Removing / Plugging a Livewell Thru-Hull?

[JoLin]

I'm rearranging the cockpit layout on a Sylvan aluminum dual console. I won't be using the rear livewell, so it's coming out. I want to eliminate the intake, which of course is below the waterline. I'd like to remove the nylon thru-hull fitting and replace it with a 'block off' fitting of some type, but I haven't found anything like that. Has anyone else? Or, what's an alternative? Remember, the hull is aluminum.

Thanks!

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Removing / Plugging a Livewell Thru-Hull?

I'd say the best way is to weld in a plug or patch to the hole. A local welding shop can probably do it for you for under 50 bucks.
Second best would be to get a nylon plug. They sell them at West Marine. I have 2 in my transom from the same thing. They have screw in and ones with nuts on the back.
But welding would be my first choice if your sure your not going to need the hole again.
I guess a 3rd option would be to leave the fitting in and run the hose up as high as you can, that will keep out the water too.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Removing / Plugging a Livewell Thru-Hull?

Thanks- don't want to go the welding route. Haven't seen the nylon plug... might be what I'm looking for. Does it somehow fit into the existing thru-hull, or are we talking about replacing the existing fitting with a complete garboard plug assembly or similar? Can't picure what you're describing is all.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Removing / Plugging a Livewell Thru-Hull?

not sure if a electrical stainless hole seal would work with 3m 5400 used instead of the foam seal. its a large hole if something you use was to fail

 

[dozerII]

Re: Removing / Plugging a Livewell Thru-Hull?

An easy way to block off the hole is to use a hole saw that is 1/2-3/4"larger diameter than the hole in the hull, cut two discs out of
1/4 "aluminum, then after coating the inside of both discs with 3M 42 or 5200 use a 1/4" stainless steel bolt and fiber lock nut to sandwich the hull between the two discs.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Removing / Plugging a Livewell Thru-Hull?

Leave the secure thru hull secure. Hose clamp a piece of dowel in a short piece of hose, clamp the hose to the thru hull. No need for major reconstruction ...

 

[JoLin]

Re: Removing / Plugging a Livewell Thru-Hull?

Okay, so here's what I started today. I went with an off-the-shelf solution, rather than trying to fabricate anything as I'm not really equipped for that. There are 5(!) holes in the boat to fix...

- Removed the 2 livewell pumps that were mounted directly though the transom, and bought 2 marelon thru-hulls of the same diameter- 1"
- Removed another pair of through-hulls (3/4") and their hoses.
- There's one more through-hull that takes a 1 1/4" hose that also ran to the stern livewell. I removed that hose and pulled out the fitting.

Each matching pair of fittings has been/will be reinstalled with a bead of 3M 5200, and a new hose and clamps used to bridge them together. The 1 1/4" through-hull doesn't have a mate, so it'll be reinstalled with 5200, a new piece of hose and clamp, and a clamped plug at the end of the hose.

The old fittings and hoses were still intact after 17 years, so I figure this'll be fine. Thanks for the ideas- gave me a lot to think about.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Removing / Plugging a Livewell Thru-Hull?

Interesting idea. I think that when you bridge them, raise them so they drain. Consider what freezing temps may do if the boat is moored. Have the set-up where you can monitor for leaks or fast-plug if needed (keep a roll of Rescue Tape handy--should anyway)

 

[JoLin]

Re: Removing / Plugging a Livewell Thru-Hull?

Interesting idea. I think that when you bridge them, raise them so they drain. Consider what freezing temps may do if the boat is moored. Have the set-up where you can monitor for leaks or fast-plug if needed (keep a roll of Rescue Tape handy--should anyway)

Yup- the 'bridges' are raised . I bought several rolls of that rescue tape on special somewhere, and I do keep some on the boat. I've played around with it a bit, anbd it seems to work as advertised.