How do you cap a through hull fitting?

[Backslider]

I removed the live well from my aluminum boat to make more room, plus you can't use live bait fish around here. So now I have three holes in my hull--two in the stern below the waterline near the drain plug (on for pumping the water in and the other for draining it out of the live well), and on big 2" 'er above the waterline where the overflow dumped out. I can plug the two in the stern with by putting drain plugs in the through hull fittings. I'm not sure how to plug the 2 inch through hull in yhe side. I can't find anything on-line that's made to cap a through hull fitting. Has anyone ever had any luck plugging a through hull fitting this size?

 

[dozerII]

Re: How do you cap a through hull fitting?

Backslider, I had the same problem on a 16'starcraft, I could not find anything to solve it on line. If you have access to the inside you can do what I did. Using a 2 3/4" hole saw I cut out two circles in 1/4" aluminum, clean them up and polish them then using a 1/4" stainless steel bolt and fiber locking nut to secure them after coating them with a thick layer of 3M 5200. It looks good and is very strong.
Hope that helps

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: How do you cap a through hull fitting?

While I think the patch Dozer has suggested is the best option I'll through it out that you might be able to use something like this. I think I'd switch the wing nut for a hex nut if I went that route though.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: How do you cap a through hull fitting?

your local ACE hardware store will have expanding plugs, however my first thought would be take it to your local radiator shop and have the holes welded up.