Got a question that I probably already know the answer. My boat went in the water today Catalina 30 . I went down to check it when I noticed a little bit of water by raw water intake thru hull not much not even a 2 oz cup full didn't know where it was coming from so I whiped it down then did what I had to do. Came back noticed a drip coming from under the wooden backing plate to the raw water intake thru hull . Got some life caulk put a bead around it sealed it up. It stopped the drip no more water . I probably already know the answer I need to have the boat hauled and replace the thru hull and reseal it. What does anybody think?
Raw water intake thru hull
- Thread starter ChrisCall
- Start date
It will most likely calcify and stop leaking on it's own. Still it is weak. With a good seal it is most likely good through the season. Plan on replacing it next normal haul out.
Is it a metal fitting and how old is it? I would worry that it is weak from electrolysis and if so and replace.
If you are brave get a wooden plug and hammer and keep it handy. If you feel fool hardy wack the fitting with the hammer but make sure you have a nice selection of plugs.
If you are brave get a wooden plug and hammer and keep it handy. If you feel fool hardy wack the fitting with the hammer but make sure you have a nice selection of plugs.
definitely investigate .. if the thru hull is bronze, ya may have a corroded spot.. if Marlon, not a problem. If the thru hull is a long threaded tube with the valve threaded onto the top, you may be able to snug down the big nut just above the wood plate.. I would make sure there is a tapered plug nearby so that if it decides to crack off at the threaded base, you have a quick way to stop the water.. I wouldn't pull the boat immediately unless I saw evidence of cracking/thinning of the thru hull.
Edit: Garbone beat me to it.
Edit: Garbone beat me to it.
It's Marlon. Probably going to pull the boat cause it will have me worried the whole season if I don't.
Check if the through-hull and the valve are properly screwed on (tightened). It can happen that you will have a leak between the through-hull's threads and the valve or between the threads and the nut that holds the through-hull from the inside. Kind of, what Kloudie said.
You'll forget the cost of hauling almost immediately. You will have the feeling of satisfaction that the thru hull is one less thing to worry about.
Like Kloudie & DZ suggested, try to tighten the nut against the backing plate and keep an eye on it. You already have a temporary fix that has stopped the leak. Just continue to monitor, this should not cause a catastrophic event. If it starts leaking more to the point it becomes a nuisance, then you will have to haul out. Correct me if I am incorrect; however, you guys typically haul out for the winter in Mid October. Therefore, you have approximately 5 months until your next scheduled haul. Hopefully you can delay any further repair until then. Unfortunately, If you have to have an unscheduled haul out it will cost several hundred, because after rebidding 4200 needs to set for a couple of days before resplashing. I would thoroughly check all of the fittings & backing plates during the winter, the backing plates may at the age that they are deteriorating and need replacement.