"gap" - a little help (B361)

Nov 23, 2009
437
Beneteau Oceanis 361 Clipper --
As you can see on the photos, the through hull nuts of my Beneteau 361 are on the hull and there’s a gap between the hole made to attach the through hull fittings and the hull liner (not sure if this is how is called; I mean the more “shining” fiberglass where the stickers are attached to). If any water gets into that gap do you think it will find its way to the bildge or will it stay stuck somewhere inside the hull? It’s not obvious when I look at them if there’s an exit somewhere (unlike to the liner where it leads to the lowest part of the bildge).
 

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
...If any water gets into that gap do you think it will find its way to the bildge or will it stay stuck somewhere inside the hull? ...
Most likely any such water will find it's way to the lowest part of the boat- the bilge, hopefully. It's the nature of the beast (thru-hull). Not a worry. My B323 galley sink drain in particular is the same way, and it is a bit of a blessing as I can see if any water has found it's way between the inner pan and outer hull. A friend's B323 had water around that drain thru-hull, and was the only way he found out water was coming from SOMEWHERE (keel Bolts).

(added:) It looks like the factory just throws a dollop of epoxy here and there to glue the hull and pan together. Same for the deck/headliner.
 
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Sep 25, 2008
7,690
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Interesting construction method. If below the waterline, I assume the hull is solid rather than cored.
 

DougM

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Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
The 323 galley sink thru hull can be problem. I had to change the ball valve on mine because it was accidentally left closed over a winter and it froze and split the upper half of the case. There was no way to get a wrench on the bottom nut holding the thru hull in place, unless it's a specialized tool, making it difficult to loosen the ball valve. Since the base of the valve was intact, I literally took the valve apart and replaced the damaged upper half.

Other than that, the gap between the hull and the liner is not a big deal. Any leakage will eventually find its way to the bilge.
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
The 323 galley sink thru hull can be problem. I had to change the ball valve on mine ... There was no way to get a wrench on the bottom nut holding the thru hull in place, unless it's a specialized tool, ....
My B323 head sink drain: I was changing to tap into it for the potty intake. I cut some of the thru-hull threads off and found its water passage was hex-shaped, so you could use an Allen wrench on it. I assume all B's are that way? You'd use a 16 or 17 mm allen.