Best location for a thru-hull fitting

[NWVintage]

What is the best location for a thru-hull fitting? I am going to put in a fitting to run a washdown (and possibly a livewell in the future). My plan was to put it in the transom just above and to one side or the other of the drain plug (maybe an inch or so from the drain) but is that the best location? I was just thinking that putting a 3/4" hole in a major structural piece of the boat may not be the ideal solution...

My boat is a 19.5' Glasply. The only other place that's accessible is bottom of the bilge but I've read some stuff that cautioned against this because of interference with cooling/sonar/depth equipment (and I have a Merc 470 with a 3" exchanger, so I don't need any interference...). I have the motor out right now and will be pulling the fuel tank before the boat sees water again, so let me know what you think. The boat does not sit deep enough in the water to put the fitting in the side of the hull.

 

[alldodge]

This will depend most on what kind of hull you have and size of boat. Most thru hulls are installed in the hulls bottom with ball valves on fiberglass hulls. As you say it can be an issue if inline with the prop, or other underwater sensors.

 

[bruceb58]

Also, make sure it isn't going to be protruding where a trailer bunk is if you have that option.