Thru Hulls

BCC Forum
1

In looking at several used BCCs within the past several weeks, I came
away somewhat surprised and concerned regarding the number of thru
hull fittings on all the boats I examined. Given the nature of the
intended use of many BCCs, e.g., blue water cruising, I find this to
be a surprise. Perhaps it is just my long standing concern about
putting holes in the hull, particularly if it is simply to hook up
the latest consumer boat gadget. This is obviously an issue that
inspires discussion, and I would be interested in the views of others.
Are my concerns misplaced?

2

My wife and I are on Mandy hull #32. We have through hulls for the
cockpit scuppers and the engine cooling intake. We wouldn’t think of
putting any more holes in the hull. We feel however that we are unusual
in this regard. I would rather not worry than to have any more
“nescessities”.

3

I guess I should clarify. No head, just bucket or porta potti. No sink,
just scuppers in the cockpit. The engine exhaust and bilge pump outlets
are on the transom above the waterline.

After rebuilding all the systems on our last boat (Ranger 33), we were
definitely in the mood fo simpler boat. It’s more of a backpacking type
of approach and certainly not for everyone.

Before you say that’s fine for weekends, let me say that we live aboard
and actually value the simplicity. Less maintenence, less worry, more
enjoyment.

4

How do you handle engine cooling exhaust, head, and galley sink
water?

— In bcc@egroups.com , sailmonkeys <sailmonkeys@e…> wrote:

My wife and I are on Mandy hull #32. We have through hulls for the
cockpit scuppers and the engine cooling intake. We wouldn’t think
of
putting any more holes in the hull. We feel however that we are
unusual
in this regard. I would rather not worry than to have any more
“nescessities”.

5

My BCC has 7 thru hulls below the water line. Even though each presents a
potential for water entering the hull, I have minimal concerns.
I have the following inventory of thru hulls,
Two cockpit drains
Engine raw water intake
Galley sink drain
Galley sea water intake
Head intake
Head discharge
I also have 4 above the waterline, three bilge pump discharges and a head
tank vent.

I have personally removed each from the hull, inspected and rebuilt or
replaced each valve. Re-bedded each and installed new hoses and clamps on
each. I know where they all are and have plugs attached to each.
The danger of them being broken off from the outside is almost non-existent
because of the very low profile on the outside of the hull. The are all
solid bronze of very significant construction and well protected on the
inside of the hull.
Most importantly I know where they are and can access them in moments should
a situation present it’s self.

I would add more if after careful deliberation I deemed it necessary.

Steve Osborne
----- Original Message -----
From: <gjkovach@yahoo.com >
To: <bcc@egroups.com >
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2000 7:04 PM
Subject: [bcc] Thru Hulls

In looking at several used BCCs within the past several weeks, I came
away somewhat surprised and concerned regarding the number of thru
hull fittings on all the boats I examined. Given the nature of the
intended use of many BCCs, e.g., blue water cruising, I find this to
be a surprise. Perhaps it is just my long standing concern about
putting holes in the hull, particularly if it is simply to hook up
the latest consumer boat gadget. This is obviously an issue that
inspires discussion, and I would be interested in the views of others.
Are my concerns misplaced?

6



I would think a bucket would work ideal out on the ocean, on deck. I cannot even imagine using it below and carrying it on deck, That would seem foolish to me. The previous mentioned porta potty would work just fine for inshore and below deck elimination. I am not so against through the hull fittings, as long as they are checked periodically, have a plug attached to the hose, and the hose is secured with a minimum of two stainless steel c-clamps .
Stephen White
SV Eurylaus

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7

— sailmonkeys <sailmonkeys@earthlink.com > wrote:

I guess I should clarify. No head, just bucket or
porta potti. No sink,
just scuppers in the cockpit. The engine exhaust and
bilge pump outlets
are on the transom above the waterline.

After rebuilding all the systems on our last boat
(Ranger 33), we were
definitely in the mood fo simpler boat. It’s more of
a backpacking type
of approach and certainly not for everyone.

Before you say that’s fine for weekends, let me say
that we live aboard
and actually value the simplicity. Less maintenence,
less worry, more
enjoyment.

To each his own.
But I would point out that carrying a bucket of
‘toilet water’ to the cockpit is not a ‘simple’ thing.
Modern manual heads are simple and require less
‘maintenance’ time than a bucket.
And the same for a sink.
It sound more like a fear of thru-hull syndrome to me.

I don’t advocate extranious thru-hulls and some can
serve more than one system but there should not be a
fear of them.

====Stan Roeder & Barbara Wall

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From homework help to love advice, Yahoo! Experts has your answer.
http://experts.yahoo.com/

8

Nothing wrong with buckets! Do yer business and then a quick sluice out in the sea. What could be simpler? That said, a friend of mine had a bit of an accident with a bucket while on his way to the cockpit… He spilled it all over the galley! And although he did his best to clean it up and apologise, nonetheless there was a new galley stove aboard the next time he visited!

Through-hull fittings are always suspect, so I understand the fears around this, as well as the inconvenience of pumping out holding tanks, etc. But sometimes, there is just no alternative (though I’m keeping my bucket!).

9

— In bcc@egroups.com , “Stephen White” <Cassivelaunus@h…> wrote:

From: Stephen White <Cassivelaunus@h…>

I would think a bucket would work ideal out on the ocean, on deck. I
cannot even imagine using it below and carrying it on deck, That
would seem foolish to me. The previous mentioned porta potty would
work just fine for inshore and below deck elimination. I am not so
against through the hull fittings, as long as they are checked
periodically, have a plug attached to the hose, and the hose is
secured with a minimum of two stainless steel c-clamps .

Stephen White

You had better have a heck of a good spot on deck to put the bucket
and it better have some good handholds nearby. A proper head below
can normally be wedged into and I’ll guarantee if you get thrown off
the ‘bucket’ you won’t go overboard.
Of course thru-hulls have to be looked after, just like your rigging
and other systems. If you like, you could consider a head belowdecks
a crew safety matter that is more important than any (falsly)
perceived danger of flooding because of a leaking thru-hull.

regards,
Stan and Barbara Roeder hull#22 “Waxwing”