Noob with some questions

[seabob4]

1"

[kobx]

Thru hull is out. It was a huge PIA. There is zero room down there to get a wrench over the nut. I ended up having to strike it with a chisel and hammer, to induce the torque on it. I also had to excavate the foam around it, and make a custom tool to get the new one in. I tackled the thing till 1am. After the boys tee ball game, I'll be attempting to install the new one. Hopefully that tool will work.

I have to admit, I started questioning my sanity of wanting to replace it. I just didn't like the idea of having a plastic thru hull right at the water line. Has anyone heard of anyone else doing this on a 175  Osprey?

BTW - The thru hull is 1-1/2"

(I've been taking pics of this and will post when everything is done)

[gran398]

No one likes plastic thru-hulls. They deteriorate over time, and are subject to cracking when water becomes ice. Some folks go with the delrin ones. They are certainly tougher, but nothing compares to quality bronze or stainless. Same goes for seacocks, etc. IMO.

FYI, if you check out high end custom and production boats, you'll notice that although they use stainless thru-hulls above the waterline...what's submerged is normally bronze. And in many cases grounded.

So yep, although a PITA, good on you

[kobx]

The promised pics:

Carnage needed for access (I believe that wire is for the Tach. Interesting that its kept so isolated):


Original Fitting:


Red neck engineering (made a stubby wrench out of angle iron for installing the new one):


Finished Product:


As I mentioned earlier, this was a huge PIA and tooke way longer to accomplish than I expected. Knowing what I know now, though, it wouldn't be too bad. If anyone reading this thinking of doing this, and would like to talk, feel free to PM me for some input.





And a measurement of the hose fitting OD:

[CLM65]

I like the ingenuity with the wrench

[kobx]

I like the ingenuity with the wrench

Thank you. Didn't think I was going to be able to find a deep well 2.125" socket at a local store, and didn't want this to drag out if I had to order one.

Chalk it up to the ol' saying, "If you don't have a tool, make one..... :) "