Hunter 31 thruhulls

[mellis18]

I want to make sure I find all the thruhulls on my 84 hunter 31. I found the valves for the engine water, one for the sink in the galley and one for the head. Are there others that I need to look for? Going from a McGregor 25 to the Hunter 31 is a big step with lots more things to worry about. I will be asking a LOT of questions...

 

[petersea]

The head will have one for the in and if equipped one for the macerator that may or may not be below the water line. If your boat has been upgraded with air conditioning there will be one for the a/c water. If it has a generator there will be associated thru hulls also . Good Luck with your new boat ! !

 

[Scott]

There are two thru-hulls in the head.

 

[Steve Dion]

There are actually three in the head if you count the sink drain. One above the water line and you may consider changing it out to a metal one with a ball valve.

One for the raw water intake for the toilet and one for the overboard discharge.

Engine raw water intake behind the engine and one for the sink drain.

Obviously there may be others if the boat was modified.

 

[mellis18]

Thanks for advice

I found all the thru-hulls thanks to everyones help. All are now in the off position when I'm not on the boat except for the one for the sink. It is "frozen" open. I have tried WD-40 to try and penetrate so it will turn but no luck so far. I bought some CRC Freeze-Off to try the next time I'm out there. I don't want to force it fearing it will break and sink my boat. Is there a real danger leaving this one open? Can this valve be replaced while the boat is in the water?

There are actually three in the head if you count the sink drain. One above the water line and you may consider changing it out to a metal one with a ball valve.

One for the raw water intake for the toilet and one for the overboard discharge.

Engine raw water intake behind the engine and one for the sink drain.

Obviously there may be others if the boat was modified.

 

[Mike Culik]

Re: Thanks for advice

With my 86’ 31 on the hard this past October, I replaced the 4 thru hulls and gate valves below the waterline with new thru hulls and ball valves. The galley sink (1 1/2") was frozen open, the head discharge (1 1/2") was closed but the valve stem was corroded off, the head intake was frozen open. Of the four, the only valve functioning properly was the engine raw water intake.

My valves were corroded to the thru hulls and twisted while trying to remove them.

Good luck and next time you haul the boat out replaced them all, for peace of mind!

Mike

 

[Robert 47]

As Steve has mentioned, the only one above the water line is the head sink drain. You cannot change any of the thru hulls while the boat is in the water. The bildge thru hull is above the water line, but is the same as the one in the head.
I am going to tell you a "sailor's" story. :Liar: I have seen this done before. Take one, or both of the hallard lines and tie them off on a slip (dock cleat) that is 2 or 3 slips away from your boat. Then start winching until you get the thru hull out of the water that you want to change. Then put in your new thru hull.
I know this is going to draw some really crazy comments, but guys, it worked very well. I am not telling anyone to do this, but it can be done. There are some safety factors that should be noted here, but common sense should always prevail. Oh, and make sure you have all of the tools and parts you need before you heal the boat over, and plan for the old thru hulls to break off. Murphy's Law will always be there over your shoulder.

 

[mellis18]

Thanks

That is a great "story"...but I think I'll wait until there is NO water underneath me.

As Steve has mentioned, the only one above the water line is the head sink drain. You cannot change any of the thru hulls while the boat is in the water. The bildge thru hull is above the water line, but is the same as the one in the head.
I am going to tell you a "sailor's" story. :Liar: I have seen this done before. Take one, or both of the hallard lines and tie them off on a slip (dock cleat) that is 2 or 3 slips away from your boat. Then start winching until you get the thru hull out of the water that you want to change. Then put in your new thru hull.
I know this is going to draw some really crazy comments, but guys, it worked very well. I am not telling anyone to do this, but it can be done. There are some safety factors that should be noted here, but common sense should always prevail. Oh, and make sure you have all of the tools and parts you need before you heal the boat over, and plan for the old thru hulls to break off. Murphy's Law will always be there over your shoulder.