Comment for Steve Dion

[Tom]

Steve, She is mine, and just as I planned, I spent 3 hours tonight working on my H31. I am not going to be able to access my email tomorrow before I leave but I will be able to access the internet so I am posting this here. I was doing a little familiarization and I noticed what I believe to be a thru hull fitting directly under the V berth. I am thinking that it may be the intake for the head? The lines led over to the head. It is currently in the open position and I was unable to move it at all. I was thinking about some WD-40 to loosen it up, would that be your recommendation? I did not want to force it so I thought I would use the lubricant to open it. Thanks.

 

[Steve Dion]

Head Thru hulls in head compartment.

Tom:The thru hulls for the head are both under the sink in the head. The larger one is for the pump-out and the smaller one if for the raw water intake. I have NO idea what the one under the v-berth is for, unless someone tried to reroute the hoses rather than try to re-feed them thru the channel in the hull.As far as not being able to move the handle, is it a gate valve (like a hose bib) or is it a seacock/ball valve. Did the surveyor pick up on this that it could not open/close? If it is a seacock/ball valve you may be able to put a plug in the thru hull fitting (from the outside), remove the hose and get some lube down in the valve. It may also have some critters growing in it, which will need to be cleaned out. Let me know.Anyway, Congratulations and enjoy. I'll probably see you down in Oceanside in two weeks.Steve

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Thru-hull hunder v-berth...

What size is it? If the hose is 3/4" ID (inner diameter), it can be either the head intake or head sink drain...if it's 1.5" ID, it's either a direct overboard discharge from the toilet or it could be the overboard discharge to dump the tank (which means it would have to lead back to the tank pumpout line). No matter what it is, it's essential for the safety of your boat that you be able to close it (and all thru-hulls below the waterline)--and keep it closed except when it's actually in use, especially since it's in a forward location where water can be force up it when you're underway. It's unlikely that WD-40 will loosen it up if it's really stuck. Is it plastic or bronze?

 

[Don]

Must be an owner mod

Like Steve, I had an '84 31' that I got to know intimately (which I am missing, see related string of emails with Steve.)I replaced the head, hoses, pumps, etc. on mine There was no thru-hull under the v-berth. They're both in in the head under the sink. Nor do the diagrams show any openings under the v.You better check that one out carefully to see what going through there. Small is probably drain, large could be trouble.Don