Un-Used Thru-Hull fittings

[biglurr54]

I can?t believe I can?t find more posts with this problem. I?m sure this is a fairly common issue. I have an Aluminum boat that was a fishing boat. I have since removed the live well and the pump for the live well. I now have three fittings on the boat that are not being used. I am looking for a way to plug these fittings permanently. I have a transom leak and have been sealing everything with 5200. I currently have three methods that I have sealed the thru hull fittings. One is a small metal freeze out plug that I pushed up into the through hull. I?m worried this will rust and fall out. I believe it is currently leaking. The second thru-hull I attached a hose to then I put a large bolt in the end of the hose and clamped it. This is water tight bit it takes up a lot of space in my bilge. The other thru-hull is above the water line and it has a freeze out plug that is rubber and metal. That plug is fine and never even sees the water. Should I replace the through hulls with drain plugs? I?m not sure if I can find the correct size drain plug for the thru-hull. Any help would be great.

 

[shrew]

Re: Un-Used Thru-Hull fittings

You could connect a hose from each unused through hull to each other. I'd make sure there isn't a low spot in the hose, so water won't collect there. They make many fitting to connect larger hoses to smaller hoses. Even 3 way connectors if you have an odd number. This way if you decide you, or anyone else wants to reinstall things, there are through-hulls available. Just a thought.