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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

All of those THRU Hulls?

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ftworthsailor
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USA
279 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/03/2013 : 07:13:58

I was cleaning the bilge areas last night and was checking on the valves that are on top of the thru-hulls, to find that the valves are pretty darn rusty and look to be in bad shape. Since my boat doesn't have a sink and I intend to replace the head with a porta-potty type, I am thinking of removing those rusted valves and just capping the thru hulls with PVC caps. I am assuming that they are 1/2" pipes? Here is my real question: If I pull the valves, will water begin to rush in while I am at the docks? I want to make sure the threads are clean when I put the caps on.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Catalina 25, Hull #779, Built 1978, FK/SR "Miss Natalie"

Catalina 25, Hull #971, Built 1979, SK/SR,"Sea Legs"

"if we get lost, we'll just pull in somewhere and ask directions."

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2013 : 07:37:19

Yep, water will rush in. You can cap them, but I would just close the valves until the next haul out and do a proper fix then. The pipe has reportedly come loose for a few owners replacing them. Your options are to fit a proper throughull in case a subsequent owner wants them glass them out of existence.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2013 : 08:12:23

'77 and '78 C-25s were built with what we here call "to-hulls", meaning bronze pipes that are threaded into the fiberglass and then "glued" in place by a "volcano" (blob) of epoxy putty. There is no surface on the outside of the hull to mechanically hold it in place, as there is with a "mushroom" or "flush" (flat plate that is countersunk) thru-hull fitting. In later years, Catalina used the flush type, which my '85 had.

There have been stories here of "to-hulls" coming loose in the epoxy blobs, and people removing the "to-hull" pipes to replace them with proper thru-hulls and having them crumble in their hands.

The prescribed fix is to remove the pipe, grind down the "volcano" flush to the hull, and install a proper, mushroom-style thru-hull with a backer and ball-type seacock inside. In your case, it would probably be wise to just glass over the hole. The existing pipe is a liability--capped or not.

Edited by - on

ftworthsailor
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USA
279 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2013 : 08:28:31

Wow! Having that pipe break away from the hull would really suck! The reason that I am considering the caps for now is because the Valves are showing as extremely rusty with flaking and is deteriorating. One of the valves is looking really bad. They aren't leaking at this point. I may have to soak the valves with some PB Blaster penetrating oil for a few days, so as not to place stress on and do damage to the epoxy blob that is holding the thru-hull in place. Just leaving it as is is not really an option, at least not a long term option waiting to haul her back out of the water. I guess I could buy some CORK and plug up the thru hulls from the outside.......if the valve starts to leak....

Edited by - ftworthsailor on 07/03/2013 08:43:23

pastmember
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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2013 : 09:16:07

You do have a bung plug don't you?

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3478 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2013 : 10:04:32

A set of.... ( bungs )

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2013 : 10:15:41

Are the actual valves rusty, or just handles that control them. The valve bodies should be bronze, or at worst, brass (household quality). I haven't seen something like that made of a ferrous metal in since the '50s.

I'd leave well enough alone until she's out of the water. And yes, you should have a set of bungs aboard--either soft wood or foam. I like [url="http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|135|1394424&id=2242647"]this one[/url].

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/03/2013 10:16:06

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2013 : 10:18:04

Appears you are floating on borrowed time. I wouldn't dally on this repair.

Edited by - OJ on 07/03/2013 10:19:10

ftworthsailor
Captain

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USA
279 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2013 : 10:33:07

The valve bodies look like they are covered with rust so, maybe this was a cheapie fix... Ill check it this afternoon when I attempt to gently clean and lube them, however the one valve that is of greatest concern has a loose cap that holds the valve handle mechanism in place. Currently all valves are shut.

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OJ
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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2013 : 17:02:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ftworthsailor
 The valve bodies look like they are covered with rust so, maybe this was a cheapie fix... Ill check it this afternoon when I attempt to gently clean and lube them, however the one valve that is of greatest concern has a loose cap that holds the valve handle mechanism in place. Currently all valves are shut.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Roy, I think we are more (or equally) concerned about the pipe that goes through the "volcano." One jiggle or bump and the pipe that the valve is attached to could come out.

Edited by - OJ on 07/03/2013 17:04:02

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9089 Posts

Response Posted - 07/03/2013 : 20:09:04

Here's a [url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=183&ParentCat=37"]discussion by CD[/url]... I don't think they're making much on the $12 fittings, which you can get from any marine supplier.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/03/2013 20:12:47

Voyager
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USA
5500 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2013 : 07:06:02

Is there any possibility that you can rig your boat between docks and pilings to use the halyards to heel the boat over sufficiently to get the offending thru-hull out of the water? In that case you could replumb it or cap it as you see fit. If not, you could see whether a nearby marina will do a short haul.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2013 : 21:12:48

The upside of your situation is that the valves are closed and not leaking; the likelihood of one suddenly coming loose if you don't mess with them is very low. The downside is that it would be really bad if one did. Tough call, but its all yours. Trailers are nice when you discover things like this.

Edited by - on

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