through hull/seacock replacement
First, we went through the procedures several times. Including how to communicate by tapping on the hull. Once he figured out the through hull needed to be replaced, he started by cutting of the old one with a hack saw (started first withe my Dremel but couldn't cut all the way through because my blade was too small but it made a good starting point for the hack saw). Then he tapped in a wooden plug. Next he started to unscrew the retaining nut on the through hull. Once that was off and loose over the wooden plug, he started to work on prepping the new through hull. He simple covered it with 5200 but he had another back up sealant that he says is really strong. I don't remember the name of that one but I think it is an epoxy based one and is hard to get off. Next, he dove under the boat and removed the old grate which just fell apart and the screws the retained it.
In the mean time, I was in the boat waiting for him to tell me when to tap out the old through hull. The plan was to push the old one out, then he would immediately push in the new one in. I would start to tighten the nut. It took him a minute to put the new one on so I just put my hand over the hole to stop the water from coming in too fast. Not much water got past my hand. Once he pushed in the now one, I tapped the plug in the top of the new through hull and tightened the nut while he held it from moving. I then sealed the threads and put on the new valve. I did go with Forespar's marelon valve because it is the NPS thread and not a pipe thread. When I haul out in the spring, I am going to replace my through hulls and valves with a correct through hull/seacock that screws down to the hull.
I also replaced my cooling hoses. The old ones were full of crap. I was having problems with my engine warming up. I would run anywhere between 140 and 180. Now it stays right at 140. I still need to flush my engine and I want to add a strainer with a clear bulb so I can see what goes into my engine.
I did ask him what he would do if he came into trouble getting the new through hull in and he said he would put the wood plug into the hull, and rethink what he had to do and start over. He even told me that he is able to put in a new hole and through hull. It appears that a lot of people want to add a bait tank into there boats so he does that most often. It was the best $75 I have ever spent.
The amount of water that came into the boat didn't even fill up my bilge sump. Also, the way the wooden dowels work, I am guessing that if you had to use one at sea, it would be hard to keep it in. They don't seem to stay put really well. Of course, I just slightly tapped it in.
Geoff