other to the 1-1/2" cockpit drains.

Is it just personal preference - or is one definitely superior to the other??

Thanks,
Cameron

St Anna · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010

Ball valves in my view - get rid of all gate valves. Especially in hoses that may not really ever be closed - like the cockpit drains.

marksaviation · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010

gate valves belong in swimming pool fittings not on any yacht

CaptainForce · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010

Gate valves fail by remaining stuck in the open or closed position. This is a rare trait for a ball valve. Definitely, select the ball valve.

PorFin · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010

Yes, ball valves are far superior to gate valves (at least on a boat).

A couple of other reasons to go with ball valves:

o You can tell at a glance whether they are open or closed.
o You can close them from fully open to fully closed in one quick flick of the wrist.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010

Ball valves are definitely the way to go. Along with what Porfin and CF said, they're also far easier to maintain....Do be sure to get marine grade ones though, since the brass ball used on the hardware store variety ones can rot out pretty quickly in salt water and leave your boat ready to sink...

eherlihy · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010

One more vote for Ball Valves.

I am having a have a hard time thinking of ANY application where gate valves are superior to ball valves. I swap ball valves out at every possible opportunity. NONE on my swimming pool, none on any plumbing that I work on (kitchen, bathroom).

The only application that I can think of, and this is only because we're all used to seeing them here, is an outside faucet.

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by eherlihy

One more vote for Ball Valves.

I am having a have a hard time thinking of ANY application where gate valves are superior to ball valves. I swap ball valves out at every possible opportunity. NONE on my swimming pool, none on any plumbing that I work on (kitchen, bathroom).

The only application that I can think of, and this is only because we're all used to seeing them here, is an outside faucet.

and even there, a lot of them are being replaced by ball valves..

JohnRPollard · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010

Cameron,

This is a no brainer. Ball valves all the way.

Gate valves are not allowed in new boat construction here in North America, and haven't been allowed for decades. Insurance companies usually require that any existing gate valves be replaced with proper seacocks/ball valves as a condition of insurability.

tdw · #10 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010

Cameron this is way easier than cored hull or nay. Have a ball.

As the mighty JRP says...no brainer.