Through hulls

General
1

Hello
I am trying to find out if Hinterholler used Marelon through hulls in the original boat construction. I have searched the topic site on our web and couldn’t find that answer but perhaps missed it. I have an N36 circa 1987. My through hulls look like Marelon but have no labels. I’m trying to be sure they are not some cheaper plastic variety that are more prone to failure.
Thanks

John Waldhausen
N36
Northern Star #57
Bainbridge Island, WA

2

Yours are most likely Marelon. The alternative would have been bronze. Above the waterline was only valves if an owner ordered it. Most above waterline thru hulls were nylon.

3

I did a quick search of the combined archives (i.e., this forum on Discourse plus everything in the Google Discussion group since 2009). No prior reports leaped out of anything other than bronze or Marelon thru-hull valves and flanges below the waterline, and no reports of failures.

Not directly related, but worth mentioning:

  1. Above the waterline, there are reports of nylon through hulls, which definitely require inspection due to risk of UV damage.
  2. Also, there were a couple of reports concerning the nylon fittings for overboard venting of fumes from the propane locker. The concerns there are: UV or stress causing fractures of the fittings, separation of the vent hoses from the fittings, and dips in the hoses which could enable concentrations of fumes to build up.

– Bob

4

Thank you both.
John

John Waldhausen

5

Note also the discussion of alternative non-bronze choices in another thread: NS30C galley through hull replacement - #9 by NS233_Bob_Neches

– Bob

6

They are Forespar Marelon, you can still get the same ones. I replaced them all but to be fair: there was no need for it. The above-waterline nylon ones however, they should be replaced.

7

Depending on the age of your boat, they may be the R.C. brand. That’s what I have, and it is the Marelon composite, not nylon. From the Forespar site, “They were marketed by R.C. Marine® and imported by Forespar® from 1981 until Forespar® purchased the tooling in 1986 and began molding the parts…”

Dan Weinstein, Look Farther, 30C #205, East Greenwich RI