1996 231 thru hull fittings

[96231]

I have a 1996 231 WA and want to replace all of the plastic thru hull fittings with stainless steel. I believe there are 8 of them, maybe more. Can anyone give me a list of the sizes I would need so I can order them all at once. I do not have access to my boat right now  as it is in storage an hour and a half away.
     Thanks in advance.

    To update this post after starting this project in the fall I just finished on 4-4-10. It was not easy but well worth it. I replaced the the fittings because some were starting to crack and also wanted the updated look of stainless steel. There were a total of 11 thru hulls. The odd sizes were for the 2 under seat fish boxes. the drains had 1'' hoses and it was hard to find a thru hull to fit the hole in the boat with less than 1 1/8th. I used the 1 1/8th and made the hose fit. The old drains for the fish boxes needed to be broken out and replaced because i could not get the hoses off and I also replaced the foward cockpit drains with flushmounts to reduce the puddle that always sat in front of the seats. If I had all of the parts in front of me and know what I know now, I could do the whole job in 1 day.

[a7ewizard]

I replaced the 5 at the stern on my 251 with Marlon thru-hulls. Their item number is #906030. WestMarine's part number is 209395. This should get you in the right direction.

As I recall, there was a hose issue that made it a bit harder (never easy on a boat!). I think a couple of the old thru-hulls had built in 90 degree barb fittings and different diameter hose...maybe 5/8 instead of the 3/4. WestMarine has couplers that will make it work.

I am heading out fishing! I will take a look and refresh my memory on this.

Warren

[231CALIFORNIA]

 before you start you have more than 8 likely, if you intend to get them all.

small ones maybe 3/4"size(hose)   ---  Galley sink drain, foreward bilge pump outlet ,2 helm area floor drains, 1 small anchor locker drain=5
large ones fish box drains 2, aft deck drains 2, baitwell drain , bilge pump drain=6
i think the bilge pump is 1 1/8" size, not sure of the others.

if you have a second aft bilge pump add 1  more.
 watch out for items that may have 90 degree bends or  5/8 hose size

I  too considered this at one point to make her look a bit more upscale.
might do only the big ones.

I did not count water tank vent  on port or fuel tank vent starboard, as they are already metal.

 btw you cant get to the anchor locker drain easily, maybe skip that one.

Let us know how easy or difficult it is in case any of us undertake a similar job.
are you doing it for appearance? or some other reason?
Functionally they seem fine and the matterials appear very strong.

[a7ewizard]

More info......

It appears that the Marlon are 1 inch barb fittings. I must have had to size the replacements to the size of the existing cut-outs. The cockpit drains use the 1 inch hose and connect directly to the new fittings. The others all use 3/4 to 1 inch couplers.

I replaced mine because the sun-exposed nylon originals were beginning to deteriorate and flake. I did this when I had the engine pulled because the oil pan was rusting out.

I haven't tackled the others so I can't advise on sizing.

Warren

[231CALIFORNIA]

THE Stainless ones ive seen have a bonding screw, it that neccessaryor not  on the below water line ones ? im  semisure it would  not apply to above water line ones  woudl it?
was browsing a defender catalog because of this discussion.

[brad1951]

Just a note to let you know this is not a minor project. You will find that all thru hulls are not created equal. You can not just go by the hose size when ordering replacement thru hulls. The cut size required are not the same for all brands.At the plant we are now using UNC thru hulls on the wide beam boats, these are a molded nylon with a stainless cap. They do not require bonding wires and are constructed in such a way that the cap is molded into the nylon. My proline was a prototype that was built in 97 and never went into production but it used the same hardware as your boat. To fill the cutouts from the factory 1 1/8th thru hulls I had to use 1 1/2 thru hulls then a 1 1/8 reducer to the floor drain hose. If you really need to replacement due to weathering I would pull the old thru hulls and make sure the replacements fit the cut out before buying.If you are only doing this for the up graded look I would think long and hard before starting this .

[kregars]

I was thinking of doing the same thing, also for 2 reasons...I would rather not have the nylon/plastic at or just above the water line, and I thought it would give the vessel a refreshed look...but I was looking to use brass over stainless steel (polished brass of course).  Because of this discussion, I may have to reconsider...anyone know if the 1991 260 WA's have the same issue with regards to the hose size vs the barbed connections on the thru-hulls?  Anyone know who the original manufacturer was on the thru-hulls and if they offer a direct fit in metal (brass or stainless)?

[96231]

To update this post after starting this project in the fall I just finished on 4-4-10. It was not easy but well worth it. I replaced the the fittings because some were starting to crack and also wanted the updated look of stainless steel. There were a total of 11 thru hulls. The odd sizes were for the 2 under seat fish boxes. the drains had 1'' hoses and it was hard to find a thru hull to fit the hole in the boat with less than 1 1/8th. I used the 1 1/8th and made the hose fit. The old drains for the fish boxes needed to be broken out and replaced because i could not get the hoses off and I also replaced the foward cockpit drains with flushmounts to reduce the puddle that always sat in front of the seats. If I had all of the parts in front of me and know what I know now, I could do the whole job in 1 day.

[231CALIFORNIA]

Which part did you use in front of the helm?, Ive been cosidering that one since bob mentioned it,   and how did you access the back of the fittings to clamp and install the floor drains? throught he tackle box cutouts or the center deckpate or other? long arm required?
Im not yet ready to take on the through hulls yet as my plastic ones are very serviceable still(stored out of sun on trailer)

does the overall job make the boat look more upscale with metal?

Thanks for any info.
fellow 96 231 skipper

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