Skin fittings - anything I need to know?

[Bilopete]

Hi all,

My 2nd tinnie came with an anchor well which has a drain but at present it drains into the boat and I want it to drain out.

Is there anything I need to know about drilling a hole in an aluminium hull?

A quick search seems to suggest using a hole bit the size of the skin fitting and using a lubricant like WD40. Once finished, gice it a quick file and install the fitting.

Do I need to seal or paint the aluminium after drilling but before installing the platic fitting?

The boat is a 4.3m Sea-jay tinnie with probably 3mm sides (at a guess)

Never done it before and bit nervious I'll damage my toy!

Cheers

Peter

[stevej]

how much water enters the hull now?
i ve drilled afew hole sin hulls but mainly in th etransom
aim to not drill in any obvious stress points and on flat sheet, and be aware and fitting must be out of the way or protected as if you snap it off you now got a decent sized hole in your boat

i regret it now but got 3 holes below water line on the transom, planning a new boat and will have i think they called wet boxes with a tap on them so if something busts i got a proper seal to the outside

[Grand_Marlin]

I honestly don't know why people get so nervous about below waterline fittings.

If they are installed properly, there is no problem.

Pete, with your anchor well drain, I am guessing the fitting will be well above waterline.

Cut it with the holesaw, clean up with Metho and then use Sikaflex 291 to seal it as you put it in.
Wipe off the excess Sika and clean up with Metho while the Sika is still wet.

If people are putting skin fittings in below water line, it is best to use Stainless (not plastic) fittings for strength, and ALWAYS install a seacock / valve so as it can be turned off.

Cheers

Pete

[White Pointer]

Hi all,

My 2nd tinnie came with an anchor well which has a drain but at present it drains into the boat and I want it to drain out.

Is there anything I need to know about drilling a hole in an aluminium hull?

A quick search seems to suggest using a hole bit the size of the skin fitting and using a lubricant like WD40. Once finished, gice it a quick file and install the fitting.

Do I need to seal or paint the aluminium after drilling but before installing the platic fitting?

The boat is a 4.3m Sea-jay tinnie with probably 3mm sides (at a guess)

Never done it before and bit nervious I'll damage my toy!

Cheers

Peter

G'day,

Why would a boat manufacturer drain an anchor well into a boat. Seems pretty dumb to me. Is it a defect that they should fix?

White Pointer

[Bilopete]

G'day,

Why would a boat manufacturer drain an anchor well into a boat. Seems pretty dumb to me. Is it a defect that they should fix?

White Pointer

Hi White Pointer,

The anchor well must have been an after thought by the previous owner as it looks to be dropped in and welded. What gets me though is they spend time/money/effort doing this and they don't bother finishing the job with some hose and a skin fitting...go figure!

Cheers

Pete

[Bilopete]

I honestly don't know why people get so nervous about below waterline fittings.

If they are installed properly, there is no problem.

Pete, with your anchor well drain, I am guessing the fitting will be well above waterline.

Cut it with the holesaw, clean up with Metho and then use Sikaflex 291 to seal it as you put it in.
Wipe off the excess Sika and clean up with Metho while the Sika is still wet.

If people are putting skin fittings in below water line, it is best to use Stainless (not plastic) fittings for strength, and ALWAYS install a seacock / valve so as it can be turned off.

Cheers

Pete

Yeah your right, the skin fitting will sit fairly high on the hull and is definately out of the water when putting around and on the plane.

I note your comment about always installing a valve. The anchor well is only about 1 x 1 x 1 foot and will be above the skin fitting so why do you suggest always having one?

Cheers

Pete

[Grand_Marlin]

G'day Pete,

If people are putting skin fittings in below water line, it is best to use Stainless (not plastic) fittings for strength, and ALWAYS install a seacock / valve so as it can be turned off.

Cheers

Pete

As stated ... I was referring to below waqter line.

Above waterline isn't necessary for your application as there is no chance of flooding through the skin fitting.

Cheers

Pete