When to replace thru hulls

[Tracuman]

OK, finally getting some work done on Callipygian over the weekend. Replacing all hoses and filters on the engine so I can see if it works. While replacing hoses, I ended up replacing the ball valve for the raw water intake because of "pink" on the bronze fittings. I replaced this with a new 3-way valve so I could pump fresh water thru the engine when we're done for the day. In the process of snugging up the new valve, the thru hull began to rotate in the hole, so I took the valve off, loosened the thru hull with about an inch of clearance, cleaned, sanded a tiny bit, then rebedded.
My question is when should you automatically rebed thru hulls? Nothing leaks now, but I'm afraid that after 8 years of neglect once she's back in the h2o in a few months being used at least every weekend stuff will "loosen up". This could be the perfect opportunity to do this, but the old saying "If it ain't broke...."
Any rules of thumb from you old salts out there????

[Boyd]

Hi:

When I put Tern on the hard for a major hull redo, I ended up pulling and replaced all the thru hulls. I figured 20 years of PO neglect was enough to make their condition suspect. Especially since the prop zinc was totally gone when I got the boat.

Much to my surprise I found the old ones in excellent condition. I replaced them anyway... after all I already had new ones in the truck and the old ones out.

I suggest you pull one or two and see how they look.

Boyd
s/v Tern
CD30 MkII
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

[Jerry Hammernik]

I don't think you need to replace bronze fittings unless you see something wrong. Roger from Bristol Bronze has given a number of examples of bronze pieces that are 80 or more years old and still good.

Rebedding is a different question. I've been doing mine every 7 or 8 years and I've never found a problem. I'm wondering if I'm overdoing it? (Yes, this is the year they are due!) I'm curious as to what schedule others are using for rebedding thru hulls.

[Tracuman]

Thanks Jerry,
that's the kind of stuff I was looking to find out. Since it's been about 8 years since at least a rebed, I probably should take 'em out, inspect and rebed them. Nothing looks bad and nothing has been leaking , but I don't want to haul again in a few months because use makes them leaky. A little work, a little sealant, and we should be good to go for another 8 years!

[George Shaunfield]

Besides rebedding the thru-hulls, I would encourage you to rebed the backing plates as well. If they are not in good shape, then make new ones.

George