replacing plastic thru-hulls

[Anonymous]

I was sanding the bottom today and took a good look at the plastic thru-hulls at the water line. I think it’s time to replace them this year. Did anyone put a seacock in line with the new bronze thru hulls? Also, how about using the MArelon version for these fittings? Any feelings one way or the other?

Thanks

Rodd Leeds

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[madsailor]

Hi Rodd,

There was a discussion a while back about the virtues of Marelon vs. bronze. I happen to like Marelon. I've never had any problem with it and never had a Marelon ball valve seize. Others have had other experiences, I gather. I like Marelon because it withstands freezing better than bronze and you don't have to operate the valves twice a year as recommended for bronze.

On the other hand, if you maintain bronze valves properly, you'll not have any problem with them either.

The other issue is that Marelon doesn't contribute to galvanic corrosion. You don't need to ground the fittings or valves.

I'm of the school that says (perhaps incorrectly but so far successfully) if your boat isn't grounded to the environment through metallic thru hulls and so forth it isn't a target for lightning. This is, in my opinion, because lightning requires a ground leader for connection. Videos show that a leader comes down and meets one coming up from the ground, tree, water, or what have you. Once they connect the main strike happens. So if you don't provide the leader from ground, you're less likely to attract the strike.

Others may argue. Really, how many boats get stricken by lightning a year?

So, in short, you could go either way and be fine.

Bob

On Sun, Mar 30, 2008 at 8:59 PM, Rodd Leeds < ([email][/email])> wrote:

I was sanding the bottom today and took a good look at the plastic thru-hulls at the water line. I think it's time to replace them this year. Did anyone put a seacock in line with the new bronze thru hulls? Also, how about using the MArelon version for these fittings? Any feelings one way or the other?

Thanks

Rodd Leeds

—
Bob Fine
Fine Software LLC
Your data on the web your way. No kidding

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[RichCarter]

There was a discussion about this a few years back. Someone (I can’t remember who) lost his boat because it ran up on a beach and rubbed against the bottom. As I remember it, a plastic through-hull failed from the abrasion. The boat was recovered and the owner replaced the through-hulls with bronze. Is the owner still a member of our list? If so, maybe he could comment.

I replaced the last of my deck-drain through-hulls last season. I used the same white plastic Pearson used, with no seacock. I had other expensive projects on hand and couldn’t justify spending another boat unit on valves and fittings. IMHO, I think it would be an odd set of circumstances that would cause the seacock or hose to fail that wouldn’t result in other more serious damage.

—
Rich Carter

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[Anonymous]

Rich-

ok, plastic it is- with no seacock- now, did you replace the hoses from deck scuppers to thru hull? if so, what type of hose?

Thanks.

Rodd

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[RichCarter]

Rod
I have no ‘L’ connections in my deck drains, never had.

I didn’t bother with backing plates. If I had installed valves, I would
probably have put them in.

Rich

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