Vulnerability of Plastic Through Hulls ?

[Graham376]

Maybe there is an argument for disconnecting the thin multicore wires connected to your echo sounder and log in a thunderstorm. I suspect they would be vapourized like a half amp fuse before any possible damage could be caused to the plastic through hulls!

Our computer, phones and tablets go into the microwave but I'm not going to be messing around with any wiring when there's lightening around, quickest way to wind up very crispy

 

[Boathook]

Our computer, phones and tablets go into the microwave but I'm not going to be messing around with any wiring when there's lightening around, quickest way to wind up very crispy

I suspect that if the transducers were a serious problem with lighting strikes we would be placing connections in easy to get locations to unplug and separate wires plus the installation instructions would mention it as well.

 

[Zing]

My concern is they are not as tough or as strong as bronze. They have been known to fail for various reasons. Here’s a recent example of failure (edit, later found to be the speed log, so not a failure of the thru-hull).:

 

[lustyd]

Given there's no explanation in that video I wouldn't put too much stock in it yet. He says "plastic throughhulls" which could mean almost anything. He also said "I just fitted" so you can't rule out installation issues. It's YouTube so you also can't really rule out an element of sensationalism for profit.

 

[Zing]

Given there's no explanation in that video I wouldn't put too much stock in it yet. He says "plastic throughhulls" which could mean almost anything. He also said "I just fitted" so you can't rule out installation issues. It's YouTube so you also can't really rule out an element of sensationalism for profit.

It ‘broke off’ he said. You can see in an earlier video that he installed them correctly. There is no sensationalism. It’s a real drama.

Actually, video comments say it was the speed log, so a different lesson and a different failure.

 

[lustyd]

Yes, he did say that. What I'm saying is that assuming it's a real failure (I don't necessarily doubt this, but its a possibility given the money involved) then we would need to wait for a follow up video with an actual explanation rather than make wild assumptions about composite through hulls based on a video in which we can't see the through hull in question and he was busy filming and bailing. I will add that if my boat were sinking, I would be bailing with two hands rather than filming.

Edit - I just watched the fitting video so he did at least confirm they are Trudesign, although there were some brass ones in there too so we can't be sure which broke or even if it was a cock. He seems a bit haphazard about the installation but certainly no worse than any pros I've seen!

 

[mrangry]

I see he did not fit the load collars, but as this was reported as a speed log unit and not a seacock so its academic really is it not?

 

[Graham376]

I suspect that if the transducers were a serious problem with lighting strikes we would be placing connections in easy to get locations to unplug and separate wires plus the installation instructions would mention it as well.

A direct lightening strike will be several million volts and has already jumped a thousand or more feet so, a few separated wires aren't going to deter it from jumping a bit further. I suspect that big lump of metal a few inches below the steel mast support pole will be far more attractive but hope never to find out.

 

[Martin&Rene]

Based on the comments above, I have now written to the YM, so it will be interesting to see their response.

 

[C08]

My NASA speed log cracked and started leaking. Fortunately I had glassed the thing in as recommended. I only found out when I lifted out to do something else and noticed water dripping from the log. Very lucky not to have lost the boat. I took it out and glassed up the hole. I fitted it very carefully as I thought it looked quite flimsy for a boat critical through hull fitting, although 10 years before this.

 

[Sandy]

My concern is they are not as tough or as strong as bronze. They have been known to fail for various reasons. Here’s a recent example of failure (edit, later found to be the speed log, so not a failure of the thru-hull).:

I can never really understand why people concentrate on ranting at a video camera rather than get on with the job in hand.

Would be interesting to know why his log failed and why he did not check ALL his through hulls to start with, or am I being too systematic as an engineer.

 

[ProDave]

My previous boat had plastic through hulls for the cockpit drains, only slightly above the waterline and one would be under when heeling.

Right at the back of the cockpit, plastic through hulls and plastic pipe attached with jubilee clips been there since 1983 when the boat was built I suspect.

It always worried me what if one snapped off? a bung would be the only hope.

It was always on my "to do" list, but to get at them you would have to be far slimmer and far more flexible than me to crawl into a very small space under the cockpit to change them. they were still there intact when I sold the boat.

 

[Sandy]

My previous boat had plastic through hulls for the cockpit drains, only slightly above the waterline and one would be under when heeling.

Right at the back of the cockpit, plastic through hulls and plastic pipe attached with jubilee clips been there since 1983 when the boat was built I suspect.

It always worried me what if one snapped off? a bung would be the only hope.

It was always on my "to do" list, but to get at them you would have to be far slimmer and far more flexible than me to crawl into a very small space under the cockpit to change them. they were still there intact when I sold the boat.

My last boat, a Mirage 28, had cockpit drains that led through the engine compartment and exited well under the water line. David Feltham cleary had a bad day when he designed that; through hulls open all the time or leave the cockpit to fill with rain water? My current boat, a Gib'Sea, has cockpit drains that are well above the waterline and just glassed in tubes.

 

[pvb]

Actually, video comments say it was the speed log, so a different lesson and a different failure.

Yes, and I don't think he replaced that. The previous video where he installed new through-hulls included this pic.

 

[pvb]

The funniest thing about the video in post 23 is that, when the boat started taking on water, almost the first thing the guy did was to film himself swearing about it! I'd have been bailing. Still, he's obviously one of those sea gypsies who exists on donations from YouTube viewers.

 

[Zing]

I can never really understand why people concentrate on ranting at a video camera rather than get on with the job in hand.

Would be interesting to know why his log failed and why he did not check ALL his through hulls to start with, or am I being too systematic as an engineer.

The funniest thing about the video in post 23 is that, when the boat started taking on water, almost the first thing the guy did was to film himself swearing about it! I'd have been bailing. Still, he's obviously one of those sea gypsies who exists on donations from YouTube viewers.

He did say he had been working on the problem for 3 or 4 hours. Had fixed the leak, got the coast guard on scene and was too exhausted to bale water effectively, so made a short video for his supporters. It seems to me he had his priorities correctly lined up. As for the further analysis you’ll need to subscribe and hit the bell ?.

 

[geem]

Yes, he did say that. What I'm saying is that assuming it's a real failure (I don't necessarily doubt this, but its a possibility given the money involved) then we would need to wait for a follow up video with an actual explanation rather than make wild assumptions about composite through hulls based on a video in which we can't see the through hull in question and he was busy filming and bailing. I will add that if my boat were sinking, I would be bailing with two hands rather than filming.

Edit - I just watched the fitting video so he did at least confirm they are Trudesign, although there were some brass ones in there too so we can't be sure which broke or even if it was a cock. He seems a bit haphazard about the installation but certainly no worse than any pros I've seen!

I have watched a few of his videos. He doesnt have much idea. Friends happened to by in the boatyard next to him and confirmed he is incompetent. I certainly wouldn’t rule out operator error?

 

[ProDave]

The funniest thing about the video in post 23 is that, when the boat started taking on water, almost the first thing the guy did was to film himself swearing about it! I'd have been bailing. Still, he's obviously one of those sea gypsies who exists on donations from YouTube viewers.

He had stopped the leak and manual bailing with the bilge pump was keeping up with the residual rate of leakage.

His problem was he could not start the engine. but it was a sail boat wasn't it, so could he not have sailed it to land?

 

[Sandy]

He did say he had been working on the problem for 3 or 4 hours. Had fixed the leak, got the coast guard on scene and was too exhausted to bale water effectively, so made a short video for his supporters. It seems to me he had his priorities correctly lined up. As for the further analysis you’ll need to subscribe and hit the bell ?.

I'd be stopping for a beer when the hull was dry rather than flapping and demanding pumps from the men in uniform, but we are all different. Can't see me hitting subscribing and hitting any bell on that channel

 

[geem]

I'd be stopping for a beer when the hull was dry rather than flapping and demanding pumps from the men in uniform, but we are all different. Can't see me hitting subscribing and hitting any bell on that channel

He was badmouthing the boatyard he was in in Curacao. The boatyard weren't happy. When he couldnt get the engine started the boatyard manager who is also a recovery guy went to the rescue. He wasn't too happy to be towing him in.
To be fair, there is no good safe havens that you can sail to in Curacao. An engine is pretty vital for negotiating the narrows in to Spanish Water or the river in to Willemstad