Justification For Removing all the Plumbing and Through Hull Fittings

Like Pilgrim's electrical system much of what I discovered in the plumbing looks to be original. 

Head plumbing.

The original components in the head  include a couple gate valves and lots of PVC Pipe in the black water plumbing. 

Portion of Galley Plumbing under sink.

The galley plumbing has received some upgrades including  a new Force 10 hot water tank and a new pressure water pump, but the installation is haphazard. Much of the galley plumbing appears to be original to the vessel.

At times I became overwhelmed by the scope of the project.  Pulling all the plumbing?  What about the saying, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it?” 

With all the head plumbing, including three through hulls, and most of the  galley plumbing now removed.  Two discoveries completely justified my commitment to strip it all out.

By applying on moderate pressure to a pipe wrench while attempting to remove a newer ball valve in the head, the lower section of the valve sheared off.

Large valve on right is intact.  Smaller valve on left sheared off below valve.

If this ever happened while on the water, only immediate action would prevent the vessel from sinking.

The second frightening discovery was the hose on the galley sink drain. 

 

Exhaust hose used for sink drain "rotting" just above through hull fitting.

The wire reinforced ehhaust hose could actually be considered over kill for a sink drain.  Age and a kink just above the hose barb at the through hull have served to “rot” the rubber hose.  This section of hose is at least 18” below the waterline.   The lower sectio of the hose is cracked and soft to the touch. I'm very surprised it was not already leaking water when Pilgrim was last floating.  Failure of this hose would result in rapid flooding.

I’m still overwhelmed by the scope of the project, but definitely feeling justified in removing all the plumbing and through hulls.  Currently three through hull fittings are out and two remain to be pulled.  Well that is not counting the three transducer through hull fittings.  That’s another project.