Heads Up. Scary Problem with Thru Hull Fittings

[Yankeeredfisher]

I'm rather new to this forum so if this problem has already been addressed---sorry. It's new to me and worthy of passing on for fellow members safety.
My Seafarer 226 is 13 years old and the hull is in pristine condition.Hull never painted and I keep it on a lift during the season. Itb is currently in a local marina being repowered from a 200 Evinrude to a 200 Yamaha 4 stroke. The dealer called me with an alarming discovery.Several of my thru-hull fittings had deteriorated to the point where one of them had already broken off internally. This could lead to some serious flooding if underway and the dealer cited a situation where another Grady in fact had the same problem and sunk off of James Island.
I was told that they have seen this on a regular basis with Grady;'s and in fact they had another Grady in the shop with the same problem when I visited there today to inspect the problem. I have 5 thru-hulls and all of them showed different stages of deterioration. They were going to replace the two that were really in bad shape and I advised them that I wanted all 5 replaced. They are plastic.
Apparently the newer boats are using SS but they could not get SS with the proper thread to fix mine.
CHECK YOUR THRU HULLS----ADD ANOTHER BILGE PUMP!!!!

 

[ocnslr]

Sorry to hear about your problem, and thanks for posting it.

A search on this site will reveal that this is a very well known problem with the older plastic thru-hull fittings. Most recommend replacement with either a better plastic (e.g. Marelon) or chromed bronze fittings.

Brian

 

[JeffN]

My '83 Kingfish has three thu hulls at the water line everything else is above the waterline. The cockpit drains were replaced when they replaced my engine and I just did the drain for the fish box last weekend. The old one was nylon (I think) and the hull where the fitting was installed was a little thicker at the bottom than the top. When they installed it at the factory it was cross threaded because of the thickness difference. When I removed the old one I could see that over time the fitting had begun to crack about half way around - so it was time. The hose, which I replaced, was in good shape though suprisingly. Put in a bronze fitting and all looks good.

I'm not sure about what you mean by proper thread? The nuts come with them, just buy the size you need or maybe I misunderstand.

 

[Seahunter]

Apparently the newer boats are using SS but they could not get SS with the proper thread to fix mine.
CHECK YOUR THRU HULLS----ADD ANOTHER BILGE PUMP!!!!

My 226 is a year older than yours. No problems finding stainless thru hulls for the boat. Replaced all mine plus the scuppers

 

[Yankeeredfisher]

THanks Seahunter.Where did you get the SS fittings?? Is it a big job for a DIYer or better done at a marina??

 

[my retreat]

plastic hull fittings

Had this identical problem with my 2000 22' Robalo. Replaced all thru hull fittings with SS!!

 

[sfc2113]

I keep a couple small nerf footballs on my boat just in case. If I can catch it in time the ball foam will plug the hole to allow the pump to get rid of the water. 99 cent foam ball may just save your boat. Good backup even if you have new tru hulls that leak. Fun to throw around in the water too during fishing breaks. :lol:

 

[Strikezone]

sfc2113
GreatGrady Captain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I keep a couple small nerf footballs on my boat just in case. If I can catch it in time the ball foam will plug the hole to allow the pump to get rid of the water. 99 cent foam ball may just save your boat. Good backup even if you have new tru hulls that leak. Fun to throw around in the water too during fishing breaks.

The nerf balls are a great idea. I've always kept the wooden bungs but i think the foam ball may work easier in a hurry. Thanks for the idea!

 

[mronzo]

I just replaced one of the starboard deck scupper thru hull in the transom.
What a PIA! It helps to have long skinny arms but I don't! All below waterline thru hulls should be SS/bronze not plastic. Anything above the waterline is not as critical.