1989 Strainer / Livewell thru-hull

[CTsalt12]

So in getting my new hull ready for the season, I noticed that on the bottom the strainer had been re-fastened with some kind of putty that had obviously seen its fair share of wear and tear.  I figure it's been knocked around by the trailer wheel (which it is adjacent to), and either way needed to be taken off replaced and resealed.

So I unscrewed the strainer and after a few hours of trying to pry this off, realized the strainer is attached to thru hull pipe fitting, all one solid piece.  Seemed crazy to me.  So anyway I ended up cutting of the strainer part using a jerry rigged saw, and next job is replacing the fitting with a separate 2 piece strainer / pipe connection with on/ off value in the bilge.  

Has anyone else had a similar experience?  I have no idea if this was the original AS setup, or a hack job or what.  Did Aquasport design this 1 piece strainer / pipe?

[gran398]

CT, from outside observation, you are dealing with a bronze clam-shell pickup underneath as part of a thru-hull, then seacock internally (in the bilge).

Post some pics, we'll advise.

No problems.

[Aswaff400]

that one piece clamshell/through hull is a regular setup for most boats.... i dont like the 2 piece ones, the strainer part always seems to get knocked off if its hit while loading/unloading onto a trailer...

heres what my livewell pump setup looks like...

[Blue Agave]

You cut the strainer off, wow!  

The thru hull is suppose to be one piece. When installed the thru hull is stuck through the hole cut in the bottom of the boat and then it's held in place by a backing nut inside the hull. Once the backing nut is in place and tight then the screws are installed.  The screws are only to prevent the thru hull from turning.

[CTsalt12]

Interesting.  Well we couldn't remove the backing nut because it was too hard to get a hand in there, and also because it was difficult to hold the strainer from rotating (should've not unscrewed the strainer DUH)..Lesson learned.  It had to go either way because the thru hull was loose, as the "clamshell" was puttied, so lots of potential for leaking.. =boat sinker

The way I see it, I'm better off now with a two piece setup because
1. if, or when, the strainer gets knocked by the trailer wheels, it won't affect the thru hull pipe, since they're not attached
This means, the only potential leak from the wheels knocking is from the screw holes of the strainer, NOT the thru hull pipe being loosened which would lead to water leaking into my bilge, obviously worse than just water leaking into my fiberglass from screw holes.

Either way I wish my boat guy knew this was a one piece thru hull, tsk tsk. Thanks for the words of wisdom as always

[Blue Agave]

If it were my boat I would put a one piece back in there. Get a tube of 5200 and be generous with it. Apply it to the base of the pipe then stick the thru hull through the bottom of the boat, install the screws and snug the backing nut on. Be sure and apply some 5200 on the back of the nut.

[gran398]

Tell us more about the trailer hitting the clamshell...it will be a lot easier to work on the trailer than patching the hole in the hull and relocating the pickup.

Most of  clamshell pickups are one piece bronze. No offense, but if the boat guy didn't know that, it may be time for a change.

Take BA's advice and go back with the one piece.

Keep us posted.

[gran398]

Hey Aaron...where did you find that filter after the seacock? Thanks!

[Capt. Bob]

I'll assume you are going to install a "new" thru hull fitting and that it will have a mushroom head rather than the scoop/strainer.

I've that's the case then you will need a "stepped wrench" in order to install the thru hull correctly. The wench fits the thru hull from the head side and allows tightening of the top nut. The one piece on the other hand is installed as previously stated. While most prefer the one piece with strain/scoop, factory installs have used the mushroom head type (commonly used for bilge pump and displacement deck drainage). My 91 WAC used an under hull mushroom for the live well pickup and yes, you can install just a scoop/strainer over the mushroom as a separate piece.

I state the obvious but I was somewhat surprised by the removal by sawing of the thru hull.
Lastly, no matter which type you choose

Good luck.

[Aswaff400]

Hey Aaron...where did you find that filter after the seacock? Thanks!

worstmarine
 

[gran398]

thank you sir

[CTsalt12]

I am not relocating the thru hull/ pickup, just reinstalling / resealing thru hull. And yes, as capt bob explained I will be using a two piece with exterior strainer, but instead of mushroom fitting like the bilge just a sealed bolt.  Will post pics later today.

I've realized cutting the thru hull was quite dumb...  

[gran398]

Hey, there ain't a soul on here that hasn't screwed up something on a boat....don't worry about it

As they say in construction....its "sticks and bricks"

One thought....make sure on the 2 piece it is actually a "pick-up", that is, the water is forced upward when running. Not just a thru-hull with external mushroom strainer. That setup won't force water.

[CTsalt12]

Thanks for the advice everybody,

One thing I haven't heard mentioned here is the usage of a seacock.  Everywhere I read about thru hull drains flanged seacocks are recommended as the strongest connection.  As much as I don't want to buck up the 100 or so for one of these suckers in addition to the extra work of cutting a buffer between the flanges and the hull, it does seem like it might be the most high quality choice.

Thoughts?  Why has no one mentioned these?

[Blue Agave]

Most certainly install a seacock, find one with a SS handle.