hole in transom

[ABC]

I'm in the process of installing some lights on my swim platform.. I need to run some power through the transom to power them. What kind of thru-hull fitting should i use? ideally, the hole will be right next to where the platform attaches to the transom.

[zabooda]

Since you are below the water line, you will need a water tight through the hull connector so I would check with a marine parts store. They are common in the ship's hold between bulkheads

[tazz3069]

When i did install my Abyss Lights, I drilled a very small hole for the wire to go through. I used Marine silicone/sealant to plug up the hole. When i lake tested the lights, I looked very hard at the spot were the wire came through. NO leaks.

[ABC]

tazz.. that was my initial plan, but it just seemed too cheap and easy. my second plan was to install some sort of waterproof plug in the transom, but that seemed kinda complex and expensive... I was hoping for some 3rd option.

I think I'll probably go with plan 1. if the boat starts to sink, i'll just fill it back up with epoxy.

[gcnettl]

I would look for a thru hull connector, as mentioned above. Ill look around fast and see if I can find you one and post back.


*******

Here is one idea. Use this thru hull fitting to run your wires through, and you can fill it slap up with silicone. http://www.boatfix.com/shop3/store/listItems.asp?strSearch=23-665423

[gcnettl]

I found this power plug for a Cannon underwater camera, but i cannot find a female connector for it. Might be worth looking into.
http://www.diguniverse.com/MARINE-AND-RECREATION-PRODUCTS/DOWNRIGGERS/33706.html

[ABC]

this looks like the one i need

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=8925

but that is still a much bigger hole than just drilling one the size of the wire and filling with silicone.

What is the advantage of the fitting? will it keep the gelcoat from cracking out or have some structural advantages or does it just look pretty.

[tazz3069]

That looks like it might just work for you.

[mmandley]

I would look for a thru hull connector, as mentioned above. Ill look around fast and see if I can find you one and post back.


*******

Here is one idea. Use this thru hull fitting to run your wires through, and you can fill it slap up with silicone. http://www.boatfix.com/shop3/store/listItems.asp?strSearch=23-665423

Isn't this the ballast and bilge pump ports in stainless? I been looking to upgrade to those over the plastic ones.

[tazz3069]

mmandley--
you can find those on Ebay. i did. I did not like the black plastic ones that came with the boat. So I did a search on ebay and found them. Cant really remember how much I paid for them but they really look alot nicer than the black ones.

[Razzman]

You also use a strain relief fitting if you can find one small enough for your wire size.

[EarmarkMarine]

ABC,

For under swimdeck lights we palce a mini stainless steel clamshell just above the swimdeck. We seal the penetration and fill the clamshell with marine silicon. We also have a silicon sealed quick-disconnect so you can still remove the swimdeck.

For true transom-mounted underwater lights, like the ABYSS for example, where the penetration is underwater, we use a poly sealer. A poly underwater sealer stays forever compliant so it never hardens or shrinks. I don't like the 3M 5200, which many use, because if you ever have to remove and service anything, the gelcoat might come off with the part.

David
Earmark Marine

[Razzman]

David, you gotta pic of that mini clamshell?

[mmandley]

mmandley--
you can find those on Ebay. i did. I did not like the black plastic ones that came with the boat. So I did a search on ebay and found them. Cant really remember how much I paid for them but they really look alot nicer than the black ones.

I found them on Ebay also, do you recall what size threw bolts they are? As hard as most of then are to get to i don't want to pull one out just to measure it if you recall the size.

[wolfeman131]

well, we hijacked this thread - sorry

Mike,

Newty used the 3/4" ones. This is from his reply post on Sled's Mods:L

Looks great! Those thu-hulls are nice huh? I Love the wrap but I'm suprised they don't wrap the black to match. Kind of a weird transition.
Jester they have a threaded nut on the back and a barb fitting for the hose. Super easy to do... if you flexible enought to get under the dash.
I have 5 of them on my boat now.
Heres the link to the guy I got them through. Check out the pic and you will see what I'm talking about.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Set-3...4574QQtcZphoto

While that item # shows being ended, it looks like you can still get them from this ebay seller: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Set-3-Stainless-Boat-Thru-Hull-Fittings-3-4-Fitting_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZQ7c301Q3a1Q7c2 93Q3a1Q7c294Q3a30QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em14Q2el126 2QQhashZitem1c09f2e8a1QQitemZ120425998497QQptZBoat Q5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

[mmandley]

Thanks Wolf i was looking and both places i found them had been closed and all i was finding were the adds for 20 each, not 20 for 3.

Anyone got extras, i need a 4th lol.