Who makes the best stainless thru hulls?
Cost is not a factor.
It is obviously a lengthy project and using inferior product is not an option.
The plastic OEM look terrible after a few years.
Any thoughts?
Perko, Attwood,Southco?
Does Tiara use the chrome plastic now on their new boats?
Do these actually hold up?
I replaced all mine on a 98 31 Open with Perko's. Not cheap $45 or so each, but look great and fit & connected to the existing hoses well. Only issue is grounding. The old Durlon didn't require it. The SS ones come with a grounding screw and should be connected to one of the grounding busses. A lot of extra work fishing a green wire from all the through hulls!
The following 1 user Likes Dakota773's post:1 user Likes Dakota773's post YOLO (07-12-2015)
The lower grade stainless will leave rust stains on your gelcoat and will require polishing now and then. The better grades look like new for many years. West Marine usually carries the better grades at a price. Take a magnet with you when buying stainless (and brass). If it has any attraction at all it will probably leave rust stains. Same goes for stainless screws. Remember it's "Stain-LESS, not stain-PROOF".
As a note, WINK takes rust stains off gelcoat. Got it at ACE Hardware.
I see no reason to bond thru-hulls that are above the water line, (comments please).
You can paint plastic thru-hulls with Awlgrip on the outside and they look great and last for years. I did that on those that were near impossible to change. I also Alwgrip my antennas and they stay smooth and shine for years. No more glass splinters.
Capt. George
The following 1 user Likes Uhehner's post:1 user Likes Uhehner's post YOLO (07-12-2015)