Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Okay, I'm trying to remove the old very short thru hulls on my 89 311 SR1. They are acting like they are "glassed in". I've tried twisting them with BIG water pump pliers to break the seal, no luck.

I'm thinking of trying to heat it with a heat gun but I really don't think that's gonna do much, I mean they are used to heat. I don't think getting a big block of wood and trying to beat them out from the inside is the best idea either.

I could use some suggestions....Thanks. Russ

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Russ,

I think these may have ben glued in with 5200. If so, they will be a bear to get off. I have heard of guys cutting the 5200 behind trim tabs with a piano wire, so you might want to try that if you can get a little edge to get behind. Otherwise, you will probably end up ripping off a chunk of gelcoat with it if you go the BFH route (had a "expert" marine mechanic do this to a trim tab on my 311 - $560 to repair :mad: ).

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

The Piano wire trick works (or guitar string ot other like things) Heat does help. Remember your exhaust is actually fairly cool by the time it gets to that point. Just b carefull not to heat it up to much or you can discolor the gel.... Good luck.

Jon

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

"5200", the one number I did not want to hear......Thanks for the suggestion. I guess you go to a piano store to get piano wire huh???? Don't think I've ever had a reason to buy piano wire. Russ

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Maybe try fishing line??? Don't know if it would work though(its cheap)

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

I don't think that fishing line has the "cutting" qualities that thin piano wire has. But thanks for the thought.

I put this question on the general boating discussion forum also, and somebody came up with a good idea involving shoving an eight ft. 2x4 with a cloth wrapped around it for tightness then jerking it from side to side to try to break it loose. I think I'll try that first.

Thanks for the help. R

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

... unless you're a highly paid mercenary on a very covert special op. :D

If I remember correctly from the movies, they used a small wooden dowel at each end for handles to pull on.

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

A "silencer" makes your work easier and more "long distance". :D :D

Yes, I believe, from my movie memory, that dowels are the way to go and I just happen to have a whole bunch, I think a 3/4 inch would be the way to go. One way or the other I'm gonna get these things off. Now it's "personal".

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Except my wife's, hers was to sell the damn boat.

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Ok so sell it as long as she said you can get something bigger and newer :D:D

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

For sale: one wife, bossy, stubborn, my way or the highway attitude, did I say stubborn. Free or best offer.....

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

She got a boat ?

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Try this, it worked on my 336 formula.... Use a razor blade knife to make a slit into the adhesive all the way around the exhaust tip. Then take a 4' length of 2X4 and trim a little off one end so that it will slide into the tip. Then gently pry up,down,left and right and the top should loosen. Just make sure that you have removed the screws that hold the tip to the transom and the metal clamps around the hose in the engine compartment loose. Mine came off real easy.

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Instead of piano wire, you probably could find a pack of guitar strings much easier at any music supply store. I'd suggest electric strings starting at 11 gauge. Probably cost $5.

Good luck. I may take my platform off someday so let's see how your project works out. :D

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Why does everyone take the platform off of there old Formula's? This is what gives them the good looks.I would never take the platform off of mine.... I just don't understand.

Don

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

A) Performance, it DOES make a difference
B) Sound
C) Weight
D) I've always HATED those rectangular exhaust tips

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Yeah, that's pretty much what I had in mind. Screws are already off and hose also. Thanks.

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

She HATES my boat. She says I spend money on it when I should be spending it in other places. She's partially right. It's just my sanity that's all.

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

DeBond 2000, Inc.
Michael Donovan
221 Old Dixie Highway Suite 1
Tequesta, FL 33469

Tel: 561 575 4200
Fax: 561 828 2339

Email: [email protected]
Web Address: www.debond2000.com

His web site appears top be down right now. I bought some of this stuff, and it worked like a charm. I had some parts that were covered with blobs of 5200. Cut around the edges with a raxor blade for the stuff to get it, sprayed it on, and it all came right off. Amazing stuff.

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

I knew someone would have a magical answer. Thanks "C". I'll email him immediately. Thanks again. Ahhh the power of OSO. Russ

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Formula Outlaw,

Just took the corsa muffler tips off of my 382 and the dealer's advice was to beat them out with a 4 X 4. Wasn't going to happen with them glued in with 5200. Found a trick to get them loose. I used floor jack and a correct length piece of wood (from the jack to the end of tip). By jacking the tip upward (maybe 1/4") and putting some sheer stress on the 5200, it breaks the seal. Then it was a matter of tapping the tip out. By spraying a little WD40 around the inboard portion of the tip, it came right out. There was no damage to the underlying gel.

Granted, mine were only installed for four months.

I used the Debond product and it is fine for clean up but was not effective for breaking/dissolving the 5200 seal between the tip and transom.

Good luck with it.

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Tar Heel thanks for the tip (pun intended). Russ

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Russ DO NOT let me finish my boat before you get yours in!!!!!! :D:D

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

If Cuda sees this I'm dead meat. :D :D


Went to open the hatch this past Sunday and did the "cardinal sin", left the battery switch on. Stone dead batteries. Am now finding out if the Shore Power on board battery charger works. Went and bought a "connector" plugged it in and could hear the charger "humming". Went through all the original factory info that came with the boat and the charger is fully automatic. So it's going to humm away and I'll check to see if I have any juice in the batteries later this afternoon, early evening. I have to remember I'm charging two batteries with one charger. I kept Battery Switch in "off" position to keep juice staying in batteries instead of going through the boat. I felt real stupid when I saw that switch in the "Both" position. Obviously hatch did not raise and I can't get inside far enough to unclip the hinge.

After all this time I never tried the Shore Power. Feel stupid again. :D :D

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Damn Russ, you decided to turn yourself in eh? :D

Re: Removing old "thru-hulls"...
 

Yeah, I felt so bad about all the Nextel chit you're going through, I decided to save you the trouble...:D :D