My boat is B42 and twenty years old. I have no idea if these fittings have been changed. I bought it at 15 years old. The previous owner seemed to be meticulous in his maintenance, I can tell by the modifications that have been made and the parts that have been renewed. However I can’t tell if these valves have been replaced. I’ll have a look next lift out. Is there any signs in the bronze I could definitely look for There is a bit of rust steaks but I assumed it from the jubilee clips.
Thanks for the pics Yngmar I have already looked up the UK supplier and will think about the plastic type .
bavariayacht.org/forum/index.php/topic,2878.0.html
You might find this useful. There is a lot of "myth" surrounding seacocks. Bavarias, and most other European boats use brass fittings and seacocks, some chrome plated. They have done for many, many years with very few problems, despite the material not being deemed suitable for use in seawater because they potentially dezincify because of galvanic action. However in practice this is rare, mainly because the vulnerable parts are not actually exposed to seawater, except as I noted in the end fittings, particularly the hose tails. More common is seizure of the ball valve, but this is nothing to do with the material of the body, or the handle and spindle corroding. This is mostly related to lack of use, that is not operating the valve periodically.
Bob's boat is similar age to yours and as you can see the valves and fittings were mostly sound except dezincification in the threads. On my old boat, similar age, I changed the loo outlet after 8 years because it had seized, but found it and the fittings otherwise sound.
Even if the fittings do dezincify they are unlikely to fail in normal use. Where they are vulnerable is if they get stressed, for example by something heavy hitting the valve or hosetail. Most of the valves in a Bavaria are in well protected locations so this is unlikely to happen in normal use.
Having said all that I think you should consider replacing all the valves and fittings that are underwater. The choice is between metal and composite (Tru Design). The latter is a bit more expensive and involves a bit more work. Metal valves and fittings are direct replacements for the existing, but it is important to use only those labeled DZR (Dezincification Resistant) or bronze. DZR is now widely available and is clearly marked as such. Bronze is more expensive and now, because of the availability of DZR not so easy to find. Both are equally corrosion resistant.
