1989 Hunter 30 Unknown Thru-Hull

[Southbeach Guy]

Purchased boat 3/25/16. On haul out noticed thru-hull opening about half way between leading edge of keel and the bow (photo below). By line of sight, it seems to be just aft of the fresh water tank and under the large plexiglass hatch in V-berth area. There is no access door in the deck or below V-berth cushions that provides even a view of the inside of this thru-hull. The flooring panels are screwed down with teak bungs covering the screws. Does anyone know the purpose of this thru-hull or how to access to see if there is a valve and condition of valve?

 

[Terry Cox]

Do you have a knot meter? That appears to be about the location of a knot meter through hull transducer. Perhaps yours was removed from the boat?

 

[Southbeach Guy]

The knot meter is present but aft. The main point is that there is no access to the thru-hull from interior. I would have to drill out teak bungs and unscrew the flooring to even see if the valve was then visible. I'm hoping this was somehow part of the hull lay up mold and then plugged with no valve to corrode?

 

[justsomeguy]

I'm hoping this was somehow part of the hull lay up mold and then plugged with no valve to corrode?

I don't think "hoping" will cut it.

I would have to drill out teak bungs and unscrew the flooring to even see if the valve was then visible.

This will. I think it may be for a depth gauge's transducer, FWIW.

 

[Southbeach Guy]

justsome - thanks. What do you mean when you say. "This will." Also I don't know what FWIW means.

 

[justsomeguy]

justsome - thanks. What do you mean when you say. "This will." Also I don't know what FWIW means.

"This will" cut it. It will put your mind at ease.
"For What It's Worth." Advice worth exactly what you've paid for it.

 

[kito]

Kind of a head scratcher ain't it? No thru hull should be inaccessible imo. What if it leaks? You would need to destroy everything in it's path to get to it. Can you see if a hose is connected to it if you use a flashlight to look up into it? Or is it just capped off?

 

[Southbeach Guy]

Boat Yard expert says it looks capped off or closed and is unsure which.

 

[shemandr]

Why not gently thread a stiff but flexible wire into it and see how far it goes? Where is the head on that boat?

 

[Southbeach Guy]

Thanks shemandr. Will try the wire test. The head is port side against the cockpit bulkhead. I know where all the head related thru-hulls (sea water intake for toilet, output to sea from holding tank, and sink drain output) are and they are not close to the mystery one. I don't know where the shower drains or the ice box. I assume they drain into the bilge. But again, none of these drains are forward of the keel.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

You could try contacting Marlow Hunter to see if they can supply the drawings for your boat. Their support used to be above and beyond but lately, I hear it's lacking.
My guess (from the appearance) is that it's a through hull and not a transducer. Given the damage it could do if it's harbouring a problem, I would do whatever it takes to inspect and take the appropriate action. Better safe than sorry.

 

[HMT2]

I have an '83 h31 and that is about where my depth transducer thru hull is. However, we never had the transducer. It has been capped off. However, we have a removeable teak grate just outside the head door through which we can gain access. See the picture below, although in this picture the head door and a bulkhead are missing because I was finishing replacing the sole.

I

 

[kito]

You could try contacting Marlow Hunter to see if they can supply the drawings for your boat. Their support used to be above and beyond but lately, I hear it's lacking.
My guess (from the appearance) is that it's a through hull and not a transducer. Given the damage it could do if it's harbouring a problem, I would do whatever it takes to inspect and take the appropriate action. Better safe than sorry.

I contacted them just wanting the original clevis pin diameter on my lower shrouds on my 79 H30 and they could not supply me that information. Lacking is right!

 

[Southbeach Guy]

HMT2 - Thank you for your photo and comment. I suppose my 89 H30 mystery thru-hull could be a capped off hole for a depth or speed. But my salon layout is very different with head aft and flooring that is solid except for bilge access panels.

 

[kloudie1]

Most instruments back in the old days were installed by dealers or owners.. I agree that the thru-hull is either a depth or speed transducer fixture. I think I'd want to pull the floor up to see how secure the plug is.
Note: it looks like a drain thru-hull and that would drive me more to inspect the dry side for a valve or cap fitting.

 

[markwbird]

I'm guessing it's for a transducer that was an option that the original owner opted out of. They build all of the hulls the same and then customize the boat to the purchaser's liking later. This purchaser did not get whatever transducer that was for so the sole did not have the access hatch either. It was probably the depth transducer based on the location.

 

[whatfiero]

Right when you walk around compression post or table you enter into forward cabin 1 foot inside doors there is a slight step the thru hull access is under there 4 #2 Philips screws under wood plugs

 

[Southbeach Guy]

Kloudie, markwbird, whatfiero, Many thanks. You guys are right on. I had the Yard pull the floor panel on the step whatfiero mentions and there is was. Not thrilled about the red plastic plug but the bronze fitting seems sound and no sign of penetration for past 26 years. I'm glad I had this done. If I want to check it from time to time, it's easy enough. Photo's herewith.

 

[BigEasy]

My previous boat, a Hunter 33.5 (1988) had a speed transducer mounted in that location. The depth transducer was bonded to the inside of the hull bottom in the vicinity of the battery compartment.

 

[HMT2]

Yep that's what is below the grate in the picture I showed up above. But I don't have that attractive shade of red to accent my thru hull. Glad you can now sleep at night! Good job.