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mikebikeboy · 08-12-2019, 08:42

Recently bought a Cape Dory 27, currently on the hard, on the Mississippi River

I was servicing the seacocks yesterday, all Spartan Marine bronze seackcocks. One took me a while to get out, and once out, the tapered valve is bulged. So gonna replace that thru-hull and seacock. Problem is, it's too cold for epoxy / fiberglass work and must wait until spring. However, I need to ensure this through hull will be watertight until after the Mississippi is finished flooding in the spring.

Anyone know how I can plug up this thru hull / broken seacock long enough (3-4 months) to until it's warmer and I can refit a new assembly properly?

I was thinking about that yellow closed cell expanding foam but not sure how watertight that is.

Or, is that an idiotic idea?

Many thanks!

Mike

sailormed · 08-12-2019, 08:46

Take 2 pieces of waterresistant ply.One outide one inside. Throughbolt and tighten. Use rubber gasket or any other sealant you think appropriate. Done.

Breaking Waves · 08-12-2019, 09:04

thruhull is still ok - right?

then bronze pipe cap

other materials (like brass) also fine for this short term application.

mikebikeboy · 08-12-2019, 10:22

@sailormed - Thank you for the great idea!

@Breaking Waves - Thru-hull is fine. However, once I remove the seacock, there will be 2 bolt holes on either side of the thru-hull hole. I suppose I could simply reinsert the bolts and re-bed them with some sealant.

Two great options, thanks guys! Much better than filling the thru-hull and seacock with expanding foam... Glad I posted here.

mikebikeboy · 10-12-2019, 09:57

I removed the seacock and thru-hull. The thru-hull's threads were damaged during removal so I'm going to go for option @sailormed's idea, except on the outside instead of plywood I'm going to use 1/4' steel plate. On the inside I'll use a piece of plywood.

Question regarding sealants: I have a few lying around. I have some silicon stuff, and also some Life Caulk

What would be your sealant of choice for a 3-4 month job? It might be submerged in the muddy Mississippi for a few weeks. Cold water.

mikebikeboy · 14-12-2019, 23:38

I ended up using some Life Calk for sealant. The inside I used a block of wood. Outside I used a rubber cookie and a piece of 1/8' steel plate. I ran a bolt through it all. I think it's going to hold great. Thanks again for the help guys, I really appreciate it.