Newbie question regarding Seacocks

[Marlinspike]

So... My Cape Dory manual specifies that all seacocks should be closed if the boat is to be left alone overnight or longer. The surveyor who showed me around the boat, and knowing I was new to larger boats, pointed out the scupper drain seacocks, noted that they were tie-wrapped open by the previous owner, and mentioned that these must stay open. This is contrary to the manual.

Thoughts?

[GordMay]

The Cockpit Drain and Automatic Bilge Pump Discharge (if fitted) Seacocks must remain open. All other seacocks should be closed when boat unattended.

[camaraderie]

If you close the scupper drain seacocks...the cockpit can fill with water that has no place to go..eventually sinking the boat. Just make sure that the hoses which lead from the cockpit are in good shape and that the DOUBLE hose clamps at both ends are in good shape.

[sailingdog]

Also, many cockpit drain seacocks and bilge pump seacocks are actually above the waterline... so they're really not much of a danger of sinking the boat unless water is getting in somewhere else or they're closed.

[nolatom]

You might tell Cape Dory the manual could stand to be revised. They meant cabin through-hulls (head, sink drain, engine intake) but didn't say so. Cockpit scuppers are like deck scuppers, they have to stay open.

P.S. A lot of folks don't follow the manual. Betcha 3 out of 4 boats out there have open seacocks all summer.

[SailinJay]

My galley sink through-hull stays open all season.

[sailingdog]

So does mine, as does my head compartment sink thruhull, but both of these are more than a foot above the waterline.

The ones that need to really be shut are the ones that are BELOW THE WATERLINE.

[yachtsea]

Does anyone else still giggle silently to themself at the the word seacock?