Replacing Thru - Hull fittings

[Jus the two of us]

Wanting to dress the girl up a bit, Would like to change the white thru hull fittings to Stainless Steel. Also looking at replacing the badges on the arch to the new style chrome and black. 1998 450 DA, Great boat, Looked at some newer 52s and realized what a great boat it is !! Any thoughts or advice greatly appreciated.

 

[fwebster]

Sea Ray uses something akin to an epoxy sealer to bed the thru hulls. Changing them is a real PITA ia almost impossible top do with the boat in the water and definitely requires access to the back side of the thru hull.

I had to change one that a pontoon boat hit.....guy selling ice crean and couldn't run a boat worth a damn ....... the thru hull was the only damage or I'd be answering this from Brushy Mountain state pen in Tennessee. We had to haul the boat and use a patered plug to center a hole saw then saw the old thru hull out of the boat. Once cut thru to the fiberglass, it was pretty easy to remove the interior nut and drive the remainder out from the inside of the hull.

 

[Riptide III]

Replaced all mine with stainless. It looks a lot nicer. I guess I was lucky because all mine came out without too much effort. It is well worth the effort. Every time I did maintenance on or replaced a system I replaced the thru hull that I had access to.

 

[Jus the two of us]

Thanks guys, I may give one a try to see how it goes. Glad you didn't kill the guy Frank, We wouldn't get all the great advice you give.

 

[fwebster]

Remember: Riptide's boat was built in a different factory than your 450DA. Even though it is/was the same company, there were subtle differences between methods and procedures used in Merritt Island vs. Palm Coast. Look for a thru hull that has easy access to the back and examine the goo used to seal the thru hull to the hull and, if it is like mine, you will start to love the white fittings a lot better than you do now................

 

[sbw1]

We replaced all of ours about three years ago became the sun's uv was changing the color of the fittings. The balsa core was routed out around the perimeter of each of the holes and replaced with epoxy resin. We used new plastic fittings that were painted with Imron matching the white hull. Lots of 4200 was used to seal the fittings. They are holding up well and showing no signs of degradation. This was worth the effort in my view as the older fittings detracted from an otherwise pristine hull. Boat looks brand new again.

 

[Jus the two of us]

Remember: Riptide's boat was built in a different factory than your 450DA. Even though it is/was the same company, there were subtle differences between methods and procedures used in Merritt Island vs. Palm Coast. Look for a thru hull that has easy access to the back and examine the goo used to seal the thru hull to the hull and, if it is like mine, you will start to love the white fittings a lot better than you do now................

I hear what you are saying, Mine are looking better already!!

 

[NotHerDecision]

I just changed 3 of mine without and major issues. Stainless does look classy.

 

[Curtis]

I have been considering changing out some of my thru hulls but was not sure what to seal them with. Is 4200 adequate?

 

[sbw1]

Yes. 4200 is the recommended method of sealing through hulls.

 

[sbw1]

Here are three pix of through hulls being replaced. Old openings were cleaned up with a router and the edges were filled and sealed with epoxy. Newly painted, fresh fittings installed and sealed with 4200. The Imron painted fittings match the hull. We prefer not calling attention to the fittings.