Thru-Hull Fitting Article

[Brad_Ct]

I read a article in the December Boat U.S. Magazine concerning Thru-Hull fittings failures and they say that only bronze and Marelon (plastic) should be used for below water line fittings. I know a lot of you including myself have used stainless steel fittings especially for scuppers. I also read somewhere else that if stainless is left in a oxygen free atmosphere it will eventually rust and fail.

I know that most of us don't leave our boats in the water long enough for this to happen but thought it might interest some of you.

 

[swatski]

I read a article in the December Boat U.S. Magazine concerning Thru-Hull fittings failures and they say that only bronze and Marelon (plastic) should be used for below water line fittings. I know a lot of you including myself have used stainless steel fittings especially for scuppers. I also read somewhere else that if stainless is left in a oxygen free atmosphere it will eventually rust and fail.

I know that most of us don't leave our boats in the water long enough for this to happen but thought it might interest some of you.

My thinking would be: if you wet slip, especially in salt, the steering/throttle cables and other AK fittings, but also pump bearings and shafts, will rust apart and wear rings will swell before the stainless steel scooper fails..., no?

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