Thru-hull valves

Thru-hull valves should be worked monthly so they turn easily and freely. You have to use a pipe or wrench on them when they've been neglected to get them un-stuck and moving again because they freeze. Many times they freeze up again (easier) once they've been stuck once. A lot of people neglect to work them. I've never seen the wire holding it open. I've seen that on the waste seacock keeping it closed for the Great Lakes (an extra step to insure nobody pumps overboard).

When they go all pink and crispy, it's time to change them.

No, really, I've told Owners and pointed out the problems and still they say 'Next Year'.

Well I'm not writing up your insurance claim this year, sunshine.

Monthly checking of thru hulls is fine, before every trip really is a waste of time

The problem is not them leaking but being stuck due to not being exercised monthly.

As to tying them open, that makes no sense whatsoever. I have never see a TH loose enough to close on its own. Tying them close on the other hand is how you can comply with USCG black water regs although usually it s easier to pull the handle off and keep it attached near the TH.

Most boats I see are in violation of discharge rules either because the black water sea cocks are left open or unsecured.

If it's a TH for cooling water I could see it being worth while to add a thin wire to make someone think twice about closing it. Of course you cannot both have the wire and do your monthly check.

Who would go around closing your seacocks?

You say that but every year people overheat their engines by closing them off. If an alarm isn't set properly or a black electrical tape solution has been applied to warning lights that is when issues crop up.

No, never. They almost always seize up from lack of use. Perhaps if you worked them every single day for decades like the USCG does. They close off all seacocks everytime they get off of the boat (the smaller boats that aren't crewed 24/7 anyways, like the older 44's). However, if you put a lot of torque with a prybar and I mean a lot, then you could snap the handle from the seacock and the handle turns but doesn't turn the seacock.

I am not finding a thread on whether Captians keep thru hulls open or closed and CaptJ's remarks on the USCG procedure of closing of all seacock everytime brings me to ask the question. Open or closed for the following sceenario.

Portland Oregon, fresh water, average one or two below freezing sessions per year, weekend trips average every two weeks.
I find most leave open without much thought, I do as the USCG and close each time I leave and open on arrival regardless of the purpose of the visit. This gives me at least two cycles per month anyway.
I am a bit cautious by nature and there was a boat in the marina that sank last winter when a plastic sea water intake filter casing broke and the thru hull was open...

Should I be so cautious? I guess the biggest down side is not opening and trying to fun the engines or genset. If they stay open never a problem.
-Greg

No, you have a very good habit as many boats sink because of something breaking at the dock while they're sitting un-attended. I would hang a placard on your helm saying "open seacocks before starting". It's just something that the majority of people would never do. Most of them don't even know where the seacocks are located or that they even have to work them.