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Tech Tip

Flowtech Valve Installation (#905106)

When properly installed, the design characteristics of this valve, in it’s closed position, provides a smooth unbroken surface on the outside of the hull.  There will be no protrusions or cavities to disturb the even flow of water along the hull surface.

The following installation method is one used by a quality builder familiar with this type of valve.

Provide a 1-7/8" (48mm) hole in the hull with a reasonably flat internal surface where the inner hull will interface with the valve flange.  Be sure the valve is in the closed and locked position and the surfaces to be bonded are clean and free of any contaminate that may have gotten on the valve. Wipe bonding surfaces with acetone.

Prepare a bedding compound of Cabacill and resin, polyester, vinylester or epoxy.  Spread this material on all hull and valve surfaces that will be interfacing.  Be sure to work the compound well into the inside surfaces of the hole in the hull and into the ribs in the valve.  Insert the valve into the hole and make sure that at least a small amount of the compound squeezes out from under the flange on the valve body.  Do not press the valve against the hull hard enough to flex the flange as this could result in voids being created when the flange is allowed to spring back to it’s normal form.

Follow this with four or five laminations of 17oz. "E-Glass" and resin of the type used for hull lay-up.  Polyester, vinylester and epoxy all bond very well to the Marelon^® valve material.  Make each successive layer of glass larger in diameter until the final lamination extends a minimum of 3" beyond the edge of the valve flange.

When all resins are cured, the portion of the valve that extends beyond the outer hull surface can be disked off to a smooth flush surface.  The valve must be in the closed, locked position when doing this final finishing procedure.  A minimum of 5/8" bury (hull thickness) is required for proper installation.  This bury can be in a backing block inside the hull.