There's a saying, that sailboat cruising amounts to "doing boat repairs in exotic tropical locales".

There's also the adage, "that which doesn't get used, breaks". Well, we left our boat unused for six weeks, and after coming back a few days ago, we have to contend with some repairs, all plumbing related.

1. the seacock for the holding tank is stuck in the closed position.
2. the head (toilet) does not flush.
3. the kitchen faucet drips, needs to be replaced.

#1 is the most serious; I have to replace a 1-1/2" ball valve that is threaded onto a thru-hull fitting. Removing it would let seawater into the boat so I have to either, (a) haul the boat out of the water or (b) plug the thru-hull from the outside using the services of a diver. Getting the old valve off and the new one on wil be difficult because of the tight clearances of cabinetry around the valve.

#2 is annoying but not a big problem since I brought with me a rebuild kit for the Raritan PH-II marine toilet. I plan to tackle this one today.

#3 should be not too bad provided I can find the right replacement faucet size at the Home Depot here in Mazatlan.