Thru hull replacement "fail"

Chris & Lenore

Chris & Lenore

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Apr 24, 2006
868
Aloha 32 Toronto, Lake Ontario
Thought some of you might find this interesting or even funny.

Our "new to us a year ago" boat had a thru hull with a slight leak. It was the only one that some previous owner had replaced. He used a flanged adapter but didn't bolt it through the hull - he just screwed it onto the mushroom head. It was something I wanted to reinstall properly but later when I had more time. Well, it started leaking more - and before haulout this fall there was about a gallon a day coming in. The boat is now on the hard and the thru hull removed - thought you might like to see what some people call a repair...

First pic shows the parts as they were removed. That's right - no sealant of any kind - wonder why it leaked...
Second pic shows his attempt at sealing "after the fact" - a bead of 3M sealant around the outside of the flange.
But I don't have a pic of the best part - the backing plate. He used a piece of kitchen countertop. That's right, particle board complete with a layer of Formica (fake marble pattern).
So once the particle board got wet it expanded and broke the sealant around the edges of the flange.
I don't have a pic because it basically decomposed to mush.

Just had to share my "holy crap" moment. At least he only replaced one...

Chris
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Anonymous 121765

Anonymous 121765

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Jan 6, 2010
1,520
Chris,

I always tell folks that the DUMBEST guy you will ever meet is the guy you bought your boat from.

You're on the hard & will fix this thru-hull problem. I would only like to add one piece of advice. I use none but, only Marlon ball valves. They are heavy-bodied & will not allow growth or problems with dissimilar metal corrosion. As an industrial piping engineer, I can tell you that for positive shutoff & to avoid failures, ball valves are positive open/close shutoffs & should never fail. No more rising stem failures or seat freezing.

Spend the time to check these balls vs gate & metal vs Marlon. I have no thru hull problems. However the shizz that did your orig. thruhull fitting assy., just be glad he's gone.

CR
 
thinwater

thinwater

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Mar 26, 2011
3,961
Corsair F-24 MK I Deale, MD
That is the level of care for a repair that keeps the boat floating. What about less important things? I'd take a close look at that rigging! I hope he didn't add anything electrical....

Which reminds me of the fans my PO added by stripping the wires and stuffing them in spade connectors (not spades, just bare wires). To make it safe, he tucked it under the carpet. We were offshore a ways when is started to smoke. Got our blood pumping. By the way, he was an electrical engineer.

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BigEasy

BigEasy

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Jun 21, 2004
3,116
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
Ron,
Is it acceptable practice to mix a Marlon ball valve and bronze thru hull fitting, or should one use all bronze fittings or all Marlon fittings?
 
DougM

DougM

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Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
thinwater said:
That is the level of care for a repair that keeps the boat floating. What about less important things? I'd take a close look at that rigging! I hope he didn't add anything electrical....

Which reminds me of the fans my PO added by stripping the wires and stuffing them in spade connectors (not spades, just bare wires). To make it safe, he tucked it under the carpet. We were offshore a ways when is started to smoke. Got our blood pumping. By the way, he was an electrical engineer.

---[/QUOTE
Just because your PO was an electrical engineer doesn't mean he was a proper electrician. Some EEs are good designers but haven't got the first clue as to how to properly terminate wiring especially in boats.
Click to expand
 
Anonymous 121765

Anonymous 121765

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Jan 6, 2010
1,520
Big,

I have my ball valves mounted onto the thruhull fittings. What I did like was the thickness & strength of the valve body & Marlon is impervious to salt water barnacle buildup. So, the valve will never freeze up when opening & closing. Some folks have electrolysis and/or stray current & I've seen bronze thruhulls eaten up but, I have no bonding wires hooked to mine. Some will disagree with me but, each to his own. I just don't want my comment to take this thread off on an electrical tangent.

I would look online for Marlon specs to know more about the product pal.

CR
 
Chris & Lenore

Chris & Lenore

.
Apr 24, 2006
868
Aloha 32 Toronto, Lake Ontario
thinwater said:
That is the level of care for a repair that keeps the boat floating. What about less important things? I'd take a close look at that rigging! I hope he didn't add anything electrical....

Which reminds me of the fans my PO added by stripping the wires and stuffing them in spade connectors (not spades, just bare wires). To make it safe, he tucked it under the carpet. We were offshore a ways when is started to smoke. Got our blood pumping. By the way, he was an electrical engineer.

---
Click to expand
Fortunately rigging and most of the electrical was done by professionals. I have also gone over the entire boat with the help of a local professional (certified and does this for a living) to see if there were any other "surprises". A few items were identified that should be upgraded but no other "repairs" like the thru hull.
But since you mention electrical - when we first bought the boat I was down in the cockpit locker (it's 5 feet deep and you need to climb inside to get at parts of the engine). I sat, with wet shorts, on a wire that had bared ends and was connected to the AC. It was connected directly to the shore power socket so it was live all the time. I had a good shock but it could have turned out way worse.

Chris
 
njlarry

njlarry

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Sep 23, 2009
1,477
O'Day 34-At Last Rock Hall, Md
Amazing that it held up so well. Suggests the power of sealant is paramount to leak free thru hulls.
 
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