Thruhull for drain. Bronze, nylon or plastic.

[Dave]

I am attempting to buy a 1976 O'day 25. I had it surveyed and the only negative in the note to insurance underwriter is that the "plastic" thruhull for the sink drain needs to be replaced with a bronze or nylon one. I'm not convinced that he could tell if it was plastic and not nylon. Owner claims it is the original. Any thoughhts or expierences with this item (or its replacement) would be appreciated.

 

[Josh]

Cockpit drain...

I haven't replaced my sink drain, but the one for my cockpit needed to be replaced. Did it say WHY it needs to be replaced? Mine was cracked on the inside, so I removed it and put in a bronze. It's a twenty dollar item and twenty minutes of time. Seal it with your choice of sealant, let it dry and you're done.Your milage may vary depending on how easy it is to access the backside of that fitting. The cockpit drain on the 022 is NOT an easy thing to get at, so you might find yours goes much quicker!Josh

 

[R.W.Landau]

I agree, to go bronze

The nylon can develope a hairline crack just inside the hole, as it did with mine. The cockpit thru hull is about $20.00 and the other two thru hulls will run about $20.00. I would also put seacocks on the galley and head sink drains. They will cost another $20.00.For $60.00 it will give you peace of mind. r.w.landau

 

[Ed S.]

Plastic vs. Nylon

Is there a difference? If it dates from 1976, replace it. And I second R.W.'s suggestion of a seacock, but only on a bronze thru hull. Closing a seacock on a below waterline plastic thru hull is a good way to remove the thru hull stem and scuttle your boat. Get some tapered wood plugs and leave them under the sink.Consider that the information is going to your insurance company. If you don't replace, maybe they won't either.

 

[Ric Shultz]

Bronze all the way

Took out plastic and put in bronze in my 1975, 25. Also, bronze valve, incase a drain line leaks. The wood tapered plugs are a good idea too. If you hit something or break off the plastic fitting, she'll go down like a rock. $40 worth of bronze is worth it.Ric

 

[Jim]

Boat U.S. Insurance ???

I think it was one of the back issues of "Boat U.S. Magazine" that addressed this problem. It would seem that there has been several Insurance claims reguarding the inside "hairline cracks" on thruhull fittings. All of the boats they paid claims on, had sunk as the result of this problem. They recommended you inspect all your fittings at the start of the season, and highly recommended the use of "bronze". After reading the article, I checked my boat and found a hairline crack in the thruhull for the sink drain(glad I read the Magazine). I replaced it with "bronze" the next day.Contact Boat U.S. Insurance for a copy of the story.Good Sailing,JimS/V Dream Maker1975, O'Day-22

 

[Jim]

Update to last entry!!!!

I found that magazine with the story. The magazine is called "Seaworthy". It is put out every quarter by, "Boat owners association of the United States", AKA:Boat U.S. It is there Marine Insurance and damage avoidance report.You Can E-Mail them at: Seaworthy@boatus.comAnother article worth telling told about replacing your polyethylene corrugated bilge pump hose with smooth walled hose. This was due to hose cracking,and pumps burning up due to the increased head pressure and electrical resistance. when replaced the pumps ran faster and cooler. Fair winds, and good sailing to you............JimS/V: Dream Maker1975 O'Day-22