thru hull access

[Ken Heyman]

While doing a spring safety check, I realized I didn't have a balsa plug tied to the depth finder transducer. On our boat, this is nearly impossible to reach let alone potentially arrest a column of water coming thru, should it fail. It is slightly aft and starboard of the water heater.The water heater is accessed through a panel (door) on the port side of the bottom of the sink installation. I guess in an emergency, I could break things to get at it but just curious if anyone had dealt with this.

thanks in advance,

Ken

[Ron Hill]

Ken : I've got the pack of emergency plugs to stop a leak from a broken off thru hull.  My plugs are popular wood, NOT balsa.
However the depth finder transducer hole on my 1988 is filled with an almost flush (on the hull-side) transducer and I NEVER  envision having the fill that 2 1/2" hole with a plug!!   
If your depth transducer is the removable type, the company should have supplied you with a nylon plug made to only go in that bedded in holder when you remove the transducer.  Other wise most transducers are bedded in on top of a piece of 1/4" plywood (to seal/swell because of the hull curvature).
I wouldn't worry about it.  A thought.   

[Ken Heyman]

Thanks Ron,

I don't believe this is the removable type transducer. There was no nylon plug provided by the PO.  Data Marine is the mfg. and I'll give them a buzz. I agree with you that this issue probably ranks fairly low on a list of "what might go wrong". I appreciate the "in depth" explanation,however.

Ken

[Ron Hill]

Ken : Data Marine does make a removable depth transducer, just like the knot log transducer!!  I have one as a spare and plan on installing it if/when the fixed depth transducer ever fails. 
You can tell if your's is removable as it looks just like the knot log transducer - with a horizontal pin to hold the transducer in place.   

[Ken Heyman]

Okay Ron,

I'm about to leave for the yard & I will check it out. I suspect it may be a bit easier to remove now (I've had some problems with my Data Marine depth sounder) than a month from now when she is floating.

Thanks again!,

Ken

[Stu Jackson]

Hi, Ken

Based on our joint experience last New Years, we already KNOW that it can be done in the water -- but you're sure right when you say it's easier now than later!!!   

Hi to Carol.