Cover hull fittings?

Discussion in 'Winterizing' started by MHorn0817, Feb 3, 2023.

  1. MHorn0817

    MHorn0817 Active Member

    154
    May 16, 2021
    Bowie, MD
    1998 215 Express Cruiser
    2011 260 Sundancer
    5.7 Mercruiser Thunderbolt w/Alpha I
    350 Mag MPI w/Bravo lll
    While being stored and winterized....do you tape, plug, cover all of the drains and thru hull fittings?

    What do you do or use? Just curious if it made sense to do or not.
     
  2. Bill Curtis

    Bill Curtis Well-Known Member

    630
    Mar 24, 2022
    Eastern NC
    '95 220 Overnighter
    454 Mag. Bravo3 w/ 2.0:1 ratio gears and 28 pitch props
    454 Mag Bravo3. 2.0:1 ratio gears w/ 28 pitch props
    If it sits in the water all year, don't cover the bilge pump drain.

    Mine sits on a trailer. so I plug them all with a plastic bag to keep the bugs and critters out. All except the bilge drain. I use a 1/2" NPT to PVC pipe connector and cover that with a screen so bilge can drain if rain water gets in and still keep bugs out.
     
    Nater Potater likes this.
  3. Lazy Daze

    Lazy Daze Well-Known Member TECHNICAL Contributor GOLD Sponsor

    Apr 21, 2009
    PA
    Various
    Various
    I never do.

    Horn, what's thought behind why you are asking? Is it about water entry? Water won't travel uphill :)
     
    Nater Potater likes this.
  4. MHorn0817

    MHorn0817 Active Member

    154
    May 16, 2021
    Bowie, MD
    1998 215 Express Cruiser
    2011 260 Sundancer
    5.7 Mercruiser Thunderbolt w/Alpha I
    350 Mag MPI w/Bravo lll
    It sits on a trailer. Just to keep any bugs, wind, etc from going inside the holes.
     
    Nater Potater likes this.
  5. Lazy Daze

    Lazy Daze Well-Known Member TECHNICAL Contributor GOLD Sponsor

    Apr 21, 2009
    PA
    Various
    Various
    Wind won't cause any issues.

    I've never had an issue with bugs on any boat I've ever owned or the boats that sit on our lot. Not many bugs crawling around in the winter! But that's not to say that it can't happen, of course. If I was going to do it, I wouldn't do anything permanent like tape - you want it to breath - I would use a little bit of SS wool.
     
    Nater Potater likes this.
  6. Gofirstclass

    Gofirstclass Well-Known Member GOLD Sponsor

    Apr 20, 2010
    Tri Cities, WA
    Boatless in WA
    No motor
    I have always used an Ortho product called Home Defense on the boat. I spray the dock, dock lines and cleats, etc. I sprayed two or three times a summer and never had a problem with bugs.
     
    Nater Potater likes this.
  7. MHorn0817

    MHorn0817 Active Member

    154
    May 16, 2021
    Bowie, MD
    1998 215 Express Cruiser
    2011 260 Sundancer
    5.7 Mercruiser Thunderbolt w/Alpha I
    350 Mag MPI w/Bravo lll
    Thanks for the tips. I guess I'll just leave it as it sits.
     

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