Does anyone have experience with installing access ports onto ACP or 'glass boats? I have to install one in order to retrieve my 170's roller furl line tube, which (my fault) fell into the bilge. Can anyone who's installed a port offer pointers? I assume a power sabre saw's the way to go, anyone know how thick the 170's deck material is? The install will be on the standboard side "wall" of the storage cuddy, just ahead of the mast & the roller furl Harken mini cleat. Thanks, Mike G. Alachua, FL
Installing an Access Port
- Thread starter gball
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Fell In?
Hi Mike, Read your previous post. If the whole tube didn't drop in, use a coathanger or stiff wire to fish it back up. Another choice is to just leave it and replace with Original Part or some other tubing. Or forget a tube altogether & pass the cord thru the fittings alone. Tape cord to wire as above. PS...Fender Location =
Thx, Joe
Hi Mike, Read your previous post. If the whole tube didn't drop in, use a coathanger or stiff wire to fish it back up. Another choice is to just leave it and replace with Original Part or some other tubing. Or forget a tube altogether & pass the cord thru the fittings alone. Tape cord to wire as above. PS...Fender Location =
Thx, JoeRoller furling line 'tube'
Joe, Thanks for your idea. I was convinced your suggestion would work, but after calling JY Boats (who makes the 170), they said in order to fix the problem, I will likely have to gain access to the 'back' of the thru-hull fitting (the donut shaped bushing where the deck and the tube come together near the mini Harken cleat). The reason for this is that the furling line tube is actually hose, and flexes when I try to fasten it to the aft hole-in-the-deck. Granted I could just fish the furling line through the tube and cleat it off (which would hold the tube in place and allow the mechanism to work, but it'll be nice to install a replacement bushing and make the boat "stock" again (it looks sort of pathetic right now with an open hole, exposed threads, and devoid of marine sealant and bushing) JY sent me replacement thru-hull parts, free of charge for this job and I've ordered a 5" access port. I was almost resigned to mounting bullet eyes along the bow and running the furling line along the deck, but JY gave me hope with this suggestion. Mike
Joe, Thanks for your idea. I was convinced your suggestion would work, but after calling JY Boats (who makes the 170), they said in order to fix the problem, I will likely have to gain access to the 'back' of the thru-hull fitting (the donut shaped bushing where the deck and the tube come together near the mini Harken cleat). The reason for this is that the furling line tube is actually hose, and flexes when I try to fasten it to the aft hole-in-the-deck. Granted I could just fish the furling line through the tube and cleat it off (which would hold the tube in place and allow the mechanism to work, but it'll be nice to install a replacement bushing and make the boat "stock" again (it looks sort of pathetic right now with an open hole, exposed threads, and devoid of marine sealant and bushing) JY sent me replacement thru-hull parts, free of charge for this job and I've ordered a 5" access port. I was almost resigned to mounting bullet eyes along the bow and running the furling line along the deck, but JY gave me hope with this suggestion. Mike
Before You Cut
Mike, What does the tube fasten to on each end of the access hole? Is it a ribbed hose type fitting that the hose needs to be pushed over? If you have a pic of all parts sent by JY, please post. Thx, Joe
Mike, What does the tube fasten to on each end of the access hole? Is it a ribbed hose type fitting that the hose needs to be pushed over? If you have a pic of all parts sent by JY, please post. Thx, Joe
Sounds good/ thru-hull fittings
Joe, I'll post pics of the thru-hull parts but yes, I believe the 'male' part is a ribbed hose type fitting, clamping thru-hull to the external donut-like fitting on the deck. I'm also going to post pics of my DOUBLE reefed 170 mainsail and new two-line reefing system! I believe this will be the only (if not one of a very small handful) double reefed 170 mainsail, but it will help her remain stable in winds above a fresh breeze--- that's the plan anyway. I hope she'll still point in all that wind. North Sails Gulf Coast did the job and it should arrive home today! Mike
Joe, I'll post pics of the thru-hull parts but yes, I believe the 'male' part is a ribbed hose type fitting, clamping thru-hull to the external donut-like fitting on the deck. I'm also going to post pics of my DOUBLE reefed 170 mainsail and new two-line reefing system! I believe this will be the only (if not one of a very small handful) double reefed 170 mainsail, but it will help her remain stable in winds above a fresh breeze--- that's the plan anyway. I hope she'll still point in all that wind. North Sails Gulf Coast did the job and it should arrive home today! Mike
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