mystery thru hull fitting

[stingray165ss]

Hey guys so i just bought a new to me 1996 Chaparral 1830 and it appears that there is a thru hull fitting on the port side bow about 6" above the water line, the fitting is for the cooler in the front of the bow. I have tried to remove the bow seating and there is just no way to get to it. The fitting has come somewhat lose from the side of the hull and i cannot find anyway to access the nut on the inside of the hull. How would i replace this? please help.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Try taking some "blind" pictures...you know, hold the camera at what you think might be the right area from somewhere inside the boat and see if that gives you a clue as to how to access it...make sure you provide good lighting, even if the camera has a flash...
Maybe you can remove something like a rod holder or whatever is nearby to gain access...
Oh yeah, and if you post some pics of the area you are talking about, maybe somebody on the forum has a better idea...
Good luck and let us know what you find...

 

[stingray165ss]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Thanks for the reply, I will try and take a few pics tomorrow. Surely a reputable company like chaparral made an access point.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Yeah, sure, keep thinking that dream.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Thanks for the reply, I will try and take a few pics tomorrow. Surely a reputable company like chaparral made an access point.

Yeah, sure, keep thinking that dream.

Yep ^^^ :facepalm:

You'd be surprised how hard some makers make getting the bow cushions off to be reupholstered.

The fitting down between the 2 chines at the bow's keel, just above the discoloration on this hull:

Way down below the bright green FL registration sticker?

Based on this Chaparral:

I think your fitting is below the bottom of these compartments...... Pull any & all carpet out of the interior space of the port side.

CONFIRM CAREFULLY that you WON'T be cutting THRU the exterior hull & cut an access to below decks at the bow. If possible (access hole area is flat) you could possibly put a water tight screw on & off access hatch in to 'block' off the hole & prevent water from getting below decks.

Water tight inspection, access or deck plate


Depending on how long that fitting has been loose, there may already be water getting below decks.......

 

[stingray165ss]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Jbcurt that is the one I am referring to, so the only way to access it is to cut a hole?

 

[GT1000000]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Jbcurt that is the one I am referring to, so the only way to access it is to cut a hole?

Yes, unfortunately, boat plumbing is usually constructed very similar to house plumbing...it is usually buried deep inside walls and floors..

 

[Gator1996]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Hello, no expert on your boat but I had the same cooler set up, the thru hull fitting and the the cooler drain fitting were both accessible by removing the port side bulkhead under the dash. Specifically where the first mate would sit. In my case it had its own section of carpet and was easily removable. No cutting required. May want to take a look.

 

[stingray165ss]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Gator1996 that is a very good suggestion, now that you say something I realized there is a ton of storage room under the port side bulkhead I bet I can get it from there, I will try when I get home this evening

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Sure, find a guy who has a similar boat/setup, get his advice: remove a bulkhead, reach the fitting, no cutting required. If you want to do it the easy way.... :facepalm:

From the pix I found, it looked like the fitting was much further away from the console then Gator indicates. If you can reach it, GREAT!

Hope so, post up if you can get there thru the console bulkhead...

Sometimes it may help to have details about the boat in the thread title. Gator might have happened by sooner.

Then you wouldn't have had GT & I to contend w/ & starting at your boat while holding our saw-z-alls :watermelon: Often cutting a hole is the only way.....

Let us know how it goes........

 

[stingray165ss]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Alright guys, I was able fix the problem. I removed the front bulkhead under the port side bow cushion and the thru hull fitting was right there. I did find a lot of dirt and damp mud behind the bulk head, do y'all think that dirt/mud could just be from dirt dobbers or does this boat have another story to tell? I have found a lot of dirt dobber nest in the boat and there is really no sign of rot.

 

[Gator1996]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Way to go stingray. Mark one in the win column.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: mystery thru hull fitting

Glad to hear you gained access without any surgery...
On the mud dauber issue, I would be concerned that the fact they are there means moisture has been in there...moisture and fiberglass boats with wooden substructures don't mix too well...:noidea:

Find out what would be a good cleaning solution (maybe a bleach or baking soda solution...I have read somewhere that "Simple Green" has been poured into boat guts, then run on the water to help slosh it around, then drained and flushed...) to spray/pour down in the guts of the boat and maybe give it a good flushing, then after it is good and dried out, keep an eye out for any future water intrusion...