The knot meter thru hull fitting seems to be a plastic deal that unscrews. It isn't working now, so I think it may be fouled. My question is... how does one remove this without the boat filling with water?? Getting on dry land is out of the question for a while. Can I just unscrew it and jam a plug in there, and hope I can get it threaded back in when I have serviced it? Kai
Thru Hull Question
- Thread starter kai13227
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I just takes guts.
Kai: It just takes guts to do this. You unscrew the cap and pull the unit out. It is an excellent idea to have a helper. Once the transducer has been removed you should either have a plug or a rag to stuff in the thru hull. You helper will need to hold the rag on the fitting while you clean the transducer. When the fitting is cleaned you just reverse the process. It is really no big deal, you just get a little wet.
Kai: It just takes guts to do this. You unscrew the cap and pull the unit out. It is an excellent idea to have a helper. Once the transducer has been removed you should either have a plug or a rag to stuff in the thru hull. You helper will need to hold the rag on the fitting while you clean the transducer. When the fitting is cleaned you just reverse the process. It is really no big deal, you just get a little wet.
May have a "blank plug" on the boat
Check the bins, you may have a fitted plastic plug which fits the sending unit's thru hull. It can be held in by the same cap that holds the sending unit. If it is not available use a wood peg that fits the hole. You can use a cloth around a wood peg to make it larger if needed. This is not a hard task, just have everything ready before hand and go over the steps in your head a few times before removing the sending unit. A little water will not sink your boat.
Check the bins, you may have a fitted plastic plug which fits the sending unit's thru hull. It can be held in by the same cap that holds the sending unit. If it is not available use a wood peg that fits the hole. You can use a cloth around a wood peg to make it larger if needed. This is not a hard task, just have everything ready before hand and go over the steps in your head a few times before removing the sending unit. A little water will not sink your boat.
I concur
I pulled the knotmeter transducer out on my 25, stuck in the factory plug, checked the paddlewheel & reinstalled the transducer. I was surprised at how little water came in & how low the water pressure was. My transducer is located under the v-berth in an isolated compartment, and I only had to sponge out about a half a bucket of water afterward. I guess I've watched too many shipwreck movies, 'cause I expected a veritable gusher when I pulled that plug-- I was prepared for a life-changing experience!
I pulled the knotmeter transducer out on my 25, stuck in the factory plug, checked the paddlewheel & reinstalled the transducer. I was surprised at how little water came in & how low the water pressure was. My transducer is located under the v-berth in an isolated compartment, and I only had to sponge out about a half a bucket of water afterward. I guess I've watched too many shipwreck movies, 'cause I expected a veritable gusher when I pulled that plug-- I was prepared for a life-changing experience!
Once the knotmeter is out...
Use a sharp pointed knife to carve out any barnacles that may have formed inside the wheel housing. Spin the thing to make sure it goes freely. Let it dry and paint a little hard bottompaint to reduce the future buildup. Then hire a diver to come in monthly and clean the bottom and thru-hulls so you can quit pulling the plug. Seriously. It's the best $25 a month I spend, outside the liquor store.
Use a sharp pointed knife to carve out any barnacles that may have formed inside the wheel housing. Spin the thing to make sure it goes freely. Let it dry and paint a little hard bottompaint to reduce the future buildup. Then hire a diver to come in monthly and clean the bottom and thru-hulls so you can quit pulling the plug. Seriously. It's the best $25 a month I spend, outside the liquor store.
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