Checking & resealing hull drain plug!

[tginz]

In readying our 240 for a trip down south this month, I had a list of things I wanted to investigate. One was a loose hull drain plug fitting. In the Fall, I noticed the fitting seemed to move when I would install the drain plug. I attempted to tighten the screws - the two bottoms were tight - the top one would just spin. Hopefully from a nut I could not reach. .....hummmmmm.

I removed the two lowers which were stainless wood screws. Come to find out the upper was a #6 stainless screw, which held a ground wire. At this location on the transom the hull is NOT cored, coring begins about 1" above the drain plug.

The plug had little to no sealant and the bottom paint installed years ago had found its way behind the plug...that's how loose it was from the factory. Now I know why was would always picking-up a little water in the bilge after a day on the water.

I simply could not believe what a shotty gig this is. So, I sanded and cleaned everything. Reinstalled the fitting with plenty of 5200, three new Thru-Hull stainless screws, washers, & nylon locking nuts. Now reaching behind the motor to install the ground wire, washers and nuts is a challenge, but here are some tips:

• Have someone turn the screws on the outside. You can then feel the movement and install the washers and screws easier.
• To tighten you can reach from the outside in with a craftsman 5/16" wrench. Yes the wrench fits through the plug fitting from the outside and with the 30 deg. bend of the closed end will fit on the nuts and actually seats better on the nuts as the nuts are tightened & drawn closer to the inside of the transom. I could hold the wrench and tighten the screws easily. All from outside!
• I would also recommend gooping up the transom hole on the inside, which is impossible from the inside. Soooo... Carefully slide your finger with 5200 through the hole, turn your finger tip at a 90 degree angle and coat the nuts, washers, and gap between the plug fitting and hull on the inside. I had enough on from the bleed out of the plug fitting that I could primarily just move it around. If you get 5200 in the threads of the plug clean immediately with acetone or spray brake cleaner, my personal favorite.

My drain plug was serious weak point in the hull. I am shocked the factory would use little to no gasketing and only ONE thru hull fastener.

Good Luck

Tom

 

[J Levine]

Tom,

Been there and done that. Mine was the same but, on my boat you can sit at the back of the bilge and access the transom. I ended up going with two thru hull bolts and one screw. I was alone when I was doing this so I held the nuts with a vice grip and tightened the bolts from the outside.