3100 open'94 crusaders sea chests

[Persistence]

Hi all, i'm looking for something to make a nice seal over my sea chests so i can run the motors easily and winterize while out of the water. I tried a nice 3" pvc threaded cap but it was too big. looks like i need 2 3/4" or so. basically i want to pop the sea chest cap and insert something connected to a hose / barrel. My friend has a decent rubber piece that fits its just not that snug but it does work.

How do others do this?

thanks

[justrollin]

Im looking to do the same except mine screw in so I guess I will buy a new cap and thread in a garden hose adapter so all I have to do is unscrew the cap screw in the one for winterizeing hook up my hose and flow antifreeze done.

[ReelMagic]

I went to Home Depot and found a rubber adapter used for plumbing that fit the top lip of the raw water strainer (~3" and held in place by a big hose clamp) with the cap removed. Added PVC adapters to reduce the size to 1.25" and added a 1.25" hose that goes to a bucket (added a thru-the-hull fitting to the bottom of the bucket that attaches to the 1.25" hose) .... I fill the bucket with non-tox antifreeze and run the motor (make sure the thru-the-hull raw water intake is closed). When the bucket is empty I shut the engine off.. Been winterizing this way for 20+ years on my 31 Open and now on my 38 Open

[Persistence]

hi reelmagic, that sounds about what my buddy has. it works ok, just not totally snug. so you have to be quick with the hose valves and the engine crank. do yo have a picture? i think i know the rubber cap. maybe get it around 3" and it can go over the sea chest. I just want to have my own stuff, it makes it so much easier than hunting down someone else's i did use another friends 2" pvc fitting he made for my groco sea chest on my ac. that screwed in and worked well. just seems the engine chests are not standard size.

[ReelMagic]

Hi Persistence.. Mine works great and is tight around the lip of the raw water strainer.. No leaks..... Will take a picture and post (if possible) in a couple of day's......If for some reason I can't post let me have your E-Mail address.....

[BustAndBalls]

What brand and model sea strainers do you have? I have Groco's on my Tiara so I got a spare top, drilled and tapped it in the center and installed a 3/4"npt X hose thread fitting.