Capping through hulls?

[Manny]

After removing the 26 year old Mansfield Traveller head this summer and installing a port-a-potty, I have two extra through hulls/seacocks. For safety I have hose on both running up above the heeled water line. The seacocks (actually they are technically just valves) probably need replacing but since I have no need for them, I'm considering my options. I thought of removing the two and fiberglassing the holes but I don't trust my fiberglassing skills enough to do below the waterline repairs. Thinking a future owner might appreciate it, I could replace the seacocks. What I would really like to do is remove the seacocks and cap the through hulls. Is this possible and feasible? I've looked at some catalogs but can't find any caps.Am I nuts?Thanks,Manny

 

[Doug Burton]

No

No you're not nuts. Unless I am too! I tried capping unused thru hulls last year and ended up putting in new thru hulls and new valves with a plug in the end of the valve to feel safe. You would think they would make a thru hull that was solid just for that purpose. The marina wanted $500 to glass the holes over so new fittings came to my boat.

 

[Manny]

I feel better now...

Doug, I'm glad someone else had the same thought as I. When you say you put a plug on the end, do you mean a wooden plug?BTW, a solid through hull would be fantastic!!!!Thanks,Manny

 

[jimq26]

Used the same cap Joe -

Capped off the through hull 6 years ago with that cap - works just great. This also allows a future owner the opportunity of reinstalling a system if they wish.

 

[Manny]

Exactly what I was looking for

Big Joe, It's perfect. Where did you find the cap?Manny

 

[Big Joe]

Cap

WestMarine has it. It is in the onlne catalog.Regards, Big Joe

 

[Nereussailor]

caps

I used the same cap that Big Joe showed in his post on my H30. I replumbed my head and holding tank so there wasn't an overboard discharge. In the great lakes, it's the best way to go. The reason I didn't seal up the thru hull was I might be moving to the east coast and would want to put the plumbing back the way it was. So far after one year, no leaks and no other problems.Dave

 

[Warren Milberg]

While capping is

certainly the fastest and easiest way to solve your problem of unused seacocks, if your boat is 26 yrs old and still has the original thru hulls, you are going to have to deal with them at some time in the future. Now might be the best time, before they begin to leak or create other problems old hardware below the waterline always creates. Removing the thru hulls and fiberglassing over the holes is not a very difficult job and process is described in a number of books/pamphlets (ie Gudgeon Bros, etc). This may be just the right project to build your fiberglassing skills with.

 

[Manny]

I'm definitely replacing the thru hulls

I'm sure the valve and the thru hull have become "one" at this point. Last winter I was replacing an old gate valve and I couldn't seperate it from the thru hull. I ended up having to cut the mushroom head off the thru hull and pull the whole assembly out from the inside of the boat.Thanks again,Manny