If the actual through hulls are PVC, then yes, you should make it a top priority to replace them as soon as possible. But if they are actually Marelon, then there is nothing necessarily wrong with this--though, as with any through hulls, you should inspect them. Ditto for any fittings attached to the through hulls. My Ericson 26 had through hulls that were fine, but Ericson had used PVC fittings connected to the one for the head plumbing. I changed those out as quickly as possible after buying the boat.
The linked article says "All through-hulls are bronze, but they're fitted with PVC gate valves." "Installing a modern traveler should join replacing the PVC through-hull valves at the top of any improvements list. "
OMG that would make life a lot easier. Our boat is up north a few hours, so next time I'm up there I will take a closer look at these through hulls and check out what is going on. So if I understand correctly, just the gate valves can be switched? (If the valve is not "part" of the through hull - ie gate can be removed without removing through hull.)
I'm just suggesting that it might be possible. Not suggestinging that it may be the best way to go. Lots of variables that will take some due diligance before deciding what to do.
I think the bigger point is that for a boat this age you cannot assume that things like through hulls and seacocks are the same as what may have come from the factory. You have no idea what a previous owner may have done. For that matter, even the factory may have done different things at different times in their production run. You *ALWAYS* need to look at what you actually have installed and never what you assume is "supposed to be" there.
