First question: are the bronze seacocks connected electrically (i.e., by
wire) to your engine ground? If not, you have nothing at all to worry
about. If they are grounded by wire, is there a reason? There are many
different bronzes, of course, but in the old days, they would last the
life of the boat. Were they replaced 4 years ago because of corrosion or
failure?

I believe a reasonably knowledgeable diver would be able to detect
energetic corrosion of the seacocks, as well as any other underwater
metals, like the ruddershaft. I gather you used a diver to inspect your
prop shaft zincs after you installed the isolator but you didn't check
the seacocks at the time?

Good luck, and hopefully, suspend the paranoia.

Chuck



cvj wrote:
I recently had to install a Galvanic Isolator in order to reduce zinc loss
on my boat. I have zinc anodes both on the propellor shaft (3 small zincs on
a Volvo Sail Drive) as well as a large separate zinc wired to the engine.
Prior to the installation of the Galvanic Isolator, the propellor zincs
would be "gone" after only 1 1/2 month.

But now I am concerned that the bronze seacocks (4 years old) may also have
been subject to some galvanic erosion - and I am wondering how you check the
integrity of the bronze seacocks without hauling the boat out of water? Is
this something that can be done by a diver?

And in general - how "paranoid" should one be about the possibility of a
bronze seacock failing without prior warning? I have purchased the
recommended soft wood plugs....but that still does not abate the worry....

Any thoughts.....

Clus