While the getting the engine bay ready for the new motor I pulled the plastic fitting off that bolts to the transom assembly that the sea water pump hose attaches to. While taking the bolts out on snaps off (great!!!) and the other barely makes it out. When I get plastic piece off I see water passage is full closed up by the corrosion pushing the rubber hose and plastic fitting inward. As I was drilling out the bolt that snapped some of the threads were coming out as powder so was thinking hard about capping it off and using a lo water pick up. After trying to pick the plastic retainer and rubber hose out the alum was just crumbling so I gave up and capped it off using 5200 so I never have to see that mess again. I hate adding another hole in the transom, but next to changing the transom assembly out which appears to be very tight and in good shape I can't think of any alternatives. I did the same thing on my last boat due to the same problem and the low water pick up I made worked very good. Even though I 5200 my last one on and never had a drop of water in the 150 hours I owned the boat I still don't like it. The last boat was easy because it wasn't a step hull. I have to figure out where to put it on my velocity because of the step hull and bad bottom. Any ideas on where to mount it?

Would be nice to have a transom assemble that wasn't blocked off from corrosion. I'm 2 for 2 with corroded ones.

I think you mean "notched transom" and "pad bottom"?

Lol.... That's exactly what I meant. Not thinking straight with my loooong list of things to do in order to have the boat done for smokin the sound in two weeks.

I cant post pics from my phone but if you shoot me an email I can show you where I put mine
[email protected]

Were they both salt or brackish water boats? I have yet to encounter that, but fresh water is all we see around these parts.

First was salt second I'm not sure.

An OSO forum member named Amarket Owner has come up with a different solution for this problem.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/d...e-problem.html

http://www.amarket.com/BRAVOblock.htm

Just read something similar,
http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser-...ml#post4164868

Thanks for the link. I'm thinking anoint ordering that kit so I don't have to install a low water pickup. The only issue is on of my holt holes is a bit stripped and I may need to go up on size in order to get good bite when locking it down.

The only other concern I had was the heat shrink hose clamp. I've never seen one and not sure how well they hold. Would be serious issues if it came off.

CP - did you end up buying those Ferrea inconel valves that I pointed out to you?

Yes I did. Got them in a couple weeks a ago.