C-25 Through Hulls

[Chris Wolschon]

On my 1981 C-25, I have 3" bronze nipples that are fiberglassed to the hull that seacocks are threaded on to. The forward 1/2" nipple is loose in the fiberglass and needs to be repaired before I launch this spring.The question is, do I trim off the old fiberglass, clean the entire area and re-fiberglass the nipple to the hull or do I remove the nipple altogether and put a new through-hull fitting in?

 

[Peter]

Thru hull

In my opinion you should get rid of that nipple and get a real through hull. In fact, you've got it easy as it's sometimes a bit of a nightmare to take the old nipple out. A good writeup in the archives for a c27 thru hull replacement is by Garry s/v tashtego, it's a good read.Peter

 

[Don]

To Hull Replacement

Chris,You will need to replace the "To Hull" with an actual "Thru-Hull" that you should be able to get at your local BoatUS/West Marine. Although I haven't replaced the to-hulls on my 80' C25 yet, from what I've read this is a rather simple do-it-yourself project.I once read an interesting way to remove the old pipe while at the same time enlarging the hole for the new through hull fitting. Since the hole through the hull needs to be enlarged for the new through hull fitting, someone wrote that he used a dowel that was trimmed to fit tightly inside the copper pipe from the outside of the hull. Next, he drilled a pilot hole in the center of the dowel and then used this hole as a guide for the holesaw.You can find a lot of information and advice about "To Hull" replacement at the C25/250 National Association website.Click on the related link to take you to a forum topic on replacing the infamous to-hulls. This particular topic has some good pictures to show you how it is done.Good luck.PS...Where do you sail,...Lake St. Clair or Lake Erie?