resealing below water thru hull strainers / fittings - advice needed.

skennelly · September 2016

The A/C thru hull in my 270 is leaking a little and I'm ending the season early to pull the boat out for the winter and start some fixes for next year.

What's the best way of going about removing and resealing these fittings? Use 3M 5200 or 4200?

How should I break the existing fitting loose, if it's adhered pretty good? I don't want to damage the hull.

I've heard some say you let the sealant set a bit before tightening down the fittings? True?

I'm going to do both the A/C and head fittings.

Thanks in advance

Handymans342 · September 2016

5200 for anything below water

LaRea · September 2016

Read this:
http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/installing-seacock.asp

Don Casey is a reliable source.

skennelly · September 2016

@Handymans342 - I hear what you are saying...my worry is what if I have to do this replacement again somewhere down the line? Won't 5200 be almost a permanent bond?

Handymans342 · September 2016

No you can still remove. I redid all my underwater fittings last year. Most of them were leaking. These were all original from the factory. I used the black 5200.

skennelly · September 2016

I also noticed that the sea cocks I have currently do not have flanges on them...or at least don't appear to. Did you replace your sea cocks with flanged or just reuse what you had without backing plate?

Handymans342 · September 2016

New and no flange

skennelly · October 2016

Removed the old fittings and saw one of them is a 1/2 inch thread...but the hole in the hull looks to be 3/4 inch???? Is that a problem? I bought a new 1/2 inch fitting already and now I'm rethinking my decision.

Handymans342 · October 2016

I had to use a 1 inch threaded fitting for a 1 and a quarter hole

skennelly · October 2016

@Handymans342 - that would be the same size difference I'm looking at. I guess it's okay then?

Just seems wrong to have that much space...and the old fitting was leaking...which is why I'm replacing

Handymans342 · October 2016

Yes its fine as long as you use the sealant properly

Ian · November 2016

Found similar today on mine, the hole. Little bigger than the 1" threaded. Once I spun off the nut the strainer dropped down having already taken out the 4 screws. What was left was very minimal sealer that was soft and wet. Cleaned the hole and plan to clean the strainer fully and be very generous with 5200 at the hull where it goes through. No more seepage for me!

skennelly · November 2016

icoultha Yes - I just got done resealing mine...probably used more 5200 than I needed to, but I don't want some good insurance. Hopefully I won't have to remove them anytime soon.

Cableguy Greg · November 2016

If you gently heat up 5200 with a torch, it will soften it and make for an easier removal. I have also heard of using a piece of fishing line to 'cut' the 5200 for removal. For a water pickup or a depth sounder, I would use 5200. For underwater lights I would consider 4200 or 4000. Both are rated for under water and are easier removed if the light goes bad.

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Categories

resealing below water thru hull strainers / fittings - advice needed.

Comments