okay guys. .. don't laugh... It seems to me that I recall somewhere seeing that there is a trick to installing a new thru hull in a boat in the water. My problem is that my old knot meter is giving out, and when I go to new I want to use a meter from a different vendor. Each vendor has a unique thru hull sensor.. so either I pull the boat at $200++, or get creative.. Has anyone pulled this off in the water?? How? I don't have the benefit of being able to beach it on its side at low tide. Have zero tide in this inland lake.
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Small - haul?
What you may be thinking of is replacing a though hull valve assembly that is on a through hull fitting. I even knew a guy who installed through hulls when the boat was in the water. NOT recommended IMHO. Whole different deal to remove and install an actual through hull I would imagine. But, will the yard just hoist the bow enough to clear the water? That's what one of the local yards did to do quickie repairs without a full haul. Used to charge $60 a few years ago for 30'ish boats during slack time. Good luck: maybe there are some tricks I'm not aware of. Rick D.
What you may be thinking of is replacing a though hull valve assembly that is on a through hull fitting. I even knew a guy who installed through hulls when the boat was in the water. NOT recommended IMHO. Whole different deal to remove and install an actual through hull I would imagine. But, will the yard just hoist the bow enough to clear the water? That's what one of the local yards did to do quickie repairs without a full haul. Used to charge $60 a few years ago for 30'ish boats during slack time. Good luck: maybe there are some tricks I'm not aware of. Rick D.
You may not need to haul out
Hi, I just replaced a gate valve which was connected to the head intake line with the boat in the water. A hired a diver who basically held a toilet plunger in place while I replace the valve from the inside of the boat. It was actually pretty easier and only cost $45 bucks versus $260 the boat yard would have charged. You however want to replace a knot meter ... Check with a local diver. Apparently divers can do this as I discussed this with my diver. For a knot meter you need to put a wood plug in place as soon as the meter is removed. You would probably get alot of water in the boat. Take to a local diver. I'd make sure you were near a open boat yard if you try this. P.S. Boat yard owners are all descended from pirates -Leo
Hi, I just replaced a gate valve which was connected to the head intake line with the boat in the water. A hired a diver who basically held a toilet plunger in place while I replace the valve from the inside of the boat. It was actually pretty easier and only cost $45 bucks versus $260 the boat yard would have charged. You however want to replace a knot meter ... Check with a local diver. Apparently divers can do this as I discussed this with my diver. For a knot meter you need to put a wood plug in place as soon as the meter is removed. You would probably get alot of water in the boat. Take to a local diver. I'd make sure you were near a open boat yard if you try this. P.S. Boat yard owners are all descended from pirates -Leo
Epoxy coat the hole
If it was my boat I would drill the hole and epoxy coat the hole to prevent water from entering the fiberglass layers. Also, I'd consider a flush mount to reduce drag. After the sensor is installed it should have some bottom paint on the around the paddle wheel. As an alternative, perhaps take the cost of installation of a thru-hull sensor (circular saw blade, haulout, etc.) and put it toward one the of units where the sensor doesn't require a hole through the hull. Just trying to help with some rationalizing.
If it was my boat I would drill the hole and epoxy coat the hole to prevent water from entering the fiberglass layers. Also, I'd consider a flush mount to reduce drag. After the sensor is installed it should have some bottom paint on the around the paddle wheel. As an alternative, perhaps take the cost of installation of a thru-hull sensor (circular saw blade, haulout, etc.) and put it toward one the of units where the sensor doesn't require a hole through the hull. Just trying to help with some rationalizing.
I've had it done in the water..
I used a local diver that does it quite often. Before I removed anything, he placed an item that looked like a large toilet plunger over the fitting on the outside of the hull. When the vlave and glan nut was removed from the thru the hull fitting, he very quickly removed the plunger device pulled out the old thru the hull, and slid in a new one and replaced the plunger. I tightened it down and installed the valve. Very slick and about $50 for the divers time..
I used a local diver that does it quite often. Before I removed anything, he placed an item that looked like a large toilet plunger over the fitting on the outside of the hull. When the vlave and glan nut was removed from the thru the hull fitting, he very quickly removed the plunger device pulled out the old thru the hull, and slid in a new one and replaced the plunger. I tightened it down and installed the valve. Very slick and about $50 for the divers time..
Alternative to thru hull job...
Wait till you haul the boat out next. In the meanwhile use your GPS for speed and distance. You do have one don't you?
Wait till you haul the boat out next. In the meanwhile use your GPS for speed and distance. You do have one don't you?
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