Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

[dvan1901]

I have a 2007 Mercruiser 5.0 MPI with a Bravo III drive. I keep the boat in a slip, mainly because I then get an extended boating season when they draw the lake down. My slip does not have a lift, which would be ideal for many reasons, so my question is this. Is it possible to have a shut off valve installed on the raw water intake side? I would want to do this for two potential reasons, first, it would allow me to drain the engine during the cold weather months without having to sink my boat (cool fuel module sits below the water line and has a drain on it). Second, if I were to be on the lake and my impellar went out, I would be able to change it without sinking my boat.

Thoughts?

 

[Don S]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

Sure you can. Just install a shutoff valve near the transom shield where the water comes in.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

people do it all the time. Just make sure the ball **** itself is the same diameter as the tube. Alot of those valves reduce the diameter, in which case you may need to buy an oversize valve and adapt the pipe out.
For example, a 1 inch pipe thread valve may only have an opening of 1/2 inch on the inside. You don't want that.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

first, it would allow me to drain the engine during the cold weather months without having to sink my boat (cool fuel module sits below the water line and has a drain on it). Second, if I were to be on the lake and my impellar went out, I would be able to change it without sinking my boat.

First, get a bilge heater instead. It'll be easier.

Second, you can change the impeller in the water without sinking your boat, even without a water shut off valve. Just remove the inlet hose to the pump, and either raise it above the water line (not that far, really) or put a cork in it. (Otherwise known as a rag) I have changed my impeller while on the water on my B3 and the intake hose was 1000x harder to get off the pump, than it was to raise it about 3 inches to keep the water from rushing in it. Mine even wedged nicely against the back of the motor mount and was kinf of "cradled", so it didn't move, even as the waves hit me and rocked the boat.

Good luck

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

Bilge heater may be easier, but I've gone through a cracked block once and don't want to do that again; plus the boat is still pretty much new. Heaters can fail, or turn off or not do the job or whatever. I would rather drain it because as has been said here many times "air doesn't freeze". Not too concerend about easier than I am about right, or better.

 

[rs2k]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

I would rather drain it because as has been said here many times "air doesn't freeze".

Actually, air freezes at -361.82 ?F, but your in luck because it doesn't expand when it freezes like ice/water does. Of course, your boat would be the least of your concerns if it got down to -361.82 ?F.



Make sure you don't ever forget to open or shut that valve or bad things will happen.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

Geez, you are in Georia, how cold can it get in November/December?

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

Can get cold. I think this last Winter we had several nights of 10 or so, not as cold as the North obviously, but cold enought to freeze water and crack a block...I know from experience. Heck, last week it got down to the upper 50's at night, yep, in July!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

10 degrees for a low temperature in Georgia???? If it got that cold there, I'd be moving to Florida! Gee, we only had about 2 weeks colder than that here in Illinois. And we too had temps over night in the low 50's last week.

You drain the block, manifolds, and cool fuel every weekend, and you'll be begging me for the number of the bilge heater guy. Unless you mean, you'd drain it once in say October, but not use the boat again until January. Then that makes sense. Also, if your engine has the blue or black plastic drain plugs, buy about 10 extra right now, cause you will break one or two a year, especially the one on the bottom of the cool fuel, cause it's a bear to get to, and it's "upside down".

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

Yeah, the ones behind the cool fuel module are "tricky" to get to. I'm more worried about dropping them! Good thing is, I can fit down in my engine compartment.

 

[z284u2try]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

Is that a splendor boat?
Do you have a closed cooling system on the engine?
Do you have the raw water pick up valve that needs to be closed to run on ears?

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

Yep, it's a Splendor boat...love it. It is not closed cooling nor do I have a pick up valve for running on muffs

 

[z284u2try]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

Yes they are great boat what pitch props are on your bravo III? We have one that seems to slip under excelleration it like misses a beat and you feel a small jerk its not engine related I think it has the wrong pitch props.
Does yours have the capacity sticker? I could not find one on ours.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

What year is your boat? I'm not sure of the pitch on the props, but I know what you are talking about; I had that this weekend while pulling a tube. If I accelerate sort of slow, it will slip some, if I gun it, it won't (like pulling a ski). My capacity sticker is right by the shifter and I believe is rated for 12 people or 3500lbs; something like that.

 

[z284u2try]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

Its a 24' 06 with the horizon 350 and closed cooling. Have you called splendor about your cavitation? I think the prop pitch is wrong on the outdrive and that is causing the cavitation. Splendor said they never heard of it. I think it is a problem with all splendor boats. Have you maxed out the cap on your boat. i had 11 people on it and it cavitated all over.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

I only had the "problem" when I was pulling a tube last week; I had the boat trimmed about 1/4 of the way to create a bigger wake and was not going all that fast so I was in a sense creating my own problem. Other than that, I've not had a problem. I've had 8 adults and 2 kids on board, plus gear, and pulled wakeboards and ski's and never had the problem.

 

[z284u2try]

Re: Maybe a dumb question - Water intake shut off valve

Cool. i am going to try some different prop sets.
These boats are great for chop and they ride so smooth.
It's like having the room of a toon boat that goes 50mph.