Lifespan of copper water pipes

[madhatter1]

Sprung a leak on the hot water line. Was behind the muffler under the cockpit. Had to cut out that section and connect with hose until I can get a permanent repair.

My boat is a 1982. Are the older boats still using the copper lines? The copper under the cockpit seems to be weakened by salt air but once in the ER seems much better condition. Wondering what others have experienced.

 

[Pascal]

I redid all the plumbing a few years ago when I moved and redid the heads and galley and it was still in great shape after almost 50 years.

I still have the original copper plumbing for the steering and it’s fine.

 

[divert00]

Mine still fine and in use on 40 year old Motoryacht for fresh water, steering, windshield washers.
John McCarley
Water Colors
Wrightsville Beach

 

[SeaEric]

The copper tubing aboard my 60 year old 41TC is doing just fine.

 

[madhatter1]

My 46 draws air for the engines under gunnels. I suspect the same fresh but salty air that keeps my aux gen looking like new has added marine age to the copper in those areas. Next yard trip I’ll change everything under the cockpit to new up to entry into the engine room.

 

[Captain Ralph]

No problems with my 48 yo copper lines.

 

[bigbill]

i had to replace a section of the steering lines under the cockpit, everything else looks great. must be the salt air.

 

[Eddieclemons]

On my 88 model SF has some very bad looking copper steering lines on the port side of the lazarette. They're on my list to change, I'm scared to even touch them until I'm ready to change them.

 

[Sonic Boom]

Madhatter1, same model 46 and was tired of repairing the copper lines under the cockpit. Moved the hot water heater to the engine room to keep it warm in the winter and preserve the system. No more issues since doing this. It's a bear getting to those original copper lines behind the mufflers. Replaced the steering lines too

 

[JD5652]

1976 58 LRC lines with no known issues under my 5 year ownership. I've inspected sections of them including areas normally hidden and they looked pretty good. Surface corrosion but structurally good.

 

[bostonhatteras]

Just because its annealed copper doesn't mean it can't be soldered. It certainly can be soldered. get some air conditioning tubing sweat/brazing couplings to add to the good sections. or you can solder on a pex adapter and transition to pex for where it will be a bitch to rehang the copper over the mufflers. 50/50 solder would be best

 

[bostonhatteras]

1976 58 LRC lines with no known issues under my 5 year ownership. I've inspected sections of them including areas normally hidden and they looked pretty good. Surface corrosion but structurally good.

The lanacote product does a great job of arresting the corrosion. Its an amazing product and not toxic either.

 

[JD5652]

The lanacote product does a great job of arresting the corrosion. Its an amazing product and not toxic either.

Wow! Had NEVER heard of it. I've used Ospho on other metal parts in the past. Just ordered a can.

 

[SEVEN]

The only spot mine had a few pinhole leaks in, was right next to the hot water heater. I changed that out with new copper and the rest of the boat has zero leaks in it for a 1979. I consider that fabulous.

 

[Briankinley2004]

I changed out the water and steering line copper in my cockpit. The exterior of both looked awful and was flaking off. I am certain the pieces I removed were more substantial than the new L copper I put in. I left everything in the ER. It is definitely better than the new stuff

 

[Teddyjensen]

The older copper pipe is alot heavier schedule then the new stuff